Graduating from college is the beginning of a new chapter in life; one that will hopefully hold many happy moments and exciting opportunities. What could be a better gift than a timekeeping companion to join in for life’s ups and downs? We’ve created a list of great options that match different personalities. Let’s jump in and find out which watches are best suited to mark this major milestone.
The Perfect Graduation Gift
Gifting a mechanical watch is a great way to celebrate college graduation, but that wasn’t always the case. The public perception of mechanical timepieces changed in the 1990s, in the aftermath of the quartz revolution. That was when they went from being a practical gift to a luxury item and status symbol. So, which watch is right for your beloved graduate? Finding the perfect timepiece can be quite a difficult task. You often have to stay within a certain budget, and the gift needs to fit the personality of the grad. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of five watches and their corresponding personalities.
1. NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus: Stylish and Sporty
The NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus is the perfect entry point into the world of luxury watches for those with a sporty sense of style. Its cool and playful design makes it the perfect casual summer piece. Whether you’re sailing, playing tennis, or enjoying a day in the city, the Club Campus always looks smart. This watch comes in numerous variants; you can choose from a 36 or 38-mm case, depending on your wrist size. The Club Campus is powered by the manual Alpha caliber, which requires winding once every two days. The latest additions to this colorful NOMOS family are the models in Endless Blue and Nonstop Red – both of which ensure the watch is not just a timekeeper, but also a statement on the wrist. Prices on Chrono24 for the Club Campus vary between $1,000 and $1,300, depending on the dial color and case size.
2. Junghans Max Bill: For Creative Minds
If your graduate is a creative person who enjoys classic designs, the Junghans Max Bill Automatic might be the perfect watch. Ever since it was created in 1961, the Max Bill Automatic has embodied the tenets of the Bauhaus movement. This 38-mm timepiece is a fantastic example of minimalist design that still looks very modern almost six decades later. It’s powered by the Junghans automatic caliber J800.1, which has a 38-hour power reserve. You can get this piece of watchmaking history for a little under $1,000 – that’s a small price to pay for such a classy statement piece.
3. Rolex Datejust: For Future Leaders
Rolex is the ultimate luxury brand and is closely associated with famous world leaders. They even have a line of Day-Date watches that is fittingly nicknamed the “Rolex President.” The Rolex Datejust, however, is the perfect watch for beginning your Rolex story. The Datejust was introduced in 1945, and has since become a world-renowned Rolex icon. The new stainless steel Datejust is available in the classic 36-mm size or a larger 41-mm version. There are also smaller models for women and graduates with more slender wrists. The Datejust is powered by the automatic Rolex caliber 3235 and comes in a variety of configurations. Prices on Chrono24 start at $5,000 for a pre-owned 36-mm Datejust in good condition with its box and papers and $8,000 for the 41-mm edition.
4. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch: For Explorers
If your graduate is planning a career that reaches for the stars, there’s only one watch that you need to consider: the Omega Speedmaster. It’s the essential accessory for anyone who plans to explore the unknown at NASA, SpaceX, or any other visionary company. Also known as the Moonwatch, the Speedmaster is the most iconic chronograph ever created. Omega introduced this timepiece as a sports chronograph in 1957. Twelve years later, it became the first watch on the Moon. The best thing about the current Omega Speedmaster Professional is that it looks almost exactly the same as the original history-making Moonwatch. The main difference is the modernized manual Omega caliber 1861. New Omega Speedmaster Professionals sell for $7,000. As with the Rolex Datejust, there are more affordable options available on the pre-owned market.
5. Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT: For Adventurous Travelers
If your graduate is a globetrotter, the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT is definitely the right watch thanks to its ability to display a second time zone. The bezel has a 24-hour scale that enables you to track the time together with a red GMT hand. This is particularly useful when trying to figure out when to call friends and family back home while on the road. Released in April 2024, this specific model is brand new to the market. It features a matte black dial and a bezel in the “Coke” color scheme, i.e., black and burgundy. Combined with gold numerals and the classical snowflake hands, this watch adds some vintage style to any outfit without being too bulky. The 39-mm case size makes it a great unisex choice for any grad.
