£200 automatics recommendations for 21st birthday

[redrabbit]

MrB. said:

I’d be going Seiko all day long. Great value, well built (although some of the straps on the new 5 range aren’t so great, however you could throw in another strap so he could change them depending on what style he prefers). I bought myself the SRPE51 for my 50th as its a lovely style reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer. Comes on an Oyster style bracelet but can be paired with a nice leather strap too if he wants to dress it up, or even a NATO if he wants more casual. Couple downsides, the aforementioned bracelet feels a little cheap, and the glass isn’t mineral so can be prone to scratching. Crown isn’t a screw down type either like my SKX diver. Also, some of the dial markings are very slightly out of line, but that’s my OCD!



The other alternative I’m a huge fan of is my Spinnaker Fleus. First one of these I’ve owned, but won’t be my last. Looking at the Bradner next. Quality is excellent, wears comfortably on the wrist and looks superb. Also, it’s a bit different and I like that. A watch should be a conversation starter and one with a story (bought for his 21st) is a great place to start.

Going used might also be an idea. I have a friend that collects the Tag Heuer F1 editions and he loves them decent value too.

Actually, Spinnaker is a great shout. Great looking, well regarded watches from a well established microbrand that will still be appreciated in the years ahead. Not an investment per se, except as a great watch to give your son.

[SlimJim16v]

The Citizen NY0040 is very nice if you want a diver. Get it on the bracelet, though folded links, is very nice with micro adjustment. It also comes with a nice full lume dial.

The Seiko SKX bracelet is not nice but there are lots of nice aftermarket oysters or engineers.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204715186542

[cpszx]

Matt99man said:

If possible, I’d try an up your budget to c£500. This is Hamilton territory and I think they offer the best value for money. Beautiful watches too!

Budget itself isn't the problem, it's equality between multiple siblings for the same event, when budget may have been more important in the past, or not to show favouritism to the youngest of the family, etc.
Also, i like to introduce my children to something at a fair entry level price, and if they aspire to improve it and have better, they do it themselves.

I love my own Hamilton.

MrB. said:

I’d be going Seiko all day long. Great value, well built [...]
The other alternative I’m a huge fan of is my Spinnaker Fleus
A watch should be a conversation starter and one with a story (bought for his 21st) is a great place to start.

Exactly this. I want him to appreciate the detail of what he has, not the price of it, and look back on it with fondness possibly as a starting point for an interest.
But at the same time, he will have a nice, reliable, mechanical watch that won't get left in a drawer when the battery runs out and forget to take it somewhere.

redrabbit said:

Actually, Spinnaker is a great shout. Great looking, well regarded watches from a well established microbrand that will still be appreciated in the years ahead. Not an investment per se, except as a great watch to give your son.

Yes, have just had a look at those, and that's the kind of feedback i was looking for, thanks.

Lotobear said:

Not sure if it's still in budget but I've always considered the Tissot Visodate to be a very nice watch for the money.

Am a Tissot fan myself, and if i can wangle out of him an interest in that style, it will be on my list for sure.

[InitialDave]

cpszx said:

Budget itself isn't the problem, it's equality between multiple siblings for the same event, when budget may have been more important in the past, or not to show favouritism to the youngest of the family, etc.

Have you asked your eldest?

He may not be at all bothered about "parity" over a couple of hundred pounds.

My brother and I were bought/gifted different things by our parents over the years, I suspect if you totted it up he had "more", but it's just not something either of us got worked up about.

It's the thought and intent behind gifts that matters. Keeping an exact score is quite a sad perspective to have IMO.

[cwis]

cpszx said:

Budget itself isn't the problem, it's equality between multiple siblings for the same event, when budget may have been more important in the past, or not to show favouritism to the youngest of the family, etc.

£200 in 2016 is £273 now based on a random CPI calculator:

https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/2016?am...

Make sure the youngest isn't unfairly penalised by inflation...

[cpszx]

InitialDave said:

Have you asked your eldest?

He may not be at all bothered about "parity" over a couple of hundred pounds.

My brother and I were bought/gifted different things by our parents over the years, I suspect if you totted it up he had "more", but it's just not something either of us got worked up about.

It's the thought and intent behind gifts that matters. Keeping an exact score is quite a sad perspective to have IMO.

The elders are both daughters, and although they will not be too bothered, i am sure they have thought he has had it easier than them growing up.

The "thought and intent" is exactly why i am looking for something that fits the criteria. My wife and I do not keep score, we are using a set of fair guidelines, as we always have with our kids.

They have all had various gifts, help and assistance over the years of different values, and none of that is an issue with them because it has been what is needed at the time.

There is always something better at the next price point, and then the one above starts looking attractive.

This is just something that will be something of a memento, much the same way as bracelets and necklaces are, given with some particular thought behind them, and not just chuck money at the problem.

Thanks for the insight though.

cwis said:

£200 in 2016 is £273 now based on a random CPI calculator:

https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/2016?am...

Make sure the youngest isn't unfairly penalised by inflation...

Yes. Previously, the budget was around £150, hence my already looking around the £200 figure now. Thanks.

[WayOutWest]

Chuck one of these into the mix just to be contrarian:
https://rotarywatches.com/collections/seamatic

I was going to suggest a Rotary Super 7 SCUBA variant as I previously grabbed one for about £160 (reduced from £199), and I think it is a solid watch for the money. But just checked and they seem to have doubled to £399, much like the SKX they copied. So not much sense now.

Other than that, Orient divers and chronos, some Seiko 5 Sports/5KX variant, Citizen Pro Diver.

I like that Spinnaker above, and here is another lovely:
https://www.iguanasell.co.uk/products/spinnaker-cr...

[AlexC1981]

The Seiko SRPE51 as suggested by MrB above looks like an excellent choice. The design works equally well for a smart, sporty or casual look, and also looks great on a brown leather strap.

As much as I like my Spinnaker, if I was giving a watch for a 21st birthday gift, it would be from a more well known respected brand.

[BrokenSkunk]

At that price range: Orient.
Either a Bambino dress watch ir one of the many divers.

[magpie215]

San martin flieger looks decent at around budget.

Seiko movement
Ar coated sapphire crystal
100M water resistance.

Have heard good things and a collegue at work had a san martin seemed good quality for the price.

[MrB.]

MrB. said:

I’d be going Seiko all day long. Great value, well built [...]
The other alternative I’m a huge fan of is my Spinnaker Fleus
A watch should be a conversation starter and one with a story (bought for his 21st) is a great place to start.

Exactly this. I want him to appreciate the detail of what he has, not the price of it, and look back on it with fondness possibly as a starting point for an interest.
But at the same time, he will have a nice, reliable, mechanical watch that won't get left in a drawer when the battery runs out and forget to take it somewhere.


.

My ex-wife bought me a Rotary chrono for my 18th when we were together, and I kept it despite us separating and ultimately divorcing in our late 20’s. It was engraved on the case back and now doesn’t look like a desirable watch in terms of its style, but the sentimentality meant I kept it locked away. I eventually got a new strap and battery for it and cleaned it all up and gave it to our son when he hit 18. His mum’s face when she saw the watch was worth more than any Rolex or Omega would have been. He loves it as it reminds him that his parents weren’t always the divorced couple he has had the majority of his life. I love the fact he has it, and so does my ex. The special watches should be rich in memories, not expensive price tags.

Your son will always remember how he got that watch and every time someone asks him the time, he will smile as he glances at the face and remembers why it has that affect on him.

[BrokenSkunk]

I chose badly for my 21st. My parents wanted to buy something decent, but it felt wrong to me to spend a lot on a watch. I picked a cheap-ish quartz Accurist. It's essentially a fashion watch and it is very 1991. I still have it, but have only worn it once in the last 10 years.

It's not about the money, but ido partly regret not letting them buy something special. Mostly I regret picking something thst has dated so badly.

21 year old me did not understand the point of a 21st birthday keepsake.

So, what ever you get, choose a timeless classicl
. Which probably means avoiding anything over 42mm, unless your son has the wrists of a Gorilla.

And seriously take a look at Orient. The parent company is Seiko. The watches are very well put together for the money.

Personally I would not pick a microbrand for a 21st. I'd go for a more established brand. The £200 thread is brilliant, but many of the watches within may not still be ticking when your son celebrates his 81st birthday. That's a tall order for a £200 watch.

[r159]

BrokenSkunk said:

I chose badly for my 21st. My parents wanted to buy something decent, but it felt wrong to me to spend a lot on a watch. I picked a cheap-ish quartz Accurist. It's essentially a fashion watch and it is very 1991. I still have it, but have only worn it once in the last 10 years.

It's not about the money, but ido partly regret not letting them buy something special. Mostly I regret picking something thst has dated so badly.

21 year old me did not understand the point of a 21st birthday keepsake.

So, what ever you get, choose a timeless classicl
. Which probably means avoiding anything over 42mm, unless your son has the wrists of a Gorilla.

And seriously take a look at Orient. The parent company is Seiko. The watches are very well put together for the money.

Personally I would not pick a microbrand for a 21st. I'd go for a more established brand. The £200 thread is brilliant, but many of the watches within may not still be ticking when your son celebrates his 81st birthday. That's a tall order for a £200 watch.

The good thing about microbrands is the all (pretty much) use movements from recognised suppliers such as Seiko and citizen.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

We are lucky that we have so much quality choice at these fairly modest budgets. I'd echo the recommendations for Orient - the Bambino is one of my long-standing favourites. Spinnaker is also a good shout, and I've been really pleased with all of mine.

I know you are keen for an 'entry-drug' type experience for your son, but I see that others have commented on the importance of a 21st keepsake. My own opinion is that tastes and fashions change so dramatically from 21 into proper adulthood that buying something you hope he'll like forever is futile. Stick with your plan to get him something interesting that might set him off on an watch voyage of discovery. Good luck, and enjoy choosing!

[Barchettaman]

Lotobear said:

Not sure if it's still in budget but I've always considered the Tissot Visodate to be a very nice watch for the money.

Nicely finished but the amount of plastic in the movement in lower-end Tissots doesn’t exactly inspire confidence long term.

https://youtu.be/0VKoZ_Bdd7M?si=8ZW5r3r-g5A7TSTz

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I always think in this kind of situation that you can’t guarantee that the lad will like it, but you can (if you choose carefully) guarantee that he’ll have something of excellent quality and timeless style (no pun intended) that’ll last him a lifetime.

[cpszx]

Thank you everyone for the help, suggestions, guidance and also your thoughts on the occasion and my intentions.

There are some we really like the look of, and i would certainly go for something from those great suggestions if i was looking for myself.

But I think we have currently narrowed down to a Seiko, either SRPE or SRPD.

To have something that is a safe recognisable brand, known for reliability, and an automatic which is always a nice talking point when an interest is shown, i think it ticks all of our boxes as a memento and keepsake.

Thank you all.

[MrB.]

cpszx said:

Thank you everyone for the help, suggestions, guidance and also your thoughts on the occasion and my intentions.

There are some we really like the look of, and i would certainly go for something from those great suggestions if i was looking for myself.

But I think we have currently narrowed down to a Seiko, either SRPE or SRPD.

To have something that is a safe recognisable brand, known for reliability, and an automatic which is always a nice talking point when an interest is shown, i think it ticks all of our boxes as a memento and keepsake.

Thank you all.

Great decision and one you won't regret. I have to admit I am a big Seiko fan and they are such great quality, and many models have become very desirable and collectable. I hope your son goes on to appreciate and love the watch for years to come, and many happy returns to him when the day comes. Don't forget to post a picture of the watch on here and let us see what you decided on in the end!