Round-UpFather’s Day Special: Watches That Reflect The Gentler Side Of Fatherhood
Modern parenting is far from stereotypical. While it offers mothers the chance to go out into the world to forge their careers, it also entails fathers in playing the role of an equal caregiver—loving, supportive and encouraging—away from the tenets of traditional masculinity. Here we present watches that eschew traditional ‘masculinity’, perfect for the father who isn't afraid to embrace his softer side
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Over the years, as society has progressed, the roles of men and that of fathers have undergone a vast amount of change. Gone are the days when men were considered the sole providers, while women were confined to the role of domesticity. No longer are men the singular disciplinarians, only stepping in when the child’s rabble-rousing becomes too much. Those images of the typical dad of the past—the man handing out cigars outside the delivery room, or reading the newspaper while his wife irons clothes, or coming home late at night after a hard day of work, after the wife has put the kids to bed—are best relegated to the past. Modern marriages and relationships entail a partnership where both people are equally the providers and the caregivers, and neither is restricted by their gender to confined to any stereotypical role. As women have stepped out into the world to make their mark in the workforce, fathers are sharing the responsibility of child-rearing.
As the roles of fathers have anthropologically evolved as such, they’ve had to learn how to nurture, care and take on responsibilities that the fathers of the past would likely never imagine—be it changing diapers, becoming stay-at-home dads, baking birthday cakes, or spending quality time with their children painting, dancing, singing or helping with homework. Formerly considered ‘feminine’ jobs, the modern man has realised that the times, they are a-changin’, and that there’s nothing wrong with adapting. This adaptation involves eschewing stereotypically ‘masculine’ qualities and embracing a softer side.
We dedicate this article to fathers who have taken on the role of the caregiver with gusto; who have crossed the threshold of traditional (and sometimes toxic) masculinity to become more hands-on in raising their children by giving them the love, care and support that they deserve. We have chosen watches that have deftly moved away from features that are conventionally considered ‘masculine’—such as large, chunky proportions and attention-seeking elements. These watches would sit perfectly on the wrist of this modern father who is loud and proud about the love he harbours for his children. Happy Father’s Day, gentle dads!
Proportionate Perfection—Understated Under Your Cuff
While chunky watches do give off an air of machismo, timepieces don’t necessarily have to be large to command attention. All the watches presented here are sized at 40mm or less. Small watches tend to fit the wrist better and are a lot lighter than larger watches, making them more comfortable to wear. Understated, classy, minimalist and timeless, these watches are perfect for the modern father who prefers comfort and utility over flash.
The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Large Date And Moon Phase
Known for its classic, vintage-inspired design harking back to the early 20th century, this timepiece is evocative of the art deco era with its rectangular case. Don’t be fooled by the ‘XXL’ in its name. What makes this watch immensely wearable are its proportions—with a case measuring only 36.1mm by 35.25mm, with a height of only 11.74mm. The smaller proportions don’t take away from its functionality at all. This watch boasts a patented large date aperture (hence the name), and the date change is instantaneous, taking only 1/10,000th of a second! Another standout feature is the moon phase display at six o’clock, which has been neatly placed inside the small seconds counter. All this functionality is powered by the self-winding GP03300-0062 calibre, with 32 jewels, offering a power reserve of 46 hours. Elegant, without being extravagant, this Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 is perfect for those who appreciate the smaller, finer things in life.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon
Another watch that embodies the mysticism and magnificence of the moon is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon, a part of the brand’s famed Master collection. Here we have a stainless steel case, with a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of only 9.9mm (ultra-thin, indeed!), presenting a black sunray-brushed dial. The dial itself perfectly represents the night sky—making up a dreamy background for the moon phase placed at six o’clock. The moon phase is designed to be a part of the circular date indication, which only presents odd numerals. The lovely colour of the moon phase gives it a bit of depth, immediately drawing your eye to the six o’clock position. Powering this black beauty is the 925/1 calibre, with a 38-hour power reserve. If an understated and refined moon phase watch is what you’re looking for, the Master Ultra Thin Moon delivers and how.
The Bulgari Octo Finnisimo Automatic
Bulgari is known for pushing the boundaries of watchmaking time and again with their record-breaking watches. Another feather in the brand’s hat is the Octo Finnisimo Automatic, whose thickness (or lack thereof) beggars belief! With an octagonal sand-blasted 40mm 18-karat rose gold case, which is only 5.15mm thick, this timepiece is a vision of pure luxury. Its extra-thinness is all thanks to a path-breaking movement, the BVL 138 – Finissimo calibre, at a mind-bending 2.23mm thick. The automatic movement is definitely the hero of this watch—it has been decorated by hand with Côtes de Genève, chamfering and perlage finishing, and includes a platinum rotor, which can be appreciated through the clear caseback. The watch’s design is inspired by the Roman Massentius Basilica from 310 AD, but, despite the ancient inspiration, looks stunningly modern. The dial, bracelet and crown (which is topped with ceramic) are all crafted from 18-karat rose gold, making this innovative watch the most indulgent one on our list.
The Parmigiani Tonda Métrographe Rose Gold
It is quite a well-known fact that men really like their toys—be it cars, bikes or watches. And there isn’t a watch out there that’s as fun to tinker with than a chronograph. Chronographs are generally associated with sporty, tough-looking timepieces that might even look chunky on the wrist—perfect for the sportsman on and off the field. Yet, here’s a chronograph that boasts a sleek design, a clean dial, and an air of delicacy that goes against the grain. With a 40mm rose gold case, boasting a thickness of only 11.7mm, the Tonda Métrographe has a deep blue dial that looks wonderful against the rose gold case. On the dial, one can see running seconds at three o’clock, the 12-hour counter at six, and the 30-minute counter at nine. The Parmigiani Fleurier logo right below the date aperture (with only odd-numbered dates) at 12 o’clock balances the aesthetic of the three sub-dials beautifully. The suave indigo blue alligator leather Hermès strap enhances this timepiece’s formal appeal.
To read more about the Parmigiani Tonda Métrographe Rose Gold, follow this link
The Girard-Perregaux Classic Bridges
It doesn’t get more signature than the Bridges collection by Girard-Perregaux. In fact, a motif of their bridge design is also included in their brand’s emblem. This iconic watch’s construction has been given a slight overhaul in this edition, set as it is in a 40mm case crafted from pink gold. The open-worked mechanism exposes components in steel, forming the perfect backdrop for the two bridges and hands in hues to match the case and the seemingly suspended indexes, along with the initials of the brand at 12 o’clock. The automatic calibre, offering a power reserve of 48 hours, can also be seen through the transparent caseback in sapphire crystal. It’s truly mesmerising to see the beauty of the movement, as it ticks away in this petite package.
You can read more about the Girard-Perregaux Classic Bridges by following this link
Dialling It Down—Colours That Comfort
The stereotypical trope of the aloof, disciplinarian father is fast becoming outdated, to be replaced by a dad who is a friend, confidante and mentor. This notion is represented in the softer dial shades that we’ve selected here. Here are watches with dials that don’t scream for your attention, but ask for it politely.
The Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual
Parents have a tendency to look at the past with rose-tinted glasses. This nostalgia spells into them coveting vintage or vintage-inspired items. In that vein, the vintage-inspired aesthetic and sepia tone of the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Bicompax Annual would win hearts all around. First released by the brand in 1956, the Heritage Bicompax Annual was resurrected in 2019 with an added annual calendar function. With a stainless steel case sized at 41mm, and only 14.05mm thick, the lovely champagne dial offers an antiquated perspective with Arabic numerals inspired by watches of yore. The legible date aperture at 12 o’clock also uses a retro-inspired font, and the window displaying the month is tucked between four and five o’clock. The bezel, pushers and crown of the watch have been crafted from 18-karat rose gold in keeping with the rich Baroque traditions that defined Lucerne, Switzerland, where the brand was born. Beating inside is the automatic CFB 1972 calibre with 47 jewels, which boasts a power reserve of 42 hours. This watch is limited to 888 pieces, a number that is a tribute to the year 1888 when Carl F. Bucherer was founded.
If you’re interested to learn more about the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage BiCompax Annual, click here
The Parmigiani Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde
The Toric was a watch first created by Michel Parmigiani in 1996. The Toric Hémisphères Rétrograde is a contemporary reinterpretation of this classic watch, combining a vintage-inspired aesthetic with the needs of a modern-day traveller. In 2017, it won the prize for the best travel time watch awarded by Foundation of the Grand Prix d’orlogerie de Genève (GPHG). Housed inside an opulent 42.8mm 18-karat rose gold case, the grained white dial of the watch comes with rose gold-plated appliques and grained snailed counters that add depth. The second time zone is indicated through the 12 o’clock sub-dial that comes with its own am/pm indicator seen to the right of the sub-dial. The time for the second time zone can be set by a dedicated crown at two o’clock. A small seconds sub-dial is present at six o’clock, and within it is the am/pm indicator for local time. When you flip the watch over, you see the brilliant caseback with an eccentric off-centre sapphire exhibition display—not something you see every day.
The H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Small Seconds XL
If you’re looking for a watch that exemplifies simplicity and luxury (it is indeed possible to achieve both), the H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Small Seconds XL is a timepiece that you must consider. The 18-karat red gold case doesn’t look too extravagant since it houses a dial that’s minimalist and gorgeous. The silver-coloured rhodium-plated fumé dial is devoid of anything but an elegant small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock and indices at three, six, nine and 12 o’clock, whose tone matches that of the case. Beating inside is the hand-wound HMC 327 calibre, with a three-day power reserve. Fashioned with an elegant kudu leather strap, this watch is worth coveting as it is limited to only 100 pieces.
Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Manufacture
Perpetual calendars do exactly what their name suggests; they keep time perpetually. Or at least till March 1, 2100, when a discrepancy in the Gregorian calendar calls for a manual update. A complication such as this usually comes with a steep price tag, but not when Frederique Constant is on the job. This watch is housed within a 42mm rose gold-plated stainless steel case. The layout of the soft grey dial with sunray decoration is typical of any perpetual calendar. The moon phase display is positioned right above the brand name at six o’clock, while the day of the week is indicated through a sub-dial seen at nine o’clock. The easy-to-read dial also features a day indication at three, and a nested register for the month and the leap year cycle, positioned at 12. Powering this behemoth is the FC-775 automatic calibre, with 26 jewels and beating at a frequency of 4Hz, offering a power reserve of 38 hours. A classic blue leather strap comes attached. With this watch, not only do you get the soft, muted colours that you desire, but also oodles of functionality.
To read more about the Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Manufacture watch, click here
The MeisterSinger Vintago
The 1960s were truly a groovy era—we had the world tapping to the beats of The Beatles and the celebration of man first setting foot on the moon. Here’s a watch that harks back to those bygone days with a vintage-inspired design that’s both timeless and peerless. Introduced at Baselworld 2019, the MeisterSinger Vintago is a classic timepiece where the ineffable elegance of the past marries the ingenuity and reliability of the 21st century. The clean, ivory-coloured multi-level dial adds depth to the monochrome look, and a single, curved hand—the brand’s signature—points to the time. A neat date aperture sits between two and four o’clock. Sized at 38mm, the Vintago isn’t too large. Visible through the exhibition caseback is the Sellita 200-1 movement, which gives the watch a 38-hour power reserve. Complementing the ivory dial is a brown calfskin leather strap
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback
Paying homage to the early days of auto racing is the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback, which runs on the in-house calibre CFB 1970 that has been painstakingly developed over years to offer a superior flyback functionality of the chronograph complication. Here we have chosen the variant housed inside 43mm stainless steel case, with a blue-grey dial. The case comes attached with a lovely grey-toned Louisiana alligator leather strap. The chronograph counters and the date window at six o’clock present symmetry and balance. Though the collection is famed for the robust movement ticking inside, which controls the chronograph and flyback functions, the colour scheme of this edition is nothing short of sublime poetry.
Find out more about the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback collection by clicking here
Omega De Ville Prestige
This watch is horological elegance at its finest. The Omega De Ville Prestige has a soft, sunray-brushed blue dial housed inside a 39.5mm stainless steel case. The Roman numerals add to the grace of the dial, while the date window at three, power reserve indicator at six and the minimalist small seconds counter at nine o’clock offer visual balance to an already classy timepiece. A black leather strap keeps things minimalist. But it’s not all about the appearance here—this timepiece, with its Co-Axial calibre 2627 ticking inside, is a certified chronometer offering beyond par precision and a power reserve of 38 hours.
The Oris Aquis Lake Baikal Edition
For the father that doesn’t just care about his kids and watches, but also the environment, and wants to pass on this love towards our planet to his children, the Oris Aquis Lake Baikal makes the perfect fit. Every year, Oris tries to bring attention to a cause—in 2019, it was plastic pollution in our oceans, the threats faced by the mighty blue whale or the subject of water sustainability inspired by the River Rhine. This time around, Oris has chosen to shed light on Lake Baikal in Siberia, the deepest, oldest and clearest lake in the world, holding 20 percent of the world’s unfrozen fresh surface water reserves. The lake is home to an array of endemic wildlife, and faces a severe threat due to unregulated tourism and industrial waste. This classic Aquis Date dive watch features a 43.5mm stainless steel case. Meant to resemble a frozen Lake Baikal, the dial has a blue-to-grey gradient, which is arresting and beauteous. The ceramic insert of the unidirectional-rotating bezel is also in a blue tone and has an engraved 60-minute diving scale. The watch is water resistant to 300m.
To read more about the Oris Aquis Lake Baikal, click here
Unisex Watches—For Men Who Don’t Fit Into A Box
In today’s rapidly changing world, an important part of being a father is teaching your child the value of tolerance, acceptance and equality. Whether it’s a son who you’re teaching to consider women as equals, or a daughter you’re empowering to consider herself as one—the fathers of today have a tough balancing act ahead of them. Traditional masculinity is so passé. Here are some watches you can pass on to your son or your daughter.
The Nomos Lux
A watch that’s as luxurious as it is easy on the eyes, the Nomos Lux does indeed spell luxury. Its highlight is the dial—white at the centre and framed by a lovely powder blue hue, perfectly representing the clear blue skies over Glashütte, where Nomos was founded. The 36mm by 40.5mm tonneau-shaped case, which is only 9mm thick, is made with 18-karat white gold, pairing perfectly with the immaculate dial. The hand-wound calibre DUW 2002 powering this timepiece has been exclusively developed for the Lux models, and provides an impressive power reserve of 85 hours. The black Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan leather strap keeps things understated and elegant.
The Corum Admiral Legend 38
Tracing its name to the international yachting regatta known as the Admiral’s Cup, which started all the way back in 1957, the Corum Admiral Legend 38 has its heart set on the sea. With a case size of 38mm and an aesthetic that would appeal to any gender, this watch wins in terms of its sporty looks. The colour blue recurs throughout the piece—in terms of the dial as well as the strap. Housed in durable stainless steel, the brass dial presents colourful nautical flags—quintessential to the famed Admiral collection—rhodium-plated dauphine hands and a legible date window at three o’clock. The vulcanised rubber strap has also been coloured blue, in keeping with the overall colour scheme, and is emblazoned with Corum’s key logo. The CO 082 automatic movement ensures smooth sailing. This timepiece is perfect for those who aren’t afraid to navigate those choppy waters as they chart their way towards victory.
The Rado Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier Edition
There’s nothing else that draws attention to one’s wrist quite like a pop of colour, and Rado has shown us the way. Rado has partnered with Les Couleurs Suisse—the global licensor of architect Le Corbusier’s colours—to produce these watches, incorporating the original palette of architectural colours. These high-tech ceramic watches are a treat for anyone—man or woman—who is a fan of minimalism with a hint of pizzazz. For the uninitiated, designer Le Corbusier, who is also known as the Father of Modernism, is widely remembered for his ground-breaking theory of colour—the Architectural Polychromy colour theory. This theory led to the development of the architectural colour palette of 63 colours. The new series of nine watches, part of Rado’s True Thinline collection, offers strikingly bold, vibrant and expressive watches that are produced in limited editions of 999 pieces per colour. At 39mm, you can rest assured that these quartz watches would sit pretty on anyone’s wrist.
To read more about this funky collection by Rado, follow this link
Shop The Story
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Frederique Constant Manufacture
FC-775G4S4
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Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945
25882-11-121-BB6B
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Master
Q1368470
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BVLGARI Octo
102912
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Parmigiani Tonda
PFC274-1002500-HA3241
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Girard-Perregaux Bridges
86005-52-001-BB6A
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Carl F. Bucherer Heritage
00.10803.07.42.01
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Parmigiani Toric
PFC493-1002400-HA1442
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MeisterSinger
VT903
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Carl F. Bucherer Manero
00.10919.08.93.01
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Omega De Ville
424.13.40.21.03.002
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Oris Diving
01 733 7730 4175-Set
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Nomos Glashutte Lux
920
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Corum Admiral
082.200.20/0373 AB12
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Rado True Round
R27094642
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Rado True Thinline
R27090602
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Rado True Round
R27096662
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Rado True Thinline
R27092622
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Rado True Round
R27093632
