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21 June 2019, 12:03 AM | #1 |
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Mechanical watch for preteens?
I have 12 year old twins and would like to get them both mechanical watches at some point in the next couple of years. They’re responsible kids but they are middle schoolers, so I’d appreciate recommendations for watches that are tough and that wouldn’t break the bank if they do something stupid and need replacing. My first thought was maybe the Hamilton field khaki mechanical, but didn’t know what else I should consider.
Thanks in advance for recommendations. |
21 June 2019, 12:06 AM | #2 |
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My father bought me an Ingersoll for my first watch when I was around that age.
Seiko is another option or maybe a citizen. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk |
21 June 2019, 12:09 AM | #3 |
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Watches are things your wear, and as such are incredibly personal. Ask your children what they like. You can bet that their taste will have changed by the time they are 18-21.
I'd save getting them a good mechanical watch until a milestone birthday. But if your mind is made up on mechanical for their next birthday I wouldn't look at spending more than Hamilton/Seiko money. |
21 June 2019, 12:13 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
My other issue is going to be trying to find case diameters that aren’t way oversized. My kids are pretty tall but they’re skinny and I’m not sure how much over 38 mm would wear. Of course, at the rate they’re growing I really shouldn’t worry. They’re eating everything that’s not nailed down. |
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21 June 2019, 12:20 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Excellent points. If I think about the jewelry I enjoy most (I’m a woman), it’s generally stuff I’ve had input in. So thank you for the reminder. I will seek input. It doesn’t have to be a mechanical, but I was thinking that might be a cool way to introduce them to watches at a slightly higher level than their current Timexes. And yes, tastes absolutely change. When I was 18-21 I wore a 26mm two tone datejust. And now I wear a Sub-C date. |
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21 June 2019, 12:22 AM | #6 |
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I'd say Seiko SNKs they are 35mm cases, a crystal back so they can see the movement. Great introduction piece for someone of that age.
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21 June 2019, 12:24 AM | #7 |
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21 June 2019, 12:25 AM | #8 |
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Seiko or a Sistem 51.
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21 June 2019, 12:30 AM | #9 |
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Swatch has a ton of mechanical options in colors, styles, and sizes I'd imagine a pre-teen would like. I was an 80s/90s kid and had one (not mechanical then) as did just about every kid in the 80s.
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21 June 2019, 12:31 AM | #10 |
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Seiko SKX013. 38mm dive watch.
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21 June 2019, 12:32 AM | #11 |
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Seiko SKX 007 or 009....cant go wrong, in-house movement, proper certified diver, 200m water resistance......gets the nod from proper collectors too....and can take a bunch of punishment from knocks etc....they do a black version and a Pepsi which I have....cost £250 for the Japan model, will be slightly less for the Malaysian model....mine runs at +4 seconds per day, which is within COSC......I use mine for work, proper beater that looks great....defo worth considering.
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21 June 2019, 12:32 AM | #12 |
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21 June 2019, 12:35 AM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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21 June 2019, 12:38 AM | #14 |
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I had one, too! Didn’t know they had mechanical options now. I’m hoping the styling is a bit less pop art, though honestly, I could see one of my kids liking the watch I rocked circa 8th grade, neon colors and all.
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21 June 2019, 12:40 AM | #15 |
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Chrono24 search is your friend. You can find a bunch of 34 mm or 36 mm or whatever watches at a reasonable price point, and then see what looks good to you. (Or to them if they are in on it.)
I picked up a used HMT a couple Christmases ago for one of my boys. It looks awesome, is mechanical, and cost $50. |
21 June 2019, 12:40 AM | #16 |
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An aesthetic we would definitely want to avoid. Thanks for the heads-up. They will be big adults eventually (already quite tall), but we’re not there yet.
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21 June 2019, 12:41 AM | #17 |
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34mm Air-Kings
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21 June 2019, 12:42 AM | #18 |
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Got my son an Orient Mako USA II which he loves. Beautiful watch. The blue is amazing looking. They also make in black or white. He was a little older (16) but it should work fine for younger kids too. My only complaint about it is the time keeping is a little erratic. Seems to have spells where it runs fast, then a week or two later settles down. But for the price it is hard to beat
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21 June 2019, 12:43 AM | #19 |
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Plenty of options from Seiko .. SKX line?
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21 June 2019, 12:43 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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21 June 2019, 12:44 AM | #21 |
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Amazon often has great deals on the Seiko 5/ Seiko SNKs. I'd definitely recommend one of those.
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21 June 2019, 12:49 AM | #22 |
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I agree that Seiko 5 or skx make a wonderful choice
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21 June 2019, 12:51 AM | #23 |
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I'd also be careful of anything too flashy because I'm sure they'd be the only kids with a watch and a target for idiots/bullies.
I'd do an inexpensive Seiko. When they're 18 you can upgrade. |
21 June 2019, 12:51 AM | #24 |
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I think this Seiko is the one to get. Bought it for my son. He loves it. Especially that it has an inhouse movement: SKX013K2. It's also pretty sporty for a kid. It's essentially a SKX 007 shrunk down to 38mm. Hodinkee did a write up here: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/se...e-propositionn. Currently a bit over $200 new on big gray sites.
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21 June 2019, 12:59 AM | #25 |
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21 June 2019, 01:25 AM | #26 |
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Seiko5. Lots of dial choices. And I think all have display backs.
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21 June 2019, 08:43 PM | #27 |
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Seiko 5, lots of models to choose from.
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21 June 2019, 09:50 PM | #28 |
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Seiko all the way. He can beat it up, dress it up, and enjoy it his whole life.
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21 June 2019, 10:29 PM | #29 |
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Timex Expedition is a very robust watch, I have used mine daily for the last 10+ years for work, and it has taken all in its stride, had to install a new battery a couple of times. They are cheap and cheerful, and I hope it does me for another year or so before I pack up work all together.
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Explorer 1016 Explorer 2 16570 Air King 116900 DJ 16030 - Buckley dial DJ 16220 DJ OQ 17013 |
21 June 2019, 11:55 PM | #30 |
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I wouldn’t expect too much from a pre-teen. My daughter had broken her citizen within 6 months when she forgot to screw in the crown and took it swimming. Replaced it with a babyG until she was older. Then a more robust auto citizen diver from about 16.
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