Father / Son Watch Sets....where I'm at, and your thoughts?

[Deep Sea]

I have been toying around with the idea of a ‘father / son’ watch set since my son was born 3-1/2 years ago. I originally purchased a watch to commemorate his birth, and have worn the watch and enjoyed it, but the significance isn’t really there any longer, as the purchase was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and not a pre-planned journey (read – I’m not too fond of the watch any longer).

IWC has a ‘matched set’ of pilot’s watches made as a set, with the intention to be sold as a pair (or multiple son watches). While the concept is cheesy on the one hand, the idea is actually kinda cool on the other hand. I like the IWC watches, but there are certain aspects that I somewhat dislike. The ‘father’ watch has an in-house IWC movement, while the ‘son’ watch has an ETA movement (not that big of a deal, but read on…). The ‘father’ watch is made of platinum, and cost $44,000 (gulp), while the son watch goes for $4K (w/ the run-of-the-mill ETA movement, which is where I have a little issue). Soooo…..long story short, $48K is a deal-breaker.

This brings me around to Rolex. I already have a few, which he will inherit, but was thinking a while back on how I wanted this to play out in the future. I purchased a LNIB Sea Dweller earlier this year, and that’s sitting in the bank box with his name of it. The last few days I was thinking it might be cool to have a Deep Sea SD for me to wear and abuse in the coming decade or so, and then when I give him the SD, he can wear it for a while, and then possibly ‘upgrade’ to my DSSD if he chooses. While not exactly the same as the IWC concept, it follows the same lines with a larger watch/smaller watch of the same heritage, and ironically enough, the same name (Sea Dweller). Plus, I have a background in diving (US Navy diver), and plan to get him trained as soon as I legally can. Also, if his interests at his current age are any indication, he’ll be exactly like me (loves anything with wheels; migrates to loud engines for no reason; loves the ocean, rivers, lakes, mud puddles, etc; and likes red wine & medium-rare steak). So naturally he’ll migrate to fine mechanical timepieces.

Any thoughts or suggestions?




Oh, and here’s what the IWC watches look like as a point of reference:

[kyle L]

If I remember correctly, doesn't Tudor have a mid-size sub? Maybe you could get a matching pair.

[RW16610]

Martin, I think this is a great idea! Those IWC's are nice but not sure the pair is $48,000.00 USD nice in my books. You could buy the DSSD, a GMT Master II, new ceramic Submariner (116610LN) and so on. Toughest part is making this choice, so hopefully you can decide on what Rolex(es) to buy next for him

[kyle L]

Pair of Yachtmasters? One full size and one midsize?

[RW16610]

Great suggestion, Kyle

[pz93c]

36mm and 31mm DJ's.

[The GMT Kid]

I think he's going to love the SD. I think you are a great father and he is going to want to wear the watch that you picked out for him. He's going to want to wear it because it reflects your values and your taste and the timeless design will fit his lifestyle.

[Wickerman]

I like the idea - had the same thougt a while ago.

The trouble with different - size - watches is, in my opinion: the size. When do you want to give the watch to your son? I think he should be in a certain age. Then he has to walk around with a midsize watch until you ´re dead and he will receive the bigger one then.

What I thougt about is to get a Sub, built in 1966 for me and one build in 1997 for my son. Another big advantage is that the Sub goes with everything for everybody, whatever your boy is going to be or to do.

[daveathall]

If your sons watch sits in the safe until he wears it, it is his watch that has been preserved for x amount of years, its only association with his father is that you bought it (SD LNIB). IMHO the essence of the watch should be that it has been worn daily by "my dad," as such it becomes a history of the family, something to be passed from son to granson and further, rather than just a preserved gift. The gift that is special is when he is old enough and big enough for you to give him the watch that you have always worn and would normally wear.

[asadtiger]

really sweet thought Martin...you are a great father...Omega Seamaster comes in two sizes: the id-size and the full size...although a father/son set doesn't necessarily have to be a smaller watch/larger watch set, as you said with the SD and DSSD...thats one great idea given your diver link

and I also appreciate Dave's great thought...thats also a good perspective..what will be most special for him is what you wore :)

[esm]

IMO - with your background and future plans for the junior, I think the SDDS and SD is the best set. It def screams a senior-junior relationship.

Other than that, how about a DD (II) and DJ (II) combo?

[kyle L]

[mike]

The SD/DSSD combination makes a lot of sense to me. A watch he can build a history with and one he can inherit the history of.

[Thomas]

Why don't you wait unitl he is closer to "watch wearing" age, whatever that may be but I am assuming it's a bit older than 3 1/2. Something that appeals more to you may be available then. Great idea though.

[brainbizz]

I purchased a ss white daytona and a ss black daytona for my son when he was born. It is unworn and in a safe until he comes of age. He will inherit 40+ watches currently which were worn by dad so to me this is his watch which will remain unworn.

[alfanator]

Have an uncle that did that for his 3 sons. None of them wear their Rolex.

I intend to give my kids the watch I was wearing at their birth when they come of age.

[Toxicant]

Originally Posted by daveathall

If your sons watch sits in the safe until he wears it, it is his watch that has been preserved for x amount of years, its only association with his father is that you bought it (SD LNIB). IMHO the essence of the watch should be that it has been worn daily by "my dad," as such it becomes a history of the family, something to be passed from son to granson and further, rather than just a preserved gift. The gift that is special is when he is old enough and big enough for you to give him the watch that you have always worn and would normally wear.

X2

A watch is just a watch.....but something you were wearing when he was born, married, had his first child and so on, that's special. That is how I see it.....a new watch sitting in a box for 18 plus years is ...I guess kind of cool but not the same as the watch "my dad wore when he got married" ...you get the idea....

[Deep Sea]

First of all, thanks for the replies and the ideas. While I know this is not an original thought, the perspective of others brings about a different view of the idea.

Originally Posted by kyle L

Kyle, are you sure you're not old enough for a beer? You're clearly wise beyond your years. Thanks for the ideas & input. This Bud's for you, little buddy!

Originally Posted by daveathall

If your sons watch sits in the safe until he wears it, it is his watch that has been preserved for x amount of years, its only association with his father is that you bought it (SD LNIB). IMHO the essence of the watch should be that it has been worn daily by "my dad," as such it becomes a history of the family, something to be passed from son to granson and further, rather than just a preserved gift. The gift that is special is when he is old enough and big enough for you to give him the watch that you have always worn and would normally wear.

I've had this same thought also, and will likely dig the SD out of the bank when I return to the US for good. I'll likely wear it in the regular rotation once I am sure it will be a keeper (99.9% now, but there is always that 0.1%). I'm searching for a DSSD now to rotate in, and pare down some of the other brands.

Originally Posted by mike

The SD/DSSD combination makes a lot of sense to me. A watch he can build a history with and one he can inherit the history of.

Yep Mike, this picture pretty much drives home the point, and your comment makes all the sense in the world. Who knows what fashion will drive us toward in the future, but one thing is for sure....these two will likely always be classics & keepers.



In conclusion, the DSSD will take its place beside the SD (when I bail it out of Wachovia).

Again, thanks all for the ideas.

[kyle L]

What about....



Like Yin and Yang.

[daveathall]

Whatever watch you get your son, when he grows up I think he will be justifiably proud of his dad.

Great thread.

[Boopie]

I, too, thought the father/son watch was a good idea...I have the 2008 white hardbound IWC catalogue, and saw the pilot's watch set. The price is not listed, so I checked it out and saw that the set was enormously expensive...and, of course, when your boy gets to be an adult he won't want to wear a boy's size watch.

Perhaps just buy him a watch that matches yours, and keep it in the safe (although that would be a very, very long time). He may appreciate it more as a college graduation, or wedding, gift, down the road.

Or, as others have suggested, just having your watch would make it a very special watch to him.

Good luck!

[Singslinger]

I'm not in favour of a mid-size watch because in a few years he would outgrow it and could desire something bigger.

So IMO since you're a diver and you'd like him to become one, either of the Deepsea/SD or Deepsea/Sub-date combinations seem to be most logical. Good luck!

[dannyp]

I think the whole concept is a slightly tacky marketing gimmick. I'd rather have a diverse collection of watches that I begin passing along to my children when the time is right.

[Ultraman]

What about a Sub LV & SS Sub?

[Deep Sea]

UPDATE>>>>>>>

Well, the Deep Sea won the contest.

Paid for it last night, and expect it in a week or so. I'll break out the SD this winter and start putting some miles on it, in regular rotation with my Sub & the DSSD. Those who said a watch with a few battle scars has more meaning than a new watch....after some thought, you're right.

Here's a little pic from the seller.....you know who you are, and thanks again, Greg!!!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Deep Sea

UPDATE>>>>>>>

Well, the Deep Sea won the contest.

Paid for it last night, and expect it in a week or so. I'll break out the SD this winter and start putting some miles on it, in regular rotation with my Sub & the DSSD. Those who said a watch with a few battle scars has more meaning than a new watch....after some thought, you're right.

Here's a little pic from the seller.....you know who you are, and thanks again, Greg!!!

Nice score and the warmest of congrats.

[slcbbrown]

One thing to keep in mind is that Rolexes are going to last 50 years+. Kids only stay kid size for a few years. I've got 5 kids and the first 4 were boys.

If you want a smaller size watch, you might consider buying a DJ size (36mm) and a sport model for yourself. By the time your son could take care of an expensive keepsake watch, he could have a wrist larger than yours. When he's completely grown, is he going to want a kid-size watch?