Birthday ideas?

The Pokemon series from Boldr is seriously nice looking. It's around 450 us or 600 Singapore dollars.

There's also Super Mario G Shock.

The Hamilton Khaki Field Auto Titanium was used in Far Cry 6. It’s going to be at the top range pricewise but it’ll be a forever piece.

There's 4 colors in the Pokemon series.

Honestly I'd ask him if he likes something before ordering though.

I mean he'll probably act surprised no matter what you get, but if it's not his style then he'll just be disappointed on the inside.

Other ideas

These are my personal faves. Super comfy and loaded with features. You cold buy both and still be well below your budget.

The G Shock has really soft straps and a great screen.

The Lineage Casio is titanium with sapphire and solar etc.

Not really anime but if he has a favorite color then there might be a matching version of g shock.

https://www.maenwatches.com/

Seiko has a couple anime themed watches, especially in their Seiko 5 line I think.

Nailed it with this suggestion! 👌👌

My first choice would be the Hamilton that @SpecKTator suggested. But, depending on the games/anime he’s into maybe check out some of the themed Seiko 5s (street fighter, One Piece, etc…) Or if he’s into retro games, the Brew Retromatic 8-bit is pretty cool—Perhaps a bit too much of a novelty to be a piece he can grow with though.

You might check out some of the new Seiko 5 Street Fighter releases.

I also am a fan of Japanese anime and culture in general.

And was quite a gamer before fatherhood came along.

I think the Pro Trek PRW-6900YL-5 is the top choice at the 500$ mark.

Field and pilot watches are featured everywhere in action and shooter games such as Farcry, Call of Duty or The Last of Us so if this is the type of games he's into that might be a safe pick. Hamilton, Laco or Baltany watches might fit into your budget.

A liking for japanese culture is also an easy way to get him interested in the magical world of Seiko. I would personally recommend against the video game themed Seiko 5 line that may not age well and look childish past his mid 20s. A first watch should be a timeless, mature GADA in my opinion.

Hamilton or Bulova should provide some good selections in your price range. And as always, Seiko should be on the menu as well.

Brew would be a cool choice I reckon too .

Seiko rowing blazers. Time to adult a bit.

Filthy PC peasants

If he’s into Anime, it’s gotta be the Naruto Seiko series……

I think the question to ask is if your son would wear an anime themed watch as a 22 year old adult?

I would err toward more entry level pieces such as Hamilton or Seiko 5 divers but you know your son best.

Speaking about anime and watches... Perrelet made a God awful hentai watch not too long ago.

For the curious or just for men-of-culture see here

Take him watch shopping and let him pick. You get to remember the experience as well as let him develop his own taste.

what is the name of casio with the green dial? looks great though

I don't see a green one. Could you please screenshot for me.

Have you considered asking him? I mean, not to sound like a prick, if you want a full on surprise I think that’s great, but if you want his input you get the shared experience of shopping with him. See what he may like on a watch and get into it together. Show him some websites. Take him to try a few on at the local Macys or whatever.

Anything from https://www.xeric.com/ ?

Or casio Oceanus T200 or 100.

Or Seiko presage cocktail

Take your pick https://www.serica-watches.com/en/collection-serica-4512/

Citizen Pro-master GMT Titanium

this one please

Sure. I just posted about it a few days ago.

https://www.watchcrunch.com/CitizenKale/posts/moon-phase-for-80-tank-apple-and-regular-42596