06/04/2019

Dad-Worthy: Our Five Favorite Father's Day Watches

His jokes may be corny, but he put food on the table and a roof over your head, so why not say thanks with a timeless gift for the wrist? This Father’s Day, give your old man something he didn’t know he needed.

By Thomas Hendricks

Contributor

Well, Father’s Day is coming up fast (June 16th in case you were about to Google it), and dads are notoriously hard to shop for. Chances are he’s got life pretty much figured out by now - he’s worn the same sensible sneakers for the last ten years and has been breaking in “the good chair” for the last twenty.

A tie can be a little cliché, and whiskey doesn't last long. So this year, why not give him something he can enjoy all day every day? He's the guy that taught you how to change a tire, how to find a bargain, and how to read a watch in the first place. Choose wisely, and he'll see that those lessons have sunk in after all.

Nomos Tangente

First up on the list is the Nomos Tangente. This Bauhaus inspired watch brings a healthy dose of design to the wrist without being too fussy about it. At 6.8mm thick, it fits nicely under the cuff and avoids some of the brunt from everyday wear.

NOMOS Glashütte Tangente 38

Dad can take a look under the hood through the sapphire crystal caseback and watch the beautifully finished in-house Alpha caliber, the first Nomos movement, go to work. The Alpha features a 43-hour power reserve, and the manual wind brings a moment of meditation to his morning routine. All dads have a morning routine, right?

Casio G-Shock

If you’d like to upgrade your dad from his tired Timex Ironman, then the Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 is a solid option to consider. An updated take on Kikuo Ibe’s original 1983 DW5000 design, the flashy Full Metal is just as shock-resistant and waterproof as the Polyurethane models - perfect for a dad that’s had to put up with enough crap already.

Casio G-Shock ‘Full Metal’ 5000 collection

And with a super illuminator LED, solar battery, alarm function, atomic timekeeping, and Bluetooth connectivity, it’s not so much a tool watch as it is the whole damn toolbox.

Casio G-Shock ‘Full Metal’ 5000 in silver on the wrist

Rolex Datejust

Here’s a fact of life: it’s impossible to be sad when opening up a Rolex. And for a hard-working guy who appreciates the finer things, what better gift is there? The classic Datejust can easily go from golf course to anniversary dinner, and the cyclops on the date will save him from pulling out his reading glasses.

Rolex Datejust 36

This watch provides a subtle way for him to impress his friends and will quickly move you to the top of the leaderboard in the favorite child arms race.

New Rolex Datejust 36mm

TAG Heuer 1972 Special Re-Edition Autavia

There’s a turning point in every dad’s life when he must trade the muscle car for the minivan. And although fatherhood is undoubtedly fulfilling, the glory days of bachelorhood are never entirely filed away.

Heuer 1972 Special Re-Edition Autavia

TAG Heuer's revival of the 1972 Heuer Autavia combines the sex appeal of vintage racing with the reliability of a modern timepiece and features such bells and whistles as a rotating bezel, exhibition caseback, and 75-hour power reserve. Plus, the chronograph function can come in handy for all sorts of dad things - from testing the wait time at a restaurant to grilling the perfect medium rare steak.

Heuer 1972 Special Re-Edition Autavia

Breitling Navitimer 8

Breitling’s Navitimer 8 brings a contemporary update to the watch worn by fighter pilots of yore. This automatic edition features a streamlined dial with clean, contrasting Arabic numerals and a date window tucked at 6 o'clock. Dads will love the black steel case, no-nonsense styling, and Breitling's 135 years of aviation expertise.