BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 Decided to buy my nephew a watch for his gap year travels. Something in the 100 to 150 quid range. He's 18, he's travelling so it will see some action. My initial thoughts were Seiko and kinetic or similar. I'm thinking kinetic because then it's power issue free whilst being interesting enough to perhaps give him the watch bug. Or automatic, but I wonder if occasional setting of the time will lead to disinterest! And I don't think it should go much over 41mm as he's got slim wrists like his uncle!! Any thoughts and suggestions would be really helpful. Oh and day, date so in his blurry youthful travels he'll at least know those facts even if he's not sure where he's woken up!! Kinetic...... Automatic...... Automatic diver with atomic lume....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted July 29, 2016 If I was off travelling a G shock tough solar model would be my choice, maybe even one with a radio controlled clock so even if he wakes up in a different country the watch will still show the correct time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted July 29, 2016 Seiko Monster? Pretty much bombproof, not too big. Auto. Can't really go wrong... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,509 Posted July 29, 2016 I like the auto, when I was 18 (actually from 9 to now) I had fascination for mechanical engineering. So I would go for the pilot or diver autos. But mainly depends from his interests and style (I'd not give a diver to someone who likes cuff links and suits for example). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 If I was off travelling a G shock tough solar model would be my choice, maybe even one with a radio controlled clock so even if he wakes up in a different country the watch will still show the correct time That's a great idea. Did think G shock but I'm not a personal fan. Features make it sound pretty amazing and he'd probably love it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markeym3 2 Posted July 29, 2016 Damm .. Seiko do some good looking watches , that Kinetic looks soo nice .. I agree ,, if he has no real interest in auto watches he may not be on the ball with time settings and mechanical sympathy, so maybe quartz is the way, but still with an analogue dial.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haltec 0 Posted July 29, 2016 6309 is for him. Gave him the watch, and around 30 seconds aftetwards show him this link: http://watchopenia.blogspot.hr/2013/11/possible-best-selling-seiko-diver-ever.html?m=1 He will be overwhelmed. Kind regards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 Seiko Monster? Pretty much bombproof, not too big. Auto. Can't really go wrong... This is my favourite, wife doesn't 'get it' but when does that ever stand in the way of watches! I like the auto, when I was 18 (actually from 9 to now) I had fascination for mechanical engineering. So I would go for the pilot or diver autos.But mainly depends from his interests and style (I'd not give a diver to someone who likes cuff links and suits for example). Thanks Gentle, automatic is definitely the real route to getting into watches in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splke 4,395 Posted July 29, 2016 I have the auto you have in the second pic (its my graft watch) it takes all the stick I can through at it and the canvas is really comfy in all conditions even swimming . the kinetic in the first picture looks ace and will keep better time in the long haul he has his phone for accuracy ;o) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 On Greg's monster suggestion this is the one that caught my eye. Guess the question is am I buying him something I like so the gift is my taste and love of watches or am buying him something I think he would choose. I think the former personally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robsterwebb 15 Posted July 29, 2016 On Greg's monster suggestion this is the one that caught my eye. Guess the question is am I buying him something I like so the gift is my taste and love of watches or am buying him something I think he would choose. I think the former personally. That.Is.Lovely! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daywatch 4 Posted July 29, 2016 Interesting thread. To get him into watches one of the suggested Seiko Divers or the SKX007/ 009 is the best imho. Personal favourite as it sits well/small on the wrist, winds and hacks and became the choice of Italian Navy Divers instead of PAMs is the Citizen NY. A lot will depend of his destination (western Nations or backpackers Afrika/South-America) where he just needs something inconspicuous, practical, functional and lightweight. Alarm timer, settable 3min or 11min audible countdown-alarms, hour beep, 2nd time zone, daydate, waterresistant and light source function are invaluable handy companions on the wrist when off the beaten track and cover several essentials, that neither an automatic nor an iphone that You have to look for/grab first/ ran out of power provide. An auto plus a quartz make for an ideal combo imho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 Interesting thread. To get him into watches one of the suggested Seiko Divers or the SKX007/ 009 is the best imho. Personal favourite as it sits well/small on the wrist, winds and hacks and became the choice of Italian Navy Divers instead of PAMs is the Citizen NY. A lot will depend of his destination (western Nations or backpackers Afrika/South-America) where he just needs something inconspicuous, practical, functional and lightweight. Alarm timer, settable 3min or 11min audible countdown-alarms, hour beep, 2nd time zone, daydate, waterresistant and light source function are invaluable handy companions on the wrist when off the beaten track and cover several essentials, that neither an automatic nor an iphone that You have to look for/grab first/ ran out of power provide. An auto plus a quartz make for an ideal combo imho. Thanks Daywatch that's a lot to think about, lots of detail and clearly from experience. I'm 007 owner with a Muphy bezel mod so definitely a fan of both the 007 an 009. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,755 Posted July 29, 2016 Something reletively inconspicuous, that way it won't get purloined when he's high on "ahem" life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 Something reletively inconspicuous, that way it won't get purloined when he's high on "ahem" life If he's anything like his uncle, at that age, then it won't be life he's high on and he'll loose the watch within a week! Luckily he's nothing like his uncle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted July 29, 2016 Something reletively inconspicuous, that way it won't get purloined when he's high on "ahem" life If he's anything like his uncle, at that age, then it won't be life he's high on and he'll loose the watch within a week! Luckily he's nothing like his uncle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daywatch 4 Posted July 29, 2016 inconspicuous and pure functionality: although it might not well "get him into watches" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazzla 23 Posted July 29, 2016 One of these, job done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 29, 2016 One of these, job done. You take a persuasive photograph Mr G. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daywatch 4 Posted July 31, 2016 Gazzla´s 5sports has been like 5 or 6 times on my list already, simple and universal choice. Somehow this thread and a "Back-to-the-Future"-pic made me buy a retro quartz-beater, behold the "Casio-Bond" Worldtimer (not my pic, but it´s the watch), 10 years battery life. Had to pay a whooping EUR 35,- in the EU, it´s better priced ROW. nice review and how to mod: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/digital-appreciation-bond-casio-ae1200-aka-casio-royale-939510.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thrichar 47 Posted July 31, 2016 Coincidentally there's one M2M currently Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carter23 2 Posted July 31, 2016 Im 18 and the one watch that I wear nearly 24/7 is the IWC 3717. On canvas strap its really comfy, and it is at the same standard as a gen imo... very well made Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenjaminButton 149 Posted July 31, 2016 Coincidentally there's one M2M currently A great watch. Now the update from his mum is he wouldn't go for a diver. But this is available over in M2M right now folks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakurai 1 Posted July 31, 2016 Even without Gaz's mouth watering photo, I think that Seiko 5 Safari Style would be just brilliant. Don't worry about him having to re set the time now and then - he'll quickly learn that's simply part of the deal with automatic watches, and it will be more special because of that. All in all many quite worthy watches posted here - another option depending on his style could be a quartz chrono, what actually got me hooked on watches as a 13-year old was an (at the time) really cool Citizen chrono that I got from my grand parents. Still have it, and even though I only rarely wear it nowadays it will always have a special place in my watch boxes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
porschespeedster 19 Posted July 31, 2016 So much should be about what kind of style the kid has? If he's into gaming or fitness, a g-shock or something digital might be his bag. If he's into the latest gadgets maybe a smart watch? I personally would get him an automatic, just because they're cool + if anything's gonna get someone hooked on a watch it will be an auto... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
