18th birthday present watch

[rex]

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.

[rex]

Just seen this one to add to the list. 38mm so may fit his wrist better

[rex]

About 2000 GBP ideally, and I have not told him the budget. I want him to choose a watch that he likes not what it costs. No concern with resale as it will be a keeper but I would like him to choose a watch with a good name/ heritage. At present he has chosen ones around or below that mark except for the Brietling Transocean

Asked him what he thought of the Hublot in the window. He was not impressed with any of them. He is not a fan of complex looking watches so I should be OK

He has a small wrist and the 42mm Montblanc looked quite big. The 38mm IWC would be my choice but this would not be a new watch. Found a 2011 version for just above budget.


Edited to correct Oceantimer to Transocean

Edited by rex on Friday 19th August 22:28

[rex]

What a bizarre looking watch that type 3 is. Not cheep either. Forgot about Sinn. Thanks for the reminder.

[rex]

sidicks said:

I'm a bit biased, but given that I bought this earlier in the year, this would be my choice...!

That is a lovely watch and I prefer a chronograph watch. Showed eldest and he immediately said that it was too busy.

Voldemort said:

Can I put Bremont on the list?

Blue faced U2


Also available with a black face and a black face/black case edition.

His face didn't light up at this one. Looked "too new". I think a more classic looking watch is his preferred style although he loved the type 3. Not going there with that price though

[rex]

Top call on the Jhungens Mikeveal.

Crashley - he was not so keen on the Bell and Ross. A bit chunky.

Thanks to those that have contributed ideas. Keep them coming. Rex junior is enjoying the thread. His 18th celebrations are coming together nicely. On the 26th he is going on his first track day driving my track prepared M3 and also his grandad is taking him to Twickenham to watch England very Fiji in November. Both good opportunities to wear his new watch, whichever one he chooses.

Keep the suggestions coming.

[rex]

FrankAbagnale said:

Thinking back to when I was 18, I think i'd quite want a well known brand. At that age, image and brand recognition are as important as the quality of the watch. Even if it is approved used in order to get the brand at the right price.

Breitling, Rolex, Tag, Omega.

A sweeping generalisation!

I'm not sure any of the major watch names mean anything to 18 year old of this generation. The only time pieces they have are iPhone, HTC, Samsung etc. A shame really as I remember looking in watch shop windows in Birmingham New Street when I was younger with disbelief that a Rolex could cost as much as my Dad's car thinking, one day.

[rex]

Foliage said:

Looks to me like the design your son likes is of the Bauhaus style

http://wornandwound.com/a-bauhaus-inspired-guide/

Skagen (super slim watchs too, but quartz), Nomos, uniform wares, mondiane etc

Edited by Foliage on Friday 19th August 15:07

Not ever heard of Nomos. They are very elegant watches. Really like this one

[rex]

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

[rex]

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.

[rex]

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.

[rex]

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

[rex]

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

[rex]

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.

[rex]

WelshChris said:

How about an Omega Speedmaster from his birth year?

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

He wasn't keen on the bezel. Thanks for the suggestion though

[rex]

Watch has been purchased ready for this weekend. Will post a wrist picture when he has it on. He does not know which one he is getting. It looks stunning though and I am a very happy dad that I can do this for him. He may not appreciate a watch yet as he has a phone to tell the time but in time I'm sure he will.

[rex]

So here was the final decision. He loves it and wore it to school today

[rex]

Thanks for all the contributions to the thread. This part of the forum still has the original pistonheads feel rather than many parts of the site which have desended into slanging matches.

Edited by rex on Monday 19th September 23:06

[rex]

He really likes wearing it and now wants a watch as a daily. So now to get something a bit less costly.

[rex]

Lorne said:

rex said:

He really likes wearing it and now wants a watch as a daily. So now to get something a bit less costly.

Sounds like you've introduced him to an expensive new hobby. Excellent hobby mind you!

Indeed. His collection now stands at 2 watches. A £130 Calvin Klein watch in the same style as his IWC. He's down the rabbit hole already.