We bought an Omega for my son's 18th. Omegas are a bit of a family tradition (by accident) and he decided that was the watch he preferred when we took him to the jewelers to choose.
Fingers crossed it will last like my father's and grandfather's. He absolutely loves it
I have a Seamaster. It’s a gift to myself for qualifying as a Paramedic, I’d always wanted one, it’s beautiful and I love it, but I’m not sure I would now buy one. As I can’t wear it when operational and don’t wear it on the bike, it’s got limited wear time. I’m not the type to wear one for dress, it’s a watch to me, when I can, I wear it. I think now I’d buy a smart watch like Apple or fenix. I guess it depends on the individuals intended use
IMO go for the family experience together. Something a bit different that he’ll enjoy and remember, whether that’s a meal out or whitewater rafting.
I’m not a watch guy and don’t come from a big gift-giving family so can’t really give an opinion on an Omega but have always thought that having a laugh with loved ones is preferable to more ‘stuff’.
Speedmaster, timeless design. Iconic.
National Trust lifetime membership.
He’ll thank you (eventually). Not cheap but likely to pay for itself eventually.
Speedmaster, timeless design. Iconic.
This.
Those suggesting an experience, and I'm not knocking it in any way, but for a personal perspective, I'm not so sure.
An experience is a one-off, then a memory that fades and whilst it's a good memory, it's still a one off event. I like something you can keep for major birthdays, and for men who don't wear jewelry then a watch is the logical thing.
The OP says he's just got a new job in The City, having something nice you can wear to work, will look the part and will age with him is a great present. That he will open his drawer every morning and see the watch that'll remind him of his family and his 21st is awesome. And if it's something good it can last forever pretty much.
Like I said before, I wasn't in to watches on my 21st but I still love the watch I was bought and 20 years on, still wear it.
@Saxonrider Is your lad one of the STW IT team?
I had his letter positioned beside the right hand column and I couldn't help noticing how well the colours balanced. 🙂
A pal got a Tag for his 21st and still cherishes it though doesn't wear it too often (small entry level thing popular at the time). I've got a Seamaster my wife bought and also cherish it, was meant to be a wedding present but we were skint so got it as a surprise a few years later. The smart watch did see it relegated for quite a while though I'm wearing it again as the novelty of the Garmin has wore off.
So go for the watch, even if he doesn't wear it after a while it will still mean something and if he does all the better. Looks like it'll be hard to break the Omega tradition but you could have a look at Tissot, they have some MotoGP inspired designs.
Not a birthday present but my great auntie gave me her late husband's Omega DeVille a few years ago.
Took it in for a service and asked if they could get some info on age etc.
Turns out it was made in the year I was born. It's 46 🙂
It's not a watch I would choose if I was buying but it's a lovely watch and comes out on 'suit days' and family events
It's an heirloom I guess and it's nice to talk about where it came from when people comment on it.
I would stay clear of Christopher Ward unless it's something the really likes, I don't not think that they'll be really valuable in future. Stick to established brands. Seiko are difficult because only certain models are collectable.
I like the idea of a 21year old something. Maybe a vintage Seiko or Omega depending on your budget.
I have recently been purchasing things from my birthyear, it interests me.
If he's not a fan of watches I'm not sure it's a great idea, especially if you expect him to "fall in love with it". I wore watches in my early 20's (not fancy ones) but actually grew out of them - to me they're just an inconvenience when working at a computer (wrist resting on the strap) and I have my phone if I need to know the time when out and about. Haven't worn a watch now for 20 years, I don't think I'd have enjoyed parents asking me "where's your watch?" etc. and feeling guilted into wearing it at least when around them.
Not sure what to suggest as an alternative though if you want to give him something tangible and long-lasting. If he's into motorbikes isn't there some fancy kit you can get him for that (helmet, leathers etc.)? Might not be stuff he passes down through the generations but probably something he'd get a lot of use and his own memories from.
My son wanted an Omega for his 21st. I wore my Dad's Constellation as a daily wearer until I retired and treated myself to my own so they're a bit of a family tradition here.
Given the choice he chose an Aqua Terra as he wanted a model that would go well with his formal working attire and impress those that notice that sort of thing without being unnecessarily ostentatious or showy. They can be found at decent enough prices if you scour the right sites or selling platforms.
He recounts several meetings/ interviews where his watch was noted, and a couple where the client actually pushed their cuff up to make sure he could see their watch!
As a "long-lasting" item Dad's Constellation has now been relegated to dress watch status but is still on the road after 53 years, so think of them as a lifetime of service and a decent enough heirloom.
A watch isn't a bad idea even if he's not keen now - *if* it survives the journey into middle age! If I'd got one at 21*, I would have long lost it or chopped it in to buy something naughty - however it's just the kind of thing I wish I had now my folks are both gone.
*I wouldn't have, because I was a right ****er - but your lad evidently isn't, so deserves it.
Give him your watch ...
Then you buy another one, or nick your dads ....
What about some made-to-measure bike leathers? He sounds like he'd get a lot more use out of them than a watch.
Get him the omega but get it engraved with his name. that way he wont flog it!
2 hookers?
I would stay clear of Christopher Ward unless it’s something the really likes, I don’t not think that they’ll be really valuable in future
Probably agreed. They're actually good watches, but they have less cachet than more 'established' brands. But it really depends on budget
Isn't there a huge generation gap now as far as watches?
Sure when you and your dad were 21, watches were a status thing. My dad got a posh watch when he finished his tenure as managing partner at his firm and that was a thing back then.
These days, unless you're getting a watch to take photos with whilst pouring a bath of ridiculously expensive champaign, waving a fan deck of cash or dangling your Lambo keys off each finger, then are today's young adults aspiring to be analogue watch wearers?
I get the tradition but I think you may need to prepare yourself for just an appreciation of the guesture and possibly several decades of the watch sitting unworn.
Perhaps the better way to continue the family tradition would be passing down the watches you already have from generation to generation and thinking of something different for the 21st gift?
Obviously from my personal point of view, I'd prefer to have received my late grandfather's special watch as an heirloom than a 'new' watch with no emotive value beyond it being a traditional gift.
I got a tankard which completely bemused me - wtf was I supposed to do with a tankard ? 😂
I had a Seiko for my 18th birthday, still have it and cherish it. I have two Omega's and a Tag now too. All of them have sentimental value for various reasons. They will last a lifetime if looked after and probably won't lose a lot of money.
A Seamaster with a stainless bracelet can be everyday wear no problem, they are pretty robust.
These days, unless you’re getting a watch to take photos with whilst pouring a bath of ridiculously expensive champaign, waving a fan deck of cash or dangling your Lambo keys off each finger, then are today’s young adults aspiring to be analogue watch wearers?
I think that’s a somewhat disparaging view. I work with a few people in their early 20’s and there’s still something they love about mechanical watches. These are not rich kids at all, they (like the OP’s son) work in sales and a few have bought a nice watch with their first good bonus, generally an Omega or a Breitling, mainly as Rolex’s are so hard to get hold of.
And actually, if the watch does end up in a drawer and worn occasionally it’s not the end of the world, it’ll still hold positive memories and will last longer than pretty much anything else mentioned above.
