SpotlightFather’s Day Gifting: Which Watch Is Right For Your Dad?
To each of us, our dad is the ultimate. And there are certain interesting things about every father that makes him special in a unique way—such as a nerdy passion or a quirky obsession. Appealing to such endearing qualities would certainly make this Father’s Day (June 20) special for him. So we’ve put together a selection of watches that are ideal for fathers with different interests. Which one would you pick for yours?
May We Recommend
For the jet-setting dad
The Arnold & Son Globetrotter—Day And Night
Inspired by the chronometers developed by English watchmaker John Arnold, which stood the test of time on arduous journeys of a bygone era; it comes as no surprise that the Arnold & Son Globetrotter is the ideal watch for dads who have a busy, jet-setting lifestyle. This timepiece stands out for its large, central arched bridge, with its three-dimensional terrestrial dome. Housed in a 45mm stainless steel case, the Globetrotter features one of the largest rotating world time displays on a wristwatch. It offers a spectacular view of the Northern Hemisphere, with continents depicted in brass with polished surfaces, and the oceans are lacquered by hand with different deep blue tones. The silvery-white opaline dial also features Roman numerals for the hours and a circular brushed chapter ring for the minutes. The world time display is surrounded by a 24-hour sapphire crystal disc, fixed to the same bridge that holds the hemisphere, and makes one complete rotation every 24 hours. This has been made possible, thanks to the in-house calibre A&S6022 with an automatic winding system, providing a power reserve of at least 45 hours. There’s also the Globetrotter Night version, seen here, which offers a realistic and meticulously rendered interpretation of the Northern Hemisphere at night. Here, the brass used for depicting the continents has undergone a deep-grey galvanic treatment before being hand-lacquered in a black-grey hue, while the oceans are lacquered in grey-blue. To further the authentic representation, city lights are portrayed by hand-applied silver sparkles. Both versions are water-resistant to 30m, and are attached to leather straps in blue or black.
For the environmentalist dad
The Breitling Superocean Heritage Chronograph 44 Outerknown
Sustainability is the need of the hour. Our planet needs it more than ever, and we should all be doing our part. Now fine watches in general are very high on sustainability, because they’re products that are made to last lifetimes. Unlike smartwatches and other electronic devices, mechanical watches don’t need to be replaced; only serviced now and then, and the strap might need changing, if it’s not a bracelet strap. Now what if even the strap is made from a sustainable material? The Breitling Superocean Outerknown gives you that. As part of their ongoing partnership with Outerknown—the manufacturers of sustainably-produced apparel and accessories—Breitling have created multiple special editions to celebrate this partnership and spread awareness about sustainability. The textile straps that Outerknown make for Breitling are made from Econyl—a completely non-toxic yarn that is made from any plastic waste material, such as fishing nets, plastic bottles, polythene and so on. Outerknown is a brainchild of renowned surfer Kelly Slater, who is in Breitling’s ‘surfer squad’ of ambassadors. Slater wouldn’t associate with the brand unless they also helped take his sustainability cause forward. This Superocean chronograph celebrates the association, as an apt poster child for a cause that helps solve the ocean pollution problem. The 44mm watch is in DLC-coated steel, with a unidirectional-rotating dive-timer bezel. The automatic Breitling 13 calibre within is a certified chronometer, which offers a power reserve of 48 hours, and runs the timekeeping, the chronograph feature and the day and date indicators seen at three o’clock. The rich blue dial complements the Outerknown strap, distinguished by the Outerknown ‘OK’ emblem. While this Superocean Outerknown special edition has the strap made from Econyl, Breitling have also started to sell straps like these individually in other colours, in addition to taking other initiatives such as using completely recycled materials for their watch boxes.
For the aviation enthusiast
The Bremont MBII
The innovative shock-protection system offered by the Bremont MBII wristwatch makes it an ideal companion for any dad who is an aviation aficionado. Made in collaboration with Martin-Baker—the manufacturers of ejection seats found in 70 percent of the world’s fighter planes—the timepiece can withstand the extreme forces experienced during an ejection, unlike a plethora of pilot watches available in the market today. Not only this, the MBII also features a soft iron Faraday cage—an enclosure to protect it from the high-intensity magnetic fields of a cockpit. However, the icing on the cake is its unique 43mm steel case, carefully crafted with Bremont’s unique ‘trip-tick’ construction, which incorporates three pieces: the bezel, the caseback, and a separate middle barrel. Meanwhile, beating inside the watch is the COSC-certified chronometer movement, the BE-36AE, with a frequency of 28,800vph, and offering a power reserve of at least 38 hours. The clean and aesthetically pleasing dial—available in white or black—sports a central timekeeping system and a date indicator at the three o’clock position. This timekeeper is presented on a finely made leather strap that comes with orange stitching on the sides and feels extremely comfortable on the wrist.
For the dad with global connections
The Girard-Perregaux 1966 WW.TC Edition
In this day and age, we’re all about scheduling Zoom calls and Google Meets with not just our colleagues and business associates, but also our near and dear ones scattered around the globe. Surely, you’ve even helped your dad set up a video call or two with his old batch-mates or cousins in different time zones. It’s a little unnerving, to be honest, to schedule a call that suits someone on, say, the US west coast, as well as someone in maybe Singapore, without an eye on a world-timer. Now what if your dad didn’t have to keep opening the clock app on his phone, and had the time in multiple zones right on his wrist? That’s what you get with a fantastic world-timer watch, such as this Girard-Perregaux WW.TC. First launched in 2000, the WW.TC (World-Wide Time Control) series has been known for the ring of cities on the dial, representing all 24 major time zones. In this version of the WW.TC from the brand’s ‘1966’ collection, you get a very wearable piece that is good as an everyday watch, while being as useful as any excellent world-timer you can find. Working this watch is far easier than you might think. First, you set the main time using the crown at three o’clock—the convention among watches—and then you use the crown on the opposite side of the case, at nine o’clock, to align your time zone to the 12 o’clock position. This would basically mean, if you’re in India, align the city ring such that 12 o’clock comes exactly between Karachi and Dhaka. And you’re done! Now you have the time in all the 24 main time zones—seen on the 24-hour ring corresponding the zones. This watch comes in a very favourable size of 40mm in steel or 18-karat gold, and it runs on an automatic movement that can be seen through the transparent caseback. The gold version’s winding rotor is also in gold.
For the minimalist dad
The H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept
It does not matter if they are artists, designers, or just those who embrace austerity over flamboyance. There are some fathers who prefer simple things with flawless execution. For them, we have the H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept—a timepiece that has become synonymous with the idea of minimalism. When it was first introduced, this watch pushed the horological world into a frenzy as it offered a dial devoid of all non-essential details and markers, including the brand logo. Moser have used the timepiece as a canvas to showcase their exquisite craftsmanship and ingenious engineering, rather than exhausting their resources on the branding. Housed in a 40mm red gold case, the Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept offers a ‘funky blue’ fumé or ‘smoked’ dial that has an almost hypnotic effect, enhanced by warm reflections and its sunray-brushed pattern. On turning the timepiece over, one can view the in-house self-winding HMC 200 calibre, with the brand’s distinctive double stripes and a gold open-worked rotor—engraved with the H. Moser & Cie. hallmark. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600vph and provides a power reserve of 72 hours.
For the Indian history buff
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Duoface Small Seconds
If your father loves stories of the past, and can’t get enough of delving into historical literature or discussing the age of empires at length; the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso might just be the ideal wrist companion for him. Originally crafted in 1931 for British army officers commissioned in India—the Reverso was a path-breaking invention back then—replete with a reversible mechanism to protect the glass against the rigours of a polo match. This flip-over case design has evolved and been incorporated in several models, including those that have two faces. This model here, the stainless steel Reverso Classic Large Duoface Small Seconds, offers a second time zone on the caseback—perfect for travel enthusiasts, who might like to have more than one time zone on their wrists. Its case, measuring 47mm by 28.3mm, frames a silvered grey dial that features a small seconds window at six o’clock, and trademark blue dauphine hands, while the black dial on the reverse has a 24-hour indicator instead of running seconds. It is powered by the manual-winding calibre 854A/2, which beats at 21,600vph and supplies the watch with energy for up to 42 hours. Water-resistant to 30m, the rectangular masterpiece is presented on a black leather strap, enhancing its classical appeal.
For the fan of German engineering
The Nomos Ludwig Neomatik 41 Date
For all the dads who love the supreme precision offered by German engineering—whether it’s cars, gadgets or wristwatches—a good Nomos is the way to go. The brand take pride in crafting timepieces that blend haute horlogerie elements practised in Glashütte—the birthplace of German watchmaking. They settle for nothing but the highest standards in the art of crafting minimalistic watches that provide great accuracy. The Ludwig Neomatik 41 Date is the epitome of elegance with its round steel case, presented on a black leather strap—reminiscent of vintage dress watches. The white dial features Roman hour markers, a date window at three o’clock with Arabic numerals, and a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock. The sleek tempered blue hands add character to the watch as they stand out against the pristine backdrop. The watch is equipped with an in-house calibre DUW 6101 with 27 jewels, while maintaining a sleek structure. It can function smoothly for up to 42 hours when fully wound. Water-resistant to 50m, this Ludwig’s leather strap is fitted with a square, winged clasp.
For the space enthusiast
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph
If your father is fascinated by humankind’s exploration of outer space, he would absolutely love this watch and treasure it forever. Moreover, if he looks back fondly at the historical first Moon landing of July 1969—as an event that the entire world followed closely—there cannot be a better option for your dad. This Speedmaster Moonwatch is a direct descendant of the very same Speedmaster that was worn by the Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, and Michael Collins, when they went on that pioneering space mission. While Collins continued to orbit the Moon, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the Lunar Module. It was only Aldrin, who wore his Speedmaster when he set foot on the Moon, while Armstrong left his in the Module. The race to space for Omega began in 1963, when NASA asked watch companies to send in chronograph timepieces in order for them to pick one that would assist their astronauts in space. After testing several watches from all sorts of brands, they picked Omega’s Speedmaster, which was the only one to pass all the tests. Since the Apollo 11 mission, the Speedmaster Moonwatch has been worn by the crews of all six lunar landings.
Over the years, Omega have updated the Moonwatch, with developments in watchmaking technology, but retained the instantly recognisable design with only minor tweaks now and then. This edition, unveiled in 2020, with the manual-winding calibre 3861, is the from the first edition of Moonwatches to come with Omega’s Master Chronometer certification. This is stamp of approval that is awarded to a watch with a movement that is already certified by the COSC as a chronometer, and then passes eight rigorous tests to confirm its accuracy even in the face of extreme magnetic fields and other severe conditions. For the design of this edition, Omega have drawn directly from the fourth-generation Moonwatch—commonly referred to as the ST 105.012—the one worn by the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. It features the classic asymmetrical case with twisted lugs, as well as short and wide pushers, and the stepped dial in black, among other iconic staples. This edition comes with a domed glass and flat caseback in sapphire crystal, which is scratch-resistant, as opposed to the hesalite crystal used on the 1969 watch, which could scratch. Completing the look is a black leather strap.
For the diving enthusiast
The Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition
Make those resort vacations memorable for your dad with the Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition timepiece. It is a dive watch but it makes for a delightful wrist companion for anyone who is intrigued by the marine world, or loves being in or around water. Based on the Oris Aquis GMT diver’s watch, it is limited to 2,016 pieces only. Crafted in a 43.5mm, stainless steel case, the watch features a blue dial with a whale shark skin pattern, which forms the perfect backdrop for Super-LumiNova-coated hour markers, hands, and indices—offering improved underwater visibility. There’s a neat date window at three o’clock and one also sees the brand name positioned right below 12 o’clock. One of the most recognisable features of this watch is the bidirectional-rotating GMT bezel with a laser-engraved 24-hour scale, on a ceramic insert. It is divided into two parts—black representing night and blue indicating the daytime. At the heart of this diver’s tool watch is the Oris calibre 798, which beats at 28,800vph, and supplies a power reserve of 42 hours. It is presented on a three-row stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp and is water-resistant to 300m.
Click here to know more about this Oris and how it helps the largest fish of the ocean
For the perfectionist dad
The Parmigiani Kalpa Hebdomadaire
This one is for all the dads who juggle multiple chores single-handedly, and strike a perfect balance between their personal and professional lives. The Parmigiani Kalpa Hebdomadaire is a reliable timepiece, blending form and function—apt for fathers who aim for excellence. With its instantly recognisable tonneau-shaped case in 18-karat rose gold, the timepiece represents Parmigiani’s commitment to exemplary watchmaking. A brainchild of founder Michel Parmigiani, who wanted to create an ergonomic case that could fit any wrist size comfortably, this Kalpa case presents the perfect curvature. Within the case is a black dial that features a slightly sunken central area, surrounded by an intricate ‘tress’ pattern in guilloche. The Super-LumiNova-treated indices and delta-shaped hands create soothing contrast against this backdrop. One can also see the power reserve indicator, positioned at 12 o’clock, along with an elongated date window. The dial also accommodates a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock. Its sapphire crystal caseback gives a clear view of the tonneau-shaped movement—a rarity in itself—decorated with Côtes de Genève and bevelled bridges. This movement is the manual-winding calibre PF110, which beats at a frequency of 21,600vph, and packs a whopping power reserve of eight days, which is what the watch is named after. ‘Hebdomadaire’ is French for ‘weekly’—more than which you won’t need to wind this watch. Offering water resistance up to 30m, the watch is presented on a black leather strap with an 18-karat rose gold buckle.
For the offbeat dad
The Urwerk UR-Satellite T-Rex
A striking, offbeat design with superb engineering is how one can sum up Urwerk’s UR-Satellite T-Rex. It celebrates the brand’s famous satellite time display, which forgoes regular two-hand timekeeping, and is ideal for someone who enjoys the unconventional and appreciates offbeat design and functionality. The time is indiated via wandering hours on a rotating wheel, which point to a minutes scale on the lower end of the display. This robust watch boats an intricately crafted exterior that exhibits the brand’s commitment to experimental design practices. Its 41mm case, in bronze and PVD-blackened titanium, is the result of a series of treatments. An intricate pattern of scales is created on the top and sides of the case through a computer-controlled milling station. This is followed by sand-blasting and the brand’s proprietary method of biochemical burnishing, which give the watch its distinctive hue. The three satellite markers rotate around the dial, and are placed under its domed sapphire crystal glass. The UR-Satellite T-Rex is equipped with the automatic calibre 12.01, which beats at a frequency of 28,800vph, and offers a power reserve of at least 48 hours. Presented on a black leather strap, this timepiece is water-resistant to 30m.
For the car enthusiast
The Zenith Defy 21 Land Rover Defender Edition
Equipped with the ultra-accurate, high-frequency El Primero 21 movement—capable of measuring 1/100th of a second—the Zenith Defy 21 Land Rover Defender Edition is specially built for those dads who live and breathe cars and motorsports. Presented in a 44mm matt-grey, micro-blasted titanium case, the timepiece pays homage to the design codes of the Defender SUV, by the British car manufacturer, Land Rover. With a slate grey, velvet-finished closed dial, the watch features white and orange accents with no hour numerals, just bars and lines that indicate the hours, minutes, and each 100th of a second. The only numerals present appear against the chapter ring, marking each 20th of a second, and in the sub-dials. With a power reserve of 50 hours, the watch also has an indicator—designed as a small slit under the brand’s logo at 12 o’clock—which keeps track of the chronograph’s reserve. Overall, the dial demonstrates the meticulousness and diligence with which Zenith have crafted this timepiece. The Defy 21 Land Rover Defender Edition is secured on the wrist with a rubber strap, fitted with a titanium buckle that exemplifies the high-tech nature of the watch.
Shop The Story
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Arnold & Son Globetrotter
1.WTAS.S01C.C155A
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Arnold & Son Globetrotter
1WTAS.B01A.C121S
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Breitling Superocean Heritage
M133132A1C1W1
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Bremont Altitude
MBII-SS-BK-C-O-P-11R
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Bremont Altitude
MBII-SS-WH-C-O-P-11R
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Girard-Perregaux 1966
49557-11-132-BB6C
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Girard-Perregaux 1966
49557-52-131-BB6C
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Girard-Perregaux 1966
49557-11-132-11A
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H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour
1200-0409
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Q3848420
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Nomos Glashutte Ludwig
261
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Omega Speedmaster
310.32.42.50.01.002
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Oris Aquis
01 798 7754 4175-SET
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Parmigiani Kalpa
PFC101-1001400-HA1442
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Urwerk UR-Satellite
UR-100V T-REX
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Zenith Defy
97.9000.9004/01.R787
