Becoming a dad, so had to get a watch

So last year my daughter was born. She is our first child and let's just say that it took us a while to get here. I've been a watch nut to various degrees for most of my life, so when my wife got pregnant, I knew I wanted to get a watch to commemorate this momentous occasion. In the best case, a piece that I could transfer to my little one when she grows old enough to appreciate the piece and the legacy that comes with it.

So the hunt began...

I went out looking for

• a potentially unisex watch

• capable of being worn on most occasions

• with the build quality to last decades and prospect of being serviceable 50y or so from now

• A certain appeal that goes with my preferred lifestyle of being outdoors and enjoying nature

• At a price point of up to 1500€, as having a baby is not cheap to begin with...

Easy right?

I have reviewed most brands you come across on platforms like this, popular media and my local watch resellers. I asked for your wisdom, dear crunchers, on at least one occasion and finally landed on a mainstay in this space, one might say.

I'm not going over all the options I looked at, as the wordcount probably wont allow it, but looking at my criteria, I landed on the Seiko Alpinist line because:

• It as very wearable dimensions of 38mm diameter, a thickness of roughly 12mm and a lug to lug distance of roughly 45mm

• On the bracelet especially, it qualifies as a GADA watch, with 200m water resistance, a screw down crown and Sapphire crystal

• It has a very common and sturdy 6R35 movement. Knowing Seiko, those will be around for decades to come and chances are someone will be able to fix it 50y from now if necessary

• It is an Alpinist watch, so outdoorsy style is in the name quite literally

• At 750€ retail it is will within my price range, and I even managed a bit of a discount.

Next to the objective criteria above, the Alpinist line had always been very appealing to me. The style and heritage going back to the Laurel 14041 is very cool to me. I like the esthetic and have always wanted to try a Seiko watch. The SPB243 came closest to the original in my mind, given my financial constraints.

Finally the Laurel name is closely linked to my daughters name, which in the end was the deciding factor in choosing this watch to commemorate her birth and the joy I feel from having her in our lives.

Of course, chances are she doesn't care about the watch or watches in general when she grows up, but for me it will always be a special thing and wearing it already brings me more joy than just a pretty watch!

Thanks for reading!