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Christmas Top 5: Luxury Watches Santa Would Wear

By Pascal Gehrlein
24 de dezembro de 2024
6 minutes
Santa-Watches-1-1

Christmas Top 5: Luxury Watches Santa Would Wear

Jingle bells, jingle bells – let’s not kid ourselves: The logistical and physical challenge that Santa faces every year is enormous. Giving presents to billions of children around the world in a single night is no small feat! Furthermore, Santa’s clientele is generally considered to be strict and very demanding. Tardiness or incorrect deliveries are punished with tears, shouting, and often sulking – much to the chagrin of parents. Much like James Bond, Santa Claus not only needs to have a good team around him for his delicate mission, but he also needs to have the right equipment. Along with a sleigh, a red suit, and a few reindeer, the right timepiece is an absolute must. Although the job is officially volunteer work, Santa Claus probably still has a solid enough income to add a few watches to his collection. Maybe he’s got a good inheritance, is sponsored by brands as a kind of influencer, or is cashing in on freebies. So be it – money isn’t something you talk about. Santa is definitely more than just a jolly old man in a red suit, he’s the ultimate CEO, logistics wiz, and world traveler – a true cosmopolitan. His job is not a 9-to-5 affair, but a highly precise and sensitive operation that requires the best in timekeeping. With this in mind, we have selected five luxury watches that perfectly suit his needs, each tailored to one or more aspects of Santa’s demanding mission. Let’s take a look at what Santa would wear on his wrist (or over his thick red gloves) this holiday season.

1. The Sporty Choice with Prestige: Rolex Explorer II

Rolex Explorer II
Rolex Explorer II

Unlike most of us, Santa Claus doesn’t spend his Christmas Eve in the cozy warmth of a fireplace with a fashionably questionable knit sweater, cookies, and a glass of red wine. He works in extreme conditions. Admittedly, Christmas Eve can also be considered an extreme condition for us mere mortals, surrounded as we may be by impatient and hyperactive children or the two relatives who fight every year – but it doesn’t necessarily require a watch. That is, unless you want to know when it’s finally over. No, we’re talking about extreme weather conditions: arctic winds, sudden snowstorms, and turbulent sleigh rides. The Rolex Explorer II is the ultimate companion for that kind of environment. The Explorer II was originally designed for cave explorers and adventurers, so it’s built to withstand the harshest of North Pole winters. Its 42-mm Oystersteel case is corrosion-resistant, and the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensures that Santa doesn’t have to worry about damage when he squeezes through chimneys. The bright orange 24-hour hand is ideal for distinguishing between day and night – something Santa Claus might find very useful during his non-stop night-time adventure around the world. The well-known Rolex caliber 3285 and 100 meters (10 bar, 328 feet) of water resistance are further factors that would convince Santa Claus. What else might we be interested in this context? How will Santa Claus get his Rolex, maybe? Is he an online shopper or does he prefer brick and mortar stores? Would he get the watch directly from an authorized Rolex dealer, or would he be put on the waiting list? We may have a look at this at another time. Whether he’s guiding Rudolph through a snowstorm or navigating toy factories, the Rolex Explorer II ensures that Santa keeps to his schedule – and does so in style.

2. The Jet-Setter GMT: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer

If you jump back and forth between time zones faster than a busy elf who’s had too much espresso, a GMT watch is a must-have. Enter the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer, the ultimate timepiece for today’s greatest cosmopolitan. The colorful dial features an impressive view of the Earth from the North Pole – a detail that should make Santa Claus feel right at home. The 24-hour ring allows him to keep track of several time zones so that he is always up to date, whether he’s in Athens or Auckland. This impressive feature is powered by the ultra-precise Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer caliber 8939, housed in a 43-mm stainless steel case. Along with its compact size, the case also scores points with its anti-magnetic technology and water resistance of up to 150 meters (15 bar, 492 feet). This makes the watch robust enough for any job Santa might have. Provided he doesn’t have to search for a lost package deep at the bottom of the sea. But we’re talking about Santa Claus, not UPS or FedEx… Santa would probably wear the watch on a blue rubber strap. Why? Because even Santa Claus pays attention to trends. Like many, he likes to wear trendy rubber straps instead of conservative steel bracelets. Inspired by streetwear-loving elves, Santa Claus is sure to be rocking an oversized coat from Amiri or baggy pants from Rhude in 2024. Or would that be too much of a good thing? In any case, he could cross continents with this watch on his wrist and make sure that no chimney was left behind.

3. The Workhorse – Sorry – Reindeer With a High Power Reserve: Tudor Pelagos FXD

Tudor Pelagos FXD
Tudor Pelagos FXD

Since Santa Claus is on duty around the clock, a high power reserve is essential. The Tudor Pelagos FXD is the ultimate “tool watch” and combines longevity with a huge power reserve. Perfect for Santa’s absurd work marathon! (The discussion about work-life balance and health and safety has probably not reached him yet.) The Pelagos FXD’s 70-hour power reserve ensures that Santa won’t have to wind or move his watch during the flight. The lightweight titanium construction of the 42mm case makes it comfortable for long nights, and the luminescent markers are ideal for dark chimneys. The Pelagos FXD was originally developed for professional divers, but is also suitable for a sleigh ride through heavy snow or a stop for tea and cookies. The watch features the MT5602 movement and is water resistant to 200 meters (20 bar, 656 ft). The textile strap is extra comfortable and its blue color is reminiscent of the wearer’s cool homeland.

4. The Compass Needle in the Haystack: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere

In addition to a good writing implement to tick off his list of deliveries and make a note of which chimney is particularly narrow or which family has baked the most delicious cookies, Santa could also use a Montblanc watch to help him keep his bearings from Tokyo to Toronto. The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere is a watch for explorers – inspired by Reinhold Messner and his solo crossing of the Gobi Desert. Santa Claus is also a lone wolf in his profession, and must reply on his experience and equipment. The Geosphere features two rotating globes on the dial, representing the northern and southern hemispheres, with day/night indicators for easy time zone determination and a compass bezel. For Santa, that means knowing whether it’s time for bed in Paris or time to open presents in Sydney. The robust design of the 42-mm watch also reflects Santa’s resilience and adventurous spirit. The power reserve lasts 42 hours and the water resistance of the Montblanc MB 29.25 automatic movement, based on a Sellita SW 300-1, is 100 meters (10 bar, 328 feet). Santa might also like the vintage look of the bronze case and the desert-colored fumé dial. What’s more, over time, this timepiece will prove to Santa that he really does work hard – because the brushed bronze case will leave its mark. Santa also likes to show how hard he works – so what?

5. The Rugged Adventurer That Feels Like Home: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

We have discussed the fact that Santa’s job is not a comfortable desk job. Although there are certainly also administrative tasks, like sending cease-and-desist letters to companies, negotiating license fees, closing sled leasing contracts, and things like that. But mostly it’s about action, adventure, and braving the elements. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date is the perfect companion for that. Inspired by vintage dive watches, it’s built to last and its sporty touch matches Santa’s adventurous spirit. The name also stirs up emotions and soothes homesickness when traveling. Polaris is the name of the North Star, which is located almost directly above the Earth’s North Pole. Because it remains almost motionless in the sky while other stars appear to rotate around it, Polaris has been an important navigational aid for centuries, helping travelers, sailors, and explorers determine direction and latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. With this watch, Santa Claus will always stay on course. The 42-mm stainless steel case of with a water resistance of 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) is robust enough to withstand sledding through snowstorms, while the indices and hands coated with Super-LumiNova ensure that Santa can easily read the time even in the darkest chimney. The sleek yet sporty design is versatile, taking Santa from the rooftop to the after-work party. Here, time stops and Santa can put his feet up until next year.

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About the Author

Pascal Gehrlein

Pascal Gehrlein

Hi, I'm Pascal. After spending many hours searching for my first luxury watch on Chrono24, I ended up visiting their "Legal details" page and saw their headquarters …

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