Tis the season of loving, and there’s arguably no better way to show your affections for your nearest and dearest than the gifting of a watch.
Meaningful, practical, timeless, and a poetic way to express enduring love, you can’t put a value on a cherished watch – although our wish list would certainly set you back a few.
As luck would have it, the biggest names in watchmaking rise to the Hallmark occasion every year with an offering of Valentine’s Day watches that would be very difficult to turn down.
Whether you prefer obvious displays of affection with models designed especially for the occasion such as Breguet’s Reine de Naples, or are planning to play it cool with a more understated piece like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic, here we round up some of our editor’s favorites.
Breguet Reine de Naples
Breguet romances with the Reine de Naples watch for Valentine’s Day, inspired by the first wristwatch made for Queen Caroline Murat in 1812. Adorned with 54 diamonds (~0.27ct), 18 pink sapphires (~0.06ct), and 23 rubies (~0.07ct), its 18K white gold case sparkles with 45 bezel-set diamonds and a cabochon-cut ruby (~0.27ct). Limited to 28 pieces, it features a self-winding movement with platinum oscillating weight, hand-guilloché decoration, and a red alligator leather strap. Functional yet glamorous, it’s water-resistant to 30m.
POA, breguet.com
Panerai Luminor Due PAM01424
This week, Panerai debuted the Luminor Due PAM01424, a sleek 42mm timepiece with a striking deep red sun-brushed dial, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Featuring a polished steel case, luminous Arabic numerals, and functional small seconds and date windows, it combines elegance with practicality. Its black alligator strap includes the innovative PAM Click Release System for easy adjustment. Powered by the automatic P.900 caliber, it offers a three-day power reserve and 5-bar water resistance. Slim and refined, the PAM01424 fits nicely on most wrists and speaks to those with a penchant for vampy romances.
£6,300, panerai.com
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
If you and your significant other enjoy sitting down together to watch ‘Drive to Survive’ and love the unadulterated glamour of Formula one, then this one is for you. During January’s LVMH watch week, TAG Heuer introduced a new Carrera Chronograph in pale pink, with a steel case set with 72 diamonds and an additional gem used for 11 of the 12 hour markers.
$8,600, tagheuer.com
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Rainbow
Another LVMH Watch Week launch, Zenith introduced a new white gold version of its Chronomaster Sport Rainbow, but its the previous 18K rose gold model we’ve got our eye on for Valentine’s Day. The timepiece was originally created on request of a Japanese VIP customer who “wanted to have as many diamonds as possible”, and the result was a one-of-one rose-gold Chronomaster Rainbow fully set with diamonds across its case and bracelet. Now that’s self love.
The 41mm case is adorned with 50 baguette-cut gemstones, including 40 sapphires and 10 diamonds. Powered by the El Primero 3600 movement, the black-dialled chronograph measures time to 1/10th of a second.
$POA, zenith-watches.com
Gérald Genta Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal
Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and although it’s inspired by a sea urchin, gifting this Gérald Genta watch certainly doesn’t make you a prickly personality. Gérald Genta introduced the Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal to the collection earlier this year, characterized by its embellishments of 137 individually set Mexican fire opals in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow, symbolizing creativity and passion. The 36mm watch features a glowing orange cornelian dial with Genta’s signature faceted crystal and octagonal design, enhanced by yellow gold hands and 5-minute markers. Powered by the GG-005 caliber, offering a 50-hour power reserve, it is water-resistant to 30m and finished with an alligator strap.
Available May 2025, $POA, geraldgenta.com
Bvlgari Serpenti Turbogas
There’s no way your other half will ever be late for a date again when they’re wearing this horological icon. Seductively entwining the wrist, the Bvlgari Serpenti Turbogas is the perfect hybrid of fine jewellery and haute horlogerie. Crafted from 18K rose gold, its 35mm case is set with brilliant-cut diamonds and features a silver opaline dial, as well as the new Lady Solotempo BVS100 quartz movement – the culmination of three years of meticulous development, created to perfectly fit within the iconic serpent’s head.
$POA, bulgari.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Pink Gold
Eschewing trends in favour of time-loved elegance, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic is probably one of the most romantic watches to gift, courtesy of its double-faced design which provides a blank canvas for a heart-felt engraving. At the heart of this watch beats a manual winding mechanical movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 846/1, but it would be our hearts beating if we were to receive it.
$15,800, jaeger-lecoultre.com
Hermès Kelly Watch
Are they stuck on the waiting list for that Kelly bag? Gift them a watch that’ll at least make the passing of time a more enjoyable affair. The Hermès watch of the same name is an excellent option. First introduced in 1975, it is quartz powered and detailed with a padlock-shaped watch case suspended on a slim leather bracelet. Forget locks on bridges, we know what we’d prefer.
$6,150, hermes.com