Searching For The Perfect Graduation Gift?

Someone please tell us we don’t have to wait until retirement or even marriage to get gifted with a good timepiece. When a man graduates from college, it doesn’t just mean he survived fraternity hazings and countless all-nighters before the crucible of final exams. It means he moves from sometimes wayward and unfocused student to hopefully responsible and maturing adult. And if ever there was material good to signify the transition, it’s a best men's watch. We’re not talking about Rolex prices since that’s something earned after years of hard work and real success, but it also doesn’t mean you still have to sport that Casio calculator watch you received from your old high school flame.

These ten timepieces run the range from affordable to moderately pricey, but each one of these carefully curated watches shows an element of maturity and style befitting of a college grad who’s ready to take on upcoming job interviews, and prepped to break out into new avenues of manly style.

Tissot PRS 516 Automatic

The PRS 516 is one of those watches that evoke the motoring spirit like few other (and far more expensive) timepieces do. The speedometer-like markers and the perforated leather band beg for the open road, even though you’re toiling in front of a computer at your first job. But it’s the PRS 516’s reliable Swiss automatic movement and the solidly crafted 43mm stainless steel case will remind you that it’s not so much about how fast you go, it’s about how well you do things. A lesson that will serve the graduate well in life.

Seiko 5 SNZH57 Automatic Diver

This is when an affordable, reliable Japanese diving watch can virtually pass for a vintage Rolex. The SNZH57 in silver, gold and black, is a true head-turner, and might just be the perfect watch for the new grad since it can be worn with a suit for the office and then with board shorts for a day at the beach. It’s that versatile, and its mineral crystal toughness and 100-meter water resistance make it a timepiece that will last well beyond its asking price’s perceived longevity.


Hamilton Khaki Day/Date Field

Every guy can use a good field watch — it’s casual timekeeping at its best. Inspired by 1940s military timepieces, they’ll never go out of style thanks to the black dial, muted colors and simple numerals. Hamilton’s version adds useful day/date windows, anti-reflective sapphire glass and a sophisticated automatic movement that winds with the movement of your wrist. This is the gift that keeps on giving.

Oris BC3

Oris has a reputation for making great high-end watches without the high-end pricing, and their Big Crown 3 is right up there in terms of style and sturdiness. The black military dial is easy to read, the large crown is easy to adjust, and the robust stainless steel case looks stunning anywhere. This is the grad watch that can toe the line between dress and sport with aplomb, and the fact that it's Swiss-made makes it one that will last from job to job… to job.