Kid's first watch

[parapaul]

I'm approaching that stage of parenthood where teaching the time to my 5-year-old son is rapidly creeping up on me.

I remember learning to tell the time with my first watch , it had a white dial with 'to' and 'past' marked on each half, and ISTR it made grasping the concept quite easy.

I'd like to get my lad something a litte more funky than the blue and red watch I had. I've seen the Timex 'Time Teacher' range, with colourful elasticated straps which look quite fun and cheap... he is only 5, chances are it will end up dropped, broken or lost relatively quickly!

I wondered if any other parents had found anything that they could recommend?

[krusty]

I bought my son (who is 4) one of the 'Timex camper' series. It's black on a Nato style strap. Really nice little watch.

[HereBeMonsters]

Do they still make Flik-Flaks? That was my first watch. Loved it!

[CommanderJameson]

MXSeiko 5.

[andy_s]

I was about to post something similar, my boys 9 and hopeless at telling the time and I found what may be the ideal watch for me him - a Seiko 5 Military - it is the one with the dial seperated into an inner and outer ring - the outer is graduated in minutes and the inner in hours - perfect, it even has a display back to watch the innards and is waterproof enough for the odd forgetful bath. Day/Date as well. But, although it's a £30 watch I can't find any in the UK for less than £70 and that's from one of these price comparison style places. I'll stick this on the Seiko thread as they may have an idea where to get it.

Edited by andy_s on Friday 20th November 07:17

[sjg]

I've got one of those. Buy from one of the far-eastern sellers on ebay - that's what the UK-based sellers are doing (as they've never been officially offered here) and marking them up.

pokemonyu ( http://myworld.ebay.com/pokemonyu/ or http://stores.ebay.com/watcheslimited ) usually has a load in stock, I've bought a few things from them, they seem to specialise in all sorts of interesting Seikos and Citizens.

[andy_s]

I doff my hat in your direction - now I have to go exploring another bloody niche of watchdom, gawd knows what I'll end up with!

[bikemonster]

I have one of those, and I love it to bits! Acshly, I have both of those...a 6 year old son and the black version of that Seiko.

Son of bikemonster has decided that he needs a "glowing" watch that is also a "swimming" watch. The Seiko 5 pictured is only described as 'water resistant', so I wouldn't trust it in the pool, and the lume is pretty poor.

I have seen some Casio watches that appear to fit the bill, and I've given the lad the deal that when he can tell the time properly he can have a watch, but I am wondering if that isn't the wrong way round.

James

[sneijder]

If anyone's thinking of buying one of those small Seiko 5's for themselves, have a look at the Yobokies modified ones. Of course they have a premium, but they look well worth it.

They are still on my to-do list :

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=3195...

Bigger versions :

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=2986...

The bigger versions seem to have the same face, but with a plastic chapter ring to fill it all out. Not sure I like them as much.