Birth Watch for Kids

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by JonnyBCisco

OK you asked. OP please understand I'm not directing this at you. This really is more of how I see this issue. I'm sure you and the other mean well. And odds are you won't hear anything this direct from the others. Buckle up.

The whole idea of birth year watches is so obviously not about the child or children or what they want. They are babies. Let's face it - you are the one who is into watches. Not the baby. The whole idea is super cheesy. And "investing" in a watch is merely an attempt to make the whole thing seem like there is actual utility in it, putting it on par with something like savings bonds or whatever. We love watches and I'm sure everyone loves their babies. Buy watches because you love watches. No need to go to the trouble of creating a some sort of sappy, magical heirloom story. This type of thing is indicative of someone who takes themselves way too seriously. It makes you look kinda desperate for affection from your son. And finally put yourself in the kids shoes for a moment. Odds are the watch you pick out for this baby is not the same watch not this 18 year old would pick for themselves. When you finally present this watch to them which I'm sure will include some super serious and probably uncomfortable speech that's you've been dreaming about for 18 years or more. The son looks at you and probably stops hating you just long enough to feel sorry for you instead. Now they have to pretend to like this ugly watch you gave him. It's not his style and he doesn't even care about watches but now he feels obligated to like it so as not to disappoint you or send you further into the despair of your mid-life crisis. And there he stands looking at this hopelessly ugly two-toned jubilee day-date you thought looked 'classic' in 2017. And he thinks why didn't anyone tell dad this was a stupid stunt.

Better idea: wait until the kids grows up enough to be able to communicate. Have a relationship with the kid and the memories will create themselves rather than being planned 20 years in advance. Talk about watches, sports, or anything else the kid is interested in. Buy him something that will truly mean something because of your relationship. It will be way better that way.

And buy the watches you want to buy.

First off, I don't totally agree or disagree with what you've said here. You've made some valid points, and you've also add what is clearly your own personal take on certain things which is perfectly fine.

I will say this about your "Better Idea", there's no reason whatsoever I think that shouldn't be called "Another Idea", because for starters there's no reason why one shouldn't and couldn't do things like, communicate with your child and form a relationship, while also giving them a gift of a watch from their birth year. Frankly, the implication of your "better idea" makes it seem like one can only exist without the other, which of course would be nonsense.

If a watch is important to you (not your child) you wait for the right time to give it to them and it will be meanigful to them, because it's important to you. The key portion being the right time, meaning when your child is old enough and mature enough to appreciate the sentiment, regardless of whether or not watches is his or her "thing"!

Lastly, I will say this. My father gave me a Rolex on my 21st birthday, and it was amazingly meaningful to me. Not to ever take away anything from that moment, but if my dad said to me, "I bought this watch the year you were born and have worn it since. Now I'm giving it to you." It would have been mind blowing special!

I bought my LVC the year my son was born, It's my favorite watch and my most worn watch. Of all my watches, it will be the one my son remembers as his "father's watch", when the time is right I will give it to him. You can say that I'm doing it for me or for him, but when the time is right I know it will be special for both of us.

[pwmegs]

Johnny Cisco. My man. This seems to have upset you. My kids are 12 -14, live long irking at watches with me we have explored options for them at a much lower price point. The plan would have always been to buy something I love, wear and ultimately pass on. I don't believe in keeping a watch just for safe Keeoing. Sentiment is a funny thing, maybe doing something you think is a nice gendture has its own rewards. I cherish a Necklace my mother gave me before she died. I don't wear it, don't need it, it has no utility at all but I cherish it none the less. In fact, what vintage mechanical watch had real utility. It is the art, history, craft and community that draws me to watches. I hope my kids can find anything that stirs their imagination if it's watches great, if not, no big deal.

I wish you well my friend.

[JParm]

Bought my son an ETA Black Bay during his birth year (2015). I've been wearing it, but do intend to keep it in decent enough shape to where he won't look at it 20 years from now and think, thanks for the piece of junk dad! I've saved the bracelet for him; I always wear it on a strap of some sort.

With regards to other people's opinions on whether it's smart or not or too cheesy...screw them. They're your kids, it's your money, do what makes you happy. This is the first watch that I've purchased BNIB, and that was so that when I give it to him in the future, he can see my name on the paperwork. If my son doesn't like it, then no big deal, I can always keep or sell and we can buy something that he would want instead. I just know that I wished I had something like this passed down to me; a watch that was loved and cared for by my father, whom I love dearly.

I intend to buy a Hulk for the next baby that's in my wife's belly at the moment, and it will most likely happen sooner rather than later. Everyone else can judge all they want; these two watches are going to my kids, and that's pretty special to my wife and me.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Bought my son an ETA Black Bay during his birth year (2015). I've been wearing it, but do intend to keep it in decent enough shape to where he won't look at it 20 years from now and think, thanks for the piece of junk dad! I've saved the bracelet for him; I always wear it on a strap of some sort.

With regards to other people's opinions on whether it's smart or not or too cheesy...screw them. They're your kids, it's your money, do what makes you happy. This is the first watch that I've purchased BNIB, and that was so that when I give it to him in the future, he can see my name on the paperwork. If my son doesn't like it, then no big deal, I can always keep or sell and we can buy something that he would want instead. I just know that I wished I had something like this passed down to me; a watch that was loved and cared for by my father, whom I love dearly.

I intend to buy a Hulk for the next baby that's in my wife's belly at the moment, and it will most likely happen sooner rather than later. Everyone else can judge all they want; these two watches are going to my kids, and that's pretty special to my wife and me.

This is an amazing shot!

20 years from now, your son will look at this photo and say... "holy c**p! you could buy something as cheap as $28 back then?"

[Boss99er]

I actually just did exactly this. Here is a pic of my son wearing his OP39 that will some day be his. I actually printed these pics and put them in the box for him to see when it's given to him.

https://imgur.com/a/taTAa

https://imgur.com/a/eQHOk

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by JonnyBCisco

OK you asked. OP please understand I'm not directing this at you. This really is more of how I see this issue. I'm sure you and the other mean well. And odds are you won't hear anything this direct from the others. Buckle up.

The whole idea of birth year watches is so obviously not about the child or children or what they want. They are babies. Let's face it - you are the one who is into watches. Not the baby. The whole idea is super cheesy. And "investing" in a watch is merely an attempt to make the whole thing seem like there is actual utility in it, putting it on par with something like savings bonds or whatever. We love watches and I'm sure everyone loves their babies. Buy watches because you love watches. No need to go to the trouble of creating a some sort of sappy, magical heirloom story. This type of thing is indicative of someone who takes themselves way too seriously. It makes you look kinda desperate for affection from your son. And finally put yourself in the kids shoes for a moment. Odds are the watch you pick out for this baby is not the same watch not this 18 year old would pick for themselves. When you finally present this watch to them which I'm sure will include some super serious and probably uncomfortable speech that's you've been dreaming about for 18 years or more. The son looks at you and probably stops hating you just long enough to feel sorry for you instead. Now they have to pretend to like this ugly watch you gave him. It's not his style and he doesn't even care about watches but now he feels obligated to like it so as not to disappoint you or send you further into the despair of your mid-life crisis. And there he stands looking at this hopelessly ugly two-toned jubilee day-date you thought looked 'classic' in 2017. And he thinks why didn't anyone tell dad this was a stupid stunt.

Better idea: wait until the kids grows up enough to be able to communicate. Have a relationship with the kid and the memories will create themselves rather than being planned 20 years in advance. Talk about watches, sports, or anything else the kid is interested in. Buy him something that will truly mean something because of your relationship. It will be way better that way.

And buy the watches you want to buy.

I tend to agree with this. As a parent of a 17 year son and 14 year old daughter, I can say without a doubt that neither of them currently care at all about my watches or watches in general. Birth watches would go unworn.
When I was a kid, I did have my father give me a 22k yellow gold necklace and I've pretty much worn it non-stop for the past 30 years. I thought about doing the same for my son and daughter but my son first showed no interest in a necklace. When he did about a year ago, the one he picked out was thinner, longer and a completely different style than I would have ever picked. But now he has something he loves. I'll do the same for my daughter and let her pick.
Sure everyone is free to commemorate anything they'd like, but I just think watches and jewelry are so dependent on personal tastes and styles that it is impossible to predict what grown children will like years from now.


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[Anthon]

Originally Posted by JonnyBCisco

OK you asked. OP please understand I'm not directing this at you. This really is more of how I see this issue. I'm sure you and the other mean well. And odds are you won't hear anything this direct from the others. Buckle up.

The whole idea of birth year watches is so obviously not about the child or children or what they want. They are babies. Let's face it - you are the one who is into watches. Not the baby. The whole idea is super cheesy. And "investing" in a watch is merely an attempt to make the whole thing seem like there is actual utility in it, putting it on par with something like savings bonds or whatever. We love watches and I'm sure everyone loves their babies. Buy watches because you love watches. No need to go to the trouble of creating a some sort of sappy, magical heirloom story. This type of thing is indicative of someone who takes themselves way too seriously. It makes you look kinda desperate for affection from your son. And finally put yourself in the kids shoes for a moment. Odds are the watch you pick out for this baby is not the same watch not this 18 year old would pick for themselves. When you finally present this watch to them which I'm sure will include some super serious and probably uncomfortable speech that's you've been dreaming about for 18 years or more. The son looks at you and probably stops hating you just long enough to feel sorry for you instead. Now they have to pretend to like this ugly watch you gave him. It's not his style and he doesn't even care about watches but now he feels obligated to like it so as not to disappoint you or send you further into the despair of your mid-life crisis. And there he stands looking at this hopelessly ugly two-toned jubilee day-date you thought looked 'classic' in 2017. And he thinks why didn't anyone tell dad this was a stupid stunt.

Better idea: wait until the kids grows up enough to be able to communicate. Have a relationship with the kid and the memories will create themselves rather than being planned 20 years in advance. Talk about watches, sports, or anything else the kid is interested in. Buy him something that will truly mean something because of your relationship. It will be way better that way.

And buy the watches you want to buy.

Sums it all up.
A bit blunt, but that's just as likely an outcome.
Remember what my young colleague with her gifted two-tone DJ just told me last week: I don't like the color.

[scranger]

FWIW, I took a little different tack and gave vintage Hamilton models of the same name to my daughter and grandson, i.e., Lindsay and Harris.