Your son is celebrating an important birthday, or maybe he has graduated, won a sports competition, got his first job, or is about to be married. In any case, you want to give him his first ‘proper’ watch. Which watch should you choose? Or, if you’re a retailer, which should you suggest?
My first question would be: what is his style, what’s his image?

 NOSTALGIC DANDY

MANUFACTURE POCKET WATCH BY FREDERIQUE CONSTANT

If he is nostalgic for the Roaring Twenties, models himself after Jay Gatsby, wears linen suits and listens to big band jazz, then have a look at the Manufacture Pocket Watch by Frederique Constant. Manually wound, naturally. CHF 2,995 plus VAT in steel, CHF 3,395 gold-plated.

 STAR WARS FAN

DEVON STAR WARS WATCH

If, like Marko Petrovic, who designed this watch for the Star Wars / Devon joint venture, he has watched Star Wars countless times, you can’t go wrong with this model. It combines ‘special effects’ (gears are replaced by Time Belts) with the aura of a galaxy far, far away. Only 500 will be made, and you will need deep pockets: USD 28,500.

 POST-APOCALYPTIC

KISAI RADIOACTIVE WOOD LED WATCH BY TOKYOFLASH

If he likes to warn people of the dangers of nuclear power, with this watch on his wrist he will certainly not lack for topics of conversation. Don’t ask how you tell the time, he’ll work it out for himself. This striking combination of wood and flashing LEDs comes from Tokyoflash. The Kisai Radioactive Wood LED watch, which can be recharged via a USB port, is available direct from www.tokyoflash.com, priced at USD 149.

 CLASSIC ELEGANCE

EXCELLENCE REGULATOR POWER RESERVE BY LOUIS ERARD

He appreciates classic elegance, readability, purity and precision – this regulator-type display ticks all of those boxes – his tastes are ultra-conservative, he likes to dress up in black tie and adores the opera. The Excellence Regulator Power Reserve by Louis Erard is made for him. And it offers surprisingly good value for money: CHF 2,795 plus VAT.

Source: Europa Star November 2015 Magazine Issue