Advice on a watch as a law school graduation gift | FerrariChat
Buy

Advice on a watch as a law school graduation gift

Discussion in 'Fine Watches, Jewelry, & Clothes' started by italiafan, Nov 9, 2023.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 3
  1. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #1 italiafan, Nov 9, 2023
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2023
    I think watches make the perfect graduation gift, so personal and on your wrist daily is a reminder of achievement and that someone really cared enough to give you this gift.
    My son will be graduating law school in ~18 months (yes, I’m a little early in looking, but hey..I love the hunt!). He works his butt off and is on track to secure a phenomenal job doing litigation in big law.
    I want the watch to be nice, but not so expensive he doesn’t have the, “Well, where do I go from here” syndrome; thinking under $15K range.

    I would think a young attorney would be best suited with a classy watch on a leather strap (save the diver for the weekend), in an unassuming metal like steel (new guy shouldn’t be rocking a gold watch in the office or courtroom). He’ll be wearing either a suit (client facing or courtroom) or shirt/tie in office.

    Here are two thoughts, but would appreciate the input of you watch nuts (and fathers):

    Vacheron, classy @ ~$12K, and JLC @ ~$11.5K. Both are steel from class brands with amazing history and movements. (Yes, I know the VC 56 movement is only finished in house.)

    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    NeuroBeaker and Texas Forever like this.
  2. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #2 italiafan, Nov 9, 2023
    I should preemptively add that I gave him a sports Breitling for college graduation which he loves. Yes, he loves watches.
     
    NeuroBeaker and Texas Forever like this.
  3. stevenwk

    stevenwk F1 Veteran

    Apr 12, 2007
    5,501
    Metro Detroit/Encino
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #3 stevenwk, Nov 9, 2023
    When I graduated law school in 1994, Mom and Dad bought me a stainless IWC time/date portofino automatic. I still wear it. Got it from Leo Hamel in San Diego. I think you're on the right track. Getting a nice watch that is not 'over the top' is the right way to go.
     
    italiafan likes this.
  4. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
    Owner Regional Sponsor Silver Subscribed

    Mar 30, 2013
    3,165
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Eddie
    #4 flat_plane_eddie, Nov 9, 2023
    I'm guessing you want to get him a new one?

    For under $15k you have quite a few options but JLC and VC are probably the best quality of the bunch. Some alternatives would be the IWC Portugieser (slightly on the bigger side), Glashütte Original (they have a few models that would fit the bill and significantly under budget), Cartier might be another option if he likes that style, Zenith (should also be significantly under budget), Moser and probably a few others I'm forgetting.

    I believe Blancpain and Breguet should also have some models that might fit your budget. Their dressy stuff is usually precious metal but if you get him white gold nobody will know the difference between that and steel.

    I can get pretty much all of these brands at a discount so if you need further help just PM me.
     
    Jack-the-lad, Il Tifoso, ryalex and 1 other person like this.
  5. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #5 italiafan, Nov 9, 2023
    Thanks Eddie!
     
    ronfrohock and flat_plane_eddie like this.
  6. SVanDyck

    SVanDyck Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2021
    459
    Full Name:
    Joe Michaels
    #6 SVanDyck, Nov 9, 2023
    I love the VC. It is very similar to my daily. I basically live in blue suits and that goes perfectly. I like your taste. I think a dive watch with a suit looks silly.
     
    italiafan likes this.
  7. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,720
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    #7 ryalex, Nov 9, 2023
    Love the look of the JLC and agree with your premise, you're on the right track with the leather strap and simple dial for court. As a lawyer I would say Cartier is pretty popular. A good number of my friends have Panerai.

    I like the IWC suggestion too, or even a Grand Seiko - there is something to that which embodies some good values of quality and craftsmanship that his mentors and clients would appreciate.

    I'll warn that biglaw is very socially competitive (well, law in general but especially trial guys), so don't get him something that's way beyond his starting salary reach in a way. The senior associates and junior non-equity partners would get ****ty with him if he rolls in with an AP or Patek already.
     
    LightGuy and italiafan like this.
  8. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 4, 2006
    7,558
    Crosslake, MN
    Full Name:
    Mike Sufka
    #8 mikesufka, Nov 9, 2023
    Love mine - have a Yacht Club - it's one of my favorite watches.

    Obviously Rolex

    Congrats to your son.

    MDS
     
    italiafan and flat_plane_eddie like this.
  9. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #9 italiafan, Nov 9, 2023
    Thanks all for your responses thus far. I love the purity of the JLC, it has just so much class and for us WIS (watch idiot savants) the history of JLC behind the scenes innovating and building the movements for the big power houses is just so appealing to me. However, my guess is for a guy in his mid twenties the VC 56 has more of a “modern pop.”
    @ryalex I really appreciate your comment about the culture. My son is also a car nut (apple-tree) and has his heart set on buying a BMW M3 as soon as he starts work. I have STRONGLY advised him not to do that (for a variety of reasons) and think he’d be better served staying “low key” for 2-3 years out of school.
     
    ryalex likes this.
  10. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    25,720
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    #10 ryalex, Nov 9, 2023
    Well he needs to “read the room,” but I suspect an M3 is not going to be too bad. I interned at a firm where the partners all got Astons or Bentleys provided by the firm, there, a BMW would not have ruffled feathers. But if he shows up and everyone under 35 has Toyota Camrys then beware, although I suspect you cannot stop a car guy from following his heart. ;)

    Side note I saw very little correlation between these big law guys and car interest. Many of my HLS friends drive boring stuff. If they want something “nice” they stick with ze Germans or Range Rover. Exotic cars tend to be plaintiff side injury guys. The extroverts with risk tolerance.
     
    MrMark, italiafan and Texas Forever like this.
  11. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,529
    socal
    #11 fatbillybob, Nov 9, 2023
    Forget the watch. Lawyers do not know how to use them. Just kidding. Congrats to both of you...
     
    italiafan and Texas Forever like this.
  12. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,535
    Texas!
    #12 Texas Forever, Nov 9, 2023
    You funny guy. Stay low key.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  13. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,535
    Texas!
    #13 Texas Forever, Nov 9, 2023
    I gave my SIL, Stanford Law, a 1956? Rolex. Because we live in a world where people commit murder over two six packs, I advised not to wear it much. In fact, I think the only time he wears it is when I visit. Good kid.

    Me? I wear a $100 watch with a $500 band.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  14. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,819
    #14 Edward 96GTS, Nov 9, 2023
    PP, that way he will live up to that standard.
    btw, when i graduated USC dental school my gift was a pizza. my parents thought it was just a trade school degree. oh well. neither of them went to college, depression era kids.
     
    Texas Forever, timjen88 and mikesufka like this.
  15. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    32,506
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Merritt Tockkrazy
    #15 GrigioGuy, Nov 9, 2023
    What comes with 6-minute marks? :)

    What type of watch does *he* like?
     
    MrMark, ArtS, willrace and 1 other person like this.
  16. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #16 italiafan, Nov 9, 2023
    They should make a flyback chronograph that measures 6 minute intervals. :D
    Not sure what his favorite watches are, he does love his Breitling though.
     
  17. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 4, 2006
    7,558
    Crosslake, MN
    Full Name:
    Mike Sufka
    #17 mikesufka, Nov 10, 2023
    He wants to play … I get it … but agree with you - live low key for a bit, put some money away, pay off loans, and then “let’s ride” !

    MDS
     
    italiafan likes this.
  18. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #18 italiafan, Nov 10, 2023
    Loans? :D
     
  19. mikesufka

    mikesufka F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 4, 2006
    7,558
    Crosslake, MN
    Full Name:
    Mike Sufka
    #19 mikesufka, Nov 10, 2023
    Nice work … he’s set

    MDS
     
  20. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #20 italiafan, Nov 10, 2023
    To be fair the law school (ranked comfortably in the top 25) gave him $120K in scholarship money.
     
    NYC Fred, Texas Forever and mikesufka like this.
  21. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    12,342
    Central NJ
    #21 ArtS, Nov 10, 2023
    Does your son like watches? Would he enjoy wearing one?

    For us, the watches you listed are beautiful. Would he think the same?

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
    italiafan likes this.
  22. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #22 italiafan, Nov 10, 2023
    Yes, I got him a Breitling for college graduation and he loves it. It is a steel sports watch (forget the reference). He can use that on the weekends.
    I think a watch is a great personal gift so I’d like to get him something that reminds him if his achievements and his parents every time he looks at it.
    Something nice, but not over the top.
     
    Texas Forever likes this.
  23. plastique999

    plastique999 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 9, 2008
    8,807
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Edward
    #23 plastique999, Nov 10, 2023
    NYC Fred, Xrayv8, Roman456 and 2 others like this.
  24. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    16,121
    Full Name:
    Stickbones Swagglesmith
    #24 italiafan, Nov 10, 2023
    You are one sharp dresser! :D
     
    NYC Fred and plastique999 like this.
  25. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    32,506
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Merritt Tockkrazy
    #25 GrigioGuy, Nov 10, 2023
    Does it have to be new? What about some 1950s-1960s vintage high-end automatic? It won't be in-your-face $$$ but would be rarely seen in his circles. And it would pick up some extra provenance being a graduation gift from you.

    Paging @walnut
     
    ArtS, italiafan and walnut like this.
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page