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BLACK FACED WATCH FOR COLLEGE GRAD AND FUTURE BUSINESSMAN?

post #1 of 19
12/30/11 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
I took my 21 year old son watch shopping to get a sense of what watch he might like for a college graduation gift this Spring. The majority of the watches he likes have black faces. At the end of the day we both agreed that the 40mm ,polished stainless steel bezel,Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic with a black face and brown embossed leather strap was a very handsome choice.

Is a black faced watch an appropriate interview watch for a young grad seeking a career in business? Surprisingly, I found the white face Jazzmaster Viewmatic to be flashier and maybe a little pretentious for a "kid". Any thoughts?
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post #2 of 19
12/30/11 at 2:49pm
Normally, I find a white faced watch to be more conservative - but I agree that the white/silver faced Hamiltons are a little flashier and the black ones are more conservative. However, I do think that either will be conservative enough for interviews and the business world.

Bravo to you for making such a timeless choice for a graduation gift. That is a beautiful watch.
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post #3 of 19
12/30/11 at 3:32pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grayland View Post

However, I do think that either will be conservative enough for interviews and the business world.
Bravo to you for making such a timeless choice for a graduation gift. That is a beautiful watch.


Agree totally. When I interview an applicant I am pleased to just see a watch on them, my personal preference is a black face but that is just me. Something I can't seem to get through to my 21 or 24 yr. old sons. Great job.

 

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post #4 of 19
12/30/11 at 3:37pm

For something a little more interesting and priced similarly, check out the Stowa Marine Original, they are made to order in Germany using Swiss movements and have options for arabic or roman numerals, with our without a date, black or white faced, small seconds subdial or center seconds, automatic or hand-wound, etc.  Hamiltons are nice, I even own a few myself but they are somewhat common and even dare I say generic.

 

Here are some results from a Google image search for the Stowa I mentioned:

 

stowa-marine-original-with-roman-numerals_1.jpg

 

 

1244292232-6776.jpg

 

www.stowa.com  

 

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post #5 of 19
12/30/11 at 3:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hand-woven1 View Post

I took my 21 year old son watch shopping to get a sense of what watch he might like for a college graduation gift this Spring. The majority of the watches he likes have black faces. At the end of the day we both agreed that the 40mm ,polished stainless steel bezel,Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic with a black face and brown embossed leather strap was a very handsome choice.
Is a black faced watch an appropriate interview watch for a young grad seeking a career in business? Surprisingly, I found the white face Jazzmaster Viewmatic to be flashier and maybe a little pretentious for a "kid". Any thoughts?

I think it is an excellent choice for a young grad to take to an interview. Classic and understated. My only comment is that depending on what suit and shoes your son is wearing, I might opt for a black leather band as opposed to brown. The standard interview attire is usually a charcoal suit and black shoes, so that is just what I am guessing you and your son had in mind. If not, by all means go for brown.
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post #6 of 19
12/30/11 at 4:17pm

i certainly would stay from the major names. omega, rolex, brietling.  the same rule of thumbs as with a suit.  if he's looking for his first job he shouldn't be wearing a suit that is nicer, more expensive than what the interviewer may even own.  I would stick to a reputable brand but with less name recognition.  Baume mercier, tissot,  so on so forth.  

 

e: ok maybe even those may be recognizable but you get the idea. 

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post #7 of 19
12/30/11 at 7:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnbn75 View Post

 I would stick to a reputable brand but with less name recognition.  Baume mercier, tissot,  so on so forth.

On this note, you can get a MIDO in the same price range as the Hamilton. MIDO makes some excellent watches and is probably the most inexpensive watch with a chronometer certificate you can buy. A nice example is the Baroncelli below (although again I might opt for a black strap):

556
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post #8 of 19
12/30/11 at 8:35pm
Thread Starter 
I love the Stowa and would be happy to give him either of these models but he found them too understated for his age and style sense.
He will be wearing a navy BB Fitzgerald suit and black AE Park Avenues and black belt to his interviews but, I think , given his age, he can get away wearing the brown band with the black face . It's a great looking and unexpected combination.Sorry I haven't learned to post photos.
As this is his first watch I'm not concerned ( nor does he even know)that Hamilton watches could be considered ordinary. I'm currently wearing my father's plain Jane 1938 Hamilton / Illinois high school graduation watch and I consider that extraordinary!
As for a Rolex or Omega, etc. he can buy that himself (and one for me too )when he makes it!
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post #9 of 19
12/31/11 at 3:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hand-woven1 View Post

Is a black faced watch an appropriate interview watch for a young grad seeking a career in business?

Frankly, nobody will give a damn about the face color of his watch!
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post #10 of 19
12/31/11 at 3:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexE View Post

Frankly, nobody will give a damn about the face color of his watch!

...as long as the tongue pads are matching, this seems to be correct.
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post #11 of 19
12/31/11 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzl View Post

...as long as the tongue pads are matching

That, of course, is absolutely crucial.bigstar[1].gif
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post #12 of 19
12/31/11 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexE View Post

Frankly, nobody will give a damn about the face color of his watch!

+1 and IMHO, buying Hamilton watch is like flushing $500 down the toilet. He is not going to keep that watch, and pass it onto his kids, so why bother with something like Hamilton.
Edited by Medwed - 12/31/11 at 12:11pm
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post #13 of 19
12/31/11 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Medwed View Post

+1 and IMHO, buying Hamilton watch is like flashing $500 down the toilet. He is not going to keep that watch, and pass it onto his kids, so why bother with something like Hamilton.

I certainly would. My wife bought me a quartz Bulova when we were married almost 20 years ago. Probably cost less than $75 at the time. I loved it at the time and still do although I don't wear it often as I now have a bunch of watches. There is a sentimental value, though, and I wear it on our anniversary dinner every year. I wouldn't dream of getting rid of that watch and I can't imagine the OP's son getting rid of a Hamilton Jazzmaster that his father gave to him to enter the business world with. I would imagine he'd cherish that watch even if he moved on to bigger and better watches in the future.
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post #14 of 19
12/31/11 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Medwed View Post

+1 and IMHO, buying Hamilton watch is like flushing $500 down the toilet. He is not going to keep that watch, and pass it onto his kids, so why bother with something like Hamilton.

One could say that about any watch other than JLC, Vacheron Constantin, etc. and a $15,000 watch on a 21 year old associate would be ridiculous. At least with a Stowa or Hamilton the kid is being original and didn't waste his money on a mall watch. Those who recognize the brand will give him the nod, and those who don't won't think he is pretentious.

If the OP were to get the Stowa, what would be people's thoughts on the leather? I kind of like the black croc, but is croc appropriate for a formal business setting, i.e. ibanking or accounting?
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post #15 of 19
12/31/11 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Is the Stowa an automatic or manual wind? Its a great looking watch and my son likes it too.
It is substantially more expensive than the Jazzmaster so I would have to search for a used one. No one has talked me out of the Hamilton yet and he likes it! Whether he cherishes it and keeps it a lifetime is up to him ...
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