Watch for my Dad's 60th

[Craikeybaby]

I was thinking of buying my Dad a watch for his 60th birthday next month. He likes thin and easy to read watches, but normally wears a £25 Casio, so wanted to go for something a bit nicer. I guess the budget is £250 - £500.

My current thought is one of the Mondaine Swiss railway watches, but does PH have any other suggestions?

[JAGS]

A Hamilton Intra-Matic perhaps?

Linky

A little over budget, but it is a beautiful, classic looking watch.

[RichB]

Craikeybaby said:

My current thought is one of the Mondaine Swiss railway watches, but does PH have any other suggestions?

I'm approaching 60 and that wouldn't appeal to me but you know your dad's taste better then we do.

[Craikeybaby]

JAGS said:

A Hamilton Intra-Matic perhaps?

Linky

A little over budget, but it is a beautiful, classic looking watch.

I do like that, but pushing the budget a bit.

[Craikeybaby]

RichB said:

Craikeybaby said:

My current thought is one of the Mondaine Swiss railway watches, but does PH have any other suggestions?

I'm approaching 60 and that wouldn't appeal to me but you know your dad's taste better then we do.

He likes the easy to read dial on my Oris BC3, but thinks it is far too bulky.

[RichB]

Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline Petite Quartz. A manly 40mm dia but thin. At £340 approx within budget and available with numerous bracelets or straps in steel or gold...

Edited by RichB on Thursday 17th July 14:20

[The Surveyor]

In this price range, also look at the Tissot or Christopher Ward ranges.

The Christopher Ward Malvern is nicely simple:- http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/view-all-mens...

Or the Tissot Visodate which is equally simple and elegant:- http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8419264/ti...

Both mechanical movements (Tissot is automatic with the Malvern being hand-wound) and both bang on the budget.

Paul

[JAGS]

+ 1 for the Tissot Visodate.

Have one myself, and I absolutely love it.

Wearing it today. Worn most days and it is very comfortable to wear.


A few pics to help:

Edited by JAGS on Thursday 17th July 16:07

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks , I'll have a look at the Hamilton range as there seem to be a few options there.

The Surveyor said:

In this price range, also look at the Tissot or Christopher Ward ranges.

The Christopher Ward Malvern is nicely simple:- http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/view-all-mens...

Or the Tissot Visodate which is equally simple and elegant:- http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8419264/ti...

Both mechanical movements (Tissot is automatic with the Malvern being hand-wound) and both bang on the budget.

Paul

I like both of these too, although concerned the Tissot may be too thick, will try to see one in the metal at the weekend.

[Craikeybaby]

Another option is something in a Bauhaus style, like a Junghans Max Bill.

[hilly10]

Tissot would be my choice for the budget. Great name, well made, looks the business and mechanical to boot. Whats not to like.

[Craikeybaby]

hilly10 said:

Tissot would be my choice for the budget. Great name, well made, looks the business and mechanical to boot. Whats not to like.

I'm going to try and see one tomorrow, but I know my Dad doesn't like chunky/heavy watches, so I'm not sure than an automatic is the best idea for him.

[Craikeybaby]

I had a look at a few jewellers yesterday and the Tissot recommended above was too thick for my Dad (although I quite fancied one for myself), but there were a few other options from Tissot.

However, the Mondaine Simply Elegant was by far the watch that stood out for me.

[hilly10]

I have a problem with Mondaine they just look to much like a wall clock.

[RichB]

hilly10 said:

I have a problem with Mondaine they just look to much like a wall clock.

Don't like that, wall clock, nursery school clock? Agreed...

[steve2]

Personally I think that is a younger persons watch, not that smart either IMHO

[Craikeybaby]

RichB said:

hilly10 said:

I have a problem with Mondaine they just look to much like a wall clock.

Don't like that, wall clock, nursery school clock? Agreed...

Station clock

[RichB]

Craikeybaby said:

RichB said:

hilly10 said:

I have a problem with Mondaine they just look to much like a wall clock.

Don't like that, wall clock, nursery school clock? Agreed...

Station clock

Yep, the sort you see on continental railway stations in cold war spy thrillers.

[marcosgt]

How about a Smiths Everest?



Lovely watch for the money and comfortably in budget.

I wear mine on a leather strap (because I prefer the look), but it comes on a high quality bracelet for the list price.

http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Monday 21st July 14:21

[Craikeybaby]

I like the look of that, but more for me, at 12mm it is way too thick for my Dad.

I'd have an automatic watch everytime, but with thinness and lightness key factors I think quartz is the way to go? Unless there are any particularly thin automatics about?