Mechanical Watch for Kids?

[Easy E]

My son just turned 11 and I got him a Casio 3 hander with a date. He really likes it, but he just asked me if he could get a real mechanical watch, like mine. He also asked if they make one that you can see the gears (like a pocket watch I have). Does anyone out there have any experience or recommendations for a small skeleton watch for a little boy? He is actually fairly tall, but skinny as a bean pole.

As a side note he asked me when my watches would fit him. I told him “much later.” The conversation went something this:

Him: dad, when will your watches fit me?
Me: much later
Me: wait a minute, how do you know they don’t fit you now?
Him: I tried them on.
Me: uh huh, which ones?
Him: well…..all of them.

That’s about 30, including a VC Chrono and a Day Date. I do appreciate him being thorough….I think. His favorite? The BLNR on jubilee. I love that kid.

[enjoythemusic]

Oops... Wrong post. Mods delete.

[charger_vital]

Swatch System 51.

[beefeater21]

Seiko 5 might be good too. Believe they have display backs as well, and at the price, it's not terrible if it's lost or destroyed.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by charger_vital

Swatch System 51.

Originally Posted by beefeater21

Seiko 5 might be good too. Believe they have display backs as well, and at the price, it's not terrible if it's lost or destroyed.

I think @ 42 the Swatch may be a bit large

Checking into the Seiko 5, that may be a good answer.

Thanks

[enjoythemusic]

Get a nice Timex automatic with an exhibition back and have a watchmaker remove the dial.

[PBJ1925]

https://cigadesign.com/products/series-c-skeleton

[ap1]

This? lol




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[enjoythemusic]

Or something... different. 50m WP rated.

[PBJ1925]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Or something... different. 50m WP rated.

Attachment 1330224

Attachment 1330225

Definitely a cool piece, I bought one for my son as well. Whenever he doesn't wear it, I find myself 'borrowing it', here and there.

With that said, it'll be quite large for a pre-teen as it wears larger than my Sub.

[PBJ1925]

Blue on leather but Steven’s nightwalker is much cooler. Guess I better give this back to my son before he gets back (yes yes I didn’t set the time right)


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[Easy E]

Originally Posted by ap1

This? lol




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Close…very close.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Get a nice Timex automatic with an exhibition back and have a watchmaker remove the dial.

I like this idea. Thanks.

[Justindo]

I echo the Seiko 5 idea, especially if it's around 38mm.

[dannyp]

What size/price are you thinking? Check out Jomashop and the like, and they have 32-33mm Tissot watches w/exhibition backs that all come in under $300. They're classified as women's but most aren't feminine looking, just smaller. This was long a favorite of mine (almost bought for myself, as I like 36mm) but also a bit more:

https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/tiss...ults&color=250


Orient may offer some, too.

If you want to spend more (like significantly more), try the Hamilton Jazzmaster 36mm watches with exhibition dials.

[HMHM]

I could not agree more with the suggestion to start a child with a Seiko 5 as their first mechanical watch. It was my very first mechanical watch and it is still working today.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by dannyp

What size/price are you thinking? Check out Jomashop and the like, and they have 32-33mm Tissot watches w/exhibition backs that all come in under $300. They're classified as women's but most aren't feminine looking, just smaller. This was long a favorite of mine (almost bought for myself, as I like 36mm) but also a bit more:

https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/tiss...ults&color=250


Orient may offer some, too.

If you want to spend more (like significantly more), try the Hamilton Jazzmaster 36mm watches with exhibition dials.

Yes, this is also a good tip. Per music boy's mention of the Timex I did a little digging, currently none available, also a bit large. I think 36mm max.

[Easy E]

This is the Casio i got him for his birthday, I'm not sure but I think its 36-38-ish. The case fits ok (mostly), but his wrists are super skinny so the strap is an issue. He doesn't mind it.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Yes, this is also a good tip. Per music boy's mention of the Timex I did a little digging, currently none available, also a bit large. I think 36mm max.

If you can still find it somewhere, this would be the Timex to get:

https://www.timex.eu/waterbury-tradi...U53300UK.html#

Again, marketed as women's, and a very feminine dial, but if you're having a watchmaker remove that, then it would likely work.

[Easy E]

Got a winner....mostly. I was hoping to find a 36mm. Per Steven's idea of pulling the dial I wanted a no date model. also, was hoping to keep this deal cheap. In-stock inventory is a problem for these specs. So, we have us a 38mm mechanical, no date Timex.

I don't really have a watchmaker in my immediate area, but a guy that owns a small jewelry shop said he can pull the dial and replace the hands "no problem." My spidey senses are tingling a bit, and I may have just set $200 bucks on fire, but I down to give this a shot. I'll take it to the shop tomorrow.

[Easy E]

We have a good news, bad news situation here. Goods part one, the local guy got the dial off right quick. Good news part two, the movement is actually kind of neat for the class of watch in play here. Bad news part one, the suspension ring is pretty unsightly (that won't matter to an 11 yr old, hopefully). Bad news part two, which is the most important, the dial is instrumental in holding the movement in place and with out it the movement presses forward when the case back is reinstalled, causing the hands to bind and stop. The guy that did this is not really a watch maker and as he is at the end of his guesses he says "I gotta guy." The two things I dread hearing the most....."no problem" and "i gotta guy." Oh well, I'm pot committed to this deal now. We shall see.

[Easy E]

Many thanks to Steven the music man for this idea.

[dannyp]

That actually looks kind of cool and that movement looks more interesting than I'd have expected. If you decide to try an additional experiment (that also potentially avoids the large plastic filler ring), just type "Timex Marlin" in on Amazon. This is the cheapest option:

https://ntimc.transportation.org/Doc...pg-printer.pdf

However there are others. He'd jus need to be a little more careful as, even unmodified, the WR is less on these (though he sounds like someone who's going to take great care of his first "real" watch).

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by dannyp

That actually looks kind of cool and that movement looks more interesting than I'd have expected. If you decide to try an additional experiment (that also potentially avoids the large plastic filler ring), just type "Timex Marlin" in on Amazon. This is the cheapest option:

https://ntimc.transportation.org/Doc...pg-printer.pdf

However there are others. He'd jus need to be a little more careful as, even unmodified, the WR is less on these (though he sounds like someone who's going to take great care of his first "real" watch).

Thanks. I did see the Marlin when I ordered the Expedition. It was something of a coin flip at POP. If they can't get the current one fixed up right I may try the smaller case. Thanks again.

E-

[Easy E]

Huge hit. He loves it. He actually thinks the gap at the crown is cool so he can see the crown stem all the way to the movement. It is a touch big but thanks ok. Great gift. Many thanks to Steven for this marvelous idea.

Obligatory pics in and on his hand. Thanks all.

[enjoythemusic]

Ooooh, looks waaaaay cool! Congrats and glad it rocks

[watchamatic]

Seiko 5 all the way. They do have 36mm models with day and date as well as display caseback all just a little over $100.