I would go with an Automatic Dive watch.

"Why Irishguy?"

Well, first off they are tiny machines that you can either manually wind or let the everyday movement of your wrist keep the watch wound. the quintessential men's watches like the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Seamaster are all automatic mechanistical dive watches. They look as good with a 3 piece suit as they do with a tee-shirt and jeans.

Secondly they aren't some cheap electric gadget that need batteries. Instead they are a precision time piece built by craftsmen and will last for generations.

If you want Swiss for less than $1k, I would highly recommend a Glycine Combat Sub (Upper left-hand corner) or a Hamilton Khaki Scuba (Second from left top row)

If yo just want a great watch I would highly recommend anything from Deep Blue (Bottom row two on the right) or anything from Spinnaker (Bottom row left end) I just gave that one to my Son-in-Law.

I also have a Citizen Promaster Diver (Bottom row center) that I bash around at work with. It is sure enough a tool watch that will last a lifetime. Make sure you get the Automatic Mechanical model.

I did have several vintage Seiko Divers as well, but I gave them all to Irish Jr. for his collection. Those are good entry level Automatic Divers as well. They will run from $200 all the way up to the thousands.

Deep Blue Dive Watches

Spinnaker Dive Watches

My little collection...




I finally got a deal and picked up a Submariner this year... Figured I'd get it while I still had a job.

He’s making a plug to a running joke that you have to wear your fancy clothes to jacks. It’s an old thread that has stayed in discussion.

🤣

Irish and Kudzu,

I'm on the trail of a Hamilton Khaki right now. I believe it's the Aviator. I really like the Day of the week at 12 and the Date at 6.

Irish,
That's a nice collection. I know it must be very satisfying to pass those along.

I told my Son and Daughter when they left for college that my days running their show had come to an end and all I wanted in return was a couple of tickets for their Mom and me to see what they were going to do with themselves.

I hope this gift is a way for my son and his close friends to know we are really enjoying the show.

TAG is nice or find a vintage Omega.

That Aviator is a nice watch.

This may not fit what you are looking for, but check out Hook & Gaff: https://hookandgaff.com/

They are not luxury watches, but they are nice (especially with the leather band). They are also a good Southern company and the watches are designed for outdoor use. I have one and would definitely recommend it.

Another vote for Tissot. I'm not all that into watches, but my brother is a horologist/ watchmaker and he says the Tissot has the best-made movement of anything under 1k. He also loves old Hamiltons, but only the pre 69 stuff before the merger.

OMEGA all the way - i’ve got vintage OMEGA’s that are still kickin’ tail ... for every day wear, i’ve been real happy with my Timex Weekender - i’ve got several bands for it

Like Irish I am a watch guy. I have/had Omega De Ville, Rolex Presidential (sold it), Tag Monaco Chronograph (stolen) Citizen eco drives, Stuhrling, G shocks, Invictas, etc. My favorite by a mile was the TAG. Best value is the eco drives. Love them

Like Irish said a "dive watch" can be worn with a Tshirt or a suit (cringe personally). The down side with a leather band is washing his hands a lot (Doc do) will destroy a band and OEM bands arent cheap. A non OEM band on a nice watch is like a souped up honda civic dx with a whale tail spoiler.

I will add, take a look at the possibly of engraving the watch.

That Citizen in the chain mail/shark suit band is sexy as hell

Forgot to add, note where the watch band attached to the face. I had several watched over the years break and due to weird mounting frame over time they become obsolete. Examples

https://stuhrling.com/collections/legacy/products/emperor-s-grandeur-3919-automatic-49mm-skeleton
https://claudiasjewelryinc.com/prod...gels-skyhawk-blue-dial-watch-jr3090-58l/
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/mens-breil-milano-chronograph-watch-309823768

Since you mentioned dress watches. Check out the Hamilton Jazzmaster series. A lot of different band materials, case metals and designs to choose from. Sort of a historic brand and relatively affordable for an auto. An example below

https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h32735551-jazzmaster-1.html

https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-jazzmaster-mens-watch-h32766513.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A%20%28ROI%29%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Sale%20Watches%20%241000%20-%20%243000utm_id=18329749635&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6lwh6cioaq4-2-ywsBzl8NArsThyC-ck9QvgeZ4pjK7FnchII0ri6gaAru_EALw_wcB

I saved up for years to buy a date submariner. By the time I saved up enough, prices had gone stupid. Opted for an Omega instead, and glad I did. Got a Speedmaster about a year ago. Ware Jewelers is losing their Omega line, and had them 25% off when I was there last. Picked up a Seamaster Planet Ocean a month or so ago. I am DONE buying watches. Expensive hobby.

Tissot or Tag. I have a Victorinox but I'm not pleased with the problems I've had with it.

Fixed it for you.

Wasn't that to some degree always the case?

My brother never cared about watches until he went to/graduated med school. Guess you gotta look the part

Can't help you on quality watches. I wear an Apple Watch, but I ain't fancy.

That’s a great gesture. Both my sons are doctors and when they graduated from medical school, I splurged and bought them Rolex watches and had them engraved on the back with their names, M.D. Pretentious or not, I wanted a gift befitting of the hard work and sacrifice it took for them to achieve their goals.

Shinola makes a nice , classic, style watch. I have a Filson branded one I like

👍👍
A watch like that is symbolic of the time and effort it took to get a MD.

A very nice, thoughtful gesture