Watch for a 21st

[blue_haddock]

sdh2903 said:

Agree, I have a couple and wear them the most frequently. In fact I'm having a really hard time keeping one of these out of the shopping basket whilst I've been browsing.

https://amjwatches.co.uk/seiko-prospex-samurai-aut...

I just have the feeling though a seiko wouldn't quite have the wow factor for a 21 yo.

Actually as a curve ball, whilst going in my watch box to dig out my tag f1 I saw my victorinox inox, which as an all rounder is a very hard to beat.

Mine has a dark blue face that looks really classy, it's on a blue rubber strap so great for casual wear but if you whacked it on the steel bracelet it would look smart .

Obviously it's really robust so ideal as a daily watch and if you go on the victorinox website they have a custom creator for a totally tailored loom.

[Barchettaman]

Surely a 21 year old lad is going to be fairly brand conscious, hence a TAG is a valid choice.

I reckon behind Rolex they’ve got equal best brand cachet in the uk along with omega.

[sdh2903]

Barchettaman said:

Surely a 21 year old lad is going to be fairly brand conscious, hence a TAG is a valid choice.

I reckon behind Rolex they’ve got equal best brand cachet in the uk along with omega.

It's a valid point. I'd much rather for a landmark birthday the reaction "oh wow its a......" rather than "oh that's nice I've not heard of......."

If it was a purchase for me it's a different ballgame.

I've submitted an offer on the one at chrono24 will see what happens although don't expect they'll discount further as it's already 150 below retail and none of the jeweller discount codes seem to work on higher end brand watches m.

[cv3hd]

sdh2903 said:

It's a valid point. I'd much rather for a landmark birthday the reaction "oh wow its a......" rather than "oh that's nice I've not heard of......."

If it was a purchase for me it's a different ballgame.

I've submitted an offer on the one at chrono24 will see what happens although don't expect they'll discount further as it's already 150 below retail and none of the jeweller discount codes seem to work on higher end brand watches m.

Give the outlet at Bicester Village a call. When I’ve been there in person they have a good selection of TAG F1s with decent discounts. They will ship to you given current circumstances...

Also agree that TAG seems like the most sensible option...I know it would be for me even if it is technically inferior to lesser known brands.

[theclutch]

cv3hd said:

sdh2903 said:

It's a valid point. I'd much rather for a landmark birthday the reaction "oh wow its a......" rather than "oh that's nice I've not heard of......."

If it was a purchase for me it's a different ballgame.

I've submitted an offer on the one at chrono24 will see what happens although don't expect they'll discount further as it's already 150 below retail and none of the jeweller discount codes seem to work on higher end brand watches m.

Give the outlet at Bicester Village a call. When I’ve been there in person they have a good selection of TAG F1s with decent discounts. They will ship to you given current circumstances...

Also agree that TAG seems like the most sensible option...I know it would be for me even if it is technically inferior to lesser known brands.

This is also would I would go with. Heavily discounted tag will still be a great piece.

[Fallingup]

soad said:

Let him choose?

This.

[Roaringopenfire]

It was my son's 21st last December. He wanted a watch and we gave him a budget. He found a lightly used Tag on Chrono 24, stuck a deal, added some money himself and is delighted. Like others say, consider letting him choose.

[CO2000]

These are nice for about the budget (black or blue face)
https://www.francisandgaye.co.uk/longines-mens-con...

or pushing the boat out (blue or black face)

http://www.peplowjewellers.co.uk/watches-c7/gents-...

or a quartz a bit cheaper but not much

[Uncle John]

I’d go for a Tag for a 21 year old.

As you say he’ll know exactly what it is, but a Longines or similar, whilst being horologically better for the money, will not give him the wow factor.

[Howard-]

Agree with the 'Tag' option. They certainly aren't all brand and no substance, and it'll be something he cherishes and remembers.

It's a bit like cars. If you said "Son, I want to buy you a car for your 21st. Would you like an Audi A3 or a Honda Civic?"

He's likely to pick the Audi. The Civic is still a great car and arguably does many things better than the Audi. But it's an Audi.

[Mazinbrum]

Definitely the TAG quartz. I wouldn’t wear one but for some reason under 30s love them so he’ll get some street cred and peer kudos and they’re good watches and a decent first quality watch.

[gregs656]

I guess I am the voice of descent here but a quartz tag would not have been my thing at 21. I would re-engage him and present some options.

Something like a Baltic Aquascaphe would be my suggestion, on the beads of rice.

https://baltic-watches.com/en/products/aquascaphe-...

Tags don't have a good reputation for good reason.

Edited by gregs656 on Wednesday 10th March 03:03

[anonymous-user]

Fallingup said:

soad said:

Let him choose?

This.

This again.

Buying watch is a purchase that is incredibly personal and relies purely on your own personal taste/style. If someone who knows me really well, such as my wife, bought me a watch, I can guarantee I wouldn't like it, because I'm really choosy about the watches I buy for myself, and I don't like 95% of watches that are on the market.

If he is into watches, then he will be massively fussy about what exact model/style he gets.

If he isn't fussed what model/style he gets, then maybe he isn't into watches, and the idea of buying him one isn't such a good one?

Don't get me wrong, the idea of buying him a watch is great, and it is a generous gift, but I wouldn't like to see it go to waste.

If it was me, I would wait until shops reopen and take him to Goldsmiths etc and let him see them in person and try them on, and ultimately pick one himself. He may find one he likes a lot more that is just a bit more expensive, or perhaps he may wish to put some of his own money towards a more expensive one?

I just think it's really important that he chooses.

If he's saying 'You choose', then that honestly says to me he really isn't that bothered about watches, or he needs to see them in real life to decide.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 10th March 10:17

[CQ8]

My parents wanted to buy me a watch for my 21st. I didn't know a huge amount about watches and asked for this TAG (not sure the model name)



That was 25 years ago and I still wear it every day. It's not worth a huge amount but it has great sentimental value and I will never part with it.

[dvs_dave]

I was very lucky, got a nice Seiko for my 18th, and got a Pepsi GMT II for my 21st. 20 years later, of course I’ve still got them both (and a few others ) and would never get rid of them.

[AJB88]

If you let him choose he is likely to wear it.

[gregs656]

AJB88 said:

If you let him choose he is likely to wear it.

Totally.

My parents gifted me a very nice watch some years a go, but it wasn’t to my taste and I never wore it. It became somewhat of an issue, and I eventually traded it with their full support. A watch I have worn most of the time since I got it.

[SturdyHSV]

I'd say a Tag as well. Tag are to watches what Audi, Bose, Bosch, Ted Baker are to their respective industries.

Yes if you get excited by the details of those products you know those brands are no where near the best and a significant part of the price is marketing. But if you don't give a crap, then they are a respected brand, and that's perfectly fine.

[sdh2903]

Lord Marylebone said:

If he's saying 'You choose', then that honestly says to me he really isn't that bothered about watches, or he needs to see them in real life to decide.

Edited by Lord Marylebone on Wednesday 10th March 10:17

I hear you. I think the reason he wanted me to pick is hes seen the style of watch I buy and he has similar tastes so trusts me to get it right.

I should have come back and updated the thread but we went ahead and bought the Tag. Its a nice watch and he'll get it next week. We kept it classic and simple so that hopefully it stands the test of time.

I did have to have a sneaky try.......

[blue_haddock]

sdh2903 said:

I hear you. I think the reason he wanted me to pick is hes seen the style of watch I buy and he has similar tastes so trusts me to get it right.

I should have come back and updated the thread but we went ahead and bought the Tag. Its a nice watch and he'll get it next week. We kept it classic and simple so that hopefully it stands the test of time.

I did have to have a sneaky try.......

It's a nice watch, I've got the white faced version and I think it looks pretty classy for what it is.

Some will say it's too much for a quartz etc and yes you are paying for the name but whilst a zelos or Christopher ward or a Seiko may all technically be better watches they will never be a tag!