The specific search for something for my dad.
Couple years ago, I got my dad his first timepiece that wasn’t a smart watch or a fitness tracker. Nothing special, but I thought it would suit him and his activity level/style/watch needs. Turns out I was wrong. It was this guy:
A Spinnaker Croft, i got for a good deal on a holiday sale. I wanted to get him a GADA, he doesn’t really dress up all that much, so it didn’t need to be that pretty. But a blue stainless steel sports watch with gilded accents, and a rather interesting dial, as well as being hardy enough to swim with, was my thought process. And if he still had it ten years down the road and still wanted it, it wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to service if need be.
I was wrong on a couple fronts. One point my dad conveyed to me was his frustration with having to keep wearing it to keep it running. Oops. I failed to recognize that he would have preferred quartz. Another fail I noticed when he put it on was that he has much smaller wrists than I anticipated. I didn’t measure, but he must have about a 6” or 6.5” wrist at the most and when he put on this 39mm, it kinda looked large and unwieldy on him.
But not to worry, that’s what WatchCrunch is for. I turn to you fellow crunchers, have you got a specific suggestion in mind that might fit these parameters:
Quartz/eco-drive/solar
Somewhat life resistant (100m WR, stainless steel, bracelet if possible)
Smaller than 38mm
Priced below $350
Bonus: GMT function (He has family around the world and I thought he might enjoy the complication, but not a necessity)
I know these are difficult details to ask for in just one watch, but I thought I’d give it a shot and see what you all come up with.
I thought about the Citizen Garrison Titanium, but it’s 42mm, and I think the Citizen Chandler (black tapestry dial) is 44mm.
I thought about the Timex Waterbury GMT:
But it’s 42mm as well.
I’ve been perusing eBay for anything vintage, but to no avail.
Cheers, and happy crunching.
Not the fanciest of collections. Just an amateur enthusiast, with a little interest in some things EDC as well. And tennis. And F1. And nature. And science.
You can check Sakura Japan for Seiko quartz models, they have plenty of size options.
https://www.sakurawatches.com/seiko-selection-solar-limited-model-sbpx147
Seiko SBPX143, 145, 147
Solar quartz, 38mm with 44mm lug to lug, 100m WR and Sapphire crystal.
You can check Sakura Japan for Seiko quartz models, they have plenty of size options.
https://www.sakurawatches.com/seiko-selection-solar-limited-model-sbpx147
Seiko SBPX143, 145, 147
Solar quartz, 38mm with 44mm lug to lug, 100m WR and Sapphire crystal.
Ooo, that’s a contender, thank you!
Ooo, that’s a contender, thank you!
Just go through Sakura, there are plenty of solar models from Seiko and Citizen which are not available outside Japan. Seiko has quite a few size options. Citizen has lot of eco-drive models but the case sizes are on the larger size so have to look through a bit.
If he really likes the one he has already instead of getting him a new watch you could get him an auto winder case to put it in. Just a thought instead of going through the aggravation of finding something else.
If he really likes the one he has already instead of getting him a new watch you could get him an auto winder case to put it in. Just a thought instead of going through the aggravation of finding something else.
I like that idea. Didn’t think of that. The second time I’d consider getting one.
I like that idea. Didn’t think of that. The second time I’d consider getting one.
Agree re winder proposal. Alternative could be PRX quartz but no GMT there
Did you rule out the Timex Q GMT because of the WR?
38mm, quartz, GMT very short lug to lug and steel bracelet
Try the Casio Lineage LIW-M700D-1AJF. A bit finnicky at first but a very good multifunctional watch!
39mm, Sapphire, Tough Solar, 100m WR, Timer, Alarm, Day/Date Calendar, Stopwatch & World Time! It’s also got atomic clock reception in USA, EU, JPN and CHN which means it will be accurate to -1sec every 3 million years in these regions.
Did you rule out the Timex Q GMT because of the WR?
38mm, quartz, GMT very short lug to lug and steel bracelet
I had not considered it until now. Good suggestion. The WR makes me balk a little, but not enough to be disuaded.
Try the Casio Lineage LIW-M700D-1AJF. A bit finnicky at first but a very good multifunctional watch!
39mm, Sapphire, Tough Solar, 100m WR, Timer, Alarm, Day/Date Calendar, Stopwatch & World Time! It’s also got atomic clock reception in USA, EU, JPN and CHN which means it will be accurate to -1sec every 3 million years in these regions.
I thought of getting him something radio controlled as well, but i didn’t want to get him something too busy. He’s one of those people that needs fewer complications in his watch choice, the GMT is pushing it I feel.
I'm actually struggling with similar issues with my father. Fussy as he is he has moved onto quartz watches for convenience and prefers extra large Arabic numbers so he can read it. Bless his 80 yr old soul.
OP have you considered the Tissot PRX in 35mm? I'm told it wears a bit larger due to integrated bracelet Lug2Lug.
One in classic "gold with extra gold" for that retro throwback that I always see men of my father's generation. Otherwise one just in norma steel. 100m WR.
Check out Vaer as they have a good number of 36mm quartz watches in different categories with WR100M. https://www.vaerwatches.com/
If GMT is essential, I second the motion of @Edge168n for the Timex Q GMT.
Check out also the following:
Timex North Field Post 36 TW2V00200 (36mm)
Timex MK1 (not sure if it's 38mm)
Citizen Chandler Field BM8180-03E (37mm)
Bertucci A-1S Field (36mm)
Marathon GPQ (34.5mm)
Boldr Venture Field GMT (38mm)
Timefactors Speedbird GMT PRS-22GMTQ (36mm)
Check out Vaer as they have a good number of 36mm quartz watches in different categories with WR100M. https://www.vaerwatches.com/
If GMT is essential, I second the motion of @Edge168n for the Timex Q GMT.
Check out also the following:
Timex North Field Post 36 TW2V00200 (36mm)
Timex MK1 (not sure if it's 38mm)
Citizen Chandler Field BM8180-03E (37mm)
Bertucci A-1S Field (36mm)
Marathon GPQ (34.5mm)
Boldr Venture Field GMT (38mm)
Timefactors Speedbird GMT PRS-22GMTQ (36mm)
Pare, with the roll of suggestions! Thank you sir, these are awesome. I didn’t consider that Vaer might have something, but their C3 Tradition Black is a great contender.
Pare, with the roll of suggestions! Thank you sir, these are awesome. I didn’t consider that Vaer might have something, but their C3 Tradition Black is a great contender.
Yup, the C3 is handsome with a vintage vibe that perhaps your Dad might like. I do suggest that you show him a good shortlist of options, then let him decide. He will greatly appreciate having the chance to select what he likes. Cheers and advanced congrats to your Dad! 🍻
I'm actually struggling with similar issues with my father. Fussy as he is he has moved onto quartz watches for convenience and prefers extra large Arabic numbers so he can read it. Bless his 80 yr old soul.
OP have you considered the Tissot PRX in 35mm? I'm told it wears a bit larger due to integrated bracelet Lug2Lug.
One in classic "gold with extra gold" for that retro throwback that I always see men of my father's generation. Otherwise one just in norma steel. 100m WR.
I had not considered the PRX, simply because of my own prejudice. I’m not a fan, even thought it’s a cracker of a watch for lots of folks, it never floated my boat. The only thing dissuading me seriously from making it a consideration for my dad is the integrated bracelet, I wanna get him some strap options as well. He’s not a golden oldie kinda senior, so it would be the SS version if at all. Thanks for this suggestion.
Yup, the C3 is handsome with a vintage vibe that perhaps your Dad might like. I do suggest that you show him a good shortlist of options, then let him decide. He will greatly appreciate having the chance to select what he likes. Cheers and advanced congrats to your Dad! 🍻
Oooo, you think showing him some options first instead of just the surprise version? Interesting, maybe I’ll try this.
Oooo, you think showing him some options first instead of just the surprise version? Interesting, maybe I’ll try this.
Just an idea. You know him much better and what will work for him. Either way, he'll definitely appreciate your kindness. 👍🏼