Need some help picking out a watch for my mother...

[tabularasa415]

So, my mother is a nurse. She buys cheap, crappy watches that get ruined/break/water-logged on a regular basis. I want to buy her a good, durable water-proof watch for Christmas. Mind you, I'm not looking to buy her anything too expensive as her watches take a beating in her day-to-day (I actually thought about buying her a birth year Rolex and remembered who I was buying for and laughed at myself). I'm thinking it should have good lume, military time on the dial, a bracelet or maybe a waterproof strap, (she says most "leather" straps she's had fall apart b/c of her washing her hands frequently, but I'm sure the watches she buys don't have real leather straps) and probably a quartz movement, but I'm not apposed to mechanical either.

I'm looking at this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hamilton-Khaki-Field-Womens-Watch-H68311433-/150646879657?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item231340f5a9

Any input or better ideas?

Thanks!

--Jer

[Utheman]

Being a nurse, she's going to want a solid quartz watch with a good visible dial and second hand, and on a bracelet. I got my wife a Swiss Army watch a few years back. She said it was perfect for the job. It was like this one, but with a white dial

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=swiss+army+watches&hl=en&cid=13498596917329780310&ei=p16gTsnTA4zGiATpmY3rAg&ved=0CFMQ8gIwDw#p

[tabularasa415]

I do like that, but 40mm? Does your wife not think it's a little too big? My mom actually bought a men's Schwinn as a teenager b/c she liked it better. Definitely a consideration. I also found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Womens-H68311133-Khaki-Black/dp/B000A10Y0U

[Utheman]

I do like that, but 40mm? Does your wife not think it's a little too big? My mom actually bought a men's Schwinn as a teenager b/c she liked it better. Definitely a consideration. I also found this: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Womens-H68311133-Khaki-Black/dp/B000A10Y0U

I think I picked the wrong one in the link. Her's was a women's officer model, I think around 36 or 34 mm

That Khaki is a great choice, I think

[tabularasa415]

Is this the one you found for your wife?

http://www.broadwaywatches.com/servlet/the-10578/Swiss-Army-Victorinox-/Detail

I really like that one.

[tabularasa415]

And this one...

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Swiss-Army-Mens-Alliance-Stainless-Steel-Silver-Dial-Watch/6060751/product.html?cid=123620

I need votes!

[txrob779]

Concidered the Chanel J12?

[Utheman]

Is this the one you found for your wife? http://www.broadwaywatches.com/servlet/the-10578/Swiss-Army-Victorinox-/Detail I really like that one.

I like that one also. That or the hamilton would get my vote.

This is the one I got my wife, way back in the early 90's. It's basically still the same.

http://www.nextdaywatches.com/product/_8319/swiss-army-womens-officers-1884-stainless-steel-silver-dial.html

[tabularasa415]

Yeah, so far I like the Hamilton the best. I feel like 33mm is a good size for a woman without being too big or too small.

[kbh]

I like the first Hamilton on khaki strap. I also noticed that one shows sapphire and the second Hamilton showed mineral glass crystal. I'd think sapphire would be important if she beats it up quite a bit.

[tabularasa415]

It's saphire! Amazon's stupid. I like the khaki strap, too, BUT it's leather-backed and she said the straps stink after a while for as often as she gets them wet.

[tabularasa415]

Oh, wait... maybe it is mineral. Why would they use a mineral crystal on a "field" watch????

[Utheman]

I agree, mineral crystal on that watch is not a good idea.

[ocram]

Spend her a H-Factory PAM177 or 176. Lightweight titanium and good visability! And the rubber strap loves water

Sent from my iPhone

[Ephry73]

Bought my wife a g-shock in red gorilla and she loves it!!! She works at a hospital also. No frills, no issues and she can beat it to death at only $50 bucks. E

[tabularasa415]

I'm trying to picture my mom wearing a g shock! Hahaha

[sempire]

Probably the best bet is a gshock if she's a nurse. She has to worry about germs and always washing up and stuff so there is nothing like a gshock. It's waterproof and easy to disinfect.

[tabularasa415]

I was all about the Hamilton until I read about the mineral crystal. Cheap @sses. I think I'm going to go for Swiss Army. My mom despises digital watches, or else the G-shock would be the clear winner.

[tabularasa415]

Alright, I think I narrowed it down to this:

http://www.swissarmy.com/us/product/Timepieces/Category/Classic/Officer-s/Officer-s/241365

What does everyone think? It's 32mm so it'll be clear and easy to read. My mother loves opal and pearl, so she'll definitely like the dial. It's waterproof and stainless steel so she can wash it a billion times and it'll be fine.

[Utheman]

Score! Great choice.

[Jkay]

Thats a beautiful watch, but $500 for a quartz watch? I agree that for sanitary reasons, you want a rubber or SS band. NATO and leather are just germ/bacteria traps.

Why not an A21j GMTIIc ? Solid GMT movement for your "military time" requirement, waterproof, and classy. She's a NURSE .. there's no way a mechanical movement is going to need manual winding when you are a nurse .. she must walk 10 miles a day.

Heck, man, you could buy her seven a21j GMT IIc watches for the price of that Swatch.

[Jkay]

Or if that's too bling and perhaps unbelievable, why not a vintage GMT .. pepsi/coke/black bezel ... have it serviced and lumed for her, as an added touch.