Jamie Weiss
What to give to the man who has everything? Finding a Father’s Day gift can be really tough. And if you’re a father, you might be tired of getting socks and jocks every year. That’s why a watch is the perfect Father’s Day gift – something that dads will really cherish and appreciate. If you’re like me, your dad also feels special because he’s the one who introduced you to watches. We’ve rounded up some great watches (and watch accessories) at a variety of price points that make great Father’s Day gifts and are sure to become your dad’s favorite.
For the Money-Saving Dad: Boldr Venture Staghorn
Boldr Watch Co. has long been a secret brand among watch collectors. Their winning combination of adventurous design, great build quality, and popular specs (all at a “how do they make that?” price) has made Boldr a favorite among microbrand connoisseurs. One of their best and most versatile models is the Venture diver’s watch in a unique Staghorn colorway. The angular lines and hooded lug profile of the 38mm titanium case make it truly stand out from traditional diver’s watches. Other thoughtfully designed features include a matching titanium bracelet, full water resistance to 200 meters, unidirectional timing bezel, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown at 4 o’clock, and a clean, graphical look with a matte beige dial. With wide sword-shaped hands, no date window, and plenty of Japanese Super Luminor, this is an extremely easy-to-read watch. The bronze-tone bezel insert and minute hand are a perfect match for the dial. Powered by the sturdy Seiko NH35A automatic, it’s as reliable as its dad, and the overall value proposition is outstanding. Price: $489 USD. From the Time+Tide shop
Playful Pop: Studio Underd0g Watermel0n
Father’s Day is usually the day when dads get their fill of manly food, but adults still need to eat their fruits and vegetables. That’s why the delicious Studio Underd0g Watermel0n makes the perfect Father’s Day gift. The most iconic model this popular British microbrand has ever produced, this cult favorite piece is a real sight to behold, with its fruity pink and red dial. The rough gradient top dial is reminiscent of the texture of an actual watermelon, and it contrasts sharply with the green tachymeter and black watermelon pip indexes. The manual winding chronograph movement and supple Epsom leather strap make this the perfect playful gift for a dad who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Price: $694 USD, available exclusively at Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio stores
For the strap-loving man: Artem HydroFlex watch strap
One piece of advice you may have received from your father is that changing your strap is just as good as buying a new watch. And if your dad loves experimenting with watch straps, then HydroFlex from Australian watch accessories brand Artem is the perfect Father’s Day gift. Founded by two watch-passionate pals, Artem Straps has garnered a cult following for its exceptional attention to detail and premium materials. A hybrid strap made from a premium FKM rubber base layered with Artem’s signature synthetic embossed material, HydroFlex is Artem’s flagship product, and it’s water-resistant, flexible, and durable, yet buttery soft in a way that other rubber straps just can’t match. Price: USD 218 (Omega Speedmaster not included)
For the Stylish Dad: Casio G-Shock GM-B2100GD
The Casio G-Shock 2100 series, better known as the CasiOak due to its octagonal case reminiscent of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, is one of the most popular Casios of the 21st century and a must-have in any watch fan’s collection. This model from the G-Shock GMB 2100 collection is a flashy CasiOak featuring a full stainless steel case and yellow gold ion-coated bracelet, giving it an undeniably luxurious look but without the Audemars Piguet price tag. Boasting a wide range of features including solar powered, 200m water resistant, legendary ruggedness, 38 time zones, 1/100th second stopwatch, countdown timer, 5 daily alarms, Bluetooth connectivity and power saving features, the CasiOak is sure to please any dad with its practicality. Price: $792 USD, available at Time+Tide Shop
For pop culture lovers: Realistic figures
Fool’s Paradise’s witty, time-centric, immersive vinyl art figures are definitely a grown-ups’ toy. Think of them like Funko POP! for watch lovers. These clever collectibles will have you coming back for more watch-related puns. Who doesn’t love a good dad joke? Choose from an assortment of Foolex panda figurines with Daytona-like panda dials. Or the Dark Knight, inspired by the GMT-Master II “Batman.” There’s a wide selection on the site, but numbers are limited, so hurry! Price: From $298 USD
For the sports-loving dad: Baucele Sydney Diver
Some dads are couch-loving types, while others are bona fide action men. Whether your dad is a desk diver or a real diver, he’s sure to love this Sydney Diver from Australian watch brand Bausele. As an international watch, the distinctive hollow crown is filled with soil from military bases across the United States. The watch itself is assembled by military veterans, powered by a robust Swiss-made Sellita movement, and designed in Sydney, Australia. Water-resistant to 200 meters, the Bausele Sydney Diver features a black PVD-coated stainless steel case, a unidirectional diving bezel, and comes with two straps: an elastic NATO parachute strap and a tropical rubber strap. Plus, 10% of sales will be donated to the Veterans Association, a cause most dads would agree with. Price: $1,421, available at Time+Tide Shop
For the dad who loves winding: Wolf Axis Double Winder with Storage – Copper
There’s nothing a dad loves more than making fun of his kids with a snarky joke. But while winding your kid’s watch is fun, winding a watch can be a real pain, especially if it’s a complicated timepiece like a perpetual calendar. So this Father’s Day, don’t joke around and treat your dad to a luxurious Axis Watch Winder from Wolf. Using Wolf’s patented turn-counting technology to ensure an accurate number of turns per day, the Axis Winder features a microsuede interior, lockable glass cover, backlit LCD display, laser-cut steel hardware with a copper finish, and two winding modules. A storage box on top of the winder is perfect for storing spare straps, spring bars, and tools. Price: $1,516, available at Time+Tide Shop
For the cool dad: Furlan Mari Salmon Sector
As we mentioned earlier, some dads aren’t satisfied with just getting underwear for Father’s Day. No, some dads are a lot more fashion-conscious. They’re stylish men who are always on the lookout for the coolest new accessories. And just the same, you can find much more than cufflinks and ties. How about a dress watch? This Furlan Marri Salmon Sector is a classy choice. Featuring a salmon pink three-sector dial, this timepiece is full of nice vintage touches, such as the Cornes de Vache lugs and the Breguet-style open six and nine. In fact, it resembles a 1940s Vacheron Constantin, but the modern La Joux-Perret automatic movement will be much more hassle-free for dad than a vintage watch. Price: $1,553, available at Time+Tide Shop
For formal occasions with dad: AHW cufflinks
We just said that cufflinks are a bit old-fashioned as a Father’s Day gift, but these cufflinks are an exception – especially if your dad is a fan of watches. Australian jewellery manufacturer AHW produces a wide range of jewellery and accessories, but is best known for its creations that use real watch movements. The cufflinks pictured above use a 1940s Benrus movement from New York and Switzerland, mounted in a 925 sterling silver frame plated with 18K rose gold. The handcrafted cufflink toggles are designed to resemble the crown and stem of a watch. With a hint of steampunk flair, but not too flashy, they’re the perfect gift for dad who likes to dress up. Price: $304
Recommended for gentlemen who love to read: A Man & His Watch by Matt Franek
Every father should have plenty of coffee table books and fine books in his study, but A Man & His Watch is a particularly fine work. Written by watch collector, photographer, and New York men’s fashion fixture Matt Franek, A Man & His Watch features 76 of the world’s most coveted and historically significant timepieces, including Paul Newman’s Daytona and Churchill’s Tiffany & Co. watch. Franek travels the globe to conduct first-hand interviews and delve into exclusive collections to gather never-before-told stories, complete with stunning original photographs of every watch. Price: $55 USD, available at the Time+Tide shop
For adventurous older adults: NORQAIN Wild One
Wild… as the name suggests. The cutting-edge Norqain Wild One features high-tech construction in a bold, lightweight sports model. Designed with Jean-Claude Biver on board as an advisor, the Wild One line starts with an innovative case construction. The multi-layered design uses the company’s proprietary Nortec carbon fiber composite for the 42mm outer cage, secured to an inner titanium and shock-absorbing rubber construction. My favorite color combination for the Norqain Wild One is the black and khaki combination, which exudes pure tactical cool. The laser-cut black dial features a must-see multi-level effect, which upon closer inspection is comprised of an intricate pattern of two intertwined “N”s from the Norqain logo on three layers. Other specifications include the Kenissi NN20/1 chronometer movement, 200-meter water resistance, screw-down crown, and sapphire crystals front and back, all of which add to the reliability of every Norqain watch. The included rubber strap features a two-tone mesh texture in black and khaki green, a stylish choice that’s just right for my taste. Price: $5,022 USD from the Time+Tide shop
For dads who always want to be on time: the multifunctional timegrapher
If your dad is anything like my dad, he’s passionate about punctuality and punctuality (especially where airports are involved – why does every dad want to get there so early?). So if you really want to help him be as punctual as possible, why not buy him a personalized timegrapher and let him test his watch? A precision tool often used to adjust watches and correct beat errors, this timegrapher automatically calculates the speed, amplitude, beat error and frequency of mechanical watches in real time. Dad will be thrilled to have his watch tested to see if it really lives up to his standards. Price: USD 149
For a special dad: Patek Philippe Aquanaut
This might be a bit outlandish, but if you want to show your dad some love this Father’s Day, why not give him an Aquanaut? If I had kids, this is the watch I would secretly want them to get. This is the watch I would be willing to sell my entire collection for. And I can’t think of a more ideal Patek to give to someone. It’s sporty and casual, yet very sophisticated, and has that indescribable charm that makes it a meaningful gift. And remember the famous Patek Philippe slogan: “You don’t own a Patek Philippe, you just cherish it for the next generation.” So buying your dad a Patek is the same as buying yourself a Patek. It’s a win-win. You might want to join the waiting list before your dad passes away… Price: $24,450
