70th birthday watch - ideas?
I have a little over a year to find a birthday watch for my father’s 70th. Starting early in case I need to put my name down on any list.
My original idea was to get a datejust because it’s classic and there’s little room for error. But now I’m not sure it will be a good fit.
Here’s what I know about my father’s view on watches:
he wants three hands;
he wants a date window;
his eyesight is not great so the dial must be easy to read;
he likes quartz - he worked in watch repairs in the 80s and is very big on being practical;
he wears seiko and citizen; and
for my first watch, many years ago, he recommended omega.
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Grand Seiko 9F quartz?
https://www.citizenwatch-global.com/the-citizen/lineup/5sec/02.html
Get him something from Citizen’s The Citizen line.
Titanium with surface hardening, solar quartz, accurate to +/- 5sec a year, 100m water resistance, has a nice, classy dress sport watch aesthetic, interesting dials and superb finishing (apparently close to GS levels), decently sized date window.
Given that he likes Omega, I'd also recommend the Omega Seamaster 300, but the 41mm Peter Blake version (for legibility). Model 2264.50
Wrist size?
Despite it not being quartz, IWC Mark XX.
Wrist size?
Can’t say for sure, but I think 40mm would be the max
How about an Orient bambino, comes in a range of colours & styles, 40mm, auto, nice and legible and not too heavy on the wrist?
He actually really likes the solar technology. One of the most practical people I know.
Grand Seiko 9F quartz?
I think a grand seiko quartz is a great idea 👍🏻
Citizen eco drive (any model) and a Timex Easy Reader with Indiglo for night.
Grand Seiko 9F quartz?
What a shout
Can’t say for sure, but I think 40mm would be the max
Not many options left - most of of quartz and solar powered watches is way bigger than 40mm .
GS is the best and very obvious choice.
I think Grand Seiko would fit the mold
Big date and verry legibile dial must be checked. If you want him to use the watch. Power source can be irrelevant, solar or wrist movements or battery quartz. Precision can be irrelevant if he can play whith the watch once a week to set it. If he is a practical person he will apreciate more a big bang for the buck than a bigprice jewel watch. Mido multifort tv big date is my suggestion. For a bigger budget: Bucherer Patravi EvoTec BigDate (Notice how the expansive watch do not have option to match the color of the dial whith the date ring and contrast numbers. Design kill functionality)Or any watch whith a legibile dial and big date...
Maybe the new Bulova Jetstar?
As already mentioned, a Grand Seiko would be the ticket. With so many high accuracy quartz choices available, it should be easy to find something perfect.
Grand Seiko 9F quartz?
100‰
Like this
How about the Tag Hueur Aquaracer Solargraph? It’s a TAG and it is solar powered.
Grand Seiko 9F quartz?
Bingo!
How about Cartier Tank Solarbeat. Solar powered quartz but still has Tank shape but maybe it's a bit small at 34mm. Unfortunately no date and maybe not easy to read. Maybe also check out Longines VHP which has perpetual calendar. Certina and Bulova also do high accuracy quartz.
40mm solar powered with big date window,ceramic case.Very interesting design.
I would go with the datejust. Grand Seiko 9F is superb but could be too sporty