Our son's 21st is looming, and we'd love to give him a memorable present. He's a good kid, very chilled and doesn't want for much, which is great. The only thing he 'really' would get excited about is a Triumph Speed Triple to replace his Bandit! But too expensive for us.
So my dad has an Omega watch, Mrs A got me one for my 40th which I love. So I thought this would be a appropriate gift, something lasting and appreciating with a bit of a family story. Had a quick Google and my watch (2nd hand then) has more than tripled, and looks like they're c.£1000+.
I like the idea, but at that price which is a big stretch, my son would need to fall in love with it.
Any other age appropriate watch brands that have that 'exclusive' feel. He likes looking smart, but isn't fascinated by watches.
The other idea we have is an 'experience'...so far, parachute jump or track day. Both are fun but probably not a lasting memory.
Any other suggestions?
Ceramic poppy.
yeah, prices for luxury watches have skyrocketed - they are now an asset class, so price is no longer tethered to reality.
1. Coke
2. Hookers
Or Hake and Cookers - Sea fishing followed by cookery course
Hmmm, bit old for a powerkite. Aeropress?
I asked for a 21 year old bottle of whiskey. I found out I don't really like whiskey so now have a 35 year old bottle.
When it comes to memorable watches I think you need to have hidden it up your bum for it to count.
I have both and I reckon you would get an early Street Triple for the price of an Omega 🙂
I also know someone who is selling a really nice one 🙂 (Not me)
Similarly I was given an IWC for my 21st, I don't wear it much, but its very much my prized possession.
I would check very carefully if this is something he would appreciate though. my feeling is that watches are very much less of the thing now.
That being said maybe have a look at Oris or Christopher Ward watches, superb quality and the prices are a little behind the more in your face brands
You'd have to decide if that's the sort of thing he'd really appreciate. My parents bought me a nice (by our standards) watch when I was 21, I didn't really wear it and it's now in a drawer - I can't imagine wearing it any more now I always use my phone to tell the time. Shame, but I just don't need it and it's more bother to wear than it's worth.
It might work as an investment for that kind of money tho. But even then - if I didn't care about watches and my parents spent all that dough on one I might be quite upset that they didn't really get me.
Triumph Speed Triple
Good choice! How about a track day?
EDIT: missed that bit in your original post, but if he likes bikes then should be a hoot. I keep meaning to do one.
My folks got me an electric guitar (Squire - respectable Fender knock off) and a wee Marshall Amp. Was an excellent gift, still have it even though rarely play, and wife got me an acoustic Fender for my 30th, so a nice continuation there...
If he hasn't shown much interest in watches, then I reckon there's a chance it wont get used.
Lots of people, including me, have never understood people's fascination with owning them.
I got a toolbox full of quality woodworking handtools - most of which I still use today (26 years later)
My mum got me a St Christopher. Never wear it, took it with me round the world, still got it.
Quite how she knew I'd be a fan of down market pubs/upmarket hostels I'll never know. ;P
Oris and CW are good shouts, or a nice Seiko.
Thanks all...I'm not 100% sure watches have the same significance for the younger generation, and/or my son. Bug I'm reasonably sure he'd warm to it over time. And I'll check the alternative brands...but part of the appeal of Omega would be family tradition.
Bazzer, gently interested in a nice ST...any details.
Also, is a 21st still a big deal these days?
Now I'll admit I'm a bit of a watch lover (not snob ☺️, as I've got a few cheap plastic ones, as well as cheapo auto mexhanical ones).
I think an omega woyld be an ace present, but the seamaster (which i have) is now about £4k..
I DO wear mine most of the time, bar gym, running, or MTB stuff...
It's only going to apprexiate in value i suspect.
Plus, it'll last.
Plus, you and your dad have one, so that brand makes sense.
I guess cost is the only issue...
DrP
I'd not so much be thinking of how he'll look at it now but how he he'll look at it 25 years from now or 50 years from now. Pretty sure it'll mean a lot to him then.
I have/had nice watches, I wear my fenix every day as I want the data to dress watches are never worn
I have two boys, a while to go yet, but unless they are mechanically inept I will be looking to buy them some very nice tools which will last them. Something like a proper socket set, or useful for DIY projects
I asked for a 21 year old bottle of whiskey. I found out I don’t really like whiskey so now have a 35 year old bottle.
I got a 21yo bottle of Port Ellen on my 21st. I now have a 38yo bottle of Port Ellen.
Can't help on the watch thing. The only one I want is £4.5k which is more than my car is worth.
Its actually my old one that my mate has had for years now. Its a 2009 R model but has K-tech forks, nitron rear shock, carbon wheels, giamoto rearsets etc etc
He was planning on putting it back to standard to sell it, but he would obviously do a deal with the trick parts if someone wanted them.
He is meticulous at looking after things and it looks great still.
PM me and I will put you in contact.
binners
Subscriber
1. Coke
2. Hookers
bazzer
Member
I have both
Lucky boy!
Aus, I would suggest looking at Ian Blowers, Parkers and Goldsmiths for pre-owned Omega; Austin Kaye would have also been on the list but they have recently closed.
You could search for one from his birth year.
I like Omega watches - had one that was stolen, now have a DeVille and would love to have the Petrograd museum collection one.
Id go with something you know he will enjoy and remember, so id go for the following
Triumph Speed Triple
Track day on said Triumph Speed Triple
Followed by and night of coke and hookers
Will be a 21st birthday we will never forget!!!
Steal your dad's and give it to him.
If he hasn’t shown much interest in watches, then I reckon there’s a chance it wont get used.
Lots of people, including me, have never understood people’s fascination with owning them.
It'll probably end up like my mate's Rolex. It's a really, really nice thing that he's had in a drawer for 20 years.
I'd go for some sort of experience, maybe something you can do together. Expensive tat is, well, expensive tat, a personalised token keepsake will serve the same purpose. One of my most treasured possessions is, of all things, an engraved padlock.
How about a Swiss Army Knife? I got one as a leaving present from work in my 20s, thought "nice idea but I'll never use it" then used it near-daily for like 20 years until I lost it (or had it stolen).
Both my kids got expensive watches for their 21st and they both cherish them. They do not see them as "expensive tat" they see them as gifts given in love that they will have when we are gone. My son keeps his for special occasions. The point was to give them something they would never consider buying for themselves. We also had a massive piss up as well.
How about a 21 year old Omega?
Do you think you might be more keen on the Omega idea than him OP?
It would have been a waste of money on me at that age, or now.
Maybe a set of quality tools if he's a budding greasemonkey?
Or some riding training?
21 top tunes from all his years (not chart number ones) on a pen drive.
21 family photos(framed or poster)
21 stories about him that you and the family remember best.
21 collectable coins.
Daft stuff.
A compass.
Ice skates.
Power kite ..4sure
An axe or a really nice knife.
I'd put the money in a pension for him tbh, will almost certainly be worth a lot more in 34 years than the watch, he can't spend it or lose it/sell it either. Boring, but I reckon he might warm to it as he gets older 🙂
Got my son a seiko 'turtle' for his 18th - its a nice save the ocean version and perhaps means a little more to him as he is a water polo player. He seems to like it and always puts it on to go out.
I bought myself an Omega for my 30th and its OK but I dont wear it so I would personally look at better value watches. It also never kept good time.
I would personally have a look at Seiko tunas. Nice story behind them, robust and reasonable money new. I think the proper ones are around 1K. I have a Seiko homage to the Tuna (solar model) bought for couple of hundred and I think its ace.
I got a posh watch for my 21st and can't imagine a more appropriate present. Wore it every day for about 18 years till the practicality of a smart watch took over, but still wear it often.
I got to chose it (a Tag Kirium), kinda wish I'd gone for an Omega to be honest!
The other idea we have is an ‘experience’
A weekend with Tommy Robinson at Centre Parcs? He won't forget that in a while...
I’d put the money in a pension for him tbh, will almost certainly be worth a lot more in 34 years than the watch, he can’t spend it or lose it/sell it either. Boring, but I reckon he might warm to it as he gets older
Rock and/or Roll answer there 😉
DrP
My mum got me a blanket for my 21st.
Trust me, I've not forgot.
RM.
How about a 21 year old Omega?
Nice idea but I doubt there's many of those still on the road.
I wasn’t in to watches on my 21st but I still appreciated them, that you have an Omega tradition in the family means I think that’s the right move.
The watch I got for said birthday actually started the mild obsession I have now, it was an Tissot and I still treasure it and wear it.
I’d be looking at a Speedmaster or perhaps a Seamaster. Both relatively timeless designs and won’t look out of place in 20 years time.
I think I’d also be avoiding most other brands. If you’re not into watches a Christopher Ward will mean nothing, a Seiko may not have the prestige. Rolex, yes and Tag maybe, but if you can afford it it’d want something from a brand perceived as being a proper watch maker.
Kilt.
Weddings sorted for life.
Cougar - vintage watches are available, not widely, but I found a few examples of a much older vintage for my year of birth; if properly maintained, they last for decades. If not properly maiantained they can be refurbed - Swisstec are the go to.
Nice to see Beej pinch my earlier suggestion 🙂
OP, that's a lovely thought, and would absolutely be the kind of thing that, even if he doesn't immediately 'love' it, he'd look after and keep hold of for years to come. But prices of all watches do seem to have gone up fairly sharply in recent years.
As above, pre-owned Omega would be good. There are also brands such as Oris worth looking at, or Christopher Ward, Tissot, Seiko are more affordable.
This is the son you took to Europe on bikes a couple of years back?
How about paying to ship the bikes somewhere for another road trip- the States, or NZ?
Rock and/or Roll answer there 😉
DrP
Thought you were referring to watches there...
My son was 21 last October, he asked for a watch, we set a budget and let him choose. He went for a Tag and he loves it.
Thank you all ... much appreciated. Given us good prompting and on discussion with Mrs A, she's:
- hesitant re a bike (albeit I think it'd be out of budget anyways) as she understandably worries and I wouldn't really want to 'persuade' her in case of any prangs
- she'd like a long lasting 'thing', so an experience she's less keen on accepting that there's the memories (I think it might be the motorbiking thing again!)
- she's pro a watch as she thinks he'll grow into it, and it has significance. Son has just got a job in London, business development stuff, meeting lots of people, likes to be smart so she thinks it would suit him at this point too
Son is pretty chilled now, and it was mentioned that maybe I'm keener on the idea than son. Probably true. But we've had an 'interesting' few years together, and we wonder if he's matured a wee bit and might appreciate the thinking behind it, rather than just wanting a 'all about me' type present?
So erring towards a watch. We like the idea of encouraging a family link/history, hence the Omega push ... but they're pricey! And then son no. 2 will be set - yikes!
And yes, it is indeed the motorbiking trip son - we did a second trip last year and he's asked to do another this year ... each one has been shorter but just brilliant. And a real treat to be able to do it, Im so grateful for it. Best thing I've ever done.
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