Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for him can be tricky work. What gift perfectly conveys your feelings without veering into OTT gimmick territory? And what do you get for the man who has everything?
Here at Elite Traveler, we’ve taken the hard work out of your search and scoured our favorite brands and labels to shortlist the best Valentine’s Day gifts for the man in your life, without an ounce of cheesy gimmick. From this year’s must-buy whisky to little luxuries that he didn’t know he needed, our gift guide is all but guaranteed to please.
[See also: Luxury Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her]
Glenfiddich, 30 Year Old Suspended Time Scotch Whisky
Be it Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary or Valentine’s Day, a bottle of Scotch can rarely be beaten. Released toward the end of last year, the Glenfiddich 30 Year Old Suspended Time Single Malt is one of three ultra-premium whiskies within the distiller’s Time Re:Imagined collection, each of which were carefully bottled to depict a certain moment in time. The 30 Year Old is complex and woody, with sweet notes of honey to finish. Such a special whisky naturally calls for a special presentation; this iteration is housed within a ribboned outer casing.
$1,152, glenfiddich.com
Derek Rose, Silk Pajamas
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to gift little luxuries that someone might not buy themselves – and what could be more luxurious than silk pajamas? Our favorite set comes from Derek Rose, a London-based, family-owned menswear specialist. Handmade using pure silk with a satin finish, the Bailey pajama set is comfortable, breathable and stylish, with a chic contrasting piped trim. There are plenty of colors to choose from, but a sleek navy blue is timeless.
$910, derek-rose.com
Begg x Co, Cashmere Beanie Hat
A cool chill is still in the air come February, making a warm hat a thoughtful – not to mention practical – Valentine’s Day gift for him. Practicality need not be the downfall of style however, with Begg x Co’s cashmere beanie deftly combining the two. Made using 100% cashmere, each beanie is crafted in Begg x Co’s Scottish factory and features a versatile ribbed finish with the option to wear it folder over or unrolled.
$161, beggxco.com
Bruno Cucinelli, Backgammon Set
Handmade in the brand’s Italian workshop, the Bruno Cucinelli Backgammon Set is more work of art than boardgame. Presented in an elegant leather-handled case, the set is crafted out of a stone-like material called Krion with local walnut and stainless-steel accents. Whether pulled out at your next dinner party or simply used as a conversation-starting piece of décor, the Bruno Cucinelli Backgammon Set will make for a memorable Valentine’s Day gift.
$8,450, net-a-porter.com
Ulysse Nardin, Diver Norrøna Arctic Night
One of our top watch picks this year comes as a result of an exclusive partnership between Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin and Norwegian outdoor apparel brand, Norrøna, who have together created the Diver Norrøna Arctic Night 44mm. The monochromatic watch is carefully crafted using sustainable materials, including recycled stainless steel and old fishing nets, making it the most sustainable in Ulysse Nardin’s portfolio. Limited to just 29 editions, each watch is exclusively sold with a Gore-Tex® Pro Norrøna jacket.
$12,600, ulysse-nardin.com
Barbara Sturm, Men’s Essential Set
Don’t let men be fooled into thinking that just pinching a blob of your moisturizer or a drop of your cleanser is enough to keep their skin in tip-top condition. In fact, men’s skin requires more attention than you’d think, given the regular shaving it endures. For the man in your life who is new to caring for their skin (or just wants a no-nonsense routine, look no further than the Barbara Sturm Esssentials set, which includes a gentle cleanser, hydrating serum and a nourishing face cream.
$440, drsturm.com
Balblair, 25-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Balblair 25 Year Old Single Malt is a great choice for the discerning whisky lover in your life. The oldest in the 230-year-old Highland distillery’s main repertoire, this is a whisky to drink and enjoy. Spending over a quarter of a century in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish Oak butts, the dark copper-hued liquid is full-bodied and indulgent, with aromas of luscious apricots and licorice and notes of chocolate praline and spices.
$676, masterofmalt.com
[See also: The Most Coveted Luxury Sustainable Fashion Labels]
Embark Beyond, Monaco Grand Prix Experience
Our ‘For Him’ Valentine’s Day Gift Guide wouldn’t be complete without a once-in-a-lifetime experience and Embark Beyond might just have nailed it. The luxury travel firm’s bespoke packages open the door to the planet’s most exclusive events, from the Cannes Film Festival to New York Fashion Week. Knock his socks off with an unforgettable Monaco Grand Prix experience this May. The package includes VIP seating and coveted access to an Omega party, plus five nights of pure luxury with a suite at the world-famous Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Embark Beyond can also arrange a donation to an environmental program to offset the carbon footprint of your trip.
From $45,000 for 2 people, embarkbeyond.com
Cartier, Santos de Cartier Daily Mood Cufflinks Set
If your Valentine loves his shirts, he’ll love this exquisite Cartier Cufflinks set. Presented in the French Maison’s signature scarlet leather case, this miniature treasure trove contains the only set of cufflinks he’ll ever need. Featuring an engraved head crafted from palladium-finished sterling silver, he can dress to suit his mood with the choice of five sets of perfectly formed interchangeable stones. These come in striped chalcedony, silver obsidian, malachite, sodalite and red tiger’s eye.
$2,405 selfridges.com
Le Labo, Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
This heady unisex scent works just as well as a Valentine’s gift for her as it does for him, despite having been inspired by possibly the most masculine figure in American advertising history — The Marlborough Man. Le Labo took the elements of this icon and interpreted it into Santal 33: responsibly sourced cardamon, iris and violet mingle with smokey sandalwood and cedarwood. The result is an addictive aroma with notes of spice, musk and leather. Once you purchase your perfume, the New York-based cruelty-free brand will hand-blend your bottle, before printing its unique label featuring your loved one’s name.
$289 for 100ml, lelabofragrances.com
Peter Millar, Stable Shirt Jacket
Having celebrated its 20th year in 2021, Peter Millar goes into its third decade as a standard bearer for high-quality casual wear. Best known for its golf apparel, the brand offers a range of polo shirts, cashmere sweaters and high-performance sportswear, all made with the finest materials and superb craftsmanship. But its range goes beyond the golf course. This Stable Shirt Jacket perfectly encapsulates Peter Millar’s interpretation of casual refinement. Made with 50% virgin wool and 50% cashmere, the jacket is lightly brushed and tumbled to give it a vintage look and feel. Comfortable enough in the day and formal enough for the evening, this versatile garment is the perfect spring/fall jacket for all occasions.
$798, petermillar.com
Leica, M11 Camera
The M was first introduced in 1954 and since then Leica has revolutionized the series, making it one of the most iconic cameras to date. The classically stylish M11 combines the experience of traditional rangefinder photography with contemporary camera technology, extended battery life and a unique triple resolution sensor that can record at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels (to give you an idea, the latest iPhone 13 Plus is capable of 12 megapixels). Representing the finest German engineering, this Valentine’s gift will give him the ability to capture life’s special moments in remarkable clarity.
$8,995, leicacamerausa.com
Panerai, Submersible ELAB-ID Watch
We’ve selected to include this watch in our ‘For Him’ Valentine’s Day Gift Guide not only for its exceptional quality but for its eco-credentials. Crafted from 98.6% recycled material in Panerai’s Swiss workshop, the 161-component dive watch is a self-proclaimed first for the industry. With a brushed EcoTitanium bezel and a watch strap made from recycled plastics, it is water-resistant to 300 meters. Just 30 are available making it highly collectible.
$61,700, panerai.com
[See also: The World’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Hotels]