Another what watch thread… 21st birthday present c, £1,000

Another what watch thread… 21st birthday present c, £1,000

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595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Our boy turned 21 last week and has his graduation ceremony on Wednesday. Would like to buy him something that will last to mark these two key events, and he’s receptive to getting a watch.

So, at around £1.000 - £1,200 any recommendations? Looking in our local good jewellers (Rolex AD amongst others) it is clear that it won’t be a big brand watch!

I think he wants a metal bracelet and doesn’t want a chronograph, just plain numbers.

vixen1700

24,158 posts

277 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-HydroConques...

Can't go wrong with this, on offer too. smile

I have one of these and it's a firm favourite

595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Ooh.. like that a lot! Thanks

They had a used Longines in the window fro £1,200 which looked good

Badda

2,896 posts

89 months

Saturday 20th July
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When you say he’s receptive….does he want one or do you want him to have one? I find the younger generation are generally disinterested in watches, as less relevant, the same way that wallets are no longer a thing.

595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Badda said:
When you say he’s receptive….does he want one or do you want him to have one? I find the younger generation are generally disinterested in watches, as less relevant, the same way that wallets are no longer a thing.
It is a good question, and I’d hate him to think he has to have something he doesn’t want.

He does appear keen though, and hasn’t suggested anything else

Badda

2,896 posts

89 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Consider makes such as Sinn (lots) and damasko (https://www.damasko-watches.com/en/current-collection/models-without-manufactory-movement/three-hand-models/176/ds30) for a different sort of style but god quality.

Doofus

28,427 posts

180 months

Saturday 20th July
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Badda said:
When you say he’s receptive….does he want one or do you want him to have one? I find the younger generation are generally disinterested in watches, as less relevant, the same way that wallets are no longer a thing.
yes

When my nephew turned 21, he said he wanted a nice watch, so I got excited, and told his mum I'd help him find the right thing, and even chip in on the purchase.

So I asked him what he liked, and what he knew, and he said he couldn't decide between Police and Emporio Armani.



595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Doofus said:
yes

When my nephew turned 21, he said he wanted a nice watch, so I got excited, and told his mum I'd help him find the right thing, and even chip in on the purchase.

So I asked him what he liked, and what he knew, and he said he couldn't decide between Police and Emporio Armani.
biggrin

He’s got an Armani watch at the moment. Not getting another!

redrabbit

1,556 posts

172 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
595Heaven said:
Badda said:
When you say he’s receptive….does he want one or do you want him to have one? I find the younger generation are generally disinterested in watches, as less relevant, the same way that wallets are no longer a thing.
It is a good question, and I’d hate him to think he has to have something he doesn’t want.

He does appear keen though, and hasn’t suggested anything else
The usual advice is - take him shopping, let him choose, celebrate with a pint afterwards. At least as good a memory as gifting a surprise on the day, and you can be sure he has something he wants.

Macneil

928 posts

87 months

Saturday 20th July
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Longines is a good shout but he's 21 and has an Armani watch that I assume he likes already, so ... it's got to be a Tag!
You can get an entry level quartz within your budget, if you go round Birmningham you should be able to get a discount off retail.
We all look down our noses at them, but for a lot of people, certainly me, it was the first smart watch they owned. The brands mentioned above are great for people with an interest in watches but at that age you want a bit of flash not necessarily bullet-proof German metal.
Whatever he does in the future, it's always going to be the watch you bought him for his 21st and may well kindle an interest in watches and horology that will cost him a small fortune as he grows older smile

RSTurboPaul

11,267 posts

265 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
+1 to the suggestion of taking him shopping,

Personal taste is exactly that - buying something that looks nice to the buyer's taste is no guarantee of being to the recipient's taste.

(The same can be true for engagement ring shopping... lol)

595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
Macneil said:
Longines is a good shout but he's 21 and has an Armani watch that I assume he likes already, so ... it's got to be a Tag!
You can get an entry level quartz within your budget, if you go round Birmningham you should be able to get a discount off retail.
We all look down our noses at them, but for a lot of people, certainly me, it was the first smart watch they owned. The brands mentioned above are great for people with an interest in watches but at that age you want a bit of flash not necessarily bullet-proof German metal.
Whatever he does in the future, it's always going to be the watch you bought him for his 21st and may well kindle an interest in watches and horology that will cost him a small fortune as he grows older smile
Yes, I think he’d be happy with a TAG. My suggestion of looking at something from Mühle Glashütte didn’t really register biggrin

595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
RSTurboPaul said:
+1 to the suggestion of taking him shopping,

Personal taste is exactly that - buying something that looks nice to the buyer's taste is no guarantee of being to the recipient's taste.

(The same can be true for engagement ring shopping... lol)
Definitely! I want him to choose.

As for engagement rings, the now Mrs 595”s aunt used to work for a gem setter in St Albans. We went to his house and he had a bag full of diamonds. She chose two big ones…

paul13

509 posts

209 months

Saturday 20th July
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I have just bought myself one of these, in my opinion a good watch for the money.

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-gb/h70605731-khak...


the-norseman

13,368 posts

178 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
paul13 said:
I have just bought myself one of these, in my opinion a good watch for the money.

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-gb/h70605731-khak...

The ops son is 21, not 65.

paul13

509 posts

209 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
the-norseman said:
The ops son is 21, not 65.
??? Don't see your point.

paul13

509 posts

209 months

Saturday 20th July
quotequote all
OP, what about this range?

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-gb/h82525160-khak...

Seems a decent specification for the money: metal bracelet, automatic, 80hr power reserve, .... for £990.

Deep

2,218 posts

250 months

Sunday 21st July
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I asked a similar question for my nephew's 18th and had similar replies that his generation probably don't want a mechanical watch.
I was confident that I knew him better than the internet and that he would appreciate the fact that I know a little about watches.

I bought him this and he loves it and hasn't taken it off since.


595Heaven

Original Poster:

2,597 posts

85 months

Monday 22nd July
quotequote all
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Hamilton do make some nice watches, but I think the Longines one might tip the balance. That Tissot looks great as well. Shopping trip required once we can persuade him to come home (student house in Brighton proving to be good fun!)