If you’re still unsure of what to get for your dad this Father’s Day, consider a good reliable timepiece that’s tailored to his interests. Stylish, stately and practical, a great watch is a thoughtful and inspiring gift that’ll last him a lifetime. Whatsmore, it’s an accessory that he can wear every day.
After all the remarkable deeds and sacrifices made by your dad over the years, it’s time to pay it forward with the gift of a truly valuable timepiece. Check out our top picks of the most classic luxury watches to get for your dad this Father’s Day below.
The new limited edition Rado HyperChrome Skeleton Automatic Chronograph has a sporty character and is crafted from matte black high-tech ceramic though a process which starts by firing ceramic components with black pigment at 1450°C in a high-tech oven.
Scratch resistant and lightweight, this exquisite number can be worn all day with great comfort, making it perfect for the practical dad on-the-go.
$9,980 from Rado
One of the thinnest self-winding watches in the world (with a thickness of 4.20mm to be exact), the Altiplano Ultimate Automatic watch has an 18K white gold case with a unique case back that serves as the plate to which 219 components are affixed. Featuring an off-centre hours and minutes display, the dial has a suspended barrel, held in place solely by a single bridge on the dial side, and a peripheral 22K gold rotor coated with black PVD.
$27,200, from Piaget
Bulgari‘s minimalist Octo Finissimo Automatic watch has a slender and contemporary look. Sporting a unique octagonal design inspired by the 310 AD Roman Maxentius Basilica (an ancient building in Rome), this timepiece boasts of incredible architecture references and exceptional mechanisms. Just take a look at the attention to detail: it has a BVL 138-Finissimo caliber decorated by hand with Côtes de Genève, chamfering and perlage finishing, a 40mm extra-thin sandblasted steel case, and a sleek alligator skin strap that will give your dad some extra style points.
$9,960 from Bulgari
As a tribute to the groundbreaking historic event where the Apollo 8 crew travelled to see the dark side of the moon in 1968, this incredible chronograph has a skeletonised dial and a specially decorated version of the famous Moonwatch calibre 1861. Presented on a perforated black leather strap with yellow rubber through the middle, this timepiece is produced in sleek black ceramic. Most impressively, the movement has been laser-ablated to produce realistic imagery of the lunar surface.
Price unavailable, available at Omega
Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master is an unmistakable icon. Originally designed to help aviators in their navigation, the watch boasts of a signature feature of allowing us to read the time in two different time zones simultaneously. For 2018, Rolex introduced three new versions of the
GMT-Master II with a brand new movement, the new-generation calibre 3285, and a new image. The first new version, in Oystersteel, is equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated two-colour Cerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic.
The lugs and sides of its Oyster case have been redesigned, and the watch is fitted on a five-link Jubilee bracelet. Gift this to a stylish dad who likes a fun twist on a good classic timepiece.
Price unavailable, available at Rolex
Audemars Piguet‘s legendary Royal Oak has been the brand’s best-selling cornerstone since its inception in 1972. For 2018, the brand has come up with a slew of new variations of this iconic timepiece. One of which is the new Royal Oak Selfwinding watch, which has a 37 mm case in 18-carat yellow gold and a silver-toned or blue dial in finely wrought “Grande Tapisserie” – a special check-patterned dial signature to the brand.
Price unavailable, available at Audemars Piguet
Brought to life by the in-house Cartier Manufacture Movement 1904 MC, the Drive De Cartier is an instantly recognisable Cartier signature – from the sophisticated patterning of the guilloché dial to the blue sapphire winding crown. Fastened with a sleek black alligator skin strap, this vintage automotive inspired wristwatch will dress the wrist of any dad.
$8,600, from Cartier
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We are completely enamoured by the its blue futuristic turbine-shaped tourbillon cage as seen on this watch. Crafted with the inspiration of a supernova, the Vanguard Yachting Skeleton features mesmerising blue marine accents and intricately detailed windrose cage. The timepiece features 5 days of power reserve, this nautical-themed timepiece is an ideal wrist accessory for the man who loves a good statement accessory.
Taking inspiration from the iconic 1957 Breitling Superocean Héritage model, this version of the classic watch is updated with a COSC-certified chronometer and self-winding B20 movement with a 70-hour power reserve. Housed in a stainless steel case, it has a black dial with luminous silver-tone hands and indices that are visible in almost any light conditions. It is secured with a textured rubber strap that will flex and move comfortably with the wrist.
£3,201.09 ( S$5,721.81), from Mr Porter
Most mechanical watches today feature automatic winding, but there’s a certain charm in the little ritual of twisting the crown to get your watch going. The Portofino Eight Days has a hand-wound 59210-calibre movement will run precisely and reliably for an impressive length of time (192 hours) before coming to an automatic stop.
It’s fitted with a Breguet spring and has a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour which helps to make the watch exceptionally accurate. What we love about this stylish piece is the details that go into it: The transparent sapphire crystal glass back and dark brown Santoni alligator strap adds a touch of old-world classiness to this investment piece.
A simple design with a sleek and elegant finish, the leather-strapped AR11131 by Emporio Armani great for casual wear. Bold yet unyielding, this timepiece has a subtle luxe quality which allows it to be paired with almost anything for all occasions, making it ideal for dads who enjoy simplicity and an easy sense of dressing.
$549, from Emporio Armani
Sporting classic stainless steel straps, this watch is complemented by a dark blue dial and matching gold case, crown and hands. A timeless choice, this watch is for all the trendy fathers out there with a penchant for timeless, vintage designs.
$389, from Armani Exchange
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The bronze hues in this watch bring about a contrast against the refined dark blue strap, giving it a unique character. Featuring a navy satin dial with stick indices and chronograph movement, this multifunctional watch is created with a stopwatch functionality that’s built into three separate dials for hours, minutes and seconds. It also has a depth rating of 5 ATM, allowing it to be worn around household sinks or while swimming in shallow water. Functional and durable, this will serve as a great gift for practical dads.
$269, from Fossil
A handsome timepiece featuring aviation-inspired details, Michael Kors’ Gage watch gives the classic chronograph watch a modern design edit: a navy dial which showcases a three-hand display and sub dials with distinctive red accents. This versatile everyday watch works just as well with a suit as it does with a dress-down weekend outfit.
$409, from Michael Kors.