Planning a gift for the girlfriend - suggestions?

[youenjoymyself]

Hi all,

I am in the planning / searching stages of looking for a gift for my girlfriend. As a bit of background, she is passionate about collecting vintage classic rock vinyl records and bought me a record player and some records so I could share her passion. I have since then amassed a nice collection and am quite happy she introduced me to the hobby.

To return the favour, I wanted to buy her a birthday gift which I know she would love and would also put her on the path of becoming a WIS. I want to get her either a vintage (preferably) or new mechanical watch. I would like to get her something military style preferably and for under $500 (that might be the tricky part).

Does anyone have any suggestions about:

a) which is a good brand / model to look for? new or used?

b) where to purchase? I'd like to buy in person (Toronto) if I could

c) what I can expect to get in the sub-$500 range?

Thanks in advance!

[DG123]

Casio G-Shock

[thewatchguy93]

Hey!

I'm afraid in the $500 region you might struggle with Rolex's. You could buy her a nice Tissot watch for around $200 up to about $500. Just put it into google

Cheers,
Dino

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by DG123

Casio G-Shock

[tkc324]

At 500 dollar range, there are some vintage Omegas lady models that you might be able to pick up. I would search the ebay for some ideas. I think its important to get her a mechanical watch over quartz, if you want to put her on the path to become WIS. Omega screams classy lady imo.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by tkc324

At 500 dollar range, there are some vintage Omegas lady models that you might be able to pick up. I would search the ebay for some ideas. I think its important to get her a mechanical watch over quartz, if you want to put her on the path to become WIS. Omega screams classy lady imo.

I will not buy a quartz or digital watch.

I whole-heartedly feel that a cell phone can serve the purpose of the above. So mechanical it must be!

I'm not really a G-Shock fan. I know a lot of people like them here and I understand the practical reasoning for them, but I had one when I was a little kid and that's all they remind me of. If I was in the military and needed a tough, cheap, legible and accurate watch, it would be a different story.

I also did not expect to buy a Rolex. I generally have not seen Rolex or Tudor for under $800 or $900.

I have seen some watches in my price range from the likes of Hamilton, Wittnauer, Doxa, Longines, Gruen, Bulova, Accutron, Mido and Zenith to name some.

Any thoughts on the above?

I know there are some vintage experts around so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[youenjoymyself]

I also prefer to buy her a men's watch. Given that the vintage pieces seem to all be under 36mm I am not worried about it being too big.

[SonSquad]

Baume-Mercier perhaps ?

[Grumpy Badger]

Hamilton... Either new (vintage look) or vintage.

Here's mine. 3yo and about £200.

[brady]

You may find a used men's Fortis in that range or at least under 1k.

[Tunacan26]

A Timex, a bunch of beer, and some great steaks....

[sushifan]

A packet of skittles.

She should understand that you're the prize and she should be so lucky to have you on her birthday.

If you insist on spending cash on a gf, then give her an experience (trip, outing, dinner, event, theater) instead of something material.

Just my 2 cents' worth!

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by sushifan

A packet of skittles.

She should understand that you're the prize and she should be so lucky to have you on her birthday.

If you insist on spending cash on a gf, then give her an experience (trip, outing, dinner, event, theater) instead of something material.

Just my 2 cents' worth!

I certainly agree with you but I give her these things on a regular basis. We are both big music fans so we regularly go to concerts together (including a 4 day festival in early July).

I like the idea of the watch because I get to share my passion and also give her something tangible. If it were up to her, I wouldn't spend a dime on her and would just give her my time.

That very fact alone makes me want to spend my hard earned $$ on her!

[rolexertion]

Recommend multiplying your budget X10 and get a nice Rolex. It will be a lifetime gift.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Hamilton... Either new (vintage look) or vintage.

Here's mine. 3yo and about £200.

I was actually looking closely at the Hamiltons and am gravitating toward them (even the new ones).

I am a fan of the Khaki models, I am just not sure about the size. It seems a lot of the newer ones are around 42mm which might be way too big for her. I would have to max out at 40mm for her I think. Preferably 38-39mm.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by rolexertion

Recommend multiplying your budget X10 and get a nice Rolex. It will be a lifetime gift.

Haha we've only been dating about a year. I am also 25 and just bought my first Rolex so I think it will take some time...

[jeremyam]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Hamilton... Either new (vintage look) or vintage.

Here's mine. 3yo and about £200.

I think Hamilton or a used Sinn, Tag or as suggested an Omega might be a good option...


I like Hamilton though for the movements and value proposition...

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by youenjoymyself

I was actually looking closely at the Hamiltons and am gravitating toward them (even the new ones).

I am a fan of the Khaki models, I am just not sure about the size. It seems a lot of the newer ones are around 42mm which might be way too big for her. I would have to max out at 40mm for her I think. Preferably 38-39mm.

Mine is a 42mm but wears smaller than my 40mm 14060m.
I'll take a pic of mine on my Long Haired Generals wrist and get it to you in a few minutes...

[The GMT Master]

Another vote for Tissot - their quality is unsurpassed at their price point

[Grumpy Badger]

As promised, here is my Hamilton on The Long Haired General. She's only 5'3" and slim so this should give you an idea...


Here she is in my Sub


To give you an idea about the size of her wrist...

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

As promised, here is my Hamilton on The Long Haired General. She's only 5'3" and slim so this should give you an idea...

That actually does seem fairly reasonable! Thanks for the effort for taking that pic!

I am definitely feeling the Hamiltons. My girlfriend's birthday is not until end of July though so I will have to wait quite a bit before doing anything!

[Puffy]

hmmm 500 bucks would get you some nice bezel inserts...

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by youenjoymyself

That actually does seem fairly reasonable! Thanks for the effort for taking that pic!

I am definitely feeling the Hamiltons. My girlfriend's birthday is not until end of July though so I will have to wait quite a bit before doing anything!

No worries mate!

I edited my original post with a few more pics to give you more idea.

[Mikel212]

My gf got me a Sub date after 1 yr of dating. Yeah....I'm that good. I eventually married her....yeah, its because of the watch.

Waiver: Past performance do not guarantee future performance.


I've gotten every X a nice watch at some point in time. Cartier was the dominant brand. What someone said here about it being a gift that lasts a lifetime is true....until someone after you gives her a nicer watch, then it just gets treated like an old Casio that needs a new battery.

Your price range is still a very generous gift. But everything is relative. A $500 may not be a luxury watch by our standards, but can be a luxury purse or wallet. Would you consider something like an LV bag or wallet for now, and when things get more serious and when funds are avail, then get a "nice" watch for a more serious occasion? Just an idea.


Not to sound sexist, but I dont think women share the same interest in vintage watches as men do. I think its the whole mechanical thing.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by Mikel212

My gf got me a Sub date after 1 yr of dating. Yeah....I'm that good. I eventually married her....yeah, its because of the watch.

Waiver: Past performance do not guarantee future performance.


I've gotten every X a nice watch at some point in time. Cartier was the dominant brand. What someone said here about it being a gift that lasts a lifetime is true....until someone after you gives her a nicer watch, then it just gets treated like an old Casio that needs a new battery.

Your price range is still a very generous gift. But everything is relative. A $500 may not be a luxury watch by our standards, but can be a luxury purse or wallet. Would you consider something like an LV bag or wallet for now, and when things get more serious and when funds are avail, then get a "nice" watch for a more serious occasion? Just an idea.


Not to sound sexist, but I dont think women share the same interest in vintage watches as men do. I think its the whole mechanical thing.

Many good points. She comes from a family where she could have just about anything she wants but chooses not too. Getting her something like an LV wallet or Hermes belt would be nice, although I don't think she would appreciate it much because she can (or does) have those things but never wears them.

She actually has a vintage Cartier (I think Ballon Bleu?) which was her grandmothers. She doesn't wear it though because she's afraid of losing or breaking it. She appreciates watches (because I do and teach her about them) and I think if I got her a cool mechanical watch she would like it. I asked one of her best friends about the idea and she thought it was fantastic.

Again the question comes down to vintage or new. New seems kind of boring, but vintage seems a little scary because you can't get a great watch in my price range.

[ispep]

Originally Posted by Mikel212

My gf got me a Sub date after 1 yr of dating. Yeah....I'm that good. I eventually married her....yeah, its because of the watch.

there are a lot of lucky guys in this forum. You especially . Where do I find girls like that ? Congrats!

[sleddog]

Moved!!!

This doesn't pertain to Rolex, so it's moved to the open section.

Best of luck finding a gift for your better half.

[Saxon007]

Originally Posted by youenjoymyself

I would have to max out at 40mm for her I think. Preferably 38-39mm.

Here ya go, 38mm Hamilton Khaki auto on a bracelet, $435.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Khaki...pd_sbs_watch_6

Or a Smith's (one piece strap only though) from Timefactors.com

http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

I haven't owned a Smith but I did have a Precista from the same company, solid watch.

[kyle L]

Maybe you can find a nice vintage Omega, since she likes vintage records. I love these watches, they're affordable (under 500) and they were some of the best watches made in those years.









They measure about 35mm, a nice size. Also these 50s/60s Omegas have solid movements.

[Mosco]

That's easy... Get an MKII