Buying a Watch for my Dads 70th
Buying a Watch for my Dads 70th
Author
Discussion

Mr.Nobody

Original Poster:

1,263 posts

65 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
I’m looking for some help and advice on buying a watch for my Dads 70th. I’ve around £2-£2500k to spend on a watch. What would you recommend?

redrabbit

1,805 posts

182 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
Hi,

You'll probably get a lot of recommendations for excellent watches in your price range, depending on what style you are after - there are loads of knowledgeable people in here.

My advice would be to take your Dad shopping, and let him choose. Unless you already know he'd appreciate an expensive watch, you may find he would prefer something cheaper, if at all. That was my experience when I took my (then 70 year old) Dad on the exact same expedition. At that age, he wasn't bothered about extravagant spending, in fact he was uncomfortable with the idea. We ended up with a very nice Seiko at a fraction of the budget. What he appreciated most was the intent, and we had a lot of fun choosing. There was also plenty left in my wallet for a very enjoyable lunch afterwards!

It's a cheesy cliche, but it really is the thought that counts. Of course, your Dad might be a bigger watch fan thsn mine, and less squeamish about spending your money biggrin

Edited by redrabbit on Sunday 14th January 16:52


Edited by redrabbit on Sunday 14th January 16:53

covmutley

3,230 posts

207 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
I'd be looking at oris, longines, nomos or grand seiko (quartz) sinn, stowa, damasko

Depends what style we likes I guess!


Ninjin

1,322 posts

92 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
redrabbit said:
Hi,

You'll probably get a lot of recommendations for excellent watches in your price range, depending on what style you are after - there are loads of knowledgeable people in here.

My advice would be to take your Dad shopping, and let him choose. Unless you already know he'd appreciate an expensive watch, you may find he would prefer something cheaper, if at all. That was my experience when I took my (then 70 year old) Dad on the exact same expedition. At that age, he wasn't bothered about extravagant spending, in fact he was uncomfortable with the idea. We ended up with a very nice Seiko at a fraction of the budget. What he appreciated most was the intent, and we had a lot of fun choosing. There was also plenty left in my wallet for a very enjoyable lunch afterwards!

It's a cheesy cliche, but it really is the thought that counts. Of course, your Dad might be a bigger watch fan thsn mine, and less squeamish about spending your money biggrin

Edited by redrabbit on Sunday 14th January 16:52



Edited by redrabbit on Sunday 14th January 16:53
I have to 2nd this. When my father reached that age he was no longer wearing expensive watches. So take him shopping and see what he thinks.

You never know, you may find out he likes to flex on the Socials and the £2500 budget is not enough for a Rollie! biggrin

RD-1

1,143 posts

178 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
For the budget I’d go Tudor or TAG, but it depends on the style he’d be into.

Another option is birth year, some nice gold case Omega dress watches available way under budget.

Mr.Nobody

Original Poster:

1,263 posts

65 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
RD-1 said:
For the budget I’d go Tudor or TAG, but it depends on the style he’d be into.

Another option is birth year, some nice gold case Omega dress watches available way under budget.
An Omega would be nice as would a TAG. I’ve not heard of Tudor. Any recommendations on where to buy the Omega Dress Watch so I can have a look. He does like the TAG Monaco.

Tabs

1,047 posts

289 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
Whatever you choose, make sure he will be able to read the time!! A good contrast of dial and hand colours so he can read without glasses etc.
Something too bling will just get shoved in a drawer.

RD-1

1,143 posts

178 months

Sunday 14th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
RD-1 said:
For the budget I’d go Tudor or TAG, but it depends on the style he’d be into.

Another option is birth year, some nice gold case Omega dress watches available way under budget.
An Omega would be nice as would a TAG. I’ve not heard of Tudor. Any recommendations on where to buy the Omega Dress Watch so I can have a look. He does like the TAG Monaco.
A vintage Omega would be the most difficult assignment. Will need some research to avoid a Frankenwatch.

If he likes the Monaco, a lightly used one sounds perfect.

Geertsen

1,236 posts

76 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
I’m looking for some help and advice on buying a watch for my Dads 70th. I’ve around £2-£2500k to spend on a watch. What would you recommend?


I was going to suggest Tudor but I’d probably say an automatic Longines for a 70 year old dad. Some of the dials on the Master Collection watches are absolutely beautiful...and for the price to quality ratio are difficult to beat.

the-norseman

14,496 posts

188 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
An Omega would be nice as would a TAG. I’ve not heard of Tudor. Any recommendations on where to buy the Omega Dress Watch so I can have a look. He does like the TAG Monaco.
If you think about Toyota and Lexus

Tudor is Toyota, Rolex is Lexus

both started by the same guy.

BrokenSkunk

4,900 posts

267 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
An Omega would be nice as would a TAG. I’ve not heard of Tudor. Any recommendations on where to buy the Omega Dress Watch so I can have a look. He does like the TAG Monaco.
Tudor are part of the Rolex group. For some reason they pulled out of the UK donkeys years ago and came back relatively recently. They always used to be Rolex cases, with standard swiss movements. But the modern line up stands on it's own.

Rading hte thread I'm not sure whether you've been tempted by the idea of vintage or not. The problem is there's a lot of tarted up rubbish out there, some platforms have many more rotten apples than good. I'd advise against buying vintage from anything other than a trusted bricks and mortar store.

I don't know where you are in the country, but I was really impressed by these guys: https://littlecogs.com/ .Well worth a visit if you're looking for a vintage piece and don't have the experience / appetite to risk the open market. Be aware that their photography skills are woeful, the watches look much better in the metal than on the website.

OMITN

2,743 posts

109 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
A word of warning!

I tried the same, but asked my mum to float the idea first. The answer came back that, at 70 he didn’t want to be reminded of time running out and would rather spend time with his family instead.

minimalist

1,507 posts

222 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
When I retire, I'd like a watch that only tells me the day of the week, but not the time. That would be enough for me.

hungry_hog

2,670 posts

205 months

Monday 15th January 2024
quotequote all
minimalist said:
When I retire, I'd like a watch that only tells me the day of the week, but not the time. That would be enough for me.
PP annual calendar with hands deleted?

RD-1

1,143 posts

178 months

Tuesday 16th January 2024
quotequote all
minimalist said:
When I retire, I'd like a watch that only tells me the day of the week, but not the time. That would be enough for me.
That’s a calendar, not a watch laugh

minimalist

1,507 posts

222 months

Tuesday 16th January 2024
quotequote all
RD-1 said:
That’s a calendar, not a watch laugh
That'll do. In a nice case attached to my wrist with a lovely strap. wobble

Mr.Nobody

Original Poster:

1,263 posts

65 months

Tuesday 16th January 2024
quotequote all
I’ve seen a Vintage Watch my brother likes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235388268612?mkcid=16&a...

I’ve decided to take my Dad watch shopping but I’ve shown him some Tag Heur Monaco, Tudor and possibly a Omega Seamaster.

redrabbit

1,805 posts

182 months

Tuesday 16th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
I’ve seen a Vintage Watch my brother likes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235388268612?mkcid=16&a...

I’ve decided to take my Dad watch shopping but I’ve shown him some Tag Heur Monaco, Tudor and possibly a Omega Seamaster.
Good call!

Keen to hear how it goes - your Dad has a very generous son smile

thebraketester

15,119 posts

155 months

Tuesday 16th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
I’m looking for some help and advice on buying a watch for my Dads 70th. I’ve around £2-£2500k to spend on a watch. What would you recommend?
Nice thing to do and be on the receiving end of. clap I look forward to seeing what he chooses.

BrokenSkunk

4,900 posts

267 months

Wednesday 17th January 2024
quotequote all
Mr.Nobody said:
I’ve seen a Vintage Watch my brother likes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235388268612?mkcid=16&a...
If you like it, you like it. But it is the horological equivalent of this poor thing:

And very probably just as knackered.

Before bidding, please read my posts about a similar watch on 11th & 12 August 2022 here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It may be that none of that stuff matters to you, but at least go into the deal with your eyes open.