first watch for 12 yo boy

arrowman

My young lad's birthday is coming up at end of the month when he'll be twelve.

He's asked for a watch instead of the usual computer games. It'll be his first watch although he did have one of those basic fitbit yokes.

He doesn't have a phone yet (likely have to give in to that one before secondary school) but really likes his tech and is really switched on.

Any suggestions for what to give him? Something that he'll get a good few years out of.

And if you have any links to where I can source it, all the better

NIMAN

Casio digital watch, maybe the F91?

scudzilla

Casio G Shock, plenty of really decent designs for a 12yr old and pretty much bomb proof

Take a look at Amazon, huge collection

Lorddrakul

G Shock is a good call.

I lost count of how many watches I destroyed by breaking the spring bars out of the lugs with plastic cases, as a kid.

Something that can stand up to the activities of a young chap is the way to go.

artanevilla

Did he indicate what type of watch he wanted?

arrowman

Thanks for the suggestions. Had a look at the G Shock. I think I had a digital when I was his age.- a while ago!

Only concern is which model would suit his skinny arms?

NIMAN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123718347#Comment_123718347

I didn't recommend a gshock for that reason. Even the smallest will be quite big for a 12yr old. Hence the f91w recommendation.

But if you think thats too small, then Casio do other similar watches which are slightly bigger, like a168 for example. Timex also have a range of decent entry level watches which would be smaller, including analogue ones if he'd prefer something a bit more grown up.

Esel

Baby G-Shock in the most non- feminine style available?

Exit: Some nice ones on Amazon UK from £65 up.

fonecrusher1

How about a Casio AE1200? ("Casio Royale") Not as chunky as a G shock. I have a nice army green one. 😊

You can get all sorts of different ones depending on taste. Even very cool modded ones too on Ebay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225324205496

Cassius99

Anything To be said for a cheaper G Shock sqaure? Its as small as your going to get without going into the more ridiculously sized designs. I remember getting numerous f91s on a regular basis as a kid which I'd have for a few months until, without fail, they spring bars would fail or the strap would break. Boys that age can be rough on watches...

NIMAN

This is a smaller model Gshock I didn't know about, perhaps might be suitable?

Its got Bluetooth and step counter

https://www.casio.com/uk/watches/gshock/product.GD-B500-7/

scwazrh

how about a Timex , Swatch or Seiko 5 ?Get him hooked on mechanicals from an early age.

Westport Covies

https://ebay.us/m/Lrf3Ux

Paired with a nice nato strap.. chefs kiss.

and it will last a lifetime

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123719429#Comment_123719429

The AE1200 is a good shout IMO, especially with modded case or the negative version. If a 3 hander is being considered? How about a Swatch or a Timex?

@arrowman have you any inkling as to his preference? Digital or traditional hands in particular.

arrowman

I really appreciate all the suggestions

@ NIMAN - i had a look at the GD-B500 and it's a great option. Strap tightens to 145mm which should be OK. I like the fact that it has Bluetooth so that when the time comes he can hook up to a phone.

@banie01 - I have a notion that digital rather than mechanical would be his preference. Hes tech mad

That said I like both options. My first watch was a Timex

blinking

Rolex Submariner?

arrowman

@blinking Would have to hire a bodyguard for the young lad or rather for his left arm 😊

would break wrought iron the same fella so that's another reason to pass on the Rolex

Soc_Alt

Casio WS-B1000-1AV

https://www.casio.com/europe/watches/casio/product.WS-B1000-1AV/

saccades

Casio CMD-40

🤣

A1ACo

Some suggestions on where to get Casio watches here including in some Dublin area jewellers:

Casio's online from Ireland or in Dublin — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

micks_address

A vintage Omega would look good on a smaller wrist as they are all small but then might not survive the rough and tumble of a teenager.. a moonswatch maybe but they are fairly large?

whippet

my 12 year old lad wanted a watch - his first watch while we were away on holidays and since we were in Switzerland at the time he was doing some amount of window shopping with me. What he settled on was a very simple plain Swatch watch - in black. Anything bigger just looked silly on his skinny wrist. so I promised him if he minds it when his wrist gets bigger he can take one or two of my dress watches and if he minds them he can get something special

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123738933#Comment_123738933

Thats the way to do it, start small, low value and let them develop their own tastes.
Sticking a 4 figure watch on the wrist of a 12yo on their 1st hint of interest is just madness IMHO!

My lad inherited a couple of watches when he was young and he's always had an interest in my ones but particularly my older/vintage pieces.
He has a tank and a Santos that he inherited one from his mam, the other from his nana and for his 21st this year he let me know he'd prefer a vintage Omega. (Theres a tradition in our family that ya get a watch on your 21st).
So I spent a few months looking and picked up a lovely Omega Constellation 2892 via omegaforums.

He was 21 at the end of March, loves the watch and in particular the smaller size of vintage stuff.
Its something that among his cohort is very noticeable amongst those that do wear watches, they like 'em small!

I'm all for buying our kids a "nice" watch and getting them into the hobby but lads!
We have to remember that mechanical watches are delicate, and kids wanna play!
So let them have G-Shocks, Swatches or even San Martins or Orients to start off with.

NIMAN

If he was more into analogue watches, you could do worse than a Casio EFV-110.

Great little watch, with compact size around the 36mm mark.

NIMAN

Op, any decision made?

arrowman

Yes - again thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Went with the Casio GD-B500-1ER Montre Femme - got it from Amazon for €89. - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-GD-B500-1ER-Dress-Watch/dp/B0D6VCD2NS

Arrived on Friday last - should suit him well i think. Hopefully he will take to wearing it without being reminded he has a watch!!

fonecrusher1

Spot on i'd say. Its a Casio G shock slim basically. Ideal for that age group of young fella and the bluetooth function will come in handy at some stage.

If i got that at his age i'd be chuffed.

mik_da_man

Ideal choice, I have the GBD-200 which looks very similar but bigger and find it great