Sometimes discretion is the order of the day. These times call for a Cartier Tank, one of the most adaptable, reliable watch designs ever put to paper. Its modest size belies its depth of character; there truly is no easier way to mark yourself out as a person of good taste (did we not mention its genuine unisex appeal?) and invest in a true watchmaking icon.

Car connoisseurs know that the letters GTS appended to a model usually signal the thinking person’s choice, the sweet spot of the range. So it is with Chopard’s Mille Miglia collection: something different from the chronograph and more interesting than a simple time-only watch. Note the “full to empty” power reserve and classic Mille Miglia logo.

Without a doubt, green has been the colour of 2021 in watchmaking circles. Wait, did we say circles? Rectangles, too, as demonstrated most handsomely by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, with matching leather strap and “tribute” detailing that harks back to the 1931 original.

Regular readers may recall us describing Ulysse Nardin’s Diver as the most under-rated luxury dive watch on the market; its build quality, design and provenance (from one of the original suppliers of naval chronometers) are a match for any you care to name. This all remains true for this limited-edition Lemon Shark model.

Black-tie watchmaking at its finest, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Infinity edition is the perfect balance of opulent materials (the black onyx dial and rose-gold markers) and restrained design. It’s the perfect gift for the sharp dresser in your life.

All the classic dive watch elements are there, but within that trademark Bell & Ross silhouette. Handsome and utilitarian in equal measure, the attention to detail (colour-matched date display; the finely shaped hands with luminous insert) is what sets it aside from its imitators.

Can we call a watch “the standout design of the year” and _not _include it on our list of recommendations? Indeed we cannot. The Hermès Timepieces H08 by now needs little in the way of introduction; we defy you not to be impressed by its bold stencil numerals, svelte case and eye-catching rubber strap. Bag one if you get the chance.

A perfect gift for anyone looking to enter the world of luxury watches with an all-rounder. Its sturdy case and 300m water-resistance mean there’s little the Aquis can’t withstand, while its looks elevate it above the purely functional. As previously mentioned, green is currently the one to go for.

Something for the watch collector who has everything: chronograph, perpetual calendar, dive watch… We can all but guarantee they don’t have a limited-edition Ressence with custom typography by New York-based graphic artist Mr Stefan Sagmeister (who, fun fact, has produced album covers for Mr Lou Reed, the Rolling Stones and OK Go).

This year the Big Pilot did something unexpected: it shrank. The not-quite-as-big Pilot (it measures a perfectly ample 43mm across, to be precise) is now, we would argue, much more of an everyday wearer as a result. It’s also warrantied for eight years and has a new easy-swap strap system built in.