Which Watch? Birth Year for Son

[WristEnvy]

Greetings TRF,

We're about 6 weeks away from welcoming our son to this world. All of 2015 i've been contemplating whether I should get a birth year watch to commemorate the birth of our son. Well at the time I decided to add a few pre-loved pieces to my small collection and figured by the time he's ready, he can have whichever watch he chooses.

Well now that we're almost at the finish line, perhaps I don't pass on this opportunity and get one in February of this year for my son (well really for me for now).

Understood with random serial numbers these days, it'll likely be a birth year by date of purchase. I'm in the position to make a move on either of the following options:


Option 1, BLNR - This will be my 2nd round with the BLNR. I previously had one and flipped it for a SS white Daytona. My wife and I vacation internationally twice a year and this probably won't change even with the extra baggage (fingers crossed). So if our boy gains an affinity for traveling later in the future, this seems to be the iconic watch to have. I currently have a 16710 with all 3 inserts which I will not part with. So the 116710 bit redundant with the existing collection, as it was before, but the BLNR is a beautiful watch and I don't mind owning it again.

Option 2, Explorer II 216570, Black Dial - I currently have a 16570 polar ExpII, a bit redundant, but yet different enough. I'm open to flipping the polar, but I don't mind keeping it either. But I love the history of the explorers and have a keen interest as hiking and backpacking are two of my favorite hobbies. I've also been inspired to start a micro collection of field tool watches: ExpII, Exp I (36mm), Tudor North Flag, and Tudor Heritage Ranger. If my boy is willing to join me and gains an appreciation for hiking and backpacking, this seems like the cool, rugged, and versatile watch to have.

Option 3, Tudor North Flag on strap - You either love it or meh. I love it. This gets me a few steps closer to the micro collection theme of field watches. Price point is lower than options 1 and 2, figured I can use the money saved and get a head start investing towards our boy's college savings.

Option 4, Tudor Heritage Ranger on strap- Pretty much the same reason as option 3.

Option 5, Option 3 + 4, and a pre-owned Exp I for me. This will satisfy my field watch themed collection for now The combined cost of all these watches will probably be roughly the same as Option 1.

Anyway, it seems the options can be sliced and diced in many ways. I'll likely go the BNIB trusted seller route. Most options are available to be had where my boy's name will be on the warranty card and date of purchase.

What do you all think? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[Dubarzy]

I was in your shoes last year and went with the BLNR

[Hpozzuoli]

Your wife needs a push present. May a suggest a watch!

[WristEnvy]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

Your wife needs a push present. May a suggest a watch!

This was the result when my wife and I discussed push present.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=443473

[arguetaoscar]

My father gave me a GMT as a college graduation present, so I would go with the BLNR. When my daughter was born I bough a DateJust 36mm that will be hers, congratulations!


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[sickened1]

I vote for option 5 since I'm a big fan of Explorer 36mm (as you can see from my other thread) not to mention you also get both a Tudor Heritage Ranger and a North Flag. With all 3 watches, it's a win-win.

[UNLVino]

In addition might I also suggest - the US Mint is issuing a special set of gold coins in 2016 commemorating the 1916 designs - you can get the 2016 special set and their 1916 counterparts for about the same - I am a big fan of birth year precious metal coins and 100 year prior to birth counterparts- http://www.coinweek.com/modern-coins...6-u-s-coinage/

Edit to add - congratulations!!

[DocHorton]

Tough choice....I did the same thing last year when my son was born and I bought a SubC No Date that will be his birth year watch.

I also have both of your options 1 and 2. They are both great watches and would be hard for me to choose. I love the matte dial and larger size of the Exp42 but I am also love the BLNR and it's blue color with the PCL's. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

[Spoonage]

First, congrats on the new family addition! I will be in your position in a few months as well. Looks like option 5 is the best bet for you in my opinion.

[mastermixer]

I would go with option II. That way your son will have to be big and strong to have the wrist to pull off a a larger watch!

[Punishher7]

A GMT sounds like it could be a good way for him to keep track of what time it is "back home". I'm not a fan of pcl's but if they don't bother you I would go that route.

[scombs263]

Blnr

[presario]

Congrats!!! I was in your shoes last month and got a BLNR for my kid's birth year. BLNR on her wrist.

[Duke84]

Blnr.

[Ckci]

Option 2. I can see it most easily on a young guy, like your son as he grows. This is me and my son Alex. We went to Japan together on a photo tour. It was us and one other guy we didn't know and a professional photographer guide. I'm wearing my TT Sub. Alex is wearing my shirt which I'm wearing in the picture with my Exp II. I gave Alex my TT DJ with champagne tapestry dial a couple of months later when he graduated from HS. He and I were at the AD a couple of days ago looking at watches. You are going to have a blast together. It's all about the relationships and memories formed along the way. My suggestion is make his interests your interests and your son will dwarf every other blessing in your life. Huge congratulations!
image.jpg

[Ckci]

Same shirt Alex is wearing above. This shirt will never be retired regardless of how worn it becomes because of times like those above. Russell. image.jpg

[Porter]

Option 5. The Explorer I is fantastic!! Congrats for the new born!

[vol375]

Congrats on the upcoming birth of your son. Watching my kids grow has been the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I'm also pondering what watch to get for each daughter and when.

My vote is for the BLNR. Although I like the brushed finish of the Explorer, I like the ability to use the bezel on the BLNR.

[travisb]

I'm gonna say 216570. Solid, rugged and more under the radar for a young active guy.

[cowie89]

I'd wait until new releases from baselworld, in case there is something that catches your eye there, and get a new release to commemorate the birth, nothing better than a brand new Rolex out that year for a birth year watch

Congratulations in advance!! All the best

[NickTruswell]

I did this a couple of years ago, my little boy 3 now. I went for the sub c no date. Classic

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by cowie89

I'd wait until new releases from baselworld, in case there is something that catches your eye there, and get a new release to commemorate the birth, nothing better than a brand new Rolex out that year for a birth year watch

Congratulations in advance!! All the best

This is a good thought. I like it!

[presario]

Originally Posted by cowie89

I'd wait until new releases from baselworld, in case there is something that catches your eye there, and get a new release to commemorate the birth, nothing better than a brand new Rolex out that year for a birth year watch

Congratulations in advance!! All the best

Great idea. But can't wear it for the birth tho. Would be cool to have on the wrist in pics. I got mine after and I wish that I would have gotten it before.

[Ckci]

Originally Posted by presario

Great idea. But can't wear it for the birth tho. Would be cool to have on the wrist in pics. I got mine after and I wish that I would have gotten it before.

Hindsight is 20:20. Lots of good ideas on here.

[evep]

Originally Posted by UNLVino

In addition might I also suggest - the US Mint is issuing a special set of gold coins in 2016 commemorating the 1916 designs - you can get the 2016 special set and their 1916 counterparts for about the same - I am a big fan of birth year precious metal coins and 100 year prior to birth counterparts- http://www.coinweek.com/modern-coins...6-u-s-coinage/

Edit to add - congratulations!!

I have gone down the same route for my son, born late last year.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by presario

Congrats!!! I was in your shoes last month and got a BLNR for my kid's birth year. BLNR on her wrist.

[orangeguy]

My opinion is that something strongly related to the birth year would be cool. For that same reason, I will eventually bite the bullet on a 42mm Explorer II as my son was born in 2011. If you can get your hands on one, maybe an Omega Spectre or Snoopy 45th anniversary speedy. I know, a bit blasphemous as they are not Rolexes.

Congrats on your new addition!


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[Hpozzuoli]

Originally Posted by WristEnvy

This was the result when my wife and I discussed push present.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=443473

I got a watch for my daughter and then one for my son. My wife got hand bags. She likes Hermes and Louis Vuitton more. She has 2 Rolexs, but prefers her Burberry watches more. To her it more about the look than the name with a watch, but other way around with bags.

[WristEnvy]

Originally Posted by Spoonage

First, congrats on the new family addition! I will be in your position in a few months as well. Looks like option 5 is the best bet for you in my opinion.

Thanks! Are you also considering a birth year watch? If so which?

Originally Posted by mastermixer

I would go with option II. That way your son will have to be big and strong to have the wrist to pull off a a larger watch!

Lol. If I fitted my son with my DSSD, maybe he'll end up the size of conan the barbarian.

Originally Posted by Ckci

Option 2. I can see it most easily on a young guy, like your son as he grows. This is me and my son Alex. We went to Japan together on a photo tour. It was us and one other guy we didn't know and a professional photographer guide. I'm wearing my TT Sub. Alex is wearing my shirt which I'm wearing in the picture with my Exp II. I gave Alex my TT DJ with champagne tapestry dial a couple of months later when he graduated from HS. He and I were at the AD a couple of days ago looking at watches. You are going to have a blast together. It's all about the relationships and memories formed along the way. My suggestion is make his interests your interests and your son will dwarf every other blessing in your life. Huge congratulations!
Attachment 697268

Originally Posted by Ckci

Same shirt Alex is wearing above. This shirt will never be retired regardless of how worn it becomes because of times like those above. Russell. Attachment 697278

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for sharing the story and pics.

I'm still utterly undecided, but i'm starting to lean a little bit towards the 216570 exp2. If I go that route, I might end up flipping the polar 16570 and pick up an expI and one of the Tudors.

Originally Posted by presario

Great idea. But can't wear it for the birth tho. Would be cool to have on the wrist in pics. I got mine after and I wish that I would have gotten it before.

After seeing that response, I was actually considering maybe waiting for what's coming this year. But you reminded me to stay the course! Thanks!

Originally Posted by UNLVino

In addition might I also suggest - the US Mint is issuing a special set of gold coins in 2016 commemorating the 1916 designs - you can get the 2016 special set and their 1916 counterparts for about the same - I am a big fan of birth year precious metal coins and 100 year prior to birth counterparts- http://www.coinweek.com/modern-coins...6-u-s-coinage/

Edit to add - congratulations!!

Thanks, this looks interesting. After I decide on the watch, I might consider a coin as well.

[WristEnvy]

Thanks all for the kind words and lots of good feedback. I'm still 100% unsure what to get. I guess the good news is that I still like the choices I originally listed, so now I just need to make a decision.

Thanks again!