Treat Your Dad This Father’s Day With A Watch He Can Wear Everyday

For a great many watch collectors around the world, the first seeds of horological intrigue are planted after being given a timepiece by their father. While the tradition of passing watches between family members usually goes down generations from father to child, it doesn’t mean that you can’t zig where most folks zag and give your Dad the gift of a watch this Father’s Day.

Not only would it make for a Father’s Day he’d never forget, but there’s something deeply personal and emotional about being given a watch to wear every day, which means so much more than a new golf club or a nice bottle of scotch. A slightly more sobering reason to consider it, though equally emotionally significant, is there’s a good chance the watch will eventually make its way back to your wrist as a memory of your father and give you the chance to begin a tradition of heirloom timepieces you can one day pass down to your child. 

Regardless of what your Dad does for work or the kind of personality that he has, there’s always a timepiece out there that’ll make him smile as he reaches for it in the morning. So no matter if he’s the sporty type who can’t wait to hit the gym or a suit-and-tie guy who knows his four-in-hand from his half-Windsor, we’ve got you covered here at Wristcheck.

If your Dad spends much of his weekends cycling vast distances with his friends, hitting the links to work on his putting game or is upset when the gym’s closed on Christmas Day, there’s a good chance he won’t wear a watch that can’t handle some vigorous activity. Fortunately, the market for sports watches has never been better serviced than it is right now, with even the most traditional and conservative watchmakers producing timepieces that can take some rough and tumble.

Within the lineup of watches that any energetic Dad will love, the Rolex Submariner "Cermit" is an instant winner, not only as an icon within the world of diving watches but as a timepiece that can handle almost anything. Ideal if your Dad is a swimmer (or into any water sports, really), the 41mm steel case and matching bracelet are comfortable, its 300m of water resistance will make sure it keeps ticking while submerged and the innovative Glidelock clasp system is perfect for adjusting when his wrist gets hot while out and about.

If he’s not a Rolex guy, then a Zenith Defy Skyline brings the same kind of wearability with a case and dial design that’s as contemporary as they come, as well as a technically impressive calibre El Primero 3620 movement inside. Or if your Dad isn’t afraid of enjoying life’s finer things as much as he does getting after it, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut in rose gold is undoubtedly one of the finest sports watches available today. 

The classics are classics for a reason - they’re as timeless as they are a pleasure to wear. Within the realm of the most classic watches in history, the Rolex Day-Date stands tall among the titans of horology as the choice of world leaders, adventurers and captains of commerce alike. Within the Rolex Day-Date line-up, there’s arguably none more classic than an example in yellow gold, especially arriving in the original 36mm case size and with an eye-catching blue dial.

Another classic born in the golden age of motorsports is the TAG Heuer Monaco, famously worn by Steve McQueen for his legendary role in Le Mans. Measuring 39mm in diameter and powered by the workhorse calibre Heuer 02 with 80 hours of power reserve, the Monaco is one of the most recognisable chronographs there is.

Another classic, but this time with a touch of Italian charm, is the Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Acciaio. Infused with the distinct Panerai DNA of robust legibility, the star of this classic is its high-powered in-house calibre P.5000 that serves up an incredible 192 hours of power reserve when fully wound.

The Dads with a penchant for considered style don’t just arrive with a wardrobe that could impress Gianni Agnelli but are also sometimes students of history, design or art and filled with a wealth of knowledge that’s as wide as it is deep. 

Slightly more conservative, thoughtful watches are likely to hit the spot and there’s arguably none as unconventionally balanced as the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1. Specifically, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Daymatic in platinum is a masterpiece of design thanks to its Golden Ratio proportioned dial and its impeccably finished calibre L021.1 inside offers the day and date in addition to the time.

If white metals aren’t his thing, another very finely hand-finished watch arrives in the form of the H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds, cased in rose gold that perfectly contrasts its so-called “funky blue” dial. Measuring 40mm in diameter and powered by the exquisite manually wound calibre HMC 343 visible through the exhibition caseback, it represents a modern pinnacle within the world of independent watchmaking.

For the Dads who enjoy hunting off the beaten track, chasing down the weirdest and most wonderful examples of whatever has caught their attention, there are some seriously underrated timepieces out there deserving of a place in their collection. One such watch is from the legendary French-founded fashion house Hermès and its H08 collection. The reference SP1.741 arrives with a blacked-out and cushion-shaped titanium case, matching its black rubber strap to keep it very much under the radar. With a confident fluidity presence throughout its design, from the numerals to its symmetrically balanced seconds hand, it’s a classic in the making.

Another watchmaker that deserves to be more widely known is Laventure, which was only founded in 2017. Despite its relative youth, the brand has already made several exciting watches including the Laventure Marine II, which features a 70s-inspired steel case and a radiant dial crafted from solid gold. With almost all of its watches sold out, this is another brand whose stock is only moving in the right direction.