Time’s Up!
With Daniel Craig doing his espionage thing in theaters (more below), men must go 007. So, give the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean—the model upon which the limited edition, worn in “Skyfall,” was based. Robert Weintraub, manager of Manfredi in Greenwich, puts it simply and beautifully: “It’s a great value, with REALLY nice features.”
Sporting a single complication up front (the date) and another (interior movement) in back, the watch’s stainless steel chain is capped by a ceramic bezel, a sapphire crystal—in front and back—and has a “quick-set hour” dial.
It’s also a “true diver’s watch,” Rob says, with a helium escape valve—the knob at 10 o’clock. So, if you’re coming up in a submersible vessel, helium gets inside the watch, you pull the knob, and the timepiece won’t explode. Plus, its four-year international warranty is pressure-free.
Rob also recommends the OMEGA Seamaster Aquaterra, a brown leather-banded classic. And, to learn from a true master, ask him to show you the watch he’s wearing: Rob’s got seven, donned on different days.
Sit Pretty
Men have couch issues. Forgive me, but the (stereo) typical equation is: males + dark décor = virility (well, maybe not for all, but many). Ladies, be honest: haven’t you dated at least one dude with a black leather sofa? Full disclosure: I’ve got one…
If we can’t break the habit, let’s ratchet the style factor skyward. Here’s the perfect gift: the Eames 2 Seat Sofa. (Note: “Eames” rhymes with “reams.”) This beaut’s the ULTIMATE men’s living-room statement, as it doubles up on two quintessential male requirements: 1.) It’s black (goes with everything); and 2.) It’s leather, so it’s…ya know, LEATHER. Buy it, and the recipient has a sofa for life. Find it at dwr.com
Musk Up
Men shouldn’t just spell well, to paraphrase a great Russian writer (badly): they should also smell well. That said, your scent shouldn’t proceed you 30 feet before you enter a room, particularly the boardroom. Hence, gift-givers, get thee to Saks for CREED (please: no jokes about the ’90s band). There are many varietals to choose from, but personally, I’d recommend the incredibly subtle but enticing CREED Impérial Millésime.
A unisex fragrance, it’s also woody and musky, with “crisp fruit notes and sea salt” on top and Sicilian lemon and bergamot, among others notes, in the middle. An ounce should last a year; nevertheless, with the four-ounce bottle, you’re good to go into the next election cycle. Locally, it’s only on offer in the Stamford Saks, so ask for Yvette or Fariba when you’re there.
Listen In
This year, give the gift of sonic bliss. Specifically, the Geneva Sound System Large. It provides room-filling sound—in a box! A 100-watt hi-fi amp inside the system’s lacquered surface powers its full-range of 120-degree, dizzying aural awesomeness, and an LED display on the front tells you what’s playing.
Dock your iPhone or whatnot in there…and go crazy. There’s also a stand available, and the system is on offer in red; it comes in different sizes/colors as well (and prices), but hey…it’s the holidays; bigger is better. Available at dwr.com
Tabulate This!
The one no-brainer on this list is the latest fruit from technology’s ripest tree: the Apple iPad mini.
Why? It’s NEW. Ta-da! Most people this year will either get a kindle fire, a nook or another tablet (it’s a $50-billion-dollar market), and even folks with an iPad already will crave one of these new gizmos, because, simply, they’re marketed as Apple’s must-have holiday gadget this year.
And, naturally, guys LOVE gadgets. Visit the Apple store in Greenwich or Stamford.
Hoofin’ It
Italian shoes are must-haves. Some might say England’s Grenson is best, but then, why go Grenson or even with Italy’s own Gucci, when you can zip in Zegna? And, according to Dan Farrington, of Greenwich’s palatial Richards, every man this season should shine in suede.
So, your shoes: a pair of Ermenegildo Zegna Ankle Boots. Casual, but stylish, in sinfully rich, light suede, but tough to beat up, this shoe’s crepe-soled lug is thick, sturdy and even funky.
They’re some truly versatile kicks. Available at Richards of Greenwich.
Bond, Blu-rayed Bond
Lastly, if you have a true, true movie-lover in your life, then you MUST get him Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection on Blu-ray.
Put simply: This. Is. It. Unfortunately, local Barnes & Nobles don’t stock it in-store, per company policy: it must be ordered direct-to-home. So, visit Stamford and Westport and give them your deets.
Fast!