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Want to buy my son a watch for his wedding. Suggestions? Updated - Purchased (1 Viewer)

To really get him a nice watch, a wedding gift from a father watch, it's simply going to cost more than your $500-1k range. To me, that's a Rolex, a Jaeger-LeCoultre, an Omega. You can get a decent watch in that $500-$1000 range. Most of my watches are in that range. But a Hamilton or Tissot or Seiko just isn't going to be special. I'm not sure if you're willing to go preowned, but you might be able to find a middle ground in a preowned Omega or Tudor in the $2-3k range. The watch I own that is my favorite is this Tudor Black Bay Red that goes for about $2,500 preowned. For a new watch that makes a statement under $2k, perhaps a Nomos Tangente. If you just want to get him a decent sporty watch that's as good a watch as you would get for nearer to $1k but at a great value, get him an Orient Mako USA II. I got mine in blue for $262.50 using the code wornandwound. It also comes in black and a pepsi blue-red mix.


He already said what his budget was for this.   You telling him "nothing in this range is special" comes off pretty doooshie.  If my father had bought me a Tag or a Hamilton (or even a fn Timex, if that was all he could reasonably afford) as a wedding gift for me, it would be special -- Because of the sentiment.   The lack of a label that you like does not negate this.  

I appreciate that you're trying to help him and that you've probably got better taste and nicer watches than I do.  Honestly, no offense intended with this post.  

 
I'm not a watch guy and I don't have any recommendations, but I think that this article is a great breakdown of watches. It breaks them down by the different mechanisms, style, size, etc. It gives recommendations on what watches are appropriate for what occasions and dress styles. 

It does gives some specific examples and recommendations as well, but the most important thing is it can give help you really zero in on exactly what type/style of watch you are looking for.

 
To really get him a nice watch, a wedding gift from a father watch, it's simply going to cost more than your $500-1k range. To me, that's a Rolex, a Jaeger-LeCoultre, an Omega. You can get a decent watch in that $500-$1000 range. Most of my watches are in that range. But a Hamilton or Tissot or Seiko just isn't going to be special. I'm not sure if you're willing to go preowned, but you might be able to find a middle ground in a preowned Omega or Tudor in the $2-3k range. The watch I own that is my favorite is this Tudor Black Bay Red that goes for about $2,500 preowned. For a new watch that makes a statement under $2k, perhaps a Nomos Tangente. If you just want to get him a decent sporty watch that's as good a watch as you would get for nearer to $1k but at a great value, get him an Orient Mako USA II. I got mine in blue for $262.50 using the code wornandwound. It also comes in black and a pepsi blue-red mix.
I would like to punch you in the face and then give a nice shrug.

 
I'm probably the worst to offer anything here because I have never been one to wear a watch and I'm 50 years old but I was surprised at the thought that people wear watches anymore with everyone having a phone. If I didn't wear a watch before the turn of the century I'm just surprised anyone would wear one in the age of cell phones. 

 
I'm probably the worst to offer anything here because I have never been one to wear a watch and I'm 50 years old but I was surprised at the thought that people wear watches anymore with everyone having a phone. If I didn't wear a watch before the turn of the century I'm just surprised anyone would wear one in the age of cell phones. 
Most people wear them for style or as an accessory vs the utility of it. Which is why some would think it's crazy to spend so much money on what amounts to really awesome craftsmanship/precision of the actual timepiece for what you're wearing as jewelry, but to each their own. 

I used to rotate between 3 or 4 that I'd wear every day, which cost anywhere from $100-$500 because I just liked the way they looked. I got out of the habit though because I'm always walking around the city a lot, I get sweaty, and I didn't like the feel of having something on my wrist at that point. So I'd take my watch off and just leave it on my desk until it was time to leave for the day. Eventually I just stopped wearing them all together.

I still wear them for weddings, interviews, nice dinners, etc. Hell I even wear one with a battery that died a year ago, maybe more. 

 
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Another vote for a Hamilton.  My father gave me one for my 30th and I really enjoy it for more formal occasions.  Really liked the "history" of the Hamilton brand, for a "timeless" gift (pardon the pun). 

A few years back, my wife gifted me a Stuhrling skeleton watch - which is a much lower price point but I really like the looks of, and actually wear more than the Hamilton. 

 
In that price range, maybe a Citizen?

But since you're covering the honeymoon and a good chunk of the wedding, I would suggest this. 

 
Shrugs said:
To really get him a nice watch, a wedding gift from a father watch, it's simply going to cost more than your $500-1k range. To me, that's a Rolex, a Jaeger-LeCoultre, an Omega. You can get a decent watch in that $500-$1000 range. Most of my watches are in that range. But a Hamilton or Tissot or Seiko just isn't going to be special. I'm not sure if you're willing to go preowned, but you might be able to find a middle ground in a preowned Omega or Tudor in the $2-3k range. The watch I own that is my favorite is this Tudor Black Bay Red that goes for about $2,500 preowned. For a new watch that makes a statement under $2k, perhaps a Nomos Tangente. If you just want to get him a decent sporty watch that's as good a watch as you would get for nearer to $1k but at a great value, get him an Orient Mako USA II. I got mine in blue for $262.50 using the code wornandwound. It also comes in black and a pepsi blue-red mix.
really dude LOL

 
The Swatch Group is the largest manufacturer of Swiss watches.  They have a brand hierarchy that ranges from Swatch at the low end to Breguet and Blancpain at the high end.

It wasn't that long ago that you could find Omegas in the sub-$1K range but Swatch has shifted that brand upmarket.  Hamilton, Mido, Certina, Tissot, Rado and Longines are the brands that compete in that price range now.  It's not dissimilar to the old General Motors brands where Buicks and Pontiacs shared common components.  All the mid-range Swatch brands use identical watch movements from their ETA subsidiary.  Even if you step up the ladder to Omega, the base movements are pretty much the same except some will add a complication or coaxial escapement to help justify the cost bump.

There are bigger differences between a $100 watch and a $500 one than between a $500 and $5000 one.

 
The Swatch Group is the largest manufacturer of Swiss watches.  They have a brand hierarchy that ranges from Swatch at the low end to Breguet and Blancpain at the high end.

It wasn't that long ago that you could find Omegas in the sub-$1K range but Swatch has shifted that brand upmarket.  Hamilton, Mido, Certina, Tissot, Rado and Longines are the brands that compete in that price range now.  It's not dissimilar to the old General Motors brands where Buicks and Pontiacs shared common components.  All the mid-range Swatch brands use identical watch movements from their ETA subsidiary.  Even if you step up the ladder to Omega, the base movements are pretty much the same except some will add a complication or coaxial escapement to help justify the cost bump.

There are bigger differences between a $100 watch and a $500 one than between a $500 and $5000 one.
Yeah, but Shrugs said $1000 wasn't good enough. :shrug:

 
Warhogs said:
I'm probably the worst to offer anything here because I have never been one to wear a watch and I'm 50 years old but I was surprised at the thought that people wear watches anymore with everyone having a phone. If I didn't wear a watch before the turn of the century I'm just surprised anyone would wear one in the age of cell phones. 
I have never looked at my watch for the time.  A watch is effectively male jewelry. Admittedly, I wear mine so often because I have to wear a suit daily for work. 

 
The OP's intent is to find a wedding gift that will last a lifetime. I still have the watch my mother gave my dad for their wedding (a 1954 Omega).  It's very small and runs about a minute fast per 24 hours but it's really special to me.

A cellphone or smartwatch will be technically obsolete in a couple of years and unlikely to work at all a generation from now.

 
Don't know if it's mentioned but I have a wood watch that is a conversation starter everywhere I go when I wear it and it's rare that a woman doesn't notice it a say something.

It's a Zebrawood Watch.  Can probably search that a find several.

 
If you wanted to come up a little, I might be able to source you a Tudor - they're the sister company of Rolex, a more affordable option, but they make some nice stuff... Prob looking at an entry level of around $2k for a used one, but a great watch, and at the price point, I think a good value. 

Plus, it will retain it's value better than most things mentioned in here. 

That's just a thought - but the Seiko option above is a good idea in your price range, check out their Prospex line.

 
https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/SRPB51P9

$525, tough to beat this in your price range, IMO. I honestly don't think you're going to find that much of an improvement at $1,000, so I'd say stick to something like this for a better value. 

ETA:

https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/SPB079J1

That's pretty nice with the blue bezel and rubber band too.

ETA2:

Actually, the placement of the crown is kinda annoying on this one.

ETA3:

This is a little deeper into the weeds, but the most coveted release by Rolex this year at Basel is nicknamed the Pepsi, retails for $9k if you can find it, prob selling for closer to $14k when it drops, but this Seiko has a similar look on the bezel https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/SRPB99P9

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-gmt-master-ii-pepsi-steel-126710-blro-new 

 
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LOOK AT ME!!!!!! MY ARM IS LONG ENOUGH FOR FOUR WATCHES!!!!!!!!!!
I remember in 4th grade there was this  cocky kid who would always wear 4 swatch watches on his arm. We ended up getting in a fight on the playground over me busting on him for it.   That pic reminded me of him lol

 
With this budget, Seiko will be the most common watch-insiders recommendation.  Probably already been suggested, but one of the most versatile Seiko models is the SARB033.  It's actually a little under your budget as well.   

 
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With this budget, Seiko will be the most common watch-insiders recommended.  Arguably the most versatile Seiko model that is actually a little under your budget (and it's probably already been posted).  https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless-Casual/dp/B001AE9XRQ
I recommended this on page 1 after Eephus recommended to me a few years back. 

I bought an automatic from there for around $600 and it’s a really nice piece. Even on the watch whinder it only loses about 60 seconds a week and when worn, probably only a few seconds a week. 

My everyday watch is a Victorinox Swiss Army Chronograph i was given in the mid 90s. It has been all over the world with me and still has its original band. I would highly recommend Swiss Army watches for outdoor/sport watches. They are attractive, durable and moderately priced. I have a diver and an infantryman Swiss Army also, the diver being my favorite after I went to a rubber band. 

 
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I recommended this on page 1 after Eephus recommended to me a few years back. 

I bought an automatic from there for around $600 and it’s a really nice piece. Even on the watch whinder it only loses about 60 seconds a week and when worn, probably only a few seconds a week. 
The Seiko SARB017 Alpinist is a classic but unique looking model.  Their Presage line is a more dressy option that is a few hundred dollars above the SARB model andyjayhawker posted above.  The differences between a $400 and $800 Seiko are mostly in fit and finish.  They'll both use the 6R15 movement that's a step above the 4R36 that posts entry level Seiko mechanicals.

Seiko doesn't officially import many of their more expensive models to the US.  They're readily available online but generally without manufacturer warranty.

 
The OP's intent is to find a wedding gift that will last a lifetime. I still have the watch my mother gave my dad for their wedding (a 1954 Omega).  It's very small and runs about a minute fast per 24 hours but it's really special to me.

A cellphone or smartwatch will be technically obsolete in a couple of years and unlikely to work at all a generation from now.
:goodposting:

and everytime you put it on or look at it you think of your dad

 
Warhogs said:
I'm probably the worst to offer anything here because I have never been one to wear a watch and I'm 50 years old but I was surprised at the thought that people wear watches anymore with everyone having a phone. If I didn't wear a watch before the turn of the century I'm just surprised anyone would wear one in the age of cell phones. 
I have a Michael Kors watch that is all black (face, dials, numbers, etc) so once I'm in dim light somewhere it's completely useless to tell time. It looks awesome though!

 
I don't think watches look good, like at all. Maybe something that is a completely blank face, like just the minute and hour hands on it. The numbers and dials and bands all look incredibly dorky to me.

 

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