Following a hiatus from reporting and reviewing the goodies from this year’s Baselworld and SIHH, we are bringing back the highly-popular Throwback Sundays series once again!
This week, we look at some of the watches that you might want to consider for a Father’s Day gift. We did a similar article on this topic last year, and this time, we want to explore the same theme but with a slightly different selection of watches. As usual, the watches that we are featuring will cover a reasonable range of watches, with varying price points. So, without any further ado, let us begin!
Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition
The Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition II in its natural habitat.
We kick-start this article with a sporty and robust timepiece: the Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition. The timepiece, as reviewed in this article previously, is a diver’s watch that is extremely robust and pretty functional. It has a decent water-resistant level of 500m, and it features other useful functions such as the day-date display, as well as a highly legible dial.
The watch is limited to 2,000 pieces, and it is fitted with either rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet. What is even more remarkable is the fact that a portion of the sales proceed will go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) for their conservation efforts. It is priced at SGD$3,000 (for the rubber strap variant, and SGD$3,300 for the bracelet version), and we reckon it will be perfect for any dads who enjoy diving or outdoor activities.
IWC Pilot Mark 18
The IWC Mark 18 “Le Petit Prince” Edition, with a stunning blue dial.
Next, we have the IWC Mark 18. This series of watches, or rather, the Pilot’s Watches from IWC is probably one of the few desirable watches that many men (and boys) would dream of wearing.
The Mark 18, a novelty from this year’s SIHH, is one of our favourite pieces from this collection. We like how IWC had reverted back to the single date display, and the inclusion of the digit “9” on the dial. The changes made the watch looks more complete, and much better than both its predecessors (Mark 16 and Mark 17).
We highly recommend the “Le Petit Prince” edition, in which it features a stunning sunburst blue dial that complements that white indices and hands perfectly. It is priced at SGD$6,250, and we are certain that this timeless 40mm watch is going to put a smile on your dad’s face.
Seiko Presage 60th Anniversary Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Chronograph
The Seiko Presage 60th Anniversary Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Chronograph.
In recent years, Seiko had caught the eyes of many collectors with its excellent price proposition and impeccable quality of the timepieces. The Presage 60th Anniversary Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Chronograph, notably, is another gorgeous timepiece that had won us over. We especially like the black “Urushi” lacquered dial, which gives the watch an air of elegance.
Another point to take not of is its movement: the Calibre 8R48. It is an in-house automatic movement, which features a vertical clutch and column wheel for the chronograph. On top of that, it has got a date indicator, as well as a decent power reserve of 45 hours. Although the finishing is a not as good as the Grand Seikos, but at €2,800, we reckon it represents good value as compared to the Swiss counterparts. For dads who appreciate the art of watchmaking, this is definitely going to be a splendid gift for him this Father’s Day.
Tudor Black Bay Bronze
Tudor Black Bay Bronze. The watch comes with an antiqued calf strap as well as a nylon NATO strap inspired by straps used by the French Navy for their rescue parachutes.
The Tudor Black Bay Bronze is one of the latest craze that have hit the horological world. While it is definitely not the first watch in the world to be cased in bronze, nor was it the first iteration of the Black Bay series, but this particular Tudor is probably one of the most highly anticipated pieces from the Geneva-based watchmaker thanks to its rustic good looks.
The watch is fitted with its in-house MT5601 movement, which is COSC-certified and has an impressive power reserve of 70 hours. While we were impressed by the movement, we think that it is the design of the watch that had stolen the limelight. We like how Tudor has incorporated the brown dial and bezel to complement the bronze case, as well as the classic design cues which were a reminiscence of the vintage Tudor watches. Price at CHF 3,800 (including Swiss VAT), and paired with either a vintage calf leather strap or the brown NATO strap, we feel that Tudor had outdone themselves once again with this incredible timepiece.
Patek Philippe Calatrava
The classic Calatrava. Shown here is a vintage example- Reference 3590J.
We now more on to the high-end spectrum of horology, with the Patek Philippe Calatrava. Patek Philippe, or more specifically the Calatrava, has been the embodiment of elegance and classiness with its subtle and timeless dress watches.
Throughout its history, we have many wonderful references of the Calatrava. It ranges from the vintage references like the 3590, to the more modern pieces ones such as the 5227. Each of them have their own characteristics and design hallmarks, but they all share something in common- its remains simple and exquisite, without the need to try too hard to impress anyone. Similar to the Seiko, this is going to be the perfect timepiece for dads who enjoy and appreciate horology. The example above, Reference 3590J, is priced at HK$95,000.
Oh, and as the advertisement suggests, your dad merely look after it [the Patek Philippe Watch]for the next generation. So effectively, you are probably purchasing a Calatrava indirectly for yourself in this case, with your dad safekeeping it for you in the meantime! Hmm, sounds like a wonderful move…
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase
The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase, aka the “Sexymoon”.
Saving the best for the last, we have the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moonphase. Or, as what we like to call it, the “Sexymoon”.
The Sexymoon is a novelty from this year’s SIHH, and it is one of the watches that have stolen our hearts away in this exhibition. It features an exceptional solid silver dial, with the iconic big date display and an intricate moonphase display. The moonphase, incidentally, is made from solid gold with blue tone that is produced from a special patented coating process with no fewer than 852 stars that were laser cut. The mechanics is also incredible, as the moonphase is so accurate that it only needs an adjustment once every 122.6 years.
Priced at €28,500, it is probably a timepiece that is out of the league for most of us. But if you are someone who is blessed with a huge bank balance, and that your dad is a massive watch collector, then the Sexymoon is probably the perfect watch to give your father this Father’s Day.
Concluding Thoughts
We have recommended six watches that we think are excellent options for a Father’s Day gift, but what is most important isn’t the price or exclusivity of the watch. It is the thought that really counts. It does not matter if the gift was a simple Swatch Quartz watch or an elaborated Breguet Tourbillon. What are really important will be the thoughts behind the gift, as well as the way you treat your folks (or anyone, for that matter). That, in our opinion, should be the utmost priority.
Anyways, we hope that you have enjoyed our article this week. Let us know what are some of the watches that you would have selected, as well as the topics that you will like to see in this column in the following weeks. Till then, adios!
