18th Birthday, £2000 budget, which watch?

[SWoll]

Hello all.

As per the title it's my sons 18th birthday shorty and we're looking at a special gift to mark the occasion. He's going to be starting an apprenticeship later this year and will be suited and booted so something smart needed but is also quite a sporty lad so will need to work for both. He's 6.2" and a decent build so not looking for something dainty, anything up to 43mm would be fine.

After a browse around I've come across the following Aquaracer which is used but within budget. He seems keen as Tag have a good reputation with his age group especially but wanted to get your thoughts on this watch and alternatives in budget?



Thanks

[gregs656]

It’s a ‘caller’ not a ‘flyer’ or ‘true’ GMT if that matters. They’re meant to be nicely made though.

[Dan_1981]

Let him choose.

Let him choose.

Let him choose.


He might want an Apple Watch, or something dressy.....

Far better to have something he wants & keeps for ever than something he just wears cos his parents bought him

[gregs656]

To be fair Dan, he does say ‘He seems keen’

I agree though, definitely keep him involved.

[superpp]

Does he actually wear a watch?
Not many young people bother anymore and just look at their phones, or they have an apple watch as it's phone related.

[Jamescrs]

I'd suggest stretch the budget a little and go for a Tudor Black Bay. Much better build quality and will hold value better in the future.

If you look on Chrono 24 there's a few for not far off your budget

As others have said though it's down to.your sons personal taste.

Edited by Jamescrs on Thursday 20th January 17:39

[Dicky Knee]

£2k is a lot of money on a watch but strangely is a bit of a no man's land for watches.

As already said, it's not easy to chose something on behalf of someone else but here are a few alternatives:

Baume et Mercier: https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Baume-and...

Longines: https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...

Oris: https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Oris-Aqui...

Sinn: https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...

A bit left field-Junghans: https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Junghans-...

I'm not recommending WoS, it was just an easy place to find a few. You should be able to get a discount with a bit of shopping around.

[Wallace12R]

If I were in your shoes I’d be looking at a Longines Hydroconquest, then you have a nice chunk of change to do something else for him.

[SWoll]

Thanks for the replies all.

Dan_1981 said:

Let him choose.

Let him choose.

Let him choose.


He might want an Apple Watch, or something dressy.....

Far better to have something he wants & keeps for ever than something he just wears cos his parents bought him

Oh, he's very involved I'm just looking for inspiration.

superpp said:

Does he actually wear a watch?
Not many young people bother anymore and just look at their phones, or they have an apple watch as it's phone related.

He does. An apple watch has done the rounds in our house and everyone hated it. Currently wears a £250 TW Steel daily that he's had since his 16th birthday. Still in mint condition so been a good test of usage and his ability to look after a watch.

Jamescrs said:

I'd suggest stretch the budget a little and go for a Tudor Black Bay. Much better build quality and will hold value better in the future.

If you look on Chrono 24 there's a few for not far off your budget

As others have said though it's down to.your sons personal taste.

Edited by Jamescrs on Thursday 20th January 17:39

Indeed. Have floated the idea of a BB but looking at £2.5k for a used example in decent condition and the brand doesn't have the cachet with "the youth" it does amongst enthusiasts.

Wallace12R said:

If I were in your shoes I’d be looking at a Longines Hydroconquest, then you have a nice chunk of change to do something else for him.

He's got a fairly chunky child trust fund landing on his birthday so not an issue. He'll also be earning a decent wage once his apprenticeship starts.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 20th January 18:53

[Dicky Knee]

Budget creep, used and youth cachet....I give you the Breitling Superocean Heritage:

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/superocean-he...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/superocean-he...

and a fantastic watch as well.

[Salted_Peanut]

Dicky Knee said:

£2k is a lot of money on a watch

Indeed. And am I the only one who thinks £2k is a lot of money (too much?) for an 18 year-old’s watch?

[SWoll]

Salted_Peanut said:

Dicky Knee said:

£2k is a lot of money on a watch

Indeed. And am I the only one who thinks £2k is a lot of money (too much?) for an 18 year-old’s watch?

Entirely subjective surely? I also struggle to think of anything else that could see daily use for many years and retain it's value as well?

[bristolbaron]

Salted_Peanut said:

Dicky Knee said:

£2k is a lot of money on a watch

Indeed. And am I the only one who thinks £2k is a lot of money (too much?) for an 18 year-old’s watch?

That depends on the 18 year old! I was only 18 when I became a Deputy Manager for Goldsmiths and bought myself a Rolex datejust. I once sold a bimetal datejust for a 4 year old to learn to tell the time, but that’s another story!

[Stunters]

It might not have the brand recognition factor of some of the others, but Farer makes some lovely watches in the £800-£1700 price range.
He might see something here that really takes his fancy, and will then have something quirky, rare and interesting. But it won't be a TAG or similar.

If he likes sporty GMT watches, Farer do 3 separate models called Crooms, Maze and Charlton.
I can vouch for Farer's quality at the price point, I have six of their watches. My personal favourites are the chronographs and world timers.

https://farer.com/

[ds666]

SWoll said:

Salted_Peanut said:

Dicky Knee said:

£2k is a lot of money on a watch

Indeed. And am I the only one who thinks £2k is a lot of money (too much?) for an 18 year-old’s watch?

Entirely subjective surely? I also struggle to think of anything else that could see daily use for many years and retain it's value as well?

I started with Tags - not sure they will hold their value …maybe get him a birth year Tag which has stopped depreciating ??
Or a birth year Speedmaster ?( not sure if £2k will do that ) .

Edited by ds666 on Thursday 20th January 20:34

[ddom]

I would be looking at;

Muhle
Stowa
Farer
Nomos Glashütte
Junghans
Anordain

[gregs656]

Left field suggestion - go do the Bremont tour, then buy a Bremont on the secondary market. A S300 or something along those lines can be found within budget.

[Macneil]

ddom said:

I would be looking at;

Muhle
Stowa
Farer
Nomos Glashütte
Junghans
Anordain

But you wouldn't be looking at them if you were 18!

OP I think you're bang on with a Tag at his age, the watch you've featured is a bit fussy though, unless he travels around time zones he won't need GMT.
What about an entry level Tag for £1200-£1500? He'll be the envy of his mates and he can wear it for work or play.

If you do go used, for that money you could get a nice Omega...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/omega-seamaster-a...

[rallye101]

I'd hang on till 21, was mugged for my watch at 18 at a house party....

[WhiskyDisco]

My son turns 18 this year. A few years ago I bought an 2004 Tag F1 Kirium (new old stock) from the CCA Auction. I paid just £350 for it. The biggest prblem for me was keeping it tucked away...so I gave it to him for his 16th. He loves it - it's a Tag, which is cooler than Omega / Rolex for his age group, and it's nicely understated.



https://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-kirium/

Other "new old stock" watches are for sale on https://www.chrono24.co.uk/tagheuer/tag-heuer-kiri...

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Thursday 20th January 21:57