<p>Well, NJres, As I said earlier, some kids still like a nice watch as a graduation gift. My son got a Tissot watch at his May graduation from his Aunt (not expensive like a Rolex or Tag or Omega, etc.) , loved it and wears it. It is not an “outdated” graduation gift for the right person. It is a classic gift for a reason.</p>
<p>Moderately surprised this ended up being such a controversial topic, but anyway…I don’t think a nice watch is necessarily an “outdated” birthday/graduation gift. I myself wear a watch every day, and know many others who do as well. I have a beautiful Michael Kors watch that my grandpa gave me for my birthday a few years ago (in the $100 range, though, not a true luxury watch). I would love to have some of the watches in this thread! Incidentally, my watch needs a new battery right now, so I haven’t worn it the last few days…my wrist feels naked without it :)</p>
<p>Bay, I posted to try to help explain what I thought Bus was trying to say to PG. My post was after, not before their original discussion.</p>
<p>Typical dress in different areas can be different. What is appropriate in one area isn’t always top choice in another. That is all. And, as I said before, it doesn’t mean PG shouldn’t get her children what she wants to get them.</p>
<p>Why yes, the watch is just under $38,000, which is more than the value of the four cars we own combined. They have other less expensive ones online and at the stores. ;)</p>
<p>Here is the link for anyone interested. </p>
<p><a href=“http://m.costco.com/Cartier-Tank-Anglaise-Unisex-Watch.product.100021652.html[/url]”>http://m.costco.com/Cartier-Tank-Anglaise-Unisex-Watch.product.100021652.html</a></p>
<p>The mere fact this post:</p>
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<p>generates multiple reactions along the lines of:</p>
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<p>should be a clue that whatever innocent/positive intention one had…the actual execution of the communicated message in the first post has some serious issues…such as possible tone deafness about potentially casting aspersions on SES and/or personal taste grounds or supposed lack thereof. </p>
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<p>ROTFLOL. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I’ve encountered quite a few folks of the latter variety. Worse, the ones I’ve met all seem to feel entitled to ask others for “loans” or “subsidies” to indulge those “tastes”. </p>
<p>While I’m all for others exercising their rights to exercise their rights to personal tastes, it doesn’t entitle one to allow their tastes/pronouncements of superiority on its basis to pass without comment or criticism. </p>
<p>Especially when the person exercising tastes/making such pronouncements already such commentary/criticisms of others’ tastes or the supposed lack thereof. Free speech…after all. :)</p>
<p>cobrat - you don’t wear a watch, right? Do you really have something to add here?</p>
<p>The two watches I currently wear the most often are brands “Relic” and “Deauville.” The latter was inherited from my MIL, and still keeps decent time. Both are quartz, not self-winding. D only likes digital time and doesn’t appreciate analog timepieces. </p>
<p>The watch our S purchased for himself is a classic analog timepiece but I don’t know the brand. I have mostly had Seikos, Timexes and Casios, because I break and lose my watches.</p>
<p>My parents got me a Swiss Army watch back when I was younger, and I absolutely loved it. That was, until, we found out I had a nickel allergy.</p>
<p>So, for graduation, they got me a nice (probably $100-range) watch. I thought it was really nice, perfectly fit my taste, but then I found out my wrist sweats profusely whenever I wear it, so now it’s only for formal occasions when I feel I need to “dress up.” It’s a shame, because I would love to have something simple like a comfortable watch to wear every day.</p>
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<p>Deborah T - I think you are exactly right. Alison Lurie, The Language of Clothes, writes about a journalist who changes his dress style, including watch, depending on geography and the individual he is interviewing.</p>
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<p>busdriver: I think you may be correct most people don’t notice or care. However, in some environments - it matters.</p>
<p>The OP did not ask if anyone thought she should get her kids a watch. She’s decided to do so and was seeking input about specific brands. Why do people feel the need to try to discourage her? Surely she knows her kids well enough to know what they would like or dislike. And it’s absolutely not true that young people do not wear watches. Of course many don’t, but many isn’t everyone. </p>
<p>I have a lovely Bedat given to me by DH for an anniversary, a casual Ebel, and an inexpensive, kind of hokey looking nursing watch. Also have a Seiko which I like. I never thought of myself as a watch person, but I do indeed miss it if I’m not wearing it. All of my watches have been quite dependable, but service on the Bedat was ridiculously expensive, I thought. Something to consider when choosing a brand, I guess.</p>
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<p>Answered in earlier post. Look it up.</p>
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<p>Wow…just…wow. Why in the world would you feel the need to say this to the OP? I am astounded at this post.</p>
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<p>It’s also a useful accessory if one wants to know what time it is without digging into one’s purse or pocket. At my workplace, we are not allowed to have our cellphones out in view, so a watch really comes in very handy (for knowing the time as well as documenting vital signs), and has nothing to do with trying to play to “appearance conscious ‘pointy-haired bosses.’”</p>
<p>Apologies in advance for this being mostly off topic. I’m trying to help. </p>
<p>I used to do a particular kind of art that took me over to another area to use the equipment. How I loved what I was doing! Anyhow, not originally from this greater metropolitan area I only knew so much about the different cities, parts of towns, here. I found out after a while that where this facility is located a lot of crime occurs. One of the female artists went out and broke up a fight or mugging that was underway right outside the pullup door to the room where we were working. Crime and violence does occur there.*</p>
<p>This is the kind of thing that came to mind for me when I was reading the interaction between the OP and a couple of other posters as for why you might think twice about what actions you take or what you put on depending on where you go. For what it’s worth I’m not really sure what jewelry anyone does or does not wear in that spot. I never looked that carefully. 
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<p>Hope this helps.</p>
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<li>P.S. That’s not why I stopped doing the art I was doing there. It was for a totally unrelated reason.</li>
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<p>“The OP did not ask if anyone thought she should get her kids a watch. She’s decided to do so and was seeking input about specific brands. Why do people feel the need to try to discourage her?”</p>
<p>Two reasons. First, some might think the only reason to post this subject on a college forum where few people can actually advise (aside from commenting about appreciating a beloved watch, or not using theirs), is purely as another form of boasting. Even some who may be very wealthy and own a number of fine watches might cringe a bit. Certainly one could find far more useful information on ratings sites and from professional jewelers. </p>
<p>Second, it seems very probable to me that a woman might want to choose what she will be expected to wear for decades to come. While a person might cherish an heirloom from a grandparent, or the parent might get lucky choosing something that the child loves…I suggest asking the child this, “If Aunt Gertrude was going to get you a very expensive piece of jewelry that you will wear for decades to come, (and we all know that she has an elegant and understated personal style)…would you like her to pick it out for you, or would you care to choose it?” Very low odds that Aunt Gertrude will be the winner.</p>
<p>Deborah, you are very sweet, you know?</p>
<p>And you are absolutely right. You have to be careful, most anywhere you go. I would hate my child or myself to be a target. I have known too many people to be accosted in broad daylight, in areas that they thought were safe.</p>
<p>Back to the topic at hand, my husband surprised me with a ss/gold Rolex about 20 years ago and I have worn it almost daily ever since. I’ve worn it to nice lunches, the gym, the pool and basically anywhere I’m going during the daytime or casual evening events. I never wear it to dressy evening activities though; the style seems too sporty/casual for that although I’m sure no one else would be bothered. I seem to remember Miss Manners saying a lady doesn’t need a watch in the evening.</p>
<p>My only reservation about Rolex is the very pricey maintenance it seems to need every 5 to 7 years. Also, I happened to drop mine last fall, breaking it and the repair cost was in the $1k range. I feel sick every time I think about that.</p>
<p>I have a particular passion for watches and jewelry. I’m not really all that worried about certain things on message boards. I would discuss things here I wouldn’t discuss at dinner with friends.</p>
<p>If I couldn’t discuss things here I wouldn’t discuss at dinner with friends, I wouldn’t bother to be here. I have plenty of dinners with friends. Also, my friends know what watches I have and what I wear, and what my kids drive and all the rest of it. So, what difference would that make?</p>
<p>It’s odd to me that on a message board where people discuss investments and speculation, one could not also discuss a watch.</p>
<p>Some people love cars. Some spend on tech. Some are very spendy on colleges. Some like vacations and travel. Some people here run marathons. Some this that the other thing. </p>
<p>My daughter, who works in design, has had reason to visit the west coast for work and hasn’t felt her clothing out of place. She loves living in Canada. In Canada, people dress very well.</p>
<p>Honestly, how much does a MAC cost? And how long does it last?</p>
<p>How much is an Ipad? I seriously have no idea.</p>
<p>Ah, poetgrl, I personally have no objection to people discussing any subject they like on a message board. People should say whatever they choose. But there are things that make me wrinkle my nose, like starting a thread to supposedly discuss things, as a thinly veiled vehicle to brag. I definitely don’t think that is why the investment thread was started. I should stop commenting anyways, because my comments are definitely not adding anything useful to the conversation.</p>
<p>Then again, with your proclivity towards crumb cake, I must say we definitely disagree upon what is tasteful. Tasty, I mean.</p>
<p>Or an Asus? I’ve just been informed back channel that my tech know how isn’t what it is with the watches. Not surprised.</p>
<p>I love watches. I stand by it. I also love art. I will spend hours in a good art museum. I find the art in this. Also poetry, theater and music. </p>
<p>If I average the cost of my watches over the life of how long I’ve had them, I don’t think it turns out to be all that much per year. I wear one every day.</p>
<p>Also, on occasion a crumb cake. Not that I would list that as a favorite.</p>