Thanks AOIIsilver, I will!

Collin, just yesterday I saw a really handsome watch with a deep blue face. Turned out it was a Fossil. I agree, they are good looking. I just want to get him something one step above, kind of a "wanna be" or "entry level" luxury watch.

I also saw some Citizen's watches that LOOK good, just don't know anything about them. I guess my concern is I don't want to buy him something like a "No Fear" type watch (remember that brand?) that ends up being dated too soon. Also, since most 18-19 year old males don't have a lot of occasions to wear any type of jewelry, I figured get him something that he would be proud to wear and perhaps distinguished from the crowd. I think I'll need to up the ante to 400-450.

One more question-Anyone ave an opinion on the color of the face??? I really like the cream or white, but perhaps the colored face is prefered by younger men.

I think you're on the right track w/ the blue face. Majority of the guys I see who wear watches-no matter what type/brand-have blue faces. The deep blue and blue w/ greenish center tend to be the ones I see the most.

I don't like to have a lot of jewlery on my men...if they have more jewelry on than me, we're going to have a problem... :p

TKE209 doesn't wear -anything-. Like..his watch (w/no band of course) he keeps in his pocket and it's like over 8 years old. :rolleyes:

But, a nice watch and a necklace I really like personally. :) As long as the necklace doesn't go pass the nipples we'll be okay, lol

Citizen is a good name in watches. My Dad has one that he has had forever, so I don't think you can go wrong there. If you want something a little more upscale that Fossil, try Bulova (classic) or Swiss Army. They have alot of contemporary watches that look good too.

Thanks so much for your ideas and comments. Now I have a place to start!:)

It took me a year to convince my mom to buy me a Movado for my bday coming up and I think it finally worked, we'll see. I want the new Museum style with the steel band and deep blue face, do you know which one I'm talking about Amy?

Raymond Weil makes great watches for men and women. They can be a little expensive, but not as much as Rolex or Tag or Movado.

OK, I spoke with a friend who has a jewelry store,...THE jewelry store if ya know what I mean.

On the phone, he tried to sell me on the Swiss army knife watch.
He jumped all over any watch that was Japanese made (imagine an upturned nose). WHY AM I SO UNEDUCATED ABOUT THESE THINGS!! My gosh, I have spent enough money on jewelry for my daughter and never batted an eye. I really want to do something so special and I'm afraid I'll make a stupid decision.
DAMN, DAMN, DAMN, I hate being a MOM who doesn't KNOW about these things. All the oter Moms with sons ALWAYS seem to know EXACTLY what to do.

I'm serious.:(

A friend of mine has one of the Seiko Kinetic Autorelay watches - its really cool. And it looks really nice too! It's got a lot of "oh wow" factor when you put it into sleep mode and then shake it and watch it reset itself.

Everyone I know that has a Rolex says they keep terrible time and never ever wear them.

Hootie, he said they had some plastic parts in them as compared to the Swiss made watches they sold. So, he was making a comparison between the craftsmanship. He ALSO hit me with the
brand recognition by saying, "Young men are familiar with the brand and know it's a good watch." Simple words out of context, but the implication within the conversation was on par with saying
this watch will impress others.
I tell ya, my brain is turning to mush. It's hard to know what's important and what isn't in a timepiece.
I'm going to take my son with me, show him the 3 jewelry stores and let hm make his own selection. Far more important he chooses a watch HE likes than one others like.
Doesn't that make sense?

I don't wear jewelry that much because i'm not showy, but there are a few items that I love to wear

1) My Badge (sterling silver with seed pearls)
2) A silver ring from Tiffany's that my parents got me
3) My grandpa's watch.

I only wear silver (because I think gold is kinda flashy), and never wear more than 2 items of jewlery at once.

...It is possible for a guy to wear jewelry and look classy and not like a lounge lizard or feminine.

I wear one watch. I have a badge, a class ring from high school. I had a St. Christopher's medal but it broke. Most men's jewerly I see around looks either too flashy like hello my name is Mr. Have Something to Prove.

We went shopping! I took him to THE jewelry store and showed him Baum & Mercier and Tag Heuer. Of course, I pointed out that these were not for a HS graduation, but more in line with college.
I wanted him to see what luxury watches look like in comparison to those in various price ranges. Then, our friend showed him those in MY price range. He wasn't sure, so we went to two more
stores.

We returned to the first store and he selected a Swiss Army with black face and white insignia. It is NOT a sports style as he never would wear a watch while playing Basketball, golf or tennis. It's a casual watch with a thinner SS band. It is so handsome. When he goes on his senior trip, I will have it engraved. Thanks for all the tips. My husband could use a new watch and now I too have a more developed eye. I WAS impressed with Bulova-American owned company, yet Swiss made AND a whopping 25 year guarantee!!!