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Recommendations for a starter watch
Folks: my 20 year old daughter has picked up an interest in my hobby - probably because I keep talking about it all the time. Do you have a recommendation for a starter watch? Should I go new or used? She wants to use it special occasions. She is studying to be an Industrial Designer and I would like to give her something appropriate. What have you done or would recommend? Thanks in advance.
J.
J.
From my same experience i would opt for a pre owned Cartier
Younger women really like them and if she is really into mechanical pieces or doesn’t care about a movement but just the looks you can pick up some nice pieces from them imho
Yes. Cartier look is definitely cool. But I would like to give her a mechanical movement in which case, it’s not inexpensive.
Perhaps no obvious choice, but what about a Nomos with a nicely colored dial?
As she is studying to be an engineer, perhaps the fact that it is a mechanical watch might be interesting to her?
Nice hunting
Dirk
I gave my daughter a 36mm Rolex Datejust
when she graduated college. She picked it. Set a budget and let her pick the watch she wants.
I guess a lot depends on your budget
And also if she prefers a quartz or mechanical watch. If quartz, a Cartier of a Reverso would be great but if mechanical, the sky is the limit. But if one had a limited budget, I would thoroughly recommend the Seiko Presage with an enamel dial on sale in the Collectors Market currently as it offers rarity and excellent value for money! 
Sham: going for a mechanical. Hadn’t thought of the seiko. Will look in to it. Also checking to see if a vintage Cartier mechanical would fit the bill.
Shameless self-promotion Sham, and I like it!
Let me quickly put a few more Presages up 😅
Sadly, the ones I have are too thick for lady's wrist... so says my wife.
Mike
Daughter you say.... have one of those. Imho let HER pick it out. Take her to a few shops, used is fine, and let HER pick (with your wisdom and guidance by her side).
Plus it's a nice Father & Daughter bonding event. Add a great meal, concert, or whatever else she's into, and it's a win-win memory.
jmho
I would go with the pre-owned or new Cartier, or a pre-owned vintage speedy (it will be wonderful strap-monster!)!
I have tried it on twice — both in Paris and NYC — I have come close to buying it — love the modern, edgy vibe.
I was there before the summer...
and I went with a 29mm Seamaster diver blue dial. Not that common, fits her personality and lifestyle
my suggestion....
Since you said that she is going to be a industrial designer, i would go with something simple.... simple in the sense of a timeless classic...
what i have in mind is an oyster perpetual in 34mm or 36mm.... if you want to a dressy touch, add the oyster perpetual candy pink to the list....
Further, the lady date just by Rolex is also not a bad imho.
Aside from Rolex, what i think could be great value are Grand Seiko's, such as the SBG341G.
Credit: Rolex.com
Credit: Grand-Seiko.com
Good luck and keep us posted please.
Kind regards,
A.
Many excellent suggestions here
The question of budget is of course one of the determining factors. On the less expensive side, sham1's suggestion of the Seiko Presage is an excellent one imo. More expensive would be the Grand Seiko Shunbun, also a gorgeous piece. Nomos is excellent also.
A happy decision to make. My son just graduated college and he appreciates my small collection and his mom and I got him Grand Seiko sbgm221 GMT as a present.
Have fun and keep us posted!
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2025-10-02 19:06:25