Recent grads will be hooked to their mobiles, tablets, and laptops for the rest of their life. But a watch is a ticket to disconnect. You can go off on your own, but know when to be back. Dads could use some unplugged time as well. Meanwhile, Father Time is undefeated, and seeing those seconds physically tick by on your wrist might remind you to really appreciate every moment you’ve got with your kids . That… and they just look plain good. Leave any additional suggestions for potential Father’s Day and Graduation watch gifts in the comments.
Hamilton Khaki Field in Black
or Silver – $386.55
A favorite of many. On the small side at 38mm in diameter. Sapphire crystal, exhibition caseback, and a 100m water resistance which will have the recipient wearing it everywhere except in deep water. Which hopefully as either a Father or a recent Graduate, they stay the heck out of (in the not so literal sense).
Tissot Le Locle Automatic – $395 and up
Just a hair under 40mm, so it’s a classic watch both in design and size. Textured dial. Swiss automatic movement. Sharp hands and roman numerals. Pretty much the definition of a dress watch. Lots of different case metals/bands to choose from once you start poking around. Some options on Amazon where they fulfill the purchase, but if you’re sketched out by 3rd party sellers (understandable), you can head to Lord and Taylor where 25% comes off the list price with the code FRIENDS.
Laco Type A Pilot Classic Automatic – $369.00
A clean and uncluttered pilot style watch. Nothing unnecessary. A well respected German brand that in this model uses a Miyota movement. Synthetic sapphire crystal, 50m water resistance rating, and a flieger (those rivets) strap. 42mm wears right in the sweet spot for many. Exhibition case back. Casual for sure, but casual with purpose.
Orient Vintage Automatic – $325.50 w/ SPRING2013
Another winner of a dress watch from Orient. Power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, blue hands, and a cream or champagne dial. Certainly says “Dad” more than “Grad”. Also available with either a white or black dial if you prefer.
Griffin Founder Timepiece – $215 – $285 (out of stock)
Shades of a vintage Heuer? First spotted by the guys over at Cool Material (in a “sponsored” post of all things… just noticed that). Not in stock right now, but if they do happen to get more in they’re running a buy more / save more promotion, which would in theory drop the price to just above $200. But it does have an acetate case with a steel case back. Yep. Acetate. Miyota quartz. These look a LOT like a Triwa.
ESQ Movado Round Case Watch – $159.99
ESQ went through a bit of a design change lately. The Movado step down brand is now a little more… modern & bubbly? This is from the older line which has a much, much more classic look to it. They’re also now a bit hard to find. Quartz, but incredibly sharp. $160 from Overstock who’s always running some kind of sale.
Seiko Black
or Orange Monster
– $178 – $188
For the Dads who like to get dirty… and not just with Mommy after the little ones have been put to bed OH YEAH THAT’S RIGHT THAT’S HOW YOU GOT HERE JUNIOR. Anyway, like a Casio G-Shock, only automatic and much better looking. For the outdoorsy fellas. Beastly sized and can take a pounding.
Orient Bambino Automatic – $182.00 w/ SPRING2013
Obligatory. These are fantastic dress watches for the price. In-house automatic movement, a clean dial, and that slightly domed crystal gives it a bit of a vintage look.
Citizen BL5250 Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chrono – $240.00
A busy as-all-get-out chronograph that runs on the sun. Too many functions and options to count. Instruction manual will have to be a must read, but it’s a looker. Full review over here.
Hugo Boss HB1005 Square Dial – $217.52
– $295
For the Dad who’s got Porsche tastes but lives on a Mazda budget. It’s a pretty shameless homage to the Tag Heurer Monaco series. The discounted price is at Amazon, although it’s not currently being sold or fulfilled by Amazon. Meanwhile, it is being sold through Nordstrom at the full price of $295 where it ships and returns free.
Anstead Oceanis – $399.00
A kickstarter success story. Weren’t these just going for $500? Looks like there’s been a nice price drop. Seiko NH36ª movement which hacks and has quick day/date functionality. This is a real, honest-to-goodness dive watch with a water resistance rating of 300m. Also comes with a silicone strap.
Citizen Eco Drive White Dial Chrono – $195.00
Certainly a step up from a timex that won’t break. Something that a recent grad will probably appreciate. Dressed up enough thanks to the white dial (wish they’d make one in silver) and the classic lines & arabic numerals. Can be worn just about anywhere with anything.
Your turn guys. Did you ever get a watch as a graduation present? Was it new, or, a family heirloom of some kind? Feel free to add additional suggestions for gift-appropriate watches in the comments.
For those on a strict budget, I’d highly recommend the Casio EF-503D. Comes in a few colors, the appearance suggests an Omega Speedmaster without being a straight copy, the watch is a high build quality for the price (Miyota quartz chronograph movement, solid end-link bracelet, 100m WR), and the style works equally well with a suit or a t-shirt. I don’t know of a better watch available new for $65-80.
I mention it here since we’ve had some good discussion on it in the Threads recently.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachments/f71/834105d1348892543-wruw-saturday-9-28-05close.jpg
My mother got me a Citizen EcoDrive for my graduation, which was ahem over a decade ago and it is still going strong. I wear it quite often and despite some accidental hits and scrapes it still looks like new. I can’t recommend the EcoDrive enough.
I definitely think Christopher Ward watches should be among those listed.
Love the Orange Monster w/its slanted crystal, but I went for an Orange Ray in lieu of it because of the shark-teeth. I put a NATO strap on it and love to wear it as my day-to-day casual watch. I like the little pop of color.
The more expensive, newer, Orange Monster looks a little bit better on the dial but has been more expensive than a Ray so far.
No… no Christopher Wards??
Ben- Good call! With the Miyota movement it’s a Citizen with the Casio name (sorta like a Miata with a small block V8- ie corvette killer) The white is an excellent look and the black… well, anyone following the threads knows how much I like the black!
So what would be a good option (either here or not mentioned) for a kid that’s graduating from a trade college. I’m looking for something befitting a working man (he’s a nephew that graduated from a mechanics school) at least when he’s not working on an airplane engine… Orange Monster or a Pilot Watch spring to mind – other thoughts?
“OH YEAH THAT’S RIGHT THAT’S HOW YOU GOT HERE JUNIOR.”
hahaha I’m trying to think of a context where someone would say that.
I’m a big fan of Bernhardt Watches. I have the Binnacle Anchor shown here: https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/index.php?id=34. Sort of a knock-off from the Explorer I. Whole lot of versatility in it too.
Your description of the Seiko reminds me of my ex girlfriend. “Beastly sized and can take a pounding.”
I’m very surprised as well that a Christopher Ward watch did not make 1 of the 10 spots. Especially with their current 15% off for fathers day promo.
That Tissot is gorgeous!
Watchmakers act like 90% of us are professional scuba instructors or something. Waterproof to 100m? That’s twice as good as 50! Nevermind that at that depth your brain might just collapse in on itself. But at least your casual watch will keep on tickin’
Best. Comment. Ever.
Justin your comment is just full of win!
Farhan, Christopher Ward received its own article: http://dappered.com/2013/05/christopher-ward-watches-woollinen-suits-more-the-friday-handful/
How about this for watches for your wedding?
i really like the look of that white face/blue hand version.
I have the black one and wear it all the time. Love it.
Been looking for a dress watch like the Le Locle, that Movado looks really good too, also looking at some Tissot quartz watches too but I cant decide!
Got the white dial citizen a week ago. Great looking watch.
If you like the orange monster take a look at the Seiko 007 (rubber strap) and 007k2 (metal strap).. Some find the look boring but it’s a classic design going back to what GIs wore in Vietnam.
I’m waiting on mine to come in- I have high expectations for it. I ran across the reviews in the threads and new it was the next purchase. Though I think mine’s going to be a little different…
Been trying to get these mentioned by Joe but for a unique watch consider this one:
http://www.lewandhuey.com/production-sample-pics-from-factory/
Started by a buddy of mine on the WUS forums. Check this thread for latest pics and discussion on whats being changed from the production samples:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/official-lew-huey-rally-inspired-automatic-chronograph-launch-faq-thread-849705.html (The wrist shots look amazing)
Also, he launched a KS project but it needs some help – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lewandhuey/riccardo-rally-inspired-automatic-chronograph-watc
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o762/docvail/Riccardo%20Chronograph/016_zps8be630eb.jpg
its funny that Joe chose the Citizen Eco-Drive perpetual calendar here instead of the similar Seiko Solar watch that he preferred in his review of the two of them. I personally liked the look of the Seiko better.
Site’s not about me my man
(I also like the look of the Seiko a bit better)
I just meant that if you were compiling a list of nice gift watches, I would’ve guessed that you’d pick the Seiko over the Citizen, since the preference seemed to be with that one in the past. Unless these were selected by a poll or something.
second that
The Hamilton Khaki Field is also available in 42mm…
Casio G-Shock. I’ve been working with a contractor for 5 years and always took off my watch when it was time to work on autos or heavy equipment. His G-shock never came off, and hasn’t scratched due to a thick rubber frame/ pseudo-bezel.
The 100m water resistance refers to the static pressure it can (theoretically) sustain. My Hamilton has 100m water resistance, but this (and the Hammy before it) have taken on water after an accidental dunk in the pool or a shower. No screw-down crown= non-substantial water resistance for an auto, in my books.
Don’t forget to check out House of Horology.
House of Horology is a modern watch brand that focuses on exceptionally well-crafted timepieces. House of Horology specializes in crafting wear-with-anything timepieces that make your other wrist jealous.
Check out the full lineup at http://www.houseofhorology.com