18th birthday present watch

18th birthday present watch

Author
Discussion

scooby1994

138 posts

127 months

Friday 19th August 2016
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my son had a Nomos Orion for his 21st,he loves it ,it is a plain watch but looks very classy on

Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Friday 19th August 2016
quotequote all
rex said:
So my eldest is coming up to 18 next month and to mark the occasion he has decided that a watch would be the ideal gift. He has never worn a watch before as he has a phone to tell the time but has come to the understanding that a watch is something more than just a thing to tell the time.

As we are currently just 20 mins from Gibraltar a few hours wandering round watch shops, a nice meal and milling around to get an idea of what watch styles he like would make for a pleasant day. So we have just got back and thought I would post and see if anyone have some pointers on ideas or classic watches I have missed.

I soon discovered that his style he likes is very set.
Black or dark blue face
Leather strap
No dive watches
Clean looks. If it is a chrono the small dials have to be the same colour as the face
Thin as possible with a fairly narrow bezel

His favourite is the first one but looking for other suggestions

Some images of the ones he liked.









What model Breitling is the third one down, the black one? That's stunning.

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Friday 19th August 2016
quotequote all
Nezquick said:
What model Breitling is the third one down, the black one? That's stunning.
Brietling Transocean

Black one £3780
Blue one £4260

My brother has the blue one and it is stunning

ewand

775 posts

213 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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How happy would you be, OP, for an 18 year old to be running around with a £2k watch on his wrist?

Maybe one approach would be to buy him an expensive, quality watch as discussed above, and get something else to be a beater or daily wearer...

I really like the look of http://www.matthewhumphriesdesignwatches.com/categ... as an example - has the look of a Bell & Ross but the price of a Seiko.


djmhughesuk

20 posts

106 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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I own a Omega Seamster 300M Professional watch that was bought for me by my parents for my 21st - My parents wanted to buy me something to celebrate my 21st and my mums idea was to have a few family rings melted down to create a ring for me, but I was not in favour of this neither was the jeweller. My parents said, we want to buy you something you will treasure and remember the occasion. To which I replied, there is something that I would like, but I am not sure you could afford it. My mum replies, try us. The rest they say is history. So I am fully with you and your sons decision to get a good make of watch.

I digress.
I would of said look at Omega, but they are slightly out of the price range you have set.

Here are two nice elegant Tag's
http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/tag...

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Carrera-Cali...

A nice Oris or two?

http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/ori...

http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/ori...

or this lovely Longines

http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/brands/lon...

Ball are great for luminous hands, time indicators

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-ball-trainmaster-sta...

I hope that has been of some help.

clarkmagpie

3,559 posts

194 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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www.dornblueth.com

Now not sure they do a dark face but since they are hand made its something you could ask?

I think they look stunning and it's very a much a "one day" watch for me.

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
ewand said:
Maybe one approach would be to buy him an expensive, quality watch as discussed above, and get something else to be a beater or daily wearer...
Yes, thought about this. He would probably just use his phone when not wearing it. He is quite OCD about his possessions so he would only wear it on occasion



djmhughesuk said:
I own a Omega Seamster 300M Professional watch that was bought for me by my parents for my 21st - My parents wanted to buy me something to celebrate my 21st and my mums idea was to have a few family rings melted down to create a ring for me, but I was not in favour of this neither was the jeweller. My parents said, we want to buy you something you will treasure and remember the occasion. To which I replied, there is something that I would like, but I am not sure you could afford it. My mum replies, try us. The rest they say is history. So I am fully with you and your sons decision to get a good make of watch.
Many thanks for your suggestions. The blue face Tag is lovely.



Compiling a nice short list with all the suggestions and it has been nice to find watches I have never heard of, especially the Nomos brand.

brickwall

5,192 posts

209 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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rex said:
This one. Every day of the week.

scott-1vt9j

52 posts

99 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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No one has mentioned a Rolex Date or Datejust yet, so I will throw it into the ring. An all time classic with great residual values should he ever want to change it (hey, tastes change. I sold my IWC 3706 that I got married in and timed the contractions on for both children.) Plus at 34mm it will suit a smaller wrist. Allow some money for a good service when looking. They normally come on bracelets but I don't rate the vintage Rolex bracelets, so I always opt for leather.





Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
rex said:
Brietling Transocean

Black one £3780
Blue one £4260

My brother has the blue one and it is stunning
Thanks. Off to Watchfinder I go.....!

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
scott-1vt9j said:
No one has mentioned a Rolex Date or Datejust yet, so I will throw it into the ring. An all time classic with great residual values should he ever want to change it (hey, tastes change. I sold my IWC 3706 that I got married in and timed the contractions on for both children.) Plus at 34mm it will suit a smaller wrist. Allow some money for a good service when looking. They normally come on bracelets but I don't rate the vintage Rolex bracelets, so I always opt for leather.




Unfortunately he really screwed his face up at those.

scott-1vt9j

52 posts

99 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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fair enough

Maybe for his 40th!

scooby1994

138 posts

127 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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you have to remember that he is eighteen,when we decided to buy my son a good watch for his 21st i steered him towards all the brands and watches that i liked as a fifty something man,he tried them on but wasnt impressed,then he saw the Nomos range and their quirky advertising style and that was it,he is very proud of his watch and he really looks after it,i am surprised because he usually doesnt look after anything

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
scooby1994 said:
you have to remember that he is eighteen,when we decided to buy my son a good watch for his 21st i steered him towards all the brands and watches that i liked as a fifty something man,he tried them on but wasnt impressed,then he saw the Nomos range and their quirky advertising style and that was it,he is very proud of his watch and he really looks after it,i am surprised because he usually doesnt look after anything
I'm leaving the choice up to him. We had some elimination rounds this morning and the 3 that made the cut are






scooby1994

138 posts

127 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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your boy has good taste,three very nice watches,like you say let him choose,he has to wear it

djmhughesuk

20 posts

106 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Those are three very nice watches - subtle, elegant and beautiful. I am sure which ever one he chooses it will be perfect. Please inform us all of the finial decision as and when.

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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Certainly will inform you of the final decision. Some wrist pics as well. Once again thank you for all your suggestions.

scooby1994

138 posts

127 months

Saturday 3rd September 2016
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hi rex,any news on which watch he choose,

rex

Original Poster:

2,051 posts

265 months

Sunday 4th September 2016
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His birthday is later in the month so he has not made his final decision yet. I think he will go for his original choice of the Month Blanc. Will go into town next week to try some more on.

WelshChris

1,173 posts

253 months

Sunday 4th September 2016
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How about an Omega Speedmaster from his birth year?

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/speedmaster--id421...