@thumper1 I mentioned early on in the thread that I was planning it as a keepsake, something he would wear when he dresses up, not necessarily something he’d wear everyday. I asked the question originally though because I wondered if young men even wear watches at all anymore (outside of Apple watches or exercise/Garmin type watches). Meaning, for young men out in the workforce who have to dress professionally, I.e suit or sport coat/tie, do those guys still wear nicer watches? Or, for those who may dress business casual to work, do they wear a nice watch when they do put on a suit for special occasions? I just wasn’t sure if the younger generation even really considers them anymore.
His birthday was yesterday but we arent celebrating until tonight b/c he had a track meet last night. Poor kid had three tests yesterday; he only has four classes as they are on a semester/block schedule. Classes resumed on Thursday, three tests yesterday, then final exams next week. That plus the track meet and said his birthday basically sucked. ?
I finally just put the question to him this morning. He said yes, he would like a nice watch, even if it wasn’t something he would wear every day. I asked if he would prefer to pick it out and he said “sure” though he’s the type that would value dh and my opinion and I think he’d like the one I had been eyeing. Dh is also getting a couple of private lessons with a golf pro.
Lots of great suggestions tho-buying stock is a great idea! He can only work in the summers due to his sports schedule, so Roth IRA wouldn’t work for him now. Actually, at this point he’d probably appreciate money as a gift. He may not be able to work much this summer as he is most likely going to be playing a fall sport in college which means heading to college early. I should remind him of this as he depletes his savings account of last summer’s earnings!
I guess I have an old-fashioned kid. Has worn a wristwatch since high school, and I do not expect that to change. Swiss Army chronograph is the current favorite. Same brand, although not same model, as mine – which I prefer to the keepsake Rolex my dad gave me when I graduated from law school in 1977. It’s still around, but I wear it only when the battery in the other dies and I’m waiting for a change to replace it.
I think that’s a great gift idea. I didn’t wear watches in high school but had a Fitbit when going to the gym just so I could have the time for workouts. In college I’ve been wearing a Tissot that I really like. Quite a few people at school are wearing watches. I’ve seen anywhere from Apple Watches and Seikos to a handful of kid wearing Rolex and Omega. It’s a thoughtful gift that can mark some major life milestones.
OP- looks like you have your answer- from your son.
Post #46. I disagree heartily about what anyone, man or woman, SHOULD have. It totally depends on the individual, not at all what even 99% of the population has. My experience with my son is that he does not need a dress wardrobe unless you consider a woven shirt instead of a knit t-shirt dressy. No need to look like a businessmen for everyone, especially those using their minds.
My son must be a throwback then . He loves to wear watches - we only had inexpensive ones thus far since he tends to “lose” them. He got a watch as an award in school - with the school logo, engraved with the award info and year at the back - looked very elegant. Of course, lost it within the year . I got him a replacement watch (without the engraving) this xmas. He also loves tie-clips and by now, has a collection (thanks to mom!).
He did get cufflinks from a friend this xmas, but has to get a shirt to be able to use them!
We are thinking of getting him a nice dress watch for his 21st birthday later this year. Any suggestions on brands? Not the 39000$ kind - perhaps something under 2000$?
@arisamp The Oris Aquis Date runs $1600 or so. It’s a great Swiss diver. Tag Huer has quartz versions of the aqua racer for about $1600 too but at that point you’re only paying for the name since it should really be an automatic movement at that price range. Under 2,000 Tissot, Hamilton, and Seiko are good bets as well. At that price range I’m personally inclined to Tissot. The Tissot PR100 Powermatic 80 is an understated Swiss made dress watch with an 80 hour power reserve which is unheard of in watches below 4K. You can pick one up for about 895 brand new.
I would recommend letting him choose – within your budget, of course. My father did that and I will be always be grateful because I liked and chose what would have been his third or fourth choice.
I think a nice watch is a great gift and something that should last a lifetime. Both of my sons graduated last year - one from HS and the other from college. H and I decided to give them the same watch - a limited edition automatic diving watch that was quite pricey. As a surprise, I also bought one for H, so all three have the same watch, and they really enjoy wearing it at the same time when together.
S1 wears his a lot - not really to work, but when he goes out and dresses up a bit. He was annoyed that stops if he didn’t wear it for a few days, so we gave him a winder for Christmas. He absolutely did not want a class ring even though I tried to push one on him.
S2 would wear his, but we told him that he shouldn’t take it to school, so he wears it when at home for special occasions.
H has several nice watches and enjoys wearing them when we go out, although he wears an Apple watch most days.
It varies tremendously depending on the person. I used to wear watches for functional reasons when I was a kid, but no longer wear watches. With smart phones and spending much of waking hours near a computer or programmable remote, I know longer need a special device to tell the time, and I have more powerful functional features in my phone than I ever previously had in a watch. However, wearing watches for stylistic reasons is a different story. I’m not into style and wouldn’t wear a watch for style, but I know a minority of younger males who do wear watches for this reason… often the types that are into wearing business style attire. Surveys have found a similar pattern.
I’d suggest something that is meaningful and personal to him, focusing on his unique interests and/or your unique common history, rather than a generic popular gift for typical 18 y/0 males.
What do people who don’t wear watches do when sitting through a boring theater production or business meeting? It would be very obvious, especially in a dark theater, to pull out one’s phone to check the time. At least with a watch one can discreetly look down to see how much longer one must suffer. lol
Certainly handy to have a watch to check the time. But rooms do still have clocks as do laptops, tablets, etc. which you are often in front of at a business meeting.
My 30 years old son still wears the watch I got him when he was in a middle school. He really likes it. I believe I paid $60 at the time. He already paid more in repairs but refuses to get a new one and has plans to keep on repairing this one whatever it takes.
My observation: most kids in my son’s generation use their phones to tell time but many now have Apple watches. They are techie sorts of kids. Many don’t really read analog watches.
I have a nephew a few years older who was an investment banker in London and he and his friends often wear luxury watches. This is likely about conspicuous consumption.
. He loves to wear watches - we only had inexpensive ones thus far since he tends to “lose” them. He got a watch as an award in school - with the school logo, engraved with the award info and year at the back - looked very elegant. Of course, lost it within the year 
. I got him a replacement watch (without the engraving) this xmas. He also loves tie-clips and by now, has a collection (thanks to mom!).