Community suggestions: First serious watch as a gift
I'm looking to purchase a watch as a gift for my brother-in-law, who is set to take a really big step up in his business. He's not a watch guy, but appreciates cool things, and his tastes to this point have definitely been limited to affordable fashion (Fossil, Diesel, etc.).
We chatted a bit as we looked at my latest pick-up and browsed a few ADs recently, and I was able to figure out the following preferences:
- A real presence on the wrist: his current Fossil is a "dress" watch in design but just gigantic -- must be at least 47mm. He likes that.
- A minimal bezel: he was clear that he didn't like watches with dive or GMT bezels on them, which to him made the dials look small. When I showed him some Breitlings that I thought might appeal to him given the size, he pointed that out immediately.
- A versatile daily wearer that can go from suit to work site: his job takes him from the office to the factory quite often, although no manual labor.
- Overstated will be better than understated: just based on his tastes, I think he'd prefer something interesting/flashy over something subdued/classic.
So what do we think? I'm looking at the sub-$1000 market given it'd be his first serious watch, but am open to any suggestions.
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Tissot PRX
Tissot PRX
I think that's a great choice, but worry that it'll be too small for him at 40mm. Does it wear big?
I think that's a great choice, but worry that it'll be too small for him at 40mm. Does it wear big?
It wraps round the wrist nicely. How big is his wrist? You can educate him that big watches are not cool anymore 😆
Tissot Gentleman?
47mm?! Buy him a big ass Tissot. And any watch that large is never suitable for any situation that requires a shirt with sleeves.
Have a look at the Hamilton Khaki Pioneer Auto (H60515533).
45mm, good movement, 80hrs power reserve, and an absolutely classic design with proper heritage.
Have a look at the Hamilton Khaki Pioneer Auto (H60515533).
45mm, good movement, 80hrs power reserve, and an absolutely classic design with proper heritage.
This is a great recommendation. Looks like it could work on a black strap as well. Tough, but still dressy enough for him. That date window is killing me, though...but definitely an important complication.
47mm?! Buy him a big ass Tissot. And any watch that large is never suitable for any situation that requires a shirt with sleeves.
LOL. I need to get better acquainted with Tissot options.
I agree on suitability -- I think we can find something in the 43-45 range that would be a better fit. Would be a good stepping stone to get him down to 40, which would actual suit his arm size better.
Tissot Gentleman?
Great look, probably too small for his current style beliefs. I'll keep working on him.
It wraps round the wrist nicely. How big is his wrist? You can educate him that big watches are not cool anymore 😆
I'll work on that!
His wrist is not big, so the thing he wears now looks somewhat comical. I do remember when that was on purpose -- Fossil and Diesel especially just went with that -- and I'm pretty sure that's how long he's had the watch. Kudos to the maker for the longevity, I guess.
check out Bulova's website for men's watches. Since your bil is into Fossil/Diesel styles, there are many choices from Bulova under $1000. They wear around 43-45mm.
To echo @papakyoto , how about a Bulova Lunar Pilot, the “other moonwatch.”
https://www.bulova.com/us/en/product/96B258.html
https://www.bulova.com/us/en/product/98A285.html
Cool history, high accuracy quartz (+/- 10 secs per year), and lots of wrist presence at 45mm (too big for me). It’s got a tachymeter scale but it’s under the glass so doesn’t make the dial look smaller (in fact I think it actually makes the dial look huge).
Personally I think 50th anniversary limited edition (linked above) made in titanium with gold accents looks pure class. I’d buy it in a heartbeat if my wrists weren’t so puny.
The Bulova recs from @papakyoto and @s0ckpupp3t are really spot on! I've browsed Bulova showcases at department stores and can even recall thinking they were too big and over-stylized for me -- perfect for the bil. Sufficient history, connection to Citizen is cool, looks match up.
I'll definitely be looking there closely.