"Good" watch for 18th birthday present

[Bestseller]

I realise people will have vastly differing ideas on what constitutes a good watch but I'm thinking about £250/£300.

DS1 is singularly not image conscious and has no wants for his birthday. He's currently wearing a digital watch that DH bought from the market when he (DH!) was a teenager. DS has never owned or asked for a designer shirt etc and his trainers are bought on the basis of which ones are closest to plain black. Ie no bright colours or flashy labels if possible.

So we thought we'd get him something classic that hopefully he can wear for years to come. We've looked at some pictures with him and he likes the skeleton watches where the movement is on show. Leather strap (more comfortable!)

Anyway, I was discussing this with colleagues today and they are horrified that I'm looking at what I know as decent watch brands like Tissot and Rotary, rather than designer brands like Hillfiger or Boss.

These are middleaged professional people. Am I really way off the mark?

My son chose a Tissot chronograph watch a couple of years ago and he still loves it - wears it every day. It is a beautiful watch which doesn’t date and should last him for many years to come.

Lots of his friends got designer branded watches around the same time but they don’t come close.

Yes, that's where I was coming from Mutts. I realise lots of youngsters are attracted to a designer label but was surprised to hear MC, educated adults would also go for them in preference to a classic

Ignore them (obviously no taste)

Please do not go for a designer name branded watch. You are paying for the name not the quality of the watch. Find a nice watch that he likes or look for a good second hand watch for a slightly better maker.

I would go for Tissot over Rotary as it will hold value better - probably not that important at your budget, but as it's an 18th birthday pressie it would be nice for it to appreciate in value and be something he can pass on in time. Definitely avoid "designer" watches - largely style over substance.

I think Tissot skeleton watches may he over your budget - but go for a good Swiss made watch with jewelled movement and you'll not go far wrong.

For my DS's 18th I bought him a silver half hunter pocket watch. It was something you would keep/treasure rather than your bog standard wristwatch. He is a watch aficionado, so he was happy with the watch.

Again for something a bit different, look at Holzkern - their wooden watches are gorgeous and in your budget (DS was bought one for his wedding from his bride)

I bought DP a beautiful skeleton Rotary watch our first Christmas together. It goes with everything and looks good for every occasion.

If you buy designer in 5 or 10 years it’s going to look like a relic.

Definitely go classic and he’ll wear it forever.