Watch for my Son
Discussion
hi, this is my first time posting in the watch section. I have been trying to wear more watches this year and the €50 watch thread is a dangerous place to be.
I was thinking about buying a watch around that price group, and wrapping it up and giving it to my son on his 18th birthday. He is currently 1. Its not really for a monetry investment, just a nice gesture and he will have something that will be pretty rare by the time he comes to wear it.
I was thinking about a Seiko 5 of some sort as they are automatic and pretty good value.
Is this a stupid idea? If not, any suggestions on which brands or models?
I was thinking about buying a watch around that price group, and wrapping it up and giving it to my son on his 18th birthday. He is currently 1. Its not really for a monetry investment, just a nice gesture and he will have something that will be pretty rare by the time he comes to wear it.
I was thinking about a Seiko 5 of some sort as they are automatic and pretty good value.
Is this a stupid idea? If not, any suggestions on which brands or models?
Yup, at that price bracket, if you want it to be working in 18 years time it'll be a Seiko 5.
One word of caution. The oils used to lubricate mechanicals dry over time meaning that the watch will need servicing. No harm will be done if the watch is stored and not run, but after 17 years in a sock drawer it'll probably need a service, which currently costs a tad more than a new Seiko 5.
What a nice thought. It'll never be a high value watch, but a mint birth year watch is hard to come by.
One word of caution. The oils used to lubricate mechanicals dry over time meaning that the watch will need servicing. No harm will be done if the watch is stored and not run, but after 17 years in a sock drawer it'll probably need a service, which currently costs a tad more than a new Seiko 5.
What a nice thought. It'll never be a high value watch, but a mint birth year watch is hard to come by.
OP, if I may say so, the idea of choosing a watch to suit your 18 year old son when he is still only 1 may be a big mistake. How would you feel if you were an 18 year old lad, receiving a watch that doesn't suit your style, or your taste? How big or small does the watch have to be for his 18 years old wrist (and I'm not talking about the strap size!). Divers or dress watch? Swatch or Rolex stylie? You see? It's minefield fraught with danger and my view is that he may well be disappointed. Perhaps you should put away your £50 (every year) and go out when he is 18 and choose a lifetime watch together. He gets a watch that he actually chooses and will love for ever. You get a very happy son and some dad & lad time. Always worth the wait!
You make a good point. I guess it could come down to if i would be offended if he wanted to sell it and buy something else.
I have run the idea past the missus and a few friends and they like the idea, but they are not watch people. I had actually almost set my mind on a Seiko Skx007. Its a price jump but worth it in my opinion. I feel that depending on straps it can look good in all occasions.
I have run the idea past the missus and a few friends and they like the idea, but they are not watch people. I had actually almost set my mind on a Seiko Skx007. Its a price jump but worth it in my opinion. I feel that depending on straps it can look good in all occasions.
I think you'll just end up with an old, mass-produced watch, broken beyond economic repair, as a gift.
Could you up the budget to get something that will be worth servicing before you give it to him?
ETA- I'm more thinking Cocktail Time than Rolex.
Could you up the budget to get something that will be worth servicing before you give it to him?
ETA- I'm more thinking Cocktail Time than Rolex.
Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 4th November 21:31
Sharted said:
Great idea, I'm sure it's not the only thing that you'll buy your boy over the next 17 years, it's not a big investment and I doubt that you will go on about it too much and build expectations up.
Watch snobbery takes over a good idea again.
I didn't see any watch snobbery in the responses. Watch snobbery takes over a good idea again.
If I'd had to chose the car / clothes I wear today 18 years ago, I'd look a bit ridiculous, and 'of trend'. Even worse if my parents had done it. Not a big deal to a guy in his 40's, but a serious issue to an aspiring 18 year old. And he may actually feel obliged to wear it out of loyalty and regard, when secretly not wanting too.
Also, if you buy a relatively cheap watch (irrespective of how good a watch it is), and it seizes up after 17 years in a sock draw, it wont make economic sense to have it fixed /serviced, as that would cost more than the watch is worth. If this is not a consideration, you probably have more money to spend on a better watch now, thus making it more economic / worth while to fix it later if required rather than just buy a new one.
Don't throw the 'snob' word around lightly.
What some here seem to be ignoring is that "vintage" is almost always fashionable if it's good condition vintage. Most Seiko designs also tend to be pretty timeless because they're on the conservative side. If you were thinking of getting a rose gold and stone set bling watch for this you'd be mad but this should work.
For all the comments about "mass produced", Seiko make very good, robust, and reliable watches - if the average Seiko owner spent the same in regular servicing over 18 years that prestige owners do in a single service then they'd basically never wear out.
Don't forget Rolex production figures - at over 2000 units a day (that's one every 12 - 15 seconds, 7 days a week, on 9-5 with an hour for lunch) they're not exactly bespoke builds, are they?
With modern oils (all Seikos have synthetic from the factory) there's also no real reason why it would "definitely" need servicing after that time. Just run it once a year for a day or so (maybe get it out for his birthday?) to keep it moving and it'll have a much better than evens chance of being fine.
For all the comments about "mass produced", Seiko make very good, robust, and reliable watches - if the average Seiko owner spent the same in regular servicing over 18 years that prestige owners do in a single service then they'd basically never wear out.
Don't forget Rolex production figures - at over 2000 units a day (that's one every 12 - 15 seconds, 7 days a week, on 9-5 with an hour for lunch) they're not exactly bespoke builds, are they?
With modern oils (all Seikos have synthetic from the factory) there's also no real reason why it would "definitely" need servicing after that time. Just run it once a year for a day or so (maybe get it out for his birthday?) to keep it moving and it'll have a much better than evens chance of being fine.
Variomatic said:
What some here seem to be ignoring is that "vintage" is almost always fashionable if it's good condition vintage. Most Seiko designs also tend to be pretty timeless because they're on the conservative side. If you were thinking of getting a rose gold and stone set bling watch for this you'd be mad but this should work.
For all the comments about "mass produced", Seiko make very good, robust, and reliable watches - if the average Seiko owner spent the same in regular servicing over 18 years that prestige owners do in a single service then they'd basically never wear out.
Don't forget Rolex production figures - at over 2000 units a day (that's one every 12 - 15 seconds, 7 days a week, on 9-5 with an hour for lunch) they're not exactly bespoke builds, are they?
With modern oils (all Seikos have synthetic from the factory) there's also no real reason why it would "definitely" need servicing after that time. Just run it once a year for a day or so (maybe get it out for his birthday?) to keep it moving and it'll have a much better than evens chance of being fine.
How are you defining vintage?For all the comments about "mass produced", Seiko make very good, robust, and reliable watches - if the average Seiko owner spent the same in regular servicing over 18 years that prestige owners do in a single service then they'd basically never wear out.
Don't forget Rolex production figures - at over 2000 units a day (that's one every 12 - 15 seconds, 7 days a week, on 9-5 with an hour for lunch) they're not exactly bespoke builds, are they?
With modern oils (all Seikos have synthetic from the factory) there's also no real reason why it would "definitely" need servicing after that time. Just run it once a year for a day or so (maybe get it out for his birthday?) to keep it moving and it'll have a much better than evens chance of being fine.
If we look back 18 years from now, how many watches would appeal to an eighteen year old today?
13m said:
How are you defining vintage?
If we look back 18 years from now, how many watches would appeal to an eighteen year old today?
Quite a few from the late 90s could be - G Shocks were just getting popular, Seiko dives are always "acceptable", I've even got a couple of regulars (early 20s rather than 18 but close enough) with early Timex Ironman models which they love.If we look back 18 years from now, how many watches would appeal to an eighteen year old today?
Besides, even if they don't want to wear it at the time, most people see something a little special in owning something that's "as old as they are". If that something is in as-new condition then even better.
eta: Also, the very fact that the Op has thought of doing this, and that his wife likes the idea, suggests that their son is unlikely to be brought up as a materialistic sod who's only interested in what it cost / what it's worth. So has a far better chance of appreciating this as a genuinely thoughtful gesture than "let's buy you an expensive watch now you're 18"
Edited by Variomatic on Thursday 5th November 17:55
You could buy an 18 year old bottle of whiskey now which would be positively ancient by the time you gave it to him!
A £50 watch would be hard I think. I think I'd go quartz- if you take the battery out now it should be good to go in 18 years, a mechanical probably less so, especially if a cheaper one.
Something like this will either look retro-cool or a hideous bauble in 15 years:
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-alarm-...
A £50 watch would be hard I think. I think I'd go quartz- if you take the battery out now it should be good to go in 18 years, a mechanical probably less so, especially if a cheaper one.
Something like this will either look retro-cool or a hideous bauble in 15 years:
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-alarm-...
Variomatic said:
13m said:
How are you defining vintage?
If we look back 18 years from now, how many watches would appeal to an eighteen year old today?
Quite a few from the late 90s could be - G Shocks were just getting popular, Seiko dives are always "acceptable", I've even got a couple of regulars (early 20s rather than 18 but close enough) with early Timex Ironman models which they love.If we look back 18 years from now, how many watches would appeal to an eighteen year old today?
Besides, even if they don't want to wear it at the time, most people see something a little special in owning something that's "as old as they are". If that something is in as-new condition then even better.
eta: Also, the very fact that the Op has thought of doing this, and that his wife likes the idea, suggests that their son is unlikely to be brought up as a materialistic sod who's only interested in what it cost / what it's worth. So has a far better chance of appreciating this as a genuinely thoughtful gesture than "let's buy you an expensive watch now you're 18"
Edited by Variomatic on Thursday 5th November 17:55
I applaud the OPs sentiment but I think his planned execution is misguided.
As an 18 year old I probably would not have appreciated a cheap watch bought by my parents 18 years earlier. I may have worn it briefly out of courtesy, but I would probably have hated it. I would have kept it out of respect only.
Today, 30 years later, I would rather have a second hand Omega that my folks had saved up for than an Accurist that they'd bought instead of a lunch at Berni Inn.
Edited for speeling.
Edited by 13m on Thursday 5th November 18:21
See, I'd rather have the Accurist. I can buy my own old Omega, and probably from just about any year I like if I hunt long enough. On the other hand, I can't buy a brand new, never worn, in box, "everyday" watch from 1967 which "had my name on it" for all the years between. If my parents had thought of getting me one at the time it'd be worth far more than its monetary value to me now.
Granted, as an 18 year old I may not have wanted to wear it, but I would have kept it and now (especially having lost both my parents in the last couple of years) it'd be priceless to me.
Granted, as an 18 year old I may not have wanted to wear it, but I would have kept it and now (especially having lost both my parents in the last couple of years) it'd be priceless to me.
Variomatic said:
See, I'd rather have the Accurist. I can buy my own old Omega, and probably from just about any year I like if I hunt long enough. On the other hand, I can't buy a brand new, never worn, in box, "everyday" watch from 1967 which "had my name on it" for all the years between. If my parents had thought of getting me one at the time it'd be worth far more than its monetary value to me now.
Granted, as an 18 year old I may not have wanted to wear it, but I would have kept it and now (especially having lost both my parents in the last couple of years) it'd be priceless to me.
Yes, but if you go out and buy a birth year watch today it will be as old and knackered as you are. If your thoughtful parents had bought a quality birth year watch new or nearly new when you were born and put it away, you'd have a very special thing. Would you prefer the Accurist, or a carefully chosen IWC, Rolex, Omega, Heuer etc which your parents had saved for?Granted, as an 18 year old I may not have wanted to wear it, but I would have kept it and now (especially having lost both my parents in the last couple of years) it'd be priceless to me.
But I have been pondering this tonight and I think 18 years of age is too early for any son or daughter to appreciate a watch chosen by their parents. Two reasons - firstly they are too fashion conscious generally and also what is "cool" is cyclic. 18 years puts a watch in the "old fashioned" bracket. 35-40 years old and it will look cool to a teenager again, possibly.
My lad turns 18 next year, and I have a similar situation, although a little different. I met his mum when we were just teenagers at school, and for my 18th she bought me a lovely Rotary chronograph from the jewellers that she worked in as her first job.The watch was £200 at the time, and this was a lot of money for two 18 year olds who had just moved into their first (rented) flat together. It was engraved on the caseback and I have cherished it over the years, albeit we divorced when our son was very young. I've looked after it because I wanted to pass it on to him for when he turns 18, and whilst he likes watches, he's more into chunky plastic sports watches like G-Shocks and fashion watches like Ice Watches, but I know he will appreciate it because of the sentiment.
I have to agree with others and suggest a really nice Seiko dive watch, or Seiko 5 would be my recommendation. My father always wore Seikos and he had a wonderful Seiko automatic divers watch in the 1970s that he bought when he lived in the USA. Unfortunately, it got damaged many years later and he just threw it away, but I'll be honest and say, if he had given it to me for my 18th, I'd be wearing that as my everyday watch now, even in preference to all my other, more expensive brands as it would have had the sentimental value to me, especially as my father passed away a few years ago. In fact, one of my favourite watches in my collection is my SKX007, which gets a huge amount of wrist time, and is my "go-to" holiday watch when travelling.
It's a lovely idea you've had, but I might suggest (rather selfishly!) buy yourself a decent watch from the Seiko range, and wear it, look after it, and then, for his birthday, give him YOUR watch. In my opinion, he will appreciate it so much more.
I have to agree with others and suggest a really nice Seiko dive watch, or Seiko 5 would be my recommendation. My father always wore Seikos and he had a wonderful Seiko automatic divers watch in the 1970s that he bought when he lived in the USA. Unfortunately, it got damaged many years later and he just threw it away, but I'll be honest and say, if he had given it to me for my 18th, I'd be wearing that as my everyday watch now, even in preference to all my other, more expensive brands as it would have had the sentimental value to me, especially as my father passed away a few years ago. In fact, one of my favourite watches in my collection is my SKX007, which gets a huge amount of wrist time, and is my "go-to" holiday watch when travelling.
It's a lovely idea you've had, but I might suggest (rather selfishly!) buy yourself a decent watch from the Seiko range, and wear it, look after it, and then, for his birthday, give him YOUR watch. In my opinion, he will appreciate it so much more.
What about something like this? Japanese made automatic movement should last forever. The design is standard enough that it will not go out of fashion, but the complications make it unusual enough to be interesting. it could be worn as a dress watch with a dinner suit or used as an every day watch. Would look great on black leather. Also available with a silver dial and blued hands. £137.
Orient FET0P002B0
The only thing I am not keen on is the screws on the dial. They look a bit clumsy.
Orient FET0P002B0
The only thing I am not keen on is the screws on the dial. They look a bit clumsy.
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