Watch suggestions needed for High School Grad.

[R-H]

Hello to all, and sorry if this has been asked a thousand time's before, at the end of this month are grandson will be graduating from high school. My wife suggests getting him a computer that he could in collage, or cash. I look at this as a milestone event, stepping into manhood, a computer is an everyday day gift, in two years it will be on the discard pile, cash would probably bring in more video games? I would appreciate suggestions on watches in the $700.00 range, less would be great but I could come up with a bit more if there was a watch that far exceeded the others. What I'm looking for in a watch is a classic design maybe stainless steel, sport style nothing trendy, that could be worn on the job, in an office or at a formal party. I would prefer a mechanical movement over quarts, just because I enjoy the craftsmanship that goes into these watches, something a watchmaker would recommend over a salesman, that could be repaired for many years to come without breaking the bank. I hope my wish list isn't to far out of my price range.

Thanks for any help, information, or suggestions

Robert

[AMCK87]

I'm not sure if they are mechanical or Quartz but Shinola makes some very nice looking watches in that price range along with the usual suspects, Oris and Seiko. Worth a look!

[ernie2]

Mechanical and under $1K, Hamilton, all time American classic

[PJ S]

Do you know if he'll even appreciate a mechanical watch?
Maybe he's more into computers, so a pre-owned MacBook Pro is a better option for this stage of his life.
Nothing to prevent you all (as a family) from presenting him with a nice 'proper' watch for his 21st/graduating university, when he might better appreciate it for what it is, the sentiment behind it, and be more responsible in looking after it.
Better to have him paying for its first service in 5 or so years time, when he's in his mid-twenties.
If you must give him a watch of some sort, then don't dismiss the iWatch (the cheapest one) or its Android equivalent, if he doesn't have an iPhone.
Alternatively, a tough-as-old-boots quartz beater from Seiko or Citizen.

Without wishing to sound harsh, but it reads as though you don't really know your grandson all that well.
By that I mean, you've no idea if he'd like/wear a watch (of any type) – a computer is certainly of more practical use for him at this stage of his education – or if he has an interest in say photography, so a good compact size camera (Fuji X100S/XE-1 and lens, for example) would make his day.
It comes across, and it could be I'm reading between the lines, that because you've and interest in watches, and because you'd have liked this sort of thing done for you, when his age, that you're projecting that onto him.

Which would you feel more disappointed by – him rarely wearing the watch, for whatever reason, or telling you now that he'd rather the laptop or digital camera?
I suspect the former, since it'd be money effectively wasted, even though the intention was good.

TLDR (too long didn't read) – sit down with him, have a chat, and learn about what he likes/needs.

[watchucallit]

Both my son and daughter who are perhaps a little older and do not wear a watch. I have asked my son (junior in college now) in the past if he would like to wear a watch and his response was-- why i have my cell phone. So i agree with PJ S on how important it would be to find out his/likes or dislikes. I remember I had two sets of grandparents and one used to listen to what we wanted and the other would just assume and you can imagine how i felt about the specific gifts from the respective grandparents. Nonetheless, if this is something he would like I would check out the
Frederique Constant Watch selections. THey are really an underrated watchmaker in my opinion. I have expensive high end pieces but i have come close to buying one of their watches a couple of times. Some of these have their own unique movements. THey have a good bang for their buck and you can buy these at a nice discount over the MSRP. Google their name and look under images and you can see the type of pieces they make. Great bang for the buck with a price range of 200 to 4000 dollars and plenty within your budget.

[watchucallit]

I found a review on the FC watch I really like. It is an in house movement and the list price is 1700 USD but i have seen for 1200 and perhaps less. Most watches with in house movements cost at least 10x this much and it is a really nice piece. Of course this is what i like.. but they have a lot of choices
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/frederiq...-watch-review/

[R-H]

Thanks for the words of wisdom, as you may be spot on. I will check more into his wants and needs, but keep the watch information coming just incase he has an interested.

[slcbbrown]

I think a watch is a great idea, and there are plenty of outdoorsy style watches that could appeal to him. I, personally, prefer a watch that is robust, simple and water resistant enough for swimming. Squale, Steinhart, ChWard and others make divers for close to your budget. Chris Pappas at Wilson Watch will actually put a watch together that is somewhat customized for you.

[guelerct]

I think cash is a great gift especially on the way to college
Having a checking account while on campus for pizza, oil changes, etc beats a watch any day when you're 18
Not to mention, that watch is one rowdy fraternity party away from a complete servicing


Seamaster Pro 300, Speedy Moon Watch, Grey Side of the Moon, Aqua Terra

[eeh100773]

Mechanical under $1k? I'd go Steinhart for a sports watch, or Frederique Constant for a dress watch.

[mailman]

Getting a watch from your grandfather for high school graduation I'd without a doubt something to cherish for the rest of your life. Even if he didn't wear it every day, when he did he sure would think of you and remember a lot of things you guys shared.

I'd look into Hamilton

[lapince]

At that price range I would go Tissot, they have great watches at very low prices and the quality is very good, the T-touch models are great and fun

[R-H]

First thanks to all for your replies, some made me think about the idea, I did go over and talk to my Daughter and Son in law about my plans, they thought it was a great idea and that he would really enjoy a nice watch from his grandparents, he does wear a watch but it's a $29.00 plastic one he bought for himself for work, as for the other item's or needs they would never go unmet .

I have looked at all the watches that have been recommend, plus many others over the last couple days. The 2 I've narrowed it down to is the Steinhart Ocean 1 and the Christopher Ward C60. I like the Steinhart for keeping very true to the Rolex Submariner and the Christopher Ward for not.

So for the Steinhart very close to a Rolex, more styles to choose from, military, vintage, red face and about 30% less cost.

The C.W. I like the trident second hand, the fact they did not use a magnifier lens on the crystal looks cleaner and the 3 year longer warranty.
I wish these watches were sold at a local store so I could view them side by side but that's not going to happen.

I'd like to ask another question, I have never bought a product from out of the country, it appears the Steinhart come out of Germany and the C.W. from England, do they have distributors in the U.S. if not how long does it take to receive these watches from overseas.

Thanks for your time and information
Robert





i

[lapince]

If they have the watch in stock it's 5 to 10 days from Europe depending on which shipping formula you choose

[PJ S]

Just bear in mind, that prices displayed will often show local VAT (Sales Tax) included – so you'll need to divide by 1.2 to get the export price.
That only applies to commercial sellers, not private – which isn't an issue as you're not likely to buy a pre-owned watch.

So, here are a few options, IMO.

https://www.chrono24.com/en/mido/mid...-id3172323.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines...-id2570738.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/longines...-id3088760.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/rado/men...-id3333566.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpico...-id2977673.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glycine/...-id3032207.htm
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glycine/...-id2578391.htm

Now, if it doesn't have to be Swiss Made, then you might want to consider something you can pick up closer to home – http://www.citizenwatch.com/eco-sig/...del=NB1031-53L
If that's not too big, then have a chat with Joe at Arizona Fine Time.

Equally – http://deepbluewatches.com/ocdi500ye.html or http://deepbluewatches.com/dascordibltu.html or http://deepbluewatches.com/dattrfltubra1.html

As for Steinhart, I'd suggest the Ocean 2 Premium, rather than the Ocean 1.

[kilyung]

I got my son a Swatch Sistem 51. Great intro watch.

[cfracing]

Apple watch?

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by eeh100773

Mechanical under $1k? I'd go Steinhart for a sports watch, or Frederique Constant for a dress watch.

This.

Something from Hamilton or Longines are also solid options.

[Urosfan]

Hamilton

[R-H]

Well again thanks to all for the many suggestions, many of them I really like and one or two I'm thinking about adding to my watches. After many hours on the computer searching, the one I finally pulled the trigger on is, Drum Roll Please.

















The Christopher Ward C60 Trident 300 42mm Black and Stainless Steel and with the savings from my maximum price I'll put to a Visa card for him. Now I just hope it clears customs in time, have about 20 days other wise I'll be put the picture in a box.

Thanks for your time and suggestions.

Robert

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by ernie2

Mechanical and under $1K, Hamilton, all time American classic

I agree!

[R-H]

The Christopher Ward showed up today, very fast service I ordered on evening of 5/11 delivered 5/16 not bad from England to California. Fact is the postal service was faster then the email service, as I'm still waiting for an email confirming shipping, on line order status still shows processing. But no big deal it's better then receiving an email and never seeing the watch. The only idem I changed from my wish list for the watch was in getting the quarts model over the mechanical, after some suggestions that this could be better from a young man's first watch.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Robert

[htc8p]

i received a paris dakar watch quartz when i graduated high school. it wasnt bad at all.

just get him a swiss movement and now you have a WIS.

these days i think a ball or victorinox or g shock quartz would last him 20 years

[benlee]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I got my son a Swatch Sistem 51. Great intro watch.

+1. Affordable and mechanical. Not to mention trendy.

[osamu]

nice choice on the CWard. I've been looking at a few of them, and I know they just made news for releasing an in-house COSC movement.

Hope he loves it.