Pilot-style watch recommendations for my 15 year old?

We're trying to raise our son with a quality over quantity attitude, but we're squarely in the middle class.
I had floated the idea of a nice watch for him a while back. He wasn't interested and I didn't push.

We're on vacation in Europe (house swap for the month) and he's mentioned a watch a number of times. I'm not sure if it was the airport shops, the euro-fashion or just a tincture of time thing, but I'm kind-of excited about it.
I'm not convinced he's really that into the idea and I don't want to spend a whole lot (ideally in the $300 range). I also would much-prefer an automatic as I think of them like I think of a nice hand-made bike ~ having a soul.

Thus far, his preference has been for the plainer Pilot style watches. Personally, I'm a fan of dive watches as I've explained to him that you can beat the $#@ out of them and not give it a second thought.

I've been looking at Hamilton, Tissot, Laco, and others on watchuseek and some of the online retailers. I've also stopped in some of the watch-shops over here and had him feel some of the options (a 42 is probably on the big side for him right now and a 40 or even a 38 seems just-right --- though he's 6' tall and may well have more to go).

Any advice or recommendations? -- or if anyone has something like this that they were considering flipping, let me know.

In that price range, I'd suggest looking at Seiko watches. They don't have a fancy European heritage, but work well, are durable without the need for maintenance and they have a decent fashion quota. Regardless of brand, I would go with 42. It will seem big at first, but you get used to the size and then it seems just right with 40 being small and 38 being just downright tiny. I am 6' and both my watches (Omega Speedmaster and Seamaster Pro) are 42.

For watch info, community forums and a brisk used watch trade, I'd recommend going to timezone.com. Most of the watches there are pricier than the range you are looking at, but it's fun to browse. Also, have a read of the Watch Snob columns. He talks about watches that cost what cars cost but he's funny

I don't know much about watches, but I was just looking at this one and thought it was pretty cool, especially since it is water-resistant to 200m/660ft. If I have to take a watch off, I lose it. So I need one that can go in the water. I have wrists like Andy Schleck, but this watch is basically a 40 with an extended area around the crown, so I figure this will work. Probably not quite the level you were considering though.

Mike--check out the Maratac Pilot. There's a big one (46mm) and a mid one that's a out 40mm. Very nice watch do the money; they're available in small batches, so you may need to be patient. Check out the thread in Art of Wardrobe; I posted pix there. Ciao,
JC

Linky:
CountyComm - Maratac Mid Pilot Watch 2013

Assuming you're willing to go with quartz (for a young guy the lack of accuracy of an automatic may be a disappointment) then Luminox might be a good option. Mine has been silly-accurate over the years, which I've always appreciated.

Your son might like the super-bright light cartridges (at least I think that's what they call them) and if he ever becomes a Navy Seal he won't even have to buy a new watch! Finally, I'm pretty sure that they're right in your price range.

2nd hand Hamilton? I've been quite impressed with my 2. Definitely not the fit and finish of my Planet Ocean, but quite solid.

Thanks for the ideas.
I like the notion of the Maratec more than the Seiko, but I'm not sure I have a good reason.
I LOVE the idea of second-hand ~ hence the daily sifting through WUS forum.

I know exactly what you mean about the accuracy of the quartz over the automatic, but I'd rather teach him to care for something and to appreciate the craftsmanship. If he really needs to know the time, he can look at his iPhone. I think that's the part that has me most excited...watches have been steadily losing favor. I love the notion that he might grab a hold of this tradition.

I am about to pull the trigger on this one for my 53rd. Slightly more than your budget, but lots of quality swiss-style: New O & W Diver 660ft - the Ranger model

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Originally Posted by VTMike

I know exactly what you mean about the accuracy of the quartz over the automatic, but I'd rather teach him to care for something and to appreciate the craftsmanship. If he really needs to know the time, he can look at his iPhone. I think that's the part that has me most excited...watches have been steadily losing favor. I love the notion that he might grab a hold of this tradition.

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I wouldn't worry too much about the accuracy of an automatic. They're not so far off that one can't be used for telling time. A little adjustment from time to time and it should be more than close enough and actually using it as a watch, IMO, is part of the tradition.

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Originally Posted by Clyde

I am about to pull the trigger on this one for my 53rd. Slightly more than your budget, but lots of quality swiss-style: New O & W Diver 660ft - the Ranger model

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Those are sharp...
And I could be convinced to spend a bit more.

To those in the know, is this a lot more watch than the others being discussed?
I can't read through the details and know what the heck is better/not as good.

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Originally Posted by Matthew Strongin

I wouldn't worry too much about the accuracy of an automatic. They're not so far off that one can't be used for telling time. A little adjustment from time to time and it should be more than close enough and actually using it as a watch, IMO, is part of the tradition.

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I agree completely.
I wear an Oris Auto and have no problem knowing what time it is.
Besides, when the minutes/seconds matter, you have no idea what standard they're working from anyhow.

I think the Obris Morgan Branco would fit the bill pretty well. It is titanium, automatic, very simple and even has a few hints of dive watch mixed into the design. It's a 43mm case so it is slightly bigger than what you want.

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Originally Posted by houston

I think the Obris Morgan Branco would fit the bill pretty well. It is titanium, automatic, very simple and even has a few hints of dive watch mixed into the design. It's a 43mm case so it is slightly bigger than what you want.

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I'd never seen those before. Pretty cool watch and much better looking for a 15yr old than a seiko.

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Originally Posted by Matthew Strongin

Pretty cool watch and much better looking for a 15yr old than a seiko.

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Agreed!
Obris?
Maratec?
O&W?

How the heck do you pick one over the other when you can't really see/compare them...

Now comes the leap of faith. I have seen the Obris and Maratec. No disappointments there.

A random question: When a size is quoted, say "42," which I assume is a diameter, what exactly is being measured? Just the dial or crystal, or does that also include the case?

TIA

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Originally Posted by Mabouya

A random question: When a size is quoted, say "42," which I assume is a diameter, what exactly is being measured? Just the dial or crystal, or does that also include the case?

TIA

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It is diameter for the case, and I think it is typically measured diagonally without including the lugs or the crown.

Seiko Orange Monster (The Seiko Orange Monster Review >> WristWatchReview.com). IMO a better quality watch than the others mentioned in this thread. It's certainly a watch he can grow with, and carry into adulthood.

Those Orange and black Monsters are an acquired taste. The quality is excellent and they are incredibly durable and maintenance free. The lume on the dial and hands is legendary. If the looks jive with you, move it to the top of your list. It is clearly a diver and not a pilot watch. Good call, Cash!

A black monster is daily wear. It is the columbus max fork crown of watches.

Found something awesome that I'm super-excited about.
Thanks, Dustin!

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Originally Posted by VTMike

Found something awesome that I'm super-excited about.

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And you're not going to tell us what it is? ;)

(Despite my comments about accuracy I've been thinking of going down this route also, so I'm always interested in what's out there.)

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Originally Posted by Mabouya

And you're not going to tell us what it is? ;)

(Despite my comments about accuracy I've been thinking of going down this route also, so I'm always interested in what's out there.)

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You should totally do it. It'll be a couple months before you're a minute late anywhere. And if you're lucky, you may even be a minute early. I wish the digital clock in my truck was as accurate as my watch. It seems to gain about 2-3 minutes a month.

Another vote for VTMike spilling the beans!

Dustin offered me his Hamilton Officer at a great price.
Buying someone through this thread/forum seemed like a no-brainer given the details.

Should be in VT about the same time we return from the Netherlands. Can't wait (though the BOSS says we should wait until Christmas to give it to him...).

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Originally Posted by VTMike

Dustin offered me his Hamilton Officer at a great price.
Buying someone through this thread/forum seemed like a no-brainer given the details.

Should be in VT about the same time we return from the Netherlands. Can't wait (though the BOSS says we should wait until Christmas to give it to him...).

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That should fit the bill perfectly. Nice!

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Originally Posted by Matthew Strongin

That should fit the bill perfectly. Nice!

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BEYOND perfectly.
15 years old and on his third trip to Europe. Spending 3 weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium.
2 years ago it was a month in Brittany and a week in Paris.
2 years before that it was traveling with me as I attended Math conferences in Metz, France and Austria. He and his mom spent all of their time being tourists.
And these are only his trips to Europe.

Now he'll be sporting a Hamilton Officer? Geesh!
At least he has the awareness to look at me and my wife and ask "what gaps will I have by growing up in a better financial situation than you and Mom?" (the two of us grew up in very blue-collar/modest families). Believe it or not, he does have a good sense of money/value, but he's still a lucky little #$&*.

That's a good-looking watch - if he takes care of it, it should serve him well.

Trips to europe? Nice watches?

I need to angle to get adopted by VTMike. I'm sure he wants a middle aged man with a voracious appetite for food and beer around the house.

Perfect watch for the boy. A watch like that will look good on any kind of strap. In my opinion, the best bang for the buck is the Hirsch Liberty. I actually have a fetish. I own several and two in the same color. Imagine the watch fitted with the light brown strap below(center). Ohhhh Billy!Attachment 57240

I was ogling some nice leather straps. Connected with a guy that makes them...pretty darn nice.
Might have to get him one of those (and maybe one or two for me, too).

Straps are dangerous...to the wallet

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Originally Posted by -Dustin

Straps are dangerous...to the wallet

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Not NATO straps: $15 at Leather, Nato, Nylon Watch Straps - Crown and Buckle

http://www.crownandbuckle.com/media/...0/1/01-4_2.jpg

Long-live the NATO strap!!!

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Originally Posted by cash

Seiko Orange Monster (The Seiko Orange Monster Review >> WristWatchReview.com). IMO a better quality watch than the others mentioned in this thread. It's certainly a watch he can grow with, and carry into adulthood.

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I ended up buying this watch and am rather unthrilled with it. I sent it back one to make certain of it's calibration for self-winding, and now it's returned to me "repaired". I am going in another direction so $150 will get this baby to your door. It is still in the box from Watchsavings.com, where I purchased it. It's nice, and as described by the article that convinced me to buy it; it's just not for me.

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Originally Posted by -Dustin

Straps are dangerous...to the wallet

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Make your own, find a place that suplies leather, you need very little tools to make a nato style band. I've made a few. Mostly for cheap Timex weekenders, but Ive made one or two for friends with nice watches as well. You can experiment a bit with what you like for the stitches and leather type.

The Hamilton Officer is a great decision. Has the Swiss ETA movement and runs and runs, and can be repaired by any modestly skilled watch repairer. I still have my USAF Issue watch, basically a Hamilton Officer , after 40 years and no maintenance other than a couple oilings. He can change bands and have different appearing watches as his tastes change.

My parents bought a basic, hand wound Girard-Perregaux at the base exchange at Ramstein AFB Germany. A birthday present for me in 1958, it still runs well.

It sounds like you have a well grounded teenager. Congratulations. That doesn't happen by circumstance.

This purchase has actually been a huge success.
I/we felt like we were spoiling him, to some extent, but also teaching him to buy quality once rather and treat it well.
He owns this piece with incredible pride. He's supremely careful with it and it really did make him walk a little taller/prouder. It also bolstered his overall taste/fashion (he's constantly dressing up with button downs and half-zip sweaters and scarfs and the whole nine-yards).
For my wife and I, we love that we gave him something to acknowledge his maturation that, if maintained, can last him a long, long time.

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Originally Posted by VTMike

This purchase has actually been a huge success.
I/we felt like we were spoiling him, to some extent, but also teaching him to buy quality once rather and treat it well.
He owns this piece with incredible pride. He's supremely careful with it and it really did make him walk a little taller/prouder. It also bolstered his overall taste/fashion (he's constantly dressing up with button downs and half-zip sweaters and scarfs and the whole nine-yards).
For my wife and I, we love that we gave him something to acknowledge his maturation that, if maintained, can last him a long, long time.

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Get him to straighten Chase's act out.

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Originally Posted by maunahaole

Get him to straighten Chase's act out.

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You mean it's bad that I've been having read all of Chase's posts for guidance?
Uh-oh!
Maybe any good attribute have happened by accident.