Watch recommendation for a gift for my Dad
Back when I was a teenager, I remember my dad saving up his money and buying a preowned Rolex Yacht Master. He worked hard running his business and finally acheived his goal of providing for his family foremost and of course, buying that timepeice. As fate would have it during the recession, my family lost everything. During said time, I was entering college and my father wanted to make sure I had what I needed. He ended up selling his Yacht master to help the family out as well as myself.
Fast foward to today, fifteen years later, I am successful and would love to pay it forward to him for making that sacrifice. Now I cant really go as high as a Yacht Master as it is definitely out of my price range. He wouldnt actually accept a gift that expensive as he lives humbly nowadays anyway.
What would be a comparable watch in the 2-5k range? Even something similar in fashion to a submariner would work. I was thinking a Tudor black bay.
Thoughts?
Finance guy. Has been into motorcycles, cars and now trying to get into watches. Only owned a few watches just because they caught my eye but never a true assortment. I have always wanted to expand my...
Tudor Black Bay would be phenomenal. But, really, I think the fact that you're thinking of him and giving him such a wonderful gift will be the best part. As a dad, whatever gift my kids got for me, I'd love. Heck, if I got this from my kid(s), I would wear the hell out of it!
I am going to give you 3 recommendations, the first a Tudor Pelagos, the second a Breitling Superocean and the third an Oris Aquis caliber 400
Don't rule out Longines, amazing value proposition for affordable $.
GMT Zulu in your price range. Teddy Baldesarre sells them
https://youtu.be/VMsUDGlPSNg?si=Qdv4kkDd6MNEzHPz
Appreciate you sharing this. Good story and I hope he enjoys the watch you choose. Breitling, Longines would be ones to consider.
I would get a Longines Hydroconquest:
Omega SeaMaster
Higher end Seiko Divers:
Omega Aqua Terra
Speedmaster
Another Rolex would be better? I think you can get a Date just for that range used. Tell your father you are going to get that Yacht Master some day, and this would just be placeholder till then.
Tudor is nice and all, but Rolex does have cachet unparalleled by others.
What ever you get it’s a fantastic gesture and he will love it I’m sure
Saying that I’d get something sporty but some elegance like the yacht master and the black bay is far from that some great suggestions above the new superoceans are great value and the Zulu gmt is both sporty and elegant
Pre owned Aqua tera would be my pick but you know what he likes better than us good luck in the hunt
In my personal opinion, an Omega sea master ( any model ) is a good choice. Its robust, classy, great value for its price range,accessible and most importantly available ( just walk into a boutique and purchase one none of this….. “ oh you have to get on a waiting list “ BS ) i and a close friend own one and have never had a bad word to say about it. Oh yeah….. if it’s good enough for Bond……it’s good enough for most people 🤝👍🙏
I am going to give you 3 recommendations, the first a Tudor Pelagos, the second a Breitling Superocean and the third an Oris Aquis caliber 400
Great recommendations👌
Omega SMP or AT,
Tudor Pelagos or BB 58 or BB Pro
I think I would look at some pre-owned oyster perpetuals. Or maybe a nice early 2000s explorer. A good dealer should be able to get you one of these for about $5k. I think returning his “Rolex” even if it isn’t the same model would be an awesome idea. Good luck.
There are many good examples in here. As Steveiemc said above : "What ever you get it’s a fantastic gesture and he will love it I’m sure" but I do not get a warm feeling about the used Rolex. Why give him used watch ?
His Rolex was a dive watch either 40mm or 42mm. I would lean toward a BB 58 which is a 39mm. It is also a dive watch and it has the vintage look and some gold accents that are discrete but nice on the black bezel. The watch will also be under warranty for 5 years and he will be the first owner. I would guess that I am the age of your father and I find this watch very soothing. However, it as no date :(
I would also recommend that you look at the BB Pro which has a date and is a GMT watch. I am mentioning this watch because it has a date but also looks very similar to the Rolex Explorer II Ref.1655. Some say it is too thick but you just need to try it to find out that it is not the case. I also own the BB Pro.
The big IF is the snowflake but you can clear that with him. If you consider some of these watch, show him the 58 or the Pro and tell him you are thinking of getting a new watch for work and you are unsure on the snowflake. Ask him what he thinks of it. And if you show him the 58, just mention that you are not sure on the lack of a date.
Good luck in your selection !
PS. I would not pick a watch with bright colors ... remember he had a Rolex before.
Tudor Black Bay would be phenomenal. But, really, I think the fact that you're thinking of him and giving him such a wonderful gift will be the best part. As a dad, whatever gift my kids got for me, I'd love. Heck, if I got this from my kid(s), I would wear the hell out of it!
That is true. He would appreciate really any watch!
I am going to give you 3 recommendations, the first a Tudor Pelagos, the second a Breitling Superocean and the third an Oris Aquis caliber 400
Superocean is a real contender. I feel like it is the closest.
Appreciate you sharing this. Good story and I hope he enjoys the watch you choose. Breitling, Longines would be ones to consider.
Thank you and I appreciate the recommendations.
Another Rolex would be better? I think you can get a Date just for that range used. Tell your father you are going to get that Yacht Master some day, and this would just be placeholder till then.
Tudor is nice and all, but Rolex does have cachet unparalleled by others.
I have thought about this. I could push it off a year and look toward the Yacht Master. I am not sure if he would like a used Date.
What ever you get it’s a fantastic gesture and he will love it I’m sure
Saying that I’d get something sporty but some elegance like the yacht master and the black bay is far from that some great suggestions above the new superoceans are great value and the Zulu gmt is both sporty and elegant
Pre owned Aqua tera would be my pick but you know what he likes better than us good luck in the hunt
Yeah I am thinking a superocean too. That one is a beautiful piece.
In my personal opinion, an Omega sea master ( any model ) is a good choice. Its robust, classy, great value for its price range,accessible and most importantly available ( just walk into a boutique and purchase one none of this….. “ oh you have to get on a waiting list “ BS ) i and a close friend own one and have never had a bad word to say about it. Oh yeah….. if it’s good enough for Bond……it’s good enough for most people 🤝👍🙏
Omega does have weight like Rolex. I actually havn't messed around with one before. I might check them out as it is a common suggestion here.
I think I would look at some pre-owned oyster perpetuals. Or maybe a nice early 2000s explorer. A good dealer should be able to get you one of these for about $5k. I think returning his “Rolex” even if it isn’t the same model would be an awesome idea. Good luck.
I have thought about this. I just don't know if he would like the oyester. I could maybe wait a year and push for a submariner.
There are many good examples in here. As Steveiemc said above : "What ever you get it’s a fantastic gesture and he will love it I’m sure" but I do not get a warm feeling about the used Rolex. Why give him used watch ?
His Rolex was a dive watch either 40mm or 42mm. I would lean toward a BB 58 which is a 39mm. It is also a dive watch and it has the vintage look and some gold accents that are discrete but nice on the black bezel. The watch will also be under warranty for 5 years and he will be the first owner. I would guess that I am the age of your father and I find this watch very soothing. However, it as no date :(
I would also recommend that you look at the BB Pro which has a date and is a GMT watch. I am mentioning this watch because it has a date but also looks very similar to the Rolex Explorer II Ref.1655. Some say it is too thick but you just need to try it to find out that it is not the case. I also own the BB Pro.
The big IF is the snowflake but you can clear that with him. If you consider some of these watch, show him the 58 or the Pro and tell him you are thinking of getting a new watch for work and you are unsure on the snowflake. Ask him what he thinks of it. And if you show him the 58, just mention that you are not sure on the lack of a date.
Good luck in your selection !
PS. I would not pick a watch with bright colors ... remember he had a Rolex before.
Yeah that is exactly what I am thinking. Buying a used watch probably isnt the play and it would be an Oyester which isnt ideal I think for him. A new watch for new memories really is what I want to do. The BB pro would be cool. I am probably between that the Superocean and an Omega. Yeah he is not a flashy guy. I would want to keep it classy for him.