Were having our first kid in December and would love to buy a watch for him and then give it to him at 18. Budget would be 2-3$k. It could also be multiple watches. I have no preferences.
He would also be getting any watch I buy once I’m gone but if we have more than 1 kid they would split it. And hopefully I’m around a bit longer.
Thanks everyone!
This is a great question and will be a great gift. Do you have a style in mind? Dive, dress, sport?
If there’s a chance it ends up being his only nice watch (for a while), I’d get a medium-sized dive watch that isn’t too thick. Dives are more appropriate with suits than ever, and they are easily the most versatile for everything right up until white tie formal (and even for that if you pull it off). By keeping it under 42mm, you’ll keep it as versatile as possible too. Even with divers accepted with suits, real oversized ones may still stand out. Black will also be good for maximum wearability.
As for a specific watch, I’d recommend something that a limited release in the year of your son’s birth. Doesn’t have to be extremely difficult to get, but even if it’s 1 or 10K or something, that’ll be a good way to ensure it’s still pretty valuable and exciting in 18 years. You’ll also want an automatic with a precise movement for the same reason. Automatic movements will get only more accurate, and you don’t want to give something obsolete, so chronograph level precision or close would be a great thing to look for.
I think the right Seikos are about the best value for the dollar in the $3000 range, but there are a lot of great options. Longines makes some great pieces too.
One other that I’d consider that goes against pretty much all of the above is if you can find a good deal on a Cartier Santos. As a sporty but slim and sleek watch, it may be the most versatile piece out there when it comes to styleability/being able to wear it in all contexts/levels of formality. Used ones are still likely to be above $3k, but great deals pop up sometimes.