Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, a special occasion or just any other day of the week, a present is always welcome! And more so if it’s an expensive one. Shopping for a woman is hard and picking a gift for a man is even tougher. So instead of the regular gifts like clothes, stuffed toys, perfume and jewellery spend that extra bit and get something super special that can be gifted to either of the sexes. A watch will cost you more than the average (some of them a fortune) but they will be truly appreciated and treasured.

With so many international watch brands in the market vying for attention it’s hard to make a choice, so we’ll slice it up for you by the price bracket. In the super luxury category are the likes of Baume and Mercier, Breitling, Frederique Constant, Breguet, Patek Philippe and Jaeger Le Coulter. All of these are unaffordable unless you are either stinking rich, born with a trust fund, have just won a lottery or would rather buy a watch than a house. Ethos is the only store in the city that sells these brands.

The next class of luxurious, yet somewhat affordable, watches are Tag Heuer, Cartier, Omega, Rolex, Longines and Piaget. These watches are the dream of everyone who makes a decent amount of money and wants the good things in life. If you can afford it and you really love someone, nothing will say it quite like an Omega. Rodeo Drive on Richmond Road or the high-end watch stores in The Forum and Garuda Mall all stock these brands.

The most affordable and regularly gifted timepieces are those brands like Swatch, Citizen, Rado, and Tissot. Swiss made and sleek, these watches are chic and durable. Most watch stores across the city like Big Ben in Indiranagar and Pink City in Safina Plaza stock these brands.

Also in the same price range are the designer brands that have extended to include watches as part of their collection. Esprit makes trendy watches that are available at the Esprit store as well as with other watch dealers. Guess has an exclusive store in Garuda, their collection of watches being half bling party and half casual chic.

Tommy Hilfiger watches are simple and mostly all metal with solid faces; they too retail at their exclusive showroom. Other brands like Gucci, Christian Dior, Diesel, Mexx and Fossil are all showcased in stores like Central, Shoppers Stop and at the Leela Galleria. The Indian brand Titan too has a designer collection of watches, Xylys, which is simple, contemporary and sleek. These watches are sold at the exclusive Xylys store at Garuda Mall as well as other Titan retail outlets.

So go ahead, save up for it or spend big on someone you love with the gift of the times.