Help choosing first mechanical watch for son

[dmash]

Also as a side note, if you guys have a good relationship (I’m assuming so as you’re here in the first place)....that’s another reason I suggest the SKX above. You both would have ‘red text’ divers, I personally think that’s kind of cool

[Stargazer735]

Orient all the way!

For dress, the Bambino can be had for less than $200.

The Orient Mako (non-USA) and Ray can be had for less than $200.

(Check out Long Island Watch.)

Personally, I prefer the Ray of all of them.

Good luck!

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[samson66]

I went ahead and bought the Seiko SNZF17 "Sea Urchin" for him. I love some of the other picks on here but I know him well and I suspect he may not like a multi-color bezel. Safe move is to stick with black. Found it for $127 with free shipping + no tax. At that price if he damages the bezel or crystal I'll just buy him something else in a year or so. That's just ridiculously cheap for an automatic diver by a respected company like Seiko. Birthday not until July 1. I'll reply with a status report post-birthday. Thanks for all the help everyone!

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[dmash]

Originally Posted by samson66

I went ahead and bought the Seiko SNZF17 "Sea Urchin" for him. I love some of the other picks on here but I know him well and I suspect he may not like a multi-color bezel. Safe move is to stick with black. Found it for $127 with free shipping + no tax. At that price if he damages the bezel or crystal I'll just buy him something else in a year or so. That's just ridiculously cheap for an automatic diver by a respected company like Seiko. Birthday not until July 1. I'll reply with a status report post-birthday. Thanks for all the help everyone!

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Sea Urchin is a fantastic choice, that definitely should have been included with my 007 suggestion.

I’d grab a NATO as I suggested. Straps are ‘in’ for teens and twenty somethings.....it looks way cooler and more expensive on a strap. Not to mention they’re like $10. It shows him he can kind of ‘customize’ the look, and if he has multiple NATOs they can be switched out within seconds without any tools.

Just my 2c.

[dmash]

Man, you had me googling ‘Seiko sea urchin strap’ and now I’m thinking about grabbing one of these for my upcoming vacation

[DanMdR]

Good buy! Hope he enjoys it!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by dmash

Sea Urchin is a fantastic choice, that definitely should have been included with my 007 suggestion.

I’d grab a NATO as I suggested. Straps are ‘in’ for teens and twenty somethings.....it looks way cooler and more expensive on a strap. Not to mention they’re like $10. It shows him he can kind of ‘customize’ the look, and if he has multiple NATOs they can be switched out within seconds without any tools.

Just my 2c.

Love that first strap! After I give it to him I'll show him that picture to see if he wants one. Where is a good place to buy these nato straps?

Wanted to stay sort of conservative with this watch. Figured black dial and bezel along with something similar to an oyster bracelet was the way to go for a first watch. Was worried he might not like the bi-color bezel and jubilee-like bracelet on the other Seiko watches mentioned above, even though I loved them.

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[tryptobphan]

Originally Posted by samson66

Love that first strap! After I give it to him I'll show him that picture to see if he wants one. Where is a good place to buy these nato straps?

Wanted to stay sort of conservative with this watch. Figured black dial and bezel along with something similar to an oyster bracelet was the way to go for a first watch. Was worried he might not like the bi-color bezel and jubilee-like bracelet on the other Seiko watches mentioned above, even though I loved them.

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You chose a nice model. If you wanted to be reserved, it's a good choice. If you want nato straps, you can get some here for a fair price. I've bought several in the past:

https://www.cheapestnatostraps.com

Keep us updated once your son receives the gift and how he enjoys it after a while! I'm always curious how the younger generations will love (or sometimes not love) mechanical watches.

[watchtabs]

I'd say try a Hamilton HML-H70455533. I use that for 'beater' situations, clear caseback and nicely done. Not quite $200, but in the range.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by dmash

Sea Urchin is a fantastic choice, that definitely should have been included with my 007 suggestion.

I’d grab a NATO as I suggested. Straps are ‘in’ for teens and twenty somethings.....it looks way cooler and more expensive on a strap. Not to mention they’re like $10. It shows him he can kind of ‘customize’ the look, and if he has multiple NATOs they can be switched out within seconds without any tools.

Just my 2c.

[/IMG]

I ordered that black/gray nato strap. Thanks for posting it. If he doesn't want to use it I'll put it on my Black Bay (both are 22mm bands)

[dmash]

Originally Posted by samson66

I ordered that black/gray nato strap. Thanks for posting it. If he doesn't want to use it I'll put it on my Black Bay (both are 22mm bands)

[jay_kay]

I'd be going with the Hamilton Military!!! Khaki Field Mechanical

http://wornandwound.com/hamilton-bri...ld-mechanical/

[samson66]

Hey just wanted to follow-up on this thread and thank everyone again for the help.

My son is thoroughly enjoying his Seiko "Sea Urchin" so far. Wears it everywhere. I have to tell you I'm really impressed with this watch. For <$150 it is an absolute bargain and keeps really good time. Very sharp looking watch. Size is perfect.

Here is a pic of him trying it out for the first time on his birthday and another along side my Sea Dweller SD43 for comparison purposes. Really worked out well...

[Widows Son]

It's hard to beat a Seiko!!!

[tryptobphan]

That’s awesome. I hope your son wears it in good health and enjoys it. Great gift!

[Justindo]

I think you made a great choice. I'm sure he's loving it.

[andrewjb88]

was going to suggest a Steinhart but they are a little more £££

[samson66]

Originally Posted by tryptobphan

That’s awesome. I hope your son wears it in good health and enjoys it. Great gift!

So far so good. He really seems to be digging it. Hopefully this is just the first stage in a longterm love of fine mechanical watches. Maybe one day I'll be getting him a Rolex as a wedding gift.

Seiko is a hell of a company. Seriously this watch is a complete bargain.

[incontrol]

Seiko is a perfect choice. The watch looks great on him.


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[dubins930]

Great first watch

[Cabaiguan]

Love Seiko. Can’t go wrong with this one as a first mechanical watch.


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[slcbbrown]

Plenty of decent options listed already. My 2 cents:

1. If you like the skx007 choice, you might ck out the 38mm versions-- skx013, I think.
2. One option that offers dozens of case, bezel and dial choices is the Vostok Amphibia. For less than $100, you can pick among piles of looks.

[fskywalker]

Nice choice!

I recently wanted to buy my 14 year son a nice non digital / mechanical watch and he said wanted an Iwatch, so ended buying that instead (well, actually bought 2 )

Guess my mechanical watches are safe for now!




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[lapince]

Seiko or Tissot

[imperio]

I was going to suggest Seiko and saw that you already went that route. What a great pick! Hope he wears it for years to come and wishing him many happy memories with it.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by dmash

Sea Urchin is a fantastic choice, that definitely should have been included with my 007 suggestion.

I’d grab a NATO as I suggested. Straps are ‘in’ for teens and twenty somethings.....it looks way cooler and more expensive on a strap. Not to mention they’re like $10. It shows him he can kind of ‘customize’ the look, and if he has multiple NATOs they can be switched out within seconds without any tools.

Just my 2c.

Something else we agree on

Originally Posted by samson66

So far so good. He really seems to be digging it. Hopefully this is just the first stage in a longterm love of fine mechanical watches. Maybe one day I'll be getting him a Rolex as a wedding gift.

Seiko is a hell of a company. Seriously this watch is a complete bargain.

It’s a great watch. Here’s mine on a nato

[zSerity]

Definitely a seiko