The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[Soletrane]

I think Rolex is the perfect choice for this delayed gifting scenario. First, Rolex is not an esoteric watch enthusiast brand so it will have significance even to your daughter even if she is not "into" watches. Second, Rolex watches evolve glacially slow in terms of styling so twenty years from now today's Rolex is likely to look stylish and not outdated.

If I was to go this route today, I would probably not wear the watch but keep it pristine for all those years in a safety deposit box. I think it would be very unusual and cool to hand my daughter a brand new watch from her birth year and let her be the first wearer. It also allows me to buy a smaller ladies model - which I would not want to wear for two decades.

The other reason I would go this route is that - like most watch lovers - I will likely not wear a single watch so extensively or for so long that my child would strongly associate it with me. Not in the way at least I associate my father's 1966 Omega with him as he wore it for 30 years straight until he went to a quartz Movado.

 

[mimo]

Just a thought, but to give yourself more likely selection options, why not buy your wife a nice Cartier (or Rolex, or whatever) that she can "be caretaker of" for the next 21 years? After all, you didn't do ****.

Also, congratulations, and welcome to your new life!

 

[Dino944]

I had something of an odd thought recently and since I can imagine no better group of individuals to share it with, here it is:

3 weeks ago, my wife and I had a daughter, two months premature. Everyone is at home now and doing great, thankfully, so I have some time to breathe. ... For whatever reason, Rolex has been in my mind's eye when I have been thinking about this idea, but I am not sure why.

So, thoughts?

P.S. I am slightly delirious at the moment from lack of sleep, so if the above makes no sense or is unreadable, please forgive me...

Congrats on the new addition to the family. It's rather common to hear of fathers buying watches to mark the occasion of sons being born, and to pass them on to their sons at a certain age. Just a thought, but if you are buying a watch for yourself for her to wear in 18-21 years...don't go with something too large...maybe stick to something basic like a 36 mm Oyster Perpetual. While women are wearing large watches these days, 18 -21 years from now they may be wearing smaller, more modestly sized watches. In addition, if your daughter ends up being very petite, she may find something larger like a Sub, GMT, Daytona etc...too large for her to comfortably wear. The other thought, might be that you buy a watch for your wife to wear for the next 18-21 years as it will most likely be something a bit more feminine in taste and size. Anyway, just some food for thought. Congrats again

 

[tifosi]

I think Rolex is the perfect choice for this delayed gifting scenario. First, Rolex is not an esoteric watch enthusiast brand so it will have significance even to your daughter even if she is not "into" watches. Second, Rolex watches evolve glacially slow in terms of styling so twenty years from now today's Rolex is likely to look stylish and not outdated.

If I was to go this route today, I would probably not wear the watch but keep it pristine for all those years in a safety deposit box. I think it would be very unusual and cool to hand my daughter a brand new watch from her birth year and let her be the first wearer. It also allows me to buy a smaller ladies model - which I would not want to wear for two decades.

The other reason I would go this route is that - like most watch lovers - I will likely not wear a single watch so extensively or for so long that my child would strongly associate it with me. Not in the way at least I associate my father's 1966 Omega with him as he wore it for 30 years straight until he went to a quartz Movado.

I agree that Rolex is the perfect choice for this scenario.

I don't agree with keeping it in the safe until she is 18. Might as well just wait and buy a watch in 18 years if that is the case. It'll be same thing. With today's serial numbers you can't accurately date a Rolex anymore. (Actually you never really could until forums came along and we all started guessing).

I kinda think the whole point is for his daughter to associate the watch with her father. Otherwise, taking her out and buying a watch on her 18th birthday will be far better than keeping a watch in a safe for 18 years.

Get something like a 36mm Datejust or OP and it'll for sure be suitable for a woman in 18 years. Not so sure if you choose to get a Sub or GMT or something overly sporty.

 

[Dino944]

Just a thought, but to give yourself more likely selection options, why not buy your wife a nice Cartier (or Rolex, or whatever) that she can "be caretaker of" for the next 21 years?

Definitely consider something from Cartier. Women really seem to gravitate to that brand. My wife is a big Rolex fan, but she really loves her Cartier Tank Francaise.

...
Get something like a 36mm Datejust or OP and it'll for sure be suitable for a woman in 18 years. Not so sure if you choose to get a Sub or GMT or something overly sporty.

+1

 

[tifosi]

Definitely consider something from Cartier. Women really seem to gravitate to that brand. My wife is a big Rolex fan, but she really loves her Cartier Tank Francaise.

+1. That is the Cartier my wife wants as well.

 

[bdavro23]

Just a thought, but to give yourself more likely selection options, why not buy your wife a nice Cartier (or Rolex, or whatever) that she can "be caretaker of" for the next 21 years? After all, you didn't do ****.

Also, congratulations, and welcome to your new life!

Definitely consider something from Cartier. Women really seem to gravitate to that brand. My wife is a big Rolex fan, but she really loves her Cartier Tank Francaise.

+1

+1. That is the Cartier my wife wants as well.

My wife got a gold Cartier tank for xmas this year, so clearly great minds (or smart husbands at least) think alike Besides, my wife and daughter will have plenty of things they can share over the years, but this is for me.

I am thinking of doing a 36 or 38 DateJust in steel with the fluted white gold bezel and black face. One the one hand, giving her an unworn Rolex from her birth year and telling her that story would be nice, I really like the idea of being the caretaker of her watch over the years and having her associate it with me. She would have no idea it was hers until I presented it to her and I like the notion of having that secret with me when wearing the watch.

Ok, decision made, almost. Any arguments for doing something other than the fluted DateJust? Did I hear someone say steel Daytona with white dial?

 

[Dino944]

+1. That is the Cartier my wife wants as well.

Your wife has excellent taste! My wife has a Datejust in rose gold and steel, but she loves her Tank Francaise and wears it far more often. I got it for her as a birthday gift about 12+ years ago. I think I mentioned this, but she became a big anti quartz snob from hearing about watches, and even though I own an Oysterquartz, she won't consider a quartz watch for herself. So I got her the large auto TF. Although, by today's standard's its not very large. Cheers!

 

[mimo]

@bdavro23 , great minds indeed!

It's hard to say what fashions will be like 21 years from now, but I think a reasonable bet that a Rolex will still be a Rolex. The Daytona now would work awesomely well as a lady's watch, but I think perhaps you're safer with a standard 36mm OP or DJ. Actually, I'd choose the former simply on the basis of its subtlety. The more simple something is, the better it is likely to stand the test of time. Sure, the DJ is a classic, but the cyclops could one day be as divisive as it's iconic. The same goes for the fluted bezel - plus that white gold will show a lot more wear if it gets real man use! I think you're probably safe with your thought, but I'd go OP with a silver dial perhaps? The two tone DJ might be a nice option for not much more money, but again they're love or hate in the longer term.

One other thing that might help this work: if you were to get a OP or DJ, you'll presumably wear it on its nice manly Oyster bracelet (or Jubilee, if that's your steez). When you give it to Miss Davro, switching it for a new green/brown/blue/her favourite colour croc strap will give it a special flavour that can be purely hers - and the bracelet's always there if she wants. I like this idea.

 

[bdavro23]

@bdavro23 , great minds indeed!

It's hard to say what fashions will be like 21 years from now, but I think a reasonable bet that a Rolex will still be a Rolex. The Daytona now would work awesomely well as a lady's watch, but I think perhaps you're safer with a standard 36mm OP or DJ. Actually, I'd choose the former simply on the basis of its subtlety. The more simple something is, the better it is likely to stand the test of time. Sure, the DJ is a classic, but the cyclops could one day be as divisive as it's iconic. The same goes for the fluted bezel - plus that white gold will show a lot more wear if it gets real man use! I think you're probably safe with your thought, but I'd go OP with a silver dial perhaps? The two tone DJ might be a nice option for not much more money, but again they're love or hate in the longer term.

One other thing that might help this work: if you were to get a OP or DJ, you'll presumably wear it on its nice manly Oyster bracelet (or Jubilee, if that's your steez). When you give it to Miss Davro, switching it for a new green/brown/blue/her favourite colour croc strap will give it a special flavour that can be purely hers - and the bracelet's always there if she wants. I like this idea.

My wife would immediately veto the two tone idea. She loves yellow gold and I would love a president or 18k DateJust for me, but I think that would be a very hard sell for this gifting idea of mine...

On the other hand, I like the idea of adding a Croc strap when the time comes. Thanks to everyone for their input and feedback!

 

[Monty L]

Made my first jump into the deeper end of the pool after being a movado/shinola wearer for some time.

Omega AT 8500 co axial 38.5 just arrived. Apologies for crummy pics. Will post it on wrist after sizing

 

[Cleav]

Congratulations Monty

 

[jbarwick]

Saw this recent discussion involving Hodinkee selling a Speedy Franken-watch according to some redditors. Hodinkee steps in to defend their position on the watch. It is an interesting read.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/4di50m/hodinkee_hodinkees_shop_sold_a_mislabeled/

 

[tigerpac]

Quote:
So many of the commentators are desperately trying to show how smart they are. These things are bound to happen and the explanation is reasonable.

 

[Soletrane]

There's a certain logic about Mimo's suggestion about buying a watch for the mother hand down to a daughter. This seems the natural line of succession, the mother's significant role is also celebrated, and in theory, and it circumvents some of the mens/ladies watch decision-making. Though I realize it robs the watch enthusiast the pleasure/"excuse" of getting to buy a new watch to wear! ;-)

In response to Tifosi's fair comments. I still like the safety box idea (for me) - the serial number provenance issue would only be an issue for a rabid watch enthusiast (which I am thinking an 18/21 yo woman would not be - at least in that sort of sense). The key thing is the watch WAS bought the year of the child's birth and she would know this. This is all that matters. There's plenty of opportunity to hand down our well worn watches to our children when we pass from this Earth. However, for a young lady, I think it's nice to give my daughter a watch that has the benefit of being commemorative but yet pristine, imho. The notion of this beautiful watch sitting there waiting for two decades for the eventual owner is not a notion without some romantic appeal to a young woman, I would think.