Alpina, Hamilton, Longines, Cristopher Ward, Fredrique Constant, Oris, Zodiac.


Check Jomashop or Hodinkee.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
If you live near a nice watch boutique I’d take him to find out what his taste is in watches and then surprise him later on.

You can get a very nice watch with that budget.

Best plan - I would never buy a watch for somebody else in the hope that it suited them.

The only watch I've ever owned that I didn't buy was a Rolex DSSD presented to me by a company for whom I have worked very hard for a number of years. They's noticed that I wore a different diver-style every day for a month and made the assumption that I might like what was then Rolex's premier diver.

They were right. I'm wearing it for my birthday pizza later today.

I'm a big Marathon fan:

https://windycitywatchcollector.com/

Here's another vote for Hamilton! You'll get him a lot of watch for $1,000.00 or a bit over. Alpina and Christopher Ward has some good offerings too. I love my Oris (Pro Pilot TLP) watch, but I think most of their watches might be over your limit.

A watch is a great graduation gift. It is something he will have for the rest of his life. My mom gave me a Rolex Submariner when I graduated management, many years ago.

Definitely look at Christopher Ward. They sell direct to the consumer and have a very honest and transparent pricing structure. You get a lot of watch for your money. If they followed the traditional retail model they would be double or triple in price. They are high quality, Swiss made pieces. Outside of the emotional attachment, I actually like my Tridents over my Submariner. Definitely keeps bette time. My favorites are the C60 Trident Pro and the C63 Sealander GMT.

Pro tip: Order in GBP. That removes the VAT and you can save a lot of money.

I would add Ball to the list as well as Vaer. A Sinn 556 RS could be found used for $1K- the poor mans explorer

Sinn.

Look at Chrono24, let others take the depreciation, get more for your dollar.

If he is looking for a dress watch, I bought this Longines for my son several years ago after he graduated. He has really enjoyed it:

With the discount from an authorized dealer, I got it for about $1300 (white dial):

https://www.longines.com/en-us...ritage-l4-795-4-78-2

A couple of years before, I bought my other son this Ball Legend for roughly the same price, after discount. He has enjoyed his for a number of years as well (The white dial with the leather strap):

https://www.ballwatch.com/glob...d-s1j-be---2999.html


If he is looking for more of a tool watch, both Longines and Ball make excellent models there too. Also, the other recommendations for Zodiac, Marathon, Sinn, Tissot, Hamilton are very good as well.


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quote:

Originally posted by ptb351:
Hamilton(I have a few and love them)
Oris(don't have one but would like one)
Christopher Ward....nice stuff

I have a Longines Hydroconquest...love it and came in at around $900 on Jomashop.com


$1000 can get you a really nice piece(or two)

I can vouch for the hydro conquest. Right around your price point, looks good no matter the occasion, and I’ve had no issues with mine for the 10 years I’ve owned it.

Different thought, but what does he really like to do/what were “father/son” activities growing up?

Maybe get him a “good” g shock etc meant for that, and say a Timex American Documents, Apple Watch etc for work.

Maybe a Longines VHP?

Full metal square or Casio oak g shock? The Casio oak might be pushing it for suit and tie wear but my “office work” watch is a full metal square. (Mine is over your budget but I have the others, and they are nice watches. I just find Ti more comfortable than steel in the heat.)


I’m trying to think of what he will still wear, at times, when he’s 50.

Dad gave my brother and I watches related to sailing.

quote:

Originally posted by KDR:

quote:

Originally posted by ptb351:
Hamilton(I have a few and love them)
Oris(don't have one but would like one)
Christopher Ward....nice stuff

I have a Longines Hydroconquest...love it and came in at around $900 on Jomashop.com


$1000 can get you a really nice piece(or two)

I can vouch for the hydro conquest. Right around your price point, looks good no matter the occasion, and I’ve had no issues with mine for the 10 years I’ve owned it.

I have one as well and it is a very nice watch. I still prefer my Omega Seamaster Professional but that is out of your stated price range.

Advice from an irredeemable watch guy, and parent.

Get him an investment account with $1k in it and a good book on investing of your choice. I am a watch guy, and I will not be getting my kids a watch for graduating. They aren't watch guys/girls. Most young people aren't. My first "real" watch, I bought in 1997. I valued it most because I made that happen. What was inconceivable as a child, I'd made real. If my dad had given me a watch, I'm not even sure I'd be a watch guy myself.

That said, there are many very good watches for $1k. If you really want it to be a watch, maybe let him pick it out. They vary so much in styles/designs.

Does he know or care anything about mechanical watches? I ask because that’s what a lot of the suggestions are or will be, and I’ve had friends of friends receive mechanical watches as gifts, and not being watch people, get frustrated at the idiosyncrasies, the accuracy (“Why is my watch a minute off from a week ago?”), and the service costs.

If he is okay with quartz, I’d take a long look at Seiko Astron and Casio Oceanus lines. These are JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) watches that are solar-powered quartz, and depending on the model, offer different types of syncing for great accuracy (radio control, Bluetooth, or GPS).

They have great finishing (good for his field), great accuracy, low maintenance, etc. Essentially set and forget. They look good and are reliable. Think a nice Acura instead of a restored ‘70s muscle car.

Examples are Casio Oceanus OCW-T200 (three-hander), Casio Oceanus OCW-T4000 (second time zone and chronograph), Seiko Astron SSJ005, and Seiko Astron SBXY003.

If he does like mechanical watches, I’d take a look at Christopher Ward, Mido, Tissot, Hamilton, etc.