Need some help on a gift for my mother's 60th birthday

[singe89]

My mom is tuning 60 and I'm looking at getting her an AP.

Let me start with a little background. My mom is the hardest working person I've ever met in my life. My parents got divorced when I was 2 and my mom raised me. We lived in a 1 bedroom apartment for years while she worked full days and got her college degrees at night. She earned her bachelors and masters and now manages the OC office for one of the top 10 law firms in the US. My mother and father ended up getting remarried when I was 12 and they had two more kids. My father was a firefighter that passed away on duty 5 years ago and my mom still fully supports both of my brothers. She also watches both of my young kids when my wife needs a break (1-2x per week) even though my mom still works 50+ hours a week. I want to get her a gift for her 60th that she will enjoy for many years to come and she would never get herself.

I'm thinking of getting her a Lady Royal Oak in rose gold with diamond bezel or the new rose gold lady millenary. What would you suggest? She wears a Rolex lady datejust with diamond dial that I got her years ago as her daily watch. This would be more of a special occasion piece. Thank you for your feedback!

[Andad]

Well you know your mum better than anyone else on the Forum.

I do know of a thousand things my mum would have preferred when she turned 60.

If you are going down this track, why not take her hand shopping and let her decide on a model she likes.

[APRolex]

Jim, first off great story. Truly an American Success story. Sorry about the loss of your Dad. We all thank him for his service. Question, is your Mom into watches or is it you that is wanting her to get an AP. I feel she already has a gorgeous watch in her Rolex will she appreciate the AP just as I know you do. It's a 20K buy I suggest find out her priorities and I'm just guessing but AP would not make the cut as it would for you & I. 🍻

[singe89]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Well you know your mum better than anyone else on the Forum.

I do know of a thousand things my mum would have preferred when she turned 60.

If you are going down this track, why not take her hand shopping and let her decide on a model she likes.

That's the thing....really trying to figure out what to get her. Watch or anything else for that matter. We are going on a carribean cruise with the family but I really want to get her something that she will cherish for many years to come. She loved the Rolex when I got her that and she never buys herself anything nice when it comes to jewelry. I'm open to other ideas if anyone has them.

I would let her pick but the AD around here doesnt have the best selection of APs. I would like to get her an AP if I do get her a watch because she knows the significance the brand has with my family.

[singe89]

Originally Posted by APRolex

Jim, first off great story. Truly an American Success story. Sorry about the loss of your Dad. We all thank him for his service. Question, is your Mom into watches or is it you that is wanting her to get an AP. I feel she already has a gorgeous watch in her Rolex will she appreciate the AP just as I know you do. It's a 20K buy I suggest find out her priorities and I'm just guessing but AP would not make the cut as it would for you & I. 🍻

She's not into watches as much as we are but she still appreciates them. She also knows how much AP and watches mean to me. My wedding watches, honeymoon to Le Brassus, birth watch for my first son, etc. I think she would appreciate the significance in getting an AP but it's a big purchase and want to really get her something for her years of hard work that she would never get herself.

Thanks for the help!

[Abdullasaif]

hands down the millinery it works so well for women

[benlee]

That's very thoughtful of you. Do you know what is her favorite color? And does she like bling ( diamonds + gold ) or prefer something more subtle? That will narrow down the choice and you can go from there.

[jopek]

What a story and nice gesture on your part.

For such a purchase, unless you really know what it needs to be, then personally, i would take her to lunch, then a surprise trip to the the jewellers (by appointment) and tell her she isn't leaving until she picks an item of jewellery or watch within your budget and then have a celebration.

Ive been with my wife 32yrs and when i wanted o buy her a PP (which i thought she would like), she said don't bother unless its a Pearlmaster and she knew exactly which one it had to be but never told me !

[texex91]

Happy Birthday to her Jim!

I like the RG RO...looks great and think would be very comfortable for her.

[el1125]

I have also tried to buy her an AP and I had to return it (luckily I made sure I could first) as she was happy with just her old Cartier...I think women are NOT as nuts as us men about watches. They have diamonds, necklaces etc that they prefer more...us guys, all we have are watches...👍

[singe89]

Thanks for the input guys! My mom LOVES the Rolex I got for her because she never splurges on herself and she knows how much I love watches so the WIS sickness has somewhat rubbed off on her. I know she will appreciate getting an AP. I'm thinking the RO is probably the safer bet but I love the look of the Millenary. Don't know if she will like the Millenary as much as I do. Although, my wife has the lady RO in SS so I hope she doesn't mind if I get my mom the same watch but in RG.

[AK797]

RG RO for me, the ladies I know love white and gold.

[Hairdude1]

I also say RGRO

[Rogdogg]

Both a very nice but just be sure your mom would enjoy wearing the white rubber of the RO. The Millenary is a beauty too and looks great on the leather.

[111forza]

Personally my choice would be the millenary I think it's more elegant and feminine than the RO and would suit mom better

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by el1125

I have also tried to buy her an AP and I had to return it (luckily I made sure I could first) as she was happy with just her old Cartier...I think women are NOT as nuts as us men about watches. They have diamonds, necklaces etc that they prefer more...us guys, all we have are watches...��

I think the RG RO is very attractive but from a feminine standpoint I think the Cartier in WG or platinum is definitely worth considering. It's universally know by the general populace as a very high end luxurious item (piece of jewelry) and I think others would be more impressed with the look and when she told them it was a gift from her son and is a Cartier they would be like WOW which would make her feel more special. On the other hand I think most people and most ladies would see the AP and think she was wearing a Swatch from Dillard's with fake diamonds or if she told the one person who asked about it that it was an AP RO the person would think it was a fake Swatch. IN this case I'd definitely go Cartier or with another Rolex. Honestly, I'd probably choose the Cartier because it carries more mystique for most people. I also wouldn't be afraid of a Quartz Cartier because I think it would be nice for her to not have to set it. My mom is a little older but I think with some arthritis it would be very hard to set it if she didn't wear it everyday. Lastly, I think it's a great way to spend your money on a very special lady.

[Peterandwatches]

Great thread and what a wonderful gesture.

As to the watches, it's always surprising how women consumers are essentially an afterthought to these traditional brands. Shrink an existing watch, make it in gold, give it a diamond bezel, and give it a colorful dial/strap- oh and let's make it Quartz too. There is no worse offender than the Patek Aquanaut, where they still haven't updated the dial or rubber strap.

For other options, check out a Cartier Love Bracelet or maybe a Van Cleef Alhambra necklace. Or possibly a Chanel or Hermes bag.