The Fratello Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Season’s greetings, dear Fratelli! As the year winds down and the festive spirit begins to sparkle, it’s time once again for our annual tradition — the Fratello Holiday Gift Guide. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned collector, a budding enthusiast, or simply treating yourself, we’ve curated a selection of thoughtful, stylish, and horologically inspired gifts to make this season truly memorable.

From watch-adjacent accessories to everyday essentials with a touch of flair, our editorial team has handpicked items that reflect the spirit of Fratello — practical, personal, and passionately watch-centric (well, mostly). Expect everything from straps, coffee machines, and sneakers to travel-ready gear and tools that elevate your watch game. So grab a warm drink, settle in, and let us help you find the perfect gift to wrap up 2025 in style.

Dave’s picks: The adjustable Fitwell pin buckle and some tasty, tasty sauces from UK-based Condimaniac

It can be tough to think of stocking-stuffer-type Christmas gifts for watch lovers. To make things easier for myself, I always tend to pick things I’d want to find in my Christmas haul. First up, it’s the adjustable watch strap buckles from Fitwell. I finally got to see Fitwell Buckles in person at Windup New York last month, and honestly, I’d never seen a concept like this. It’s a clever, micro-adjustable buckle system that lets you fine-tune your strap fit throughout the day with a simple click. Note the holes in the side of the buckle in the image above. Also, please excuse the render I’ve used here. I recently discovered how difficult it is to capture a decent photograph of a watch strap buckle in operation…

This is a feature usually exclusive to bracelet clasps, but this buckle requires no tools or fiddling. It’s just a neat, satisfying bit of engineering that works exactly as you’d hope. I’ve recently been wearing the blasted titanium Fitwell M1 on my Micromilspec Milgraph with a nice Delugs olive-green sailcloth strap. Still, there are plenty of other finishes to match different watches and styles. It’s a rather different concept and genuinely improves comfort without overcomplicating things. Once you’ve tried a Fitwell Buckle for yourself, you’ll wonder why this idea isn’t more common.

If you’re in the UK and like your food with a bit of attitude, Condimaniac is worth knowing about. It’s a small independent brand turning out some of the best sauces and condiments I’ve tried in years. Seriously, every Condimaniac product I have tried was banging! The Smokey Dragon hot sauce brings deep, rich heat without overpowering everything, while the Gooseberry & Jalapeño Chilli Jam is dangerously versatile; I’ve used it on cheese, toasties, and even roast potatoes. Finally, the Candied Maple Jalapeños are also to die for.

As everything is made in small batches at the brand’s HQ in Kent, England, some items go in and out of stock, so check back frequently or sign up for notifications if there’s a particular product you’re after. The jalapeños sell like hotcakes, so you’ll have to be fast to grab those when they drop. Condimaniac currently only ships within the UK, so this one’s mainly for my fellow Brits (sorry!). But if you’re able to get hold of these products, don’t hesitate. I’ve been a subscriber to the Club Maniac box for a while now, and in my eyes, it’s worth every penny.

Mike’s picks: A La Marzocco coffee maker, New Balance shoes, and a handy watch tool

What started as me picking on my friends about their nerdy coffee habits and accessories quickly became a full-blown investment. A series of chats with my watch buddy Lawrence led to a demo of the relatively new La Marzocco Linea Micra in the brand’s Shoreditch, London, showroom. Then, three weeks later, a matte gray machine arrived with a D54 grinder, a scale, and retro La Marzocco mugs. Within a couple of days, I began pulling shots of espresso that were better than 90% of the restaurants I visit (that’s not me bragging; it’s the machine).

Now, I don’t want to get into a coffee discussion because the subject is at least as heated as watch talk. But damn, the Linea Micra is an absolute unit! I am sure many cheaper options are as good or even better, depending on the use case, but for me, this is timeless perfection. Plus, it’s attractive enough to take center stage in our kitchen — no mean feat when my wife decides on what stays on the countertop. At €3,360, it’s tough to justify this purchase, but if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

Shoes and tools

While I love my Jordans and Adidas Stan Smiths, it’s hard to ignore the impact of New Balance. The longtime brand has come into its own due to interest in its extensive back catalog of running shoes. It’s hard to go wrong with any model, but check out the Made in the USA and UK models. Yes, they’re expensive — often double the price of their very similar-looking Asian-made counterparts. However, the shoes appear to be made from higher-quality materials. Friends have remarked about their everlasting qualities. Indeed, I’ve worn a pair of 990s for two years, and they’re still in fantastic shape. I’ve picked up a couple more pairs since then and just grabbed some gray 990v4s. They’re great for work and incredibly comfortable.

Finally, we’ve long featured Bergeon tools in our gift guides. The basic 6767 is a must-have for any watch collector. This year, though, I’ll recommend the Bergeon Mini Tool. It’s a handy multi-tool with a forked tip for spring bars, a needle tip, a flat-head screwdriver tip, and a Phillips-head tip. The tips are stored within the body, while one slots into the other end. It’s simple, small, and has the expected quality one expects from Bergeon. In other words, it’s nice for travel or use at home. At €58 from Joseph Bonnie, it’s not inexpensive, but it’s a great and practical stocking stuffer.

Nacho’s picks: Sigma Straps, the Imperial Watch Co. Slidecatch tool, a great travel bag from Decathlon, and a Porsche advent calendar

Our yearly gift guide is something I always look forward to. It’s a ton of fun to always keep an eye out for cool stuff I could include. And with a bit of patience, I occasionally find a gift-guide-worthy pick. Today, I’ll be running you through my selection for 2025, so let’s kick it off with a couple of great straps.

Now, if you know me, you’ll know that I believe that there’s no such thing as “too many straps.” In honoring that, I’m always curious to find new options with which to fasten my watches to my wrist. The highlight for me this year comes from a company called Sigma Straps. The brand has recently introduced two new strap formats — the Cinch and the Milcro. Both offer an alternative to more traditional options.

The Cinch is a thin elastic woven nylon that fastens with minimal hardware, tucking excess material into a loop. It’s easy to wear, comfortable, and adjustable throughout the day. Fitting it onto watches, especially those with fixed bars, takes some practice, but the brand’s Instagram tutorial makes it simple. Available in 20mm and 22mm widths, the Cinch comes in several great colors for €28.50.

The Milcro is specifically for watches with fixed strap bars. Its “no-pass design” eliminates extra layers under the case back, securing one end with hook-and-loop material and looping the other through the opposite lug. With no hardware, the open end is held by a keeper made of the same durable material. Like the Cinch, it’s available in 20mm and 22mm sizes and costs €33. Considering that you can pick up both for just over €60, I can recommend checking them out.

A tool, a bag, and a Porsche we can all afford

My next pick continues my tradition of including a watch tool in the holiday gift guide. In past years, I’ve highlighted items like a brass caliper for precise measurements and the excellent Hassler Instruments bolt-action spring-bar tool. This year, the Slidecatch Grey Titanium EDC Tool caught my eye.

Made by the folks behind Imperial Watch Co. (a brand we haven’t yet featured on Fratello), it’s an impressively designed piece of kit. Compact, durable, and versatile, it’s not just a spring-bar tool. It also includes screwdriver bits and can be configured to suit your needs.

For a cleverly engineered titanium tool, the US$89 price feels reasonable. It’s more than a stocking stuffer; this one’s a genuinely useful gift.

Next, we have a quick travel essential. Earlier this year, I spent a few weeks in India and wanted to travel light. I split my packing between my Rimowa carry-on and a backpack, eventually choosing the Simond Trekking Duffel Bag 40–60L from Decathlon. It proved ideal — rugged, water resistant, and expandable, functioning as both a duffel and a backpack. Even better, it’s now €59.99, which is €5 less than when I bought mine. If you’re seeking a practical, affordable travel companion, this is an easy recommendation.

Finally, here’s something just for fun. Many of us recall the excitement of Advent calendars from our childhood. Now, plenty of “grown-up” versions exist, featuring everything from whisky and tea to skincare and jewelry. My favorite, though, is the Porsche 911 Turbo Advent Calendar.

For €69.95, you get an officially licensed build-a-Porsche kit. Each day reveals a new part, and by the end, you’ve assembled a miniature 911 Turbo (other models are also available at a different cost). It’s delightfully nerdy and perfect for all you car lovers out there. And with that, my final pick, all that’s left to say is: happy holidays, ya filthy animals!

Thomas’s picks: A YStudio Pen and a Wonder Looper T-shirt

My first pick is the Classic Revolve Series brass rollerball pen from YStudio. This Taiwanese brand may not be as famous as some of the more traditional pen makers, but I truly appreciate its style. The brand aims to revive the joy of writing by hand in a digitized age, and this pen perfectly embodies that goal. I am no pen enthusiast like RJ, Gerard, and Daan, so my knowledge in this area is limited. I just want a good-looking pen that’s built to last and enjoyable to write with. This is something I found in the brass rollerball. The pen feels extremely sturdy thanks to its all-brass construction. Mine has already developed a lovely dark patina, which makes it look like some long-lost relic. The brass Classic Revolve rollerball costs US$119 and is available directly from YStudio.

The wonderful Wonder Looper T-shirt

My second pick may seem dull at first glance. After all, it is just a basic, plain T-shirt. But this is no ordinary T-shirt, I assure you. This is a secret weapon in my wardrobe, the Wonder Looper Double Heavyweight Crewneck T-shirt. I have a soft spot for well-made things I can look after and that will bring me joy for a long time. Well, this is the T-shirt embodiment of that philosophy. The thick, heavy fabric is Tsuriami-knit in Japan. This very slow technique yields a tubular knit with much less internal tension than faster, modern weaving techniques. The result is a fabric that retains its shape over time and feels supremely luxurious.

The difference isn’t limited to the fabric. Wonder Looper also deploys supremely detail-oriented construction techniques that make these shirts last. I wear these shirts every single day, under overshirts or vests in winter and solo in summer, and I have since thrown away all my other T-shirts. I plan on trying the Ultimate Pima variant next. Honestly, if you love quality gear but T-shirts leave you frustrated, this is the way to go. Oh, and the wife-and-husband team (reminding me of a watch microbrand) behind Wonder Looper is a joy to chat with. You can get properly nerdy about T-shirts with them! At €94.95, these T-shirts aren’t cheap, but they’re worth it, as proven by their constant selling out.

Jorg’s picks: A pair of JK Boots, a series of Guerlain fragrances, and a Songmont leather bag

My additions to this year’s gift guide are a mix of personal haves and wannahaves. Let’s kick things off with a series of boots that I’ve had my eye on for a while. If you are familiar with American work boots, you probably are aware of heritage brands like Red Wing, Alden, and Danner. While a pair of classic Red Wing Moc Toes is also still high on the list, I have become fascinated by Pacific Northwest (PNW) boot brands, such as Nick’s, White’s, and JK Boots. The last brand is especially fascinating because of its story and craftsmanship.

JK Boots was founded by Ukrainian immigrant John Khadzhi (JK), who became an apprentice cobbler in a small Ukrainian town where he grew up. That’s where he learned the craft, and after moving to the US, he wanted to start a boot brand with his sons. In 1994, that became a reality when he founded JK Boots in Spokane, Washington. The rest is history, as we like to say, because his boots soon became popular among professionals who wear them on the job, unlike most of us who shop for style and a specific look. Having said that, the professional use adds to the story of these exceptional boots.

The JK Boots O.T. Bison series

The range of boots I adore is the O.T. collection. It features a wide range of boots in the same style but different heights, leathers, and colors. The immediate standouts are the O.T. Bison leather boots featured in the images, as they look brilliant. The bison leather is supple straight out of the box, and the grainy texture adds great character. The look, build quality, and materials make for a collection of boots that I adore.

As a result, I have been lusting after a pair for a while now. What has been keeping me from pulling the trigger is not the price tag — although, at around €600, these don’t come cheap. Rather, it’s the overwhelming number of great available options. Writing about them here hammered home how much I want a pair of these. Above all, though, it reminded me of the great story and craftsmanship that comes with a pair of JK Boots.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria fragrances

My second pick is a series of Guerlain fragrances. I recently found a new obsession with fragrances, thanks in part to one from Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria collection. This extensive series contains a wide variety of nature-inspired fragrances that are great for both ladies and gentlemen. That makes it a great addition to this gift guide because you could also buy one of them for your significant other.

What makes these fragrances stand out for me is that they are inspired by the nature around us and made with 90–95% natural ingredients. As a result, you get an honest and pure scent that is more than just a way to smell nice. These fragrances can take you back to places that you have visited, and because of this, they can be great personal storytellers. I have the Orange Soleia and Nerolia Vetiver scents from the Aqua Allegoria series. Additionally, there are the Aqua Allegoria Forte and Absolus Allegoria series in Guerlain’s catalog.

Being transported to a different place

This wide selection of fragrances stands out because they naturally smell like the places and ingredients they evoke. That’s much better than many scents that are clearly synthetic formulations mimicking something they are not. I could go on for a bit about how the Orange Soleia scent actually smells like orange, blood orange, and bergamot, and it immediately transported me to southern Spain when I first smelled it. The same happened when I bought the Nerolia Vetiver fragrance, which took me to a great place I visited in Italy during my family holidays when I was younger. I have quickly become a fan of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria series, making it a great gift option.

Songmont Medium Yore Duffle Bag

My last pick is a duffel bag from the Chinese brand Songmont. I recently discovered Songmont while watching a YouTube video by Tanner Leatherstein about the brand. In the video, he explained that he had taken apart one of the brand’s handbags and was amazed by the incredible quality of the materials and craftsmanship, especially considering the affordable prices at which the company offers its products. As a reaction to his initial video, Leatherstein was invited to visit Songmont’s atelier, learn about the brand’s story, talk to the people behind the brand, and see the production facilities.

Just watch the video, and you will be amazed by the craftsmanship and dedication that the folks at Songmont put into making these bags. They create exceptional designs, utilize the finest leathers, employ traditional sewing techniques, and even produce and finish the hardware in-house. The result is a collection of bags that immediately stand out. If you then hear the story of how the mother of the brand’s founder, Fu Song, created the first bag and assembled a “Granny Team” in her hometown of Shanxi, it lends it a great personal touch. It shines a great light on traditional Chinese craftsmanship and dedication to creating an exceptional line of bags.

Multiple great options for travel and work

From the extensive collection, which predominantly consists of ladies’ bags, I selected the Songmont Medium Yore Duffle Bag in Sandal Suede. The bag looks great, and as soon as you see the pictures of the details, you know this is something special. This is simply a wonderful travel bag that comes with a story to match and costs €572.95.

That’s certainly a lot of money, but if you know the brand’s story and the context of luxury bag brands, it’s affordable, especially considering the work that goes into making them. In my search for a new work bag, I have also seen multiple great options from Songmont. The one that I might end up buying is the brand’s Large Drippy Tote Bag, which costs €422.95. After reading more about the brand and some reviews, it’s hard not to jump at any chance to buy a Songmont bag.

Lex’s picks: A practical pre-Xmas gift from Philips and romantic candles from Iittala

Just buy it now and thank me later. The Philips Upholstery Cleaner 3000 Series Washing Vacuum Cleaner will set you back €149.99 and save you hundreds in dry-cleaning costs. This intelligent and powerful device will clean all the stains you make during a big Christmas dinner. And since the dry cleaner is probably closed during the holidays, it might also save the freshly gifted white Wonder Looper T-shirt you just spilled red wine on. Just be gentle, as this Philips machine is a powerful piece of equipment. Anyway, do yourself and your loved ones a favor and buy/invest in a clean machine from the 3000 series, and have yourself a merry, stain-free Christmas.

And before you accuse me of being a hard and cold non-romantic Grinch, I also suggest Iittala Kanto block candles. They’re designed in Finland, just as Santa likes it, and they cost €20–25.

RJ’s picks: Vintage and new audio gear from Bang & Olufsen, the safety-razor rabbit hole, bracelets from Chibuntu, and a neo-vintage Omega watch

About half a year ago, I realized I hadn’t used my Sonos speaker at home in a while. First of all, it suffered from several connectivity issues, and second, I didn’t like the sound it produced. So I thought, “Let’s add another speaker and have at least a more sound-filled living room at home.” However, while I was slowly discovering the types of Sonos speakers available and what I needed to add, I came across an Instagram story by a friend in the watch industry. He showed his Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2300 and iconic Beolab 8000 speakers. The speakers, as well as the sound system, were designed by David Lewis.

So, long story short, I didn’t end up adding a Sonos speaker, but I gave the one we had in our living room to our daughter to use in her room, and without consulting my wife, I went ahead and bought a refurbished Bang & Olufsen Beosound 3200 (a later model than I saw on IG) and a pair of Beolab 8000 speakers. Oh, and I got the magnificent Beo4 remote control, which is so heavy it can also be used to club burglars over the head.

Classic Beosound 3200 and Beolab 8000 speakers

As soon as I had it all set up in the living room (with a not-so-amused Mrs. Broer witnessing all this), I realized I had thrown most of my CDs away a few years ago. That was annoying, but I was fortunate to discover that a CD still costs as much today as it did 25 years ago, which is impressive. Once I sourced a few of my favorite albums again, I realized that the tactile process of selecting an album, putting it in the CD player, and so on brings me more joy than just selecting a playlist on Tidal or Spotify. I also tend to listen to an entire album now rather than skipping through playlists (which could also be an age thing).

Bang & Olufsen gear might not offer the best sound quality for its price, but it does its job for my 48-year-old ears, and it looks good. My pick would be a (neo-)vintage Beosound 3200 or 9000 CD player system paired with a pair of Beolab 8000 speakers. Additionally, I added a small Bluesound Node Nano music streamer via the Beosound’s AUX to be able to play music from Tidal and Spotify anyway (but I hardly use it).

However, I also found this Beosound 2 Vollebak edition speaker for those who don’t want to play CDs on old systems. Vollebak is a clothing brand that my colleague Jorg once pointed out to me, but it also does collabs with brands outside its industry, such as Bang & Olufsen. The Beosound 2 looks like a spaceship, especially in this Vollebak edition, and could nicely blend into your office or living room.

These aluminum 4.1kg speakers have a custom anodized “rocket burn” surface, and no two are exactly alike. They work with all the major streaming solutions (Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Google Cast, Tidal Connect, and more), and this four-speaker unit (one ¾” tweeter, two 2″ mid-range, and one 5 ¼” woofer) includes a Class D amplifier.

It measures 43cm tall and 20cm wide at the base, so you can fit it on a desk, table, or simply on the floor. The price is hefty at €5,000, which is quite a bit more than the old Bang & Olufsen setup I use, but it’s also new technology (and design).

Shaving gear from Mühle, Omega, and Feather

About a year ago, a friend of mine texted me that he bought new shaving gear. Yes, the stuff men share in WhatsApp messages sometimes goes beyond filthy memes and stickers. I had never really used anything other than a Gillette Mach3 razor, but after spending a considerable amount on the blades again, I decided to follow my friend’s advice. Reddit offered solace with its Wicked Edge community (130,000 weekly visitors and 4,400 weekly posts). I also quickly realized how much of a rabbit hole double security razors are. After a few days of puzzling, I decided I had to settle for a stainless steel razor (many are chromed) from Mühle, an Omega(!) silver-tipped badger brush, Derby blades (though I now use the sharper Feather ones), and Taylor of Old Bond Street sandalwood shaving soap.

Instead of a quick shave with a Gillette as part of my daily shower routine, I now take the time to shave properly a few times per week with the equipment above. It’s a relaxing exercise, and at some point, you become more comfortable with the sharp blades and get the hang of the right angle of the blade on your skin, as well as the right amount of soap, etc. Prices start well under €100 for all the necessities, depending on what you want. However, my initial setup was approximately €200, including the Mühle R 94 razor, Omega silver-tipped badger brush, sandalwood shaving soap, and some blades. But trust me, you can go just as crazy with this stuff as you can with fountain pens, knives, watches, etc.

Chibuntu bracelets

Oh boy, I am fully aware that the suggestions above are mainly gift-to-self ones, but let me correct that with the last suggestions from my side. I am not a complete bracelet convert yet, but I’ve tried a few over the past few years and enjoyed wearing those made by my daughter, a friend, and Chibuntu. From Chibuntu’s Flow collection, I like the Vintage Bond model (with the typical colors from 007’s NATO strap he wore with his Rolex Submariner). It’s a 4mm-wide bracelet made of a wax-coated polyester, so it has a bit of substance. However, Chibuntu has many bracelets available in various styles and colorways. They all come nicely wrapped, making them perfect gifts for someone special. Prices start at around €15, depending on style and materials.

Neo-vintage Omega Constellation ’95

Usually, we don’t include watches; it’s a bit of an annual rule set by our managing editor. However, I will make an exception here, as we’re discussing gift-giving. I want to suggest a lovely neo-vintage watch for your significant other. One of the watches I’ve always liked on men’s and women’s wrists is the Omega Constellation ’95. This model debuted 30 years ago, and Omega ambassadors Cindy Crawford and Pierce Brosnan promoted it at the time. A neo-vintage Omega Constellation is definitely a pleasant surprise under the Christmas tree, I would say.

I selected a 25.5mm ladies’ Constellation in 18K gold and steel, with a diamond-studded bezel, and a mother-of-pearl dial with diamond hour indexes. It doesn’t get more lady-like than this 1998 Constellation ref. 1277.75. You can find them, depending on condition, for around €2,500 and up. There’s also the smaller 22.5mm version ref. 1267.75, and you’ll find these well below €2,000. If that’s all too small, take a look at the 27.5mm ref. 1297.75. Whatever size you’ll pick, you will make someone very happy!

Daan’s picks: Another Bellroy, a leather notebook cover by Roterfaden, and a personalized bag by Treesizeverse

Last year, I highlighted my Bellroy Venture Sling 10L Camera Edition. I’m still a big fan, and I also use it as a camera cube inside my other bags. This year, I also bought Bellroy’s Desk Caddy, and this tech pouch suits my needs surprisingly well. I happen to switch bags quite often, and it’s a hassle to change everything over each time. However, this task became a lot easier with this €65 Desk Caddy. It’s smaller than most tech pouches, but it fits all I need. I keep a few USB-C cables, an iPhone battery pack, AirPods, a notebook, a charger, a set of mics, and some other stuff like calipers in the front pocket. But almost the best part is the fact that it stands on its own on your desk while showing you all that’s inside, as shown in the picture above from Bellroy.

The Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter TGS_25

In our 2022 gift guide, I recommended Leuchtturm1917’s 120g notebooks. That’s what I’ve been using for a while now. But I decided to change things up a little. I ordered myself a Medium/A5-sized leather cover from the German brand Roterfaden. Its unique feature is the stainless steel clips that allow you to attach up to three notebooks. When it arrived, the softness of the leather and the high-quality finishing thoroughly impressed me. However, it was slightly bigger than the Leuchtturm1917 notebooks I was used to. Luckily, since then, Roterfaden released a slim version in collaboration with Gentleman’s Stationer. I’m now waiting for it to arrive, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one for many years to come. It costs US$195.

A personalized canvas/leather bag by Treesizeverse

Another thing I’m still patiently waiting for is my personalized canvas/leather bag by a brand called Treesizeverse. I found it through Etsy, but Ronald, the brand owner, also has a website. He is a one-man operation working from Belgium and makes all the bags himself from heavy-duty materials. The great thing is that every bag is made to order and that you can put in small requests, like a padded laptop sleeve or an extra pocket somewhere. You can even send him your original designs. But the best thing is that the bags are very reasonably priced, even with all the customization. The one I ordered starts at €174, and each small adjustment costs about €8. As said, I’m still waiting for mine to arrive, but I already know I’ll love it when it does.

Henry’s picks: An Opinel pocket knife, a Macpac sling bag, and a film photographer’s best friend

Being on holiday while writing this indeed served as some inspiration. So I’ll start with something I actually picked up while on holiday here in Europe. The first object I humbly propose is an Opinel knife. My colleague Jorg recommended that I look into getting one, and it was good advice.

They come in many sizes; the one I went for was a N°10. Opinel is a French brand that has been making these fold-out knives with wooden handles since 1890. The best thing? It won’t break the bank. The knife I got sells for €16.70. I’ve already used this knife to slice cheese and sausage while hiking in Europe. What more could you ask for?

A Macpac sling bag

Here’s another item I’ve found incredibly useful while enjoying my holiday in Europe. A sling bag, or a bumbag that’s used like a sling bag, is handy insofar as it helps store some basics. For me, who has been shooting photo film across Europe, it gives just enough space to store the day’s rolls of film, my Leica film camera with lens, and a couple of other small valuables. This sort of bag is very useful for photographers because the ergonomics keep it out of the way while you’re shooting while also making it easy to access film on the fly. The one that I have been using is from the New Zealand brand Macpac. It cost me A$35 and has proven to be an irreplaceable travel companion. There are other similar options, but I encourage readers to check out Macpac, a reputable hiking brand.

A bulk film loader

Okay, this last gift is a bit esoteric, but stick with me. For those of you who are photography enthusiasts, I heartily encourage you to expand your horizons (or revisit) film photography. But paying €10 for a roll of film will quickly get old. Before doing so, consider investing in a bulk film loader and loading it yourself, so that an expensive roll of film will start costing around €2, which isn’t much more than a coffee in Italy.

The reason I suggest this is that I have been shooting my trip to Europe almost exclusively on film. And I’m a keen shooter. By the end of the trip (approximately five weeks), I’ll have shot over 30 rolls of film. The savings you make with bulk-loaded film really add up fast, I can tell you! There are many examples to choose from, but a favorite of mine is this one, which costs €53. In no time, it will have paid for itself in savings on film. Here’s a helpful video showing you how to bulk-load film by yourself.

Ben’s pick: Cased In Time watch cases

I’m sharing just one pick this season. Over the last year, my buying habits have primarily focused on baby carriages, cots, and travel versions of both. However, I did find one watch-related item that proved beneficial for a recent family trip. I always like to take a couple of watches with me when traveling. I take no more than two, as I may encounter a “Mike at the Basel customs” situation, but I’ll still have options for day and night. Some manufacturers, such as Breitling and Omega, include a portable watch case within the main box, like the Moonwatch travel case. But these cases, while nicely designed and branded, are just a bit too bulky and difficult to replace if lost. When the bag is already full of diapers and travel snacks, something compact and sturdy is preferable. That’s where Cased in Time’s clamshell watch cases have been a game-changer.

I got chatting with the guys at Cased in Time at the British Watchmaker’s Day. Naturally, by association with Fratello, I picked up the NASA Moon case. But thinking back, I also wish I had gotten the Royale with Cheese burger case; that’s just such a fun execution. The cases are strong enough to protect bags from mishandling at airport security. They are also water resistant and can hold a watch of up to 50mm in diameter. That’s surprising since the case is only 10cm × 10cm × 5.5cm. The Cased in Time site offers a myriad of color options, including special and collaborative editions. Prices range from £20 for standard colors to £30 for special editions.

That’s all, folks!

We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through our editors’ gift suggestions once again this year. Let us know if anything listed here fits the bill particularly well! Also, if you’d like to make any gift suggestions for your fellow Fratelli, drop those in the comments section below. We hope all of you can get your gift shopping done early and have a nice, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday season!