12 Essentials for the Lads on Your List

Left: Lot 208, 18-karat Tiffany andamp; Co. gold pocket watch, Freeman's (December 15); Right: Lot 145, Bulova Accutron Spaceview, c. 1966, U.S.A., Auctionata US (December 14)

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Last updated: 12.07.16

“Gifts for Him” marks the fourth Insider Picks edition of Invaluable’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide. From now through mid-December, we invite you to explore our wish list of one-of-a-kind gift ideas and find inspiration for those with the most discerning tastes and styles this holiday season.

One Lalique glass centerpiece for the entertainer, check. One Lionel train set for the young at heart, check. One classic 1954 photograph of Audrey Hepburn for your leading lady, check. Perhaps next on your holiday shopping list is to find the perfect present for that special man in your life – whether it’s your father, your husband, your boyfriend, or your son – even if he happens to a have a very specific taste. For some timely inspiration, here are 12 of our editors’ top ideas for him.

For Filling His Study

Lot 322, Märklin First Series tin model of battleship U.S.S. New York, early 20th century,
Germany, Freeman’s (December 14)

This extraordinarily detailed Märklin First Series tin model of the battleship U.S.S. New York takes us back to the early 20th-century. Complete with a red and white hull, two horns, and a decorated bowsprit, a mini U.S. flag waves at the stern and brings to mind past proud victories in American history.

Lot 271, “Pennsylvania, Nova Jersey et Nova York: A Map” by Tobias Conrad Lotter
and Georg Matthäus Seutter, c. 1757, Weschler’s (December 9)

Your favorite American history buff might particularly appreciate this double-page, hand-colored engraved map of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, circa 1757. The cartouche shows William Penn trading with Native Americans, who are surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna. The map comes ready to be hung over a desk or beside a bookcase, dry-mounted and framed.

Lot 35, “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1937, first edition,
first printing, Dreweatts & Bloomsbury (December 15)

For when he has some extra time to enjoy over a holiday vacation, gift him this 1937 first edition, first printing of The Hobbit, complete with its original pictorial cloth cover. Inside, he’ll find an inscription from Tolkien’s aunt, who had famously passed letters between Tolkien’s parents when they were first dating. Her Cotswolds cottage was also in part the inspiration for Bag End, where character Bilbo Baggins resided.

For Dressing Up His Style

Lot 208, 18-karat Tiffany & Co. gold pocket watch, Freeman’s (December 15)

For the classic timekeeper that channels the lifestyle of famous jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany himself, we adore this 18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch, finely made by the Swiss. It comes complete with a split bi-metallic balance and a dial and movement signed by Tiffany & Co. Goodbye, digital smartphone clock; hello, vintage pocket watch.

Lot 145, Bulova Accutron Spaceview, c. 1966, U.S.A., Auctionata US (December 14)

Radiating a refreshing air of futurism, we love this Bulova Accutron Spaceview watch, produced in 1967. The Accutron watch was first introduced by Bulova (which began in 1875 as a Manhattan jewelry store) as the first watch that didn’t tick, but instead hummed. The name “Accutron” was the result of combining the words “accurate” and “electronic” to describe the watch’s precision and operation. Like all Accutrons, this model features a tuning fork movement with a frequency of 360 Hz.

Lot 65, Cartier 14k gold pen knife, key & key case, and check holder, Freeman’s (December 15)

There are pen knives, and there are pen knives. Adding a touch of luxury and class to the former is the latter, which in this case is a Cartier 14-karat gold pen knife complete with a gold key, key case, and check holder – sure to come in handy for the man who has it all.

Lot 36, Rolex cufflinks, c. 2000, Switzerland, Auctionata AG (December 14)

Button up the cuffs of fancy shirt with these Rolex crown cufflinks fit for a king, made in Switzerland in 2000. Adding shimmer with gold-plated stainless steel, these charming pieces are great for an important business meeting or a special night out on the town.

For Boosting His Holiday “Spirits”

Lot 707, One bottle of Macallan single malt whiskey,
25 years old, Auctionata AG (December 12)

Spawned from mashes of fermented grains and aged in wooden barrels are whiskies, which mark delightful additions to the holiday table. Scotland, known for its whiskey distilleries, produces a breadth of single malts at one distillery, from malted barley in copper pot stills. To supplement his holiday merriness, we recommend this bottle of single malt Scottish whiskey, 25 years old, made by Macallan and in its original wooden case.

Lot 643, Six bottles of Hermitage Domaine Jean Louis Chave, 1986, Artcurial (December 16)

What better way to honor the season and the coming of 2017 than with not one, but six bottles of French wine? These 1986 Hermitage Domaine Jean Louis Chave bottles originate from the northern Rhone wine region of France, south of Lyon, and home to the Syrah grape variety. He can add them to his cellar to save for a special occasion, or splurge and pop them open now as a holiday treat.

For His Inner Rockstar

Lot 4, B.B. King’s personal address book, c. 1984,
Sotheby’s (December 10)

Riley B. King, known as B.B. King, has long been considered “The King of Blues.” As a kid, he played on street corners in his small town in Mississippi for dimes. He later started recording in the 1940s, and has since released over 50 albums – and seems to have met quite a handful of friends and acquaintances on his journey to fame. Here, we present King’s personal, handwritten address book. One a simple black leather book, it’s uniquely decked in yellow guitar-shaped stickers on the front and back.

Lot 93, Blue topaz and diamond ring, 14k gold,
Sotheby’s (December 10)

Representing the legacy of different type of musical “King,” we loved this 14-karat gold, blue topaz, and diamond ring once owned by Elvis Presley. We recommend this authentic treasure for the Elvis fan in your life, who might admire this from afar on his dresser, or daringly sport it to mimic the hip style of “The King of Rock n’ Roll” himself.

Lot 15, “Yellow Submarine” original Capitol Records promotional poster, 1969,
Sotheby’s (December 10)

He may not live in a yellow submarine, but he may want one to hang on his wall – to commemorate British rock idols, The Beatles, that is. In January of 1969, the then world-renowned band of four released their “Yellow Submarine” hit single, which quickly rose to top 5 charts in the U.K. and U.S. This linen-backed promotional poster takes us back a few decades to the days of its widely anticipated release as part of the album “Revolver,” back when singles released on double-sided records were the norm (on the A-side of “Yellow Submarine” was the beloved “Eleanor Rigby”).