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.
Seiko 5 Automatic SNZG15 – $118
Not too big, not too tiny. Just right. Casual, but can pull plenty of duty. A great introduction to the afforable Seiko 5 movement as well as automatics in general. Comes on a nylon strap, matte 42mm case, and with a day & date window.
The Timex Duo: Simple Easy Reader – $65 | Flyback Chrono – $123.75
Same color scheme but two vastly different dials. Lighter brown leather strap & indices/hands with a black case & dial. Proof that black & brown (or tan) can absolutely go together. Both ship & return free through Nordstrom.
Bulova 96B104 – $90.00
All class. It’s a quartz, but it’s mega affordable, and won’t be going out of style anytime soon. Perfect for the recent grad, or the Dad who’s always dressed down but wants to pick it up a notch. UPDATE: Heads up. This is a pic of the old model, with the Bulova Tuning Fork logo at 12 o’clock (functionally speaking, the tuning fork = precursor to quartz). Current models do not have that fork logo at noon. Many thanks to Rob in the comments for the tip.
Seiko Solar “Compass” – $199.00
For the Dad or Grad that likes to keep it casual but gets outside quite a bit. A solar powered chronograph that’s got some beef. 41 mm case that wears a little bigger. Aviation inspired dial. Great pushers and other details. Rotating inner bezel makes it a little easier to use your watch as a compass. Sold by Jomashop at post time.
Orient “Vintage” Bambino – $182 w/ dappered30 (but sold out)
Boy. These things, in the silver cases… they’ve been sold out since what, the hot real estate market was beachfront property on Pannotia? (The market really hit the dumper once Pangaea sprouted up… tsk tsk). Review here. The option with the more contemporary styling is still a terrific choice.
Orient Mako – $131.49
or Mako XL – $163.72
($290)
Speaking of Orient… their flagship diver, plus the extra beefy version are both going for awfully nice prices via Amazon right now. Direct through Amazon at post time as well (not just fulfilled). 41 mm case on the original, 44.5mm on the XL. Both have a 200m water resistance rating and in house movement. Full review of the standard here, and head here for the review of the XL.
Maratac GPT-1 – $219 ($349)
LARGE… and logo free. 46.2mm wide and 15mm high. Miyota automatic movement. 22mm width on the band. Now on sale for the low $200s through CountyComm and available with a conventionally styled crown if you so choose.
Citizen Eco-Drive Chronograph – $192.50
A big (43mm), mean, powered by the sun chronograph that has the potential to be his casual go-to for years to come. Unidirectional bezel around a mineral crystal.
Bulova Rectangular Case Automatic – $153.43
There’s just something about a rectangular case dress watch that oozes class. And $150 is an awfully low entry point for the look. Textured dial. Mineral crystal. Cutout at 7-8 o’clock.
Tissot T-Classic Carson Powermatic – low $400s
As classic and timeless as it gets. While watch cases have been getting bigger and bigger as of late (oh, just wait, we’ll get there), this one sticks to a more traditional 40mm in diameter. Automatic movement has an 80, yes, 80 hour power reserve. Barely off white dial sits under charcoal hands. Full review here.
Christopher Ward C5 Slimline – $550 | C65 Trident Classic – $685
Father’s Day is one of the few times of the year that Christopher Ward runs a promo code, and this time around, they’ve just released a couple of new designs that might trigger the ol’ salivary glands. The slimline is powered by a mechanical movement, has an exhibition caseback, and sits just 8.7 mm high. Meanwhile, their flagship Trident Dive watch line gets a bit more refined with the dressier C65 automatic Trident “Classic”. UPDATE: The code DAD15 gets you 15% off non-pre-order watches, but both of these above are new styles and thus, pre-order only. Code does run through Sunday June 15th on other stuff though.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Maestro Chrono – $1000+
Incredibly versatile, and it better be at a grand plus. Bit of a beast at 45 mm in diameter and 15mm thick. But that larger case houses the awfully dependable Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement. Sapphire crystal over an incredibly well balanced dial. Hackable & hand wind-able. Crisp and responsive pushers, plus a decisive crown that clicks its way through day and date changes with an audible snap.
Your turn guys. Got any suggestions for the Dad or Grad watch recipient this year? Leave em’ in the comments below. Watch shown at top of post: The apparently out of production(?) Hamilton Khaki Chronograph.
All of these are absolutely gorgeous, and I’d be happy with any of the (43mm or smaller) offerings if they were on my wrist. Way to knock this post out of the park!
…as for me, I’m still saving up for a Seiko SSC019 solar pepsi diver…
The CW code only works on non preorder watches. the 2 you have are preorders.
Might I also add for the Dad’s a vintage watch from his birth year?
I do wish the sizes of watches would come back down a bit. I have a CW aviator that I really do like (MK II Automatic) but other than that I like 40mm or less.
Great post. I wish I’d seen this when I graduated well over a decade ago. I almost never wear my graduation presents now.
The Maratac is a clear winner for me in this list.
This particular watch is a tad pricey but I bought it around 6 years ago for about $900 and now it’s listed on Overstock for $1500! It’s really big, but I absolutely love it. Not really good for dressy occasions however.
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Hamilton-Mens-Khaki-X-Wind-Silver-Dial-Automatic-Watch/8025090/product.html
The Orient Mako is listed as 43 mm on Amazon, 41.5 on the Orient website and 41 by Joe above. What’s the deal?
Does the Seiko 5 normally come with a giant thimble?
No G-Shocks?
C. Ward’s prices seem to be getting a little big for their britches, or is that just me?
Looks like a leaky shot glass.
That’d be a good name for a bar, come to think of it.
Many good choices here, but I strongly discourage buying a watch as a gift for anyone these days. I think there are just too many options and too much personal preference in style for a gift that pricey.
I am pretty loyal to Jomashop/Amazon (aka the “Gray” market) and have had success with all of my purchases from those places. Usually, Tissot and Hamilton watches can be found with considerable discounts.
As for divers, I think the best bang for the money is the Invicta 8926 Pro Diver. Automatic Miyota movement, 200m water resistant and usually around $80 or $90 on Amazon.
I’ve been wearing that same Invicta for the last two years. Incredible watch for the price ($80), aside from the fact that it jumps a few seconds each day. Looks like a Rolex Sub from a distance.
They’re great for the active crowd, but don’t really go with the whole “Dapper” look.
(Plus, mine broke after a year and wouldn’t recharge.)
thinking that was intentional.
A word about the Bulova 96B104 (it is 96 not 86): If you click on the link you’ll see that the design has changed. There is no longer a tuning fork logo at the 12:00 position, just a straight line. I was disappointed to see this because I think the tuning fork adds a bit of class. A few months ago, I actually ordered this watch from three different places, hoping to get a tuning fork version, but no luck, even though each site that I ordered from had the tuning fork picture on their site. Even the Bulova website still has the tuning fork model pictured. If anyone can find the tuning fork version, let me know.
HUH. I’ll be snookered. Good catch. Updated above. Thanks Rob.
Love that the maratec doesn’t have any branding. I’ve been looking at Ken Wang’s bauhaus watch for the same reason.
I have a brass uniform wares watch, but would also like to get something silver.
The 96B119 has the tuning fork emblem and an attractive Aqua Terra look to it. You have to file away the bottom of the case to put a leather strap on it, though, and you’ll want to because the bracelet is all chintz-blinged out. Could be another good option.
Seconded on the Skagen watches. You are paying a bit for the design since they are all quartz, but they are very thin, light, modern and elegant.
How is the lume? I’m interested, but have heard that the lume is a little tepid vs Orient and Seiko.
and the price is over $200, now? or did i miss an amazon discount code?
(so pretty…)
If youre looking at the Mako, consider the Ray also which I prefer.
I also like that first clean Seiko and the classy Tissot Carson
I would add the Tissot Visodate to this list. Vintage watch looks (except for the day window), modern watch size (40mm). Another contender for the dive watch drawer would be the Steinhart Ocean One Vintage. Yeah, yeah, it is a Submariner-esque homage/rip-off (take your pick), but it’s very nicely done. And, if you’re looking for 1930s Bauhaus-style minimalism, then the Stowa Antea series is another one to consider.
Put on a slim-cut black suit, strap one of these on and you can go launch a take-over bid of Sony.
I’m seeing $89 and change?
oops, i misread. i meant the square-faced bulova.
That is a nice looking watch that I would consider if I wanted a metal band but now there’s a note on Amazon stating that Bulova has removed the tuning fork logo from all of its watch faces. Hard to believe that they would remove such a recognizable symbol but maybe they have.
At 42mm in diameter, I would guess a 20mm NATO strap would do the trick, but Seiko have a way of doing things differently, so you may need 22mm. Safest thing to do is to measure between the lugs with a ruler.
In the meantime, enjoy the watch!
Got it. Thanks amigo!