Purchasing a Rolex for my father but...

[vshin]

... he's not a watch lover like I am.

His 70th birthday is coming up and this is traditionally a major celebration in our family. He's never owned or worn a watch that cost more than $80 so I was planning on getting him a Rolex, which is probably the only brand he would recognize.

However, I'm not sure how he would respond to this once-in-a-lifetime gift. I know he would say he loves it at first, but a part of me thinks he'll just go on wearing the beater while storing the Rolex in the back of the closet. Has anyone here ever gifted a Rolex to a relative that may not fully appreciate the significance of the watch? Any stories or advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

[chicfarmer1]

I don't see how other people's stories of a gift gone bad would actually be helpful in your thought process: you already know he isn't into what you're contemplating giving him.

There's no need to try to convince him to love this thing that we here do love. Why not go with something he enjoys already?

[thewatchguy93]

I would possibley go for something like an Explorer or something, something quite classy

[Cru Jones]

a nice gesture on your part and you clearly want to do something "special" for him....if a rolex would mean nothing to him, however, maybe there's some other gift you can get that would be more special to HIM? it is HIS birthday, after all....

otherwise, buy the watch, be happy that you gave it to him, and don't worry at all whether he understands "the signficance".

just my two cents....

[vshin]

The man has everything that would make him happy at this point in his life. There is literally nothing else I could give him that would be more meaningful (except grandchildren). These are the worst kind of people to buy gifts for in my opinion.

Anyways, I could take a trip to the orphanage but I think I'll just get him the watch and just let it be.

[Christiaan]

I got my Father involved in the process when I bought him his Pepsi GMTII a few years ago as a retirement/60th birthday gift.

He looked at the black, coke, and pepsi and even tried on a sub and exp ii...he chose the Pepsi.

I found a pre-owned, but recently serviced, GMTII Pepsi with additional inserts with box and papers. He didn't know when i was getting it for him and I presented it to him on a vacation in Australia.

[KingJames]

Originally Posted by Christiaan

I got my Father involved in the process when I bought him his Pepsi GMTII a few years ago as a retirement/60th birthday gift.

He looked at the black, coke, and pepsi and even tried on a sub and exp ii...he chose the Pepsi.

I found a pre-owned, but recently serviced, GMTII Pepsi with additional inserts with box and papers. He didn't know when i was getting it for him and I presented it to him on a vacation in Australia.

Very nice pics..thanks for sharing

[GTS Dean]

I bought my dad a preowned TT OysterQuartz. He just wasn't active enough to keep his OysterDate automatic wound reliably. He absolutely loves it and wears it nearly every day.

[MortgageGuy]

I agree with the above to pick something out, give it to him and never look back...

I purchased a midsize for my mother about 2 years and she never wears it She says she loved it but gave it back to me a few months back as she said it was too heavy just never wore it... She isnt a watch person and it just wasnt the right gift.

Wither give it to him and let it go or perhaps get him sonething that he would enjoy more than a watch IMO

[clarencek]

I gifted a Rolex Oyster Datejust to my father for his 75th birthday. Before he was wearing an old Ebel quartz watch from the early 90's. He's not a watch guy by any means, but has been wearing the Rolex every day since then.

I see him a few times a year, and do a routine cleaning and time check. The watch is usually off by a few minutes every 6 months.

My take - give him the watch. He may not care that it's a Rolex, but he'll care that it came from you.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by clarencek

My take - give him the watch. He may not care that it's a Rolex, but he'll care that it came from you.

Better said that I could have

[hondauk]

I think it's a great idea giving a rolex as a gift (I do it all the time, check my last post)
My advice would be somthing easy to read like a white dial. I have several rolex watches I find my explorer 2 which has a white dial the easiest to read even in poor light. I find my DJ with a blue dial and batton markers the hardest to read.

[Wisconsin Proud]

Sounds to me like you are looking for an "attaboy" by getting him more than what he wants or needs. Buy for him, not for you.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by cru jones

a nice gesture on your part and you clearly want to do something "special" for him....if a rolex would mean nothing to him, however, maybe there's some other gift you can get that would be more special to him? It is his birthday, after all....

Otherwise, buy the watch, be happy that you gave it to him, and don't worry at all whether he understands "the signficance".

Just my two cents....

x2

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Christiaan

I got my Father involved in the process when I bought him his Pepsi GMTII a few years ago as a retirement/60th birthday gift.

He looked at the black, coke, and pepsi and even tried on a sub and exp ii...he chose the Pepsi.

I found a pre-owned, but recently serviced, GMTII Pepsi with additional inserts with box and papers. He didn't know when i was getting it for him and I presented it to him on a vacation in Australia.

Christiaan, can I adopt you? I remember when you bought that for your dad, first class all they way.

[George Ab]

Originally Posted by clarencek

I gifted a Rolex Oyster Datejust to my father for his 75th birthday. Before he was wearing an old Ebel quartz watch from the early 90's. He's not a watch guy by any means, but has been wearing the Rolex every day since then.

I see him a few times a year, and do a routine cleaning and time check. The watch is usually off by a few minutes every 6 months.

My take - give him the watch. He may not care that it's a Rolex, but he'll care that it came from you.

I nominate Clarence for best post of the day. Well said.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by George Ab

I nominate Clarence for best post of the day. Well said.

agree, very well said clarence

[mrbill2mrbill2]

At 70 he is set in his ways. You stated he never wore a watch worth more than $80. I do not think you can change his ways. He may love it because his son gave it to him. He is your father, and only you know the answer. Best of luck.

[Wisconsin Proud]

Originally Posted by clarencek

I gifted a Rolex Oyster Datejust to my father for his 75th birthday. Before he was wearing an old Ebel quartz watch from the early 90's. He's not a watch guy by any means, but has been wearing the Rolex every day since then.

I see him a few times a year, and do a routine cleaning and time check. The watch is usually off by a few minutes every 6 months.

My take - give him the watch. He may not care that it's a Rolex, but he'll care that it came from you.

Why is it off by a few minutes every six months? Doesnt he change the date on those months when necessary? Be good time to adjust the time as well.

[clarencek]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin Proud

Why is it off by a few minutes every six months? Doesnt he change the date on those months when necessary? Be good time to adjust the time as well.

He does set it, but doesn't set it to atomic time, so I do that when I see him.
Like I said - he's definitely not a WIS...

He thinks it's weird I set his watch every time I see him, but I can't help myself. :-)

[Roja]

Originally Posted by vshin

... he's not a watch lover like I am.

His 70th birthday is coming up and this is traditionally a major celebration in our family. He's never owned or worn a watch that cost more than $80 so I was planning on getting him a Rolex, which is probably the only brand he would recognize.

However, I'm not sure how he would respond to this once-in-a-lifetime gift. I know he would say he loves it at first, but a part of me thinks he'll just go on wearing the beater while storing the Rolex in the back of the closet. Has anyone here ever gifted a Rolex to a relative that may not fully appreciate the significance of the watch? Any stories or advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

EXACT same situation as you. I bought my dad an Air-King and it's a HUGE success.

Do it.

[Christiaan]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Christiaan, can I adopt you? I remember when you bought that for your dad, first class all they way.

Thanks Art!! Im slowing saving up for my Moms 65th bday Rolex....like this one


(pic, obviously stolen from swissluxury.com, sorry)

[troyus]

Get him involved, talk about it, go shopping together. A watch is a personal choice and you should have the chance to choose it yourself imo.

[Fiery]

Clarence got it right

If he were my father, I'd get him a nice steel DateJust (36mm) or an Air-King. Even if he wouldn't wear it every day, I'm sure he'd wear it on special occasions and would think about you everytime he looks at the watch!

BTW, you're a great son of his. Just by toying with the idea of gifting him such a meaningful present would mean a lot to him.

[Dr.Brian]

We did a similar thing for my father's 80th. There was much discussion about what to get him for the big 80. He has everything he wants and needs and more. We went with a great custom leather recliner. His old one was 10+ years old and showing its age. He and my mother use it every day. Far more practical than a new watch or the trip we were thinking of doing.
Get him something he'll use every day. He might like a new Timex a whole lot more. It's not about how much you spend.

[popsmuf]

I did something similar, my wife, her brother and I bought my father in law a explorer II black face for his 60th birthday. Father in law (he's a semi watch guy) chose the watch himself and we purchased it for him.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

We did a similar thing for my father's 80th. There was much discussion about what to get him for the big 80. He has everything he wants and needs and more. We went with a great custom leather recliner. His old one was 10+ years old and showing its age. He and my mother use it every day. Far more practical than a new watch or the trip we were thinking of doing.
Get him something he'll use every day. He might like a new Timex a whole lot more. It's not about how much you spend.

Dr. Brian:

Could not have been stated any better. Right on point.

x26.27125

cheers:

[StarSovereign]

This one's tough. If he's been wearing a beater watch for years, he might not like the idea of wearing something new. If he's not a man of means, or just isn't into the finer things, he might see a Rolex as indulgent and impractical. On the other hand, he might value the sentiment behind the watch and wear it because it means something to you. Tough call. You know him best, what would make him most comfortable? And that's the most important thing - at 70 years old he should be comfortable.

My grandfather is in his 80's and has worn the same Swiss watch since he retired almost 30 years ago. He's well-off and could have afforded a Rolex (or a PP for that matter) but he likes the watch he's been wearing so long because it's lightweight and means something to him (given by friends at the office.) He said he wouldn't wear anything else!

[ewhite]

What father wouldn't love any gift from his son! I say go for it.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Christiaan

Thanks Art!! Im slowing saving up for my Moms 65th bday Rolex....like this one


(pic, obviously stolen from swissluxury.com, sorry)

I'm sure she'll love it.