The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2021

As another year draws to a close it’s ‘that’ time again. Time to show those close to you — those with specific, heightened tastes — that you care. Here at Robb Report, we’ve taken the kind of stressful dread that comes with not knowing what to gift away with our ultimate gift guide.

GEAR

 

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T

If you’re more the type to carry around your entire collection in your pocket, this little number from Astell & Kern is for you. It was designed specifically for hi-res audio and has a built-in vacuum tube amplifier so your music sounds exactly the way it was recorded. It’s got 256 gigabytes of space to store your albums, and it’s also expandable in case you need even more room for your favourite tunes.

Approx. $3496; astellkern.com

Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee Edition

 

Snap your travel pics in style with this new, limited-edition camera from Leica, fashion label Vans and skater-musician-photographer Ray Barbee. Covered in Vans’ iconic checkerboard pattern, the compact camera has the same technical specifications as the serially produced model (like a large Micro Four Thirds sensor, a fast zoom, Bluetooth connectivity and a lens with a full-frame-equivalent range of 24 –75 mm), plus a specially designed carrier strap and other flourishes. Compact and just 12.7 ounces, the camera also comes with a matching dust bag emblazoned with a travel-appropriate quote from Barbee noting that “the joy is in capturing the journey.”

Approx. $2365; leica.com

Gaggenau 400 Wine Cabinet

For the wine connoisseur, storage is paramount and using any old wine cooler won’t do. Here, the Gaggenau 400 Wine Cabinet offers a fully integrated wine climate cabinet. Inside the usual blonde beech is eschewed in favour of oak and boasts advanced humidity regulation, a charcoal air filter and controlled climate zones depending on what is in your collection.  The 400 is available in a range of sizes and did we mention how good it looks?

POA; gaggenau.com.au

Wrensilva Loft Club Series All-in-One Hi-Fi System

Building a home audio system can be intimidating. Luckily, Wrensilva has created a device that features everything you could want in one stylish package. The audio company’s retro-inspired hi-fi system includes a Pro-Ject turntable, a solid-state pre-amp, Bang & Olufsen amplifier and powerful two-way bass-reflex speakers. Best of all, it’s smaller than your parent’s old system, making it perfect for homes and apartments where space is at a premium.

Approx. $8378; wrensilva.com

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable

Sometimes it can be a relief to disconnect your device and go analog. What better way to do that than with this refined turntable from the specialists from Pro-Ject. Its precise motor has been fitted with a new suspension that reduces vibration, as does its height-adjustable aluminium feet. A heavy steel platter also helps ensure quiet playback. If you’ve yet to jump on the vinyl revival, maybe now’s the time…

$893; projectaudio.com.au

120″ Samsung The Premiere LSP9T Ultra-Short Throw Projector

While the streaming era has brought the cineplex to our laptop screen, any movie buff knows that a serious home theatre is made better with a projector. And few projectors are better at making you feel like you’re at the movies than Samsung’s latest, the Premiere LSP9T. Just place the ultra-short throw projector at the base of a living room wall, and it will produce a stunning, crystal-clear 120-inch image. The device, the first of its kind to offer HDR10+ support, also features a special UHD Filmmaker Mode which does away with any smoothing effects so that you can watch your favourite movie exactly as it was meant to be seen. 

$5999; samsung.com

Sennheiser Momentum 2 Earbuds

Despite its rep among pros as one of the best manufacturers of headphones and speakers, for 75 years Sennheiser steadfastly remains independent. The family owned German audio specialists continue their leadership in true wireless earbuds with their latest Momentum 2 offerings—the ergonomically shaped speakers feature five ear tip options for a perfectly snug fit and comfy all-day use. The 7-mm dynamic drivers supply superior sound with active noise cancelling—perfect for music or calls in a noisy environment—IPX4 water-resistance and up to 28 hours of playtime on a single charge via its charging case. The Sennheiser smartphone app also lets you further customize your listening experience by adjusting the built-in equalizers to emphasize deeper bass, natural mids and/or detailed treble. 

$325; sennheiser.com

GoPro Hero 10 Black

For the coming holidays, GoPro released its most powerful model ever: the Hero10 Black. The brand synonymous with extreme filming loaded its new apex model with a GP2 processor (designed to deliver faster and smoother performance), advanced stabilisation via HyperSmooth 4.0 technology, enhanced low-light capabilities and can live stream directly in 1080p. It can record in slow motion (up to eight times slower than actual moment) with improved 2.7k resolution, and can handle time-lapses at night and low-light environments. The Hero10 Black camera features 5.3k resolution video (93 per cent sharper than previous 4k models) at double the frame rate, can capture still images at 23MP and grab hi-res 19.6MP frames from videos. All your extreme filming needs in an easy-to-use compact 71 mm x 55 mm body.

$529; gopro.com

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge Bookshelf Speaker

If you’re looking for a speaker that you can slide inconspicuously onto your bookshelf, look no further than Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Emerge. The compact speaker (25.5 by 16.5 by 6.7 cm) supports Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth and Spotify to stream whatever your heart desires. It can also be paired with any of B&O’s connected speakers to deliver music throughout your home, and features a built-in radio and microphone for voice control. The Danish company known for its design doesn’t fail here, offering either a gold version of the Beosound Emerge with oak wood “cover” or Black Anthracite high-grade aluminium with a pearl-blasted grill.

$1050; premiumsound.com.au

WATCHES

Omega The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

What better gift for Christmas than the same Seamaster as MI6 agent James Bond. To celebrate the 25^th official James Bond film, No Time to Die, Omega has created a 42mm timepiece with titanium and a mesh bracelet for a watch light on the wrist. The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition has been built with military spec in mind and features the “tropical” brown aluminium for the dial and bezel ring complemented by the vintage touches of the SuperLumiNova, which fills the driving scale, blackened hands and indexes.

$14,025; omegawatches.com

Rolex Explorer I

Time for the return of two-tone. The new Rolesor (the Rolex name for the combination of the dual 18-carat yellow gold and Oystersteel alloys) Ref. 124273 may be heralding a return to the blend of metals that saw its height of popularity in the ’80s. The model also marks a comeback of the 3mm size in a nod to the original model launched in 1953 after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first explorers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

$15,250; rolex.com

Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer

The lagoon-inspired timepiece is available in only 200 examples and boasts a 42mm case and bezel—both of which were crafted entirely from satin-finished and polished anodised aluminium. The distinct tonal theme is also made visible on the dial and hand, as well as on the figure’s markers and chronographs. Even more notable, Hublot’s HUB1280 in-house flyback column-wheel chronograph movement is able to be seen on the model’s titanium case back and offers a 72-hour power reserve and 100 meters of water resistance. For comfort, the figure sports a velcro strap in a turquoise knit with the same colour stitching, while its sports buckle in polished turquoise anodized aluminium provides a secure clasp.

$29,200; hublot.com

Piaget Polo Skeleton

Utilising the same 42mm steel case of the Polo line, the skeleton watch arrives at an astonishingly svelte 6.5mm thick, down from an already thin 9.4mm of the Polo S. The Piaget Polo Skeleton sees the openworked design arrives here in graphite grey and is further elevated by the in-house built movement with the watch acting as a testbed for its new 1200S1 microrotor automatic skeleton movement – which offers a 44-hour power reserve. A number of strap options are available including the Polo’s mirror-polished h-link bracelet – in stainless steel – alongside alligator leather straps matching the respective dial colours.

$45,500; piaget.com

Baume Et Mercier Riviera

A sense of refinement drapes the return of Baume & Mercier’s Riviera, a robust piece famed for its 12-sided bezel, and which debuted in 1973. That ’70s spark remains and the reissue feels right in regards to its timing, given the ascendancy of integrated steel bracelets. It is in that 42mm case  – available in stainless steel or black steel – that the calibre Baumatic BM13-1975A provides 100m of water resistance and 120 hours of power reserve. The premium option arrives with extensive perlage on the bridges, Cotes de Geneve across the skeletonised rotor all visible through the sapphire transparent dial available in either deep blue or smoky grey.

$5500; Baume-et-mercier.com

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone

When A. Lange & Sohne reintroduced its Time Zone timepiece, there was a resounding cheer from watch nerds around the world. Here, the pink gold with argente dial can cleanly tell the time in both a home time and a second time zone based on 24 reference cities. The watch sees a new manufacture calibre L141.1 with a 72-hour power reserve fitted neatly into a 41.7mm case.

$84,500; watchswiss.com

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5297G

Discover the Calatrava 5297G-001 from a collection of Patek Philippe watches at J Farren Price. The Calatrava is a supremely elegant round wristwatch with self-winding mechanical movement and an ebony black opaline dial. The Calatrava instantly stands out with its diamond hour markers and elegant 38mm diameter case set in white gold and sapphire crystal. This classic piece is decorated with 68 diamonds on the bezel and shiny black alligator strap -making it the perfect dress watch for day to night. Distinguished and timeless the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5297G is engraved with the Patek Philippe Seal, paying homage to the rare handcraft and flawless integrity upheld by the maison.

patek.com

Globe-Trotter Centenary Leather-Trimmed Twelve-Watch Box

For serious watch fanatics, Globe-Trotter’s handsome Centenary case is a must-have whether using it for travel or simply to elegantly display your watches in your home. It can carry up to 12 timepieces and will slide right into the overhead compartment on your flight and you can even add an over-the-shoulder strap to turn the case into an attaché for extra security while on the go.

Lockable latches on the side of the vulcanised fibreboard and leather trim case add an extra level of protection, while the interior compartment is removable in case you prefer to display your prized wrist candy outside of the box.

$3457; mrporter.com

Chopard Mille Miglia Table Clock

If your dearest has all there is in horology, try something off-track with a Chopard quartz desk clock. Reminiscent of the speedometer on a car dashboard this handsome piece pays homage to Italy’s legendary Mille Miglia car race. Designed in stainless steel with a palladium finish, it furthers its automobile narrative with superluminova detailing and a tyre tread-inspired rubber base

$2530; chopard.com

WINE & SPIRITS

Glenfiddich Grand Cru

Glenfiddich’s stunning new Grand Cru is matured initially for 23 years in a mix of American and European oak, and neatly finished in rare French cuvée casks, it fuses flavours and delivers an elevated and heady statement (heightened by its presentation in opulent black glass, within a black box). Each drop is the result of six months final marrying time, adding new layers of aromas —think apple blossom, candied lemon, fresh bread. On the palate vanilla, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape build an alluring harmony of flavours; enhanced by a long, opulent finish.

$395; glenfiddich.com

Yamazaki 55 Year

Every so often a special whisky is released that makes the industry take notice. Suntory’s Yamazaki 55 is that whisky. With only 100 bottles every produced by the famed Japanese distillery, many have already made it to the second-hand market and are selling for well beyond the $90,000 price tag.  Get your hands on a bottle and experience the deep amber colour, robust nose of sandalwood, blossom palate and bitter finish of the Yamazaki 55, if you don’t mind paying a smidge over retail.

Auction; dekanta.com

The Macallan Red Collection

The Macallan Red Collection is a true landmark release of rare single malt Scotch whiskies. This exquisite range features a selection of ongoing aged expressions, available in limited quantities worldwide. The Red Collection includes The Macallan 40yo, The Macallan 50yro and The Macallan 60yo, which are the oldest ongoing expressions offered by the whisky house. The Macallan 71yro, The Macallan 74yro and The Macallan 78yo being the oldest bottlings ever released by The Macallan– making it a highly exclusive and sought after series.

Created from some of the worlds oldest and rarest casks, each expression is delivered in an oak presentation box created from the same sustainable European oak used to craft The Macallan’s casks. Lined with sustainably-sourced soft red leather from Bridge of Weir Leather, this permanent release has been hand-finished and signed by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker 2019 Kirsteen Campbell. This distinct and one of a kind series features striking graphic art from globally acclaimed artist and illustrator Javi Aznarez who portrays the key characters that shaped the history of The Macallan distillery.

Learn More: themacallan.com:

Beluga Gold Line

Beluga Gold Line is a limited-edition vodka. Best paired with Black Caviar of course —It is dedicated to the true connoisseurs of strong spirits. Unlike other Beluga varieties, in this series the trademark blend of artesian water and malt spirit passes through not three but five rounds of filtering. Each bottle of Beluga Gold Line comes with its own serial number and an elegant hammer and brush to conveniently remove the cork stop and sealing wax – emphasising its 100% authenticity and individuality of this limited series vodka with an imposing attitude.

$174.99; danmurphys.com.au

IXSIR Grande Reserve

There’s no better time for a quality rosé than the Australian summer. The holiday period is one for celebrating and the warmer climates make us want to reach for the Ixsir Grand Reserve Rose with its light French style, subtle mouthfeel, firm acidity and delicate finish. The drop is available in both 750ml and magnum and I think you know which we’d opt for.

Magnum $89; vinsduliban.com.au

 

STYLE

A Wardrobe of Bespoke Turnbull & Asser Shirts

Paspaley Ring For Men

In a first for the Australian jeweller, Paspaley unveiled a men’s ring earlier this year. Here, the Men’s Dive Chain ring draws inspiration from the colours of the ropes and chains of its pearling vessels. A two-tone black, rhodium and white gold chain wraps around a yellow gold ring band.

$2680; paspaley.com

Van Cleef & Arpels Zodiac Pendant

Van Cleef & Arpels produced a range of zodiac charms in the 1950s through 70s that have become one of the hottest collectibles on the secondary market. Finding one is even harder than nabbing a vintage Daytona but, luckily, the French jeweller recently reintroduced the astrological gems to its collection. These new pendants faithfully recreate the ancient coin look of the originals for the ultimate good luck charm.

$3450; vancleefarpels.com

Louis Vuitton Imagination

One of 2021’s best cologne launches, Imagination instantly landed in the fragrance stratosphere for its uplifting and mind-opening blend of amber and black tea. Bergamot, neroli and cedar broaden its wingspan, and together make Imagination a candidate for his new signature scent. It’s especially suited for guys with big ideas and—as its name suggests—colourful imaginations. Consider it wanderlust, bottled.

Penhaligon’s Racquets EDP

Bright, bold and fresh, this limited-edition EdP pays homage to that favourite summer sport: tennis. British perfumer Penhaligon’s composes this fresh scent from a base of strapping leather and guaiac wood, with zesty lemon and citrus fruits coming together.

100ml $289; libertineparfumerie.com.au

Tom Ford Patent Leather Midlands Zip Boots

Like Santa, Tom Ford always delivers. Here, a beautiful evening appropriate boot with a side zip detail, vintage-inspired centre seam, gold hardware and zipper arrives in a deep, chocolate brown tone. The patent leather finish adds further allure to the boots that offer black construction and are made in Italy.

$2233; harrolds.com.au

Bulldog island Life In Yellow / Green

These bold Bulldog shorts from Orlebar Brown offer the label’s signature mid-length fit. The printed recycled polyester woven short features a nickel-effect concealed snap closure, adjustable branded nickel-effect side fastener.

$475; orlebarbrown.com

Modern Man Collective Suave Beard Oil

Should your facial fuzz be clinging on post-Movember, or in dire need of a little TLC try the Suave beard oil from the Australian owned Modern Man Collective. Here, Suave takes its cues from Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille — think warm, spicy, sweet — and brings together a hybrid blend of essential oils, scent and anti-bacterial agents to help keep your facial hair looking, well, suave.  The blends are vegan, paraben, alcohol, cruelty and sulphate free and a portion of revenue is donated to Beyond Blue and Movember.

$35; modernmancollective.com

Loro Piana Summer Walks

Is there a more perfect shoe to give an Aussie over Christmas? We think no. Loro Piana’s ‘Summer Walk’ loafers are set up for comfort. Handcrafted in Italy from suede, the shoe is treated with a water-repellent finish and have rubber soles.

$1038; mrporter.com

 

Beechworth Short Sleeved Polo

Add this fresh shade of olive green to someone’s stocking this summer. Knitted in Italy from ultra-soft linen and cotton the lightweight blend is perfect for weekend wear. With Kimber at the helm, and shell buttons fitted it’s an ideal fit for Australian summer.

$365; christiankimber.com

Moscot Bluma Sunglasses

The Bluma, here in Citron and Tortoise is handcrafted using Italian acetate and sees glass lenses fitted in Calibar Green. This stylish pair features the Moscot temple engravings acetate nose pads and fit comfortably to the nose via a keyhole nose bridge.

$455; moscot.com

EXTRAS

Golf in the Caribbean With Legendary Pro Greg Norman

Baccarat Backgammon Set

Baccarat unveils a premium rendition of timeless games – like backgammon with its Jeux collection. Here, Dutch designer Marcel Wander reimagines the ancient game with a limited edition set crafted from precious marble with crystal playing pieces. Made in France, the set cares not who is playing as everybody wins.

$24,652; baccarat.com

A Set of Buccellati Dominoes in Solid Silver

Pent Raxa Boxing Bag

Kickboxing is hard-core, fitness-wise, but it requires some heavy-duty equipment. The Pent punching bag resembles a svelte leather midcentury-modern floor lamp, one you
can beat to a pulp whenever you want. Even the bag’s filling—castaway leather scraps—is suitably upscale (as well as sustainable). Blowing off steam doesn’t get much better-looking than this.

Approx. $1,840; pentfitness.com

Ybell

YBell? Why not we say.

Each bell acts as kettlebell, dumbbell, push-up bar and medicine ball in one. The design provides four unique holding points — allowing the user to seamlessly pivot between a wide range of exercises across a routine. While YBell provides various classes through its channels and app including free introductory workouts through to paid programs aimed at differing fitness levels Plus, they are locally owned.

Ybellfitness.com.au

Smythsons Panama Writing Folder

Whether one is working from home or back at the office, an organised, attractive desktop is key for productivity. Smythson’s folder has room for all his big ideas, jam-packed itinerary, addresses and more—and housed in a sleek grained leather case, it’s a far chicer personal assistant than an iPhone. Spring for monogramming to make it extra special.

$818; harrods.com

Montblanc Pen

Some of the best gifts are luxurious upgrades to everyday essentials, such as this sleek rollerball pen. It combines vivid green resin with platinum for a writing instrument that’s worthy of the most brilliant thoughts—or just scribbles.

$410; montblanc.com

Robb Report Annual Subscription

Award-winning luxury delivered for the next 12 months – is there anything better? We say no, this is the gift that literally keeps on giving with quarterly print and digital issues included, so too exclusive offers, access to Robb Report’s VIP concierge services and more. This is the ultimate subscription.

$75; robbreport.com.au