Do you know a watch enthusiast graduating this year? Here are some of the best gifts for graduates to complement their love for watches.
When someone makes their hobby a big part of their personality, you might think it's easy to shop for them.
First of all, I don't blame you. Watches are a huge part of my personality. I even still have my first watch.
Secondly, believe it or not, people passionate about their hobbies can be harder to shop for. So today, I will help you choose the best graduation gifts for the watch lover in your life.
The problem with enthusiasts, especially experts, is that they can be very picky. You might know they want a Submarine, but what if you get the year wrong? The wrong reference? If you're not familiar with the nuances, there are too many pitfalls here.
Graduation is a big event, and you want something special. Let's start by answering your first question.
Are Watches a Good Graduation Gift?
So, are watches a good graduation gift? The truth is, the answer depends on the situation.
The first thing to check is whether you know exactly, down to the details, which watch they want. I mean the brand, model, reference, and year of release. If there's a version with a date and without, which do they prefer?
Maybe they want a specific model only if it has a certain complication.
The second thing to consider is whether the gift is appropriate.
Expensive luxury watches, even affordable ones, might be more appropriate as a college or graduate school graduation gift. Moreover, it might be a gift intended from parents, grandparents.
On the other hand, maybe your son graduated high school and achieved something outstanding. Maybe he got a full scholarship to Harvard. Maybe, despite all odds, your son got into your alma mater, leaving a special legacy behind.
Such situations might justify buying a luxury watch.
It all depends on the situation. But yes, appropriateness is a key point when it comes to watches as a gift. Let's discuss some cool watch gift options for graduation.
Graduation Watch Gifts
Of course, the best option is to choose truly good luxury watches or the graduate's dream watch. However, you don't have to go all out.
You might be a parent, grandparent, or even an uncle who has a special relationship with the honoree. A family heirloom of any value is always a special gesture.
Also, if it's a high school graduation, it will give them a piece of home or their family. The first year after college graduation might require such a nice trinket as well.
Maybe it's their first "real" watch. For some, this might mean their first mechanical watch after years of wearing fashion watches. Believe it or not, you can easily find automatic watches priced under $200.
It can also be an affordable yet legendary watch they've always dreamed of. The Casio F91W and A158W are icons of the watch world that cost less than $40.
Timex is another brand that offers affordable models that are not just fashion watches. Watches like the Marlin are original without being odd, and they feature a unique manual winding.
Not only will he have to learn to wind the watch, but he'll also get to know it more closely. For many, this might seem like a chore. For watch enthusiasts, this makes them more interesting.
Display case backs are another way to achieve this engagement factor: look for affordable models from Seiko.
Best Graduation Watch Gifts: Personalization
Personalization is another way to make any watch more special. You can engrave a special message even on the cheapest watch, which will undoubtedly make it one of a kind.
Meanwhile, many college campus stores often have watches and timepieces with the institution's logo.
Going back to the child who got into a prestigious school or fulfilled a family legacy. This would be a great gift option.
And finally, when it comes to graduation watches, pocket watches, in my opinion, are a charming gift. They are easy to find at any price, unique and still useful, and you can always engrave them.
4 Best Graduation Gifts: Non-Watch Options
Non-watch options are actually much less risky. This makes them preferable for those not as close to the honoree as his or her parents.
Perhaps you know the graduate wants to take a nice watch to college. They will definitely need a place to store it or a safe place to put it during travel.
Various Watch Storage Solutions
Small watch storage solutions are a great gift for watch lovers.
Fortunately, watch boxes and stands come in all shapes and sizes. A small two-watch box or single stand can serve as a protective case. Depending on the design, they can even serve as a beautiful display.
Another option is a good watch winder. Many might argue that it's still undecided whether you need a winder. At the very least, it's a great way to display and safely store watches.
Of course, you can always opt for a nice watch roll. This is perhaps one of the most practical options for a young person moving into a small dorm room.
You can use watch rolls as compact home storage or for travel. Moreover, they come in many different styles. You can choose from an elegant leather roll or a sturdy canvas one.
Books About Watches
I don't want to sound like a five-year-old, but books about watches without pictures are not as interesting. Besides, they can get all the written information about watches from blogs like this one.
I'm talking about cool, beautifully bound coffee table books.
The popular book "A Man and His Watch" explores the theme through the stories of men who wore certain watches.
There's also the book "Rolex Watches." If he is a fan of the brand, giving him a Rolex watch for graduation might be too much. However, this magnificent book impresses while being affordable.
Truly, there's a book for every watch lover.
Watch Straps
I've always said that having several watch straps for one watch allows you to turn that watch into several.
You'd be surprised how much the aesthetics of even simple field watches can change. A genuine leather strap can give the watch a classic elegance. A NATO or Zulu strap (by the way, they're two different styles) can give the watch an authentic, rugged look.
In essence, additional watch straps are a low-risk, high-reward gift for graduates. If in doubt, just buy a couple of watch straps.
Watch Kits
I know what you're thinking. Not every watch enthusiast wants to assemble their own watches.
However, kits come in various forms. Some are very simple, containing a strap-changing tool, while others are more advanced. Who knows, maybe your graduate will want to experiment with basic watch models in the future.
Besides, having a magnifying loupe will make you feel like a true watch collector.
Conclusion: The Perfect Gift
When it comes to the best graduation gifts for watch enthusiasts, there are a few key takeaways.
First, they can be quite selective when it comes to watches. Be careful and make sure not to overstep. Leave luxury gifts for close relatives.
Second, watch accessories are a safe bet. Books about watches and watch straps will delight any enthusiast.
And, of course, they deserve it. Graduating is an achievement they don't face every day!
Have you ever received a watch or a watch-related gift for graduation? If so, I'd love to hear about it! Write to me on Telegram!