How to Choose Kids' Watches
As a young boy growing into a fine gentleman, you might be choosing a watch for yourself.
In the same vein, you could also be getting a watch for your kids/ any other boy that you know.
We never recommend going for the first children's watch brand on the list. At least, make the following considerations when you shop.
Brand
Start the kid's watch collection with picks from reputable watch brands.
This way, they know well to continue with established brands as they start to choose their watches over time too.
The best brands will also have a larger range of children's watches that you can shop, so you can always get the desired pick depending on where the other factors on this list drive you.
Size
The year is 2021, but most manufacturers are yet to start making a collection of children's watches.
That, however, should not discourage you.
Choosing anywhere from 28mm and above should be appropriate for children's watches. Since you will be buying a standard watch for a boy, they get to keep and grow with the watch.
Colour
The watch strap colour can speak volumes about the boy's personality, so know to choose what they will appreciate best.
Fortunately, you can get children's watches with different configurations of colours today.
Gone are the days when black watches alone were all the rave. Now, there is a selection of watches with blue, purple, green, and pink watch dials and straps, among other colours.
These options extend to the watch frame itself, where manufacturers have a thing with stainless steel, rose gold, gold, gunmetal, and other picks.
Strap Type
Different straps come with different appeals.
For a start, stay away from getting your kids anything with a stainless-steel strap. They might not understand the quality yet and end up misusing it, resulting in a need for repair service.
At these stages, a rubber or nylon strap is a more popular choice for a children's watch. These straps are rugged, durable, and can take a beating. Moreover, they come in a larger range of watch strap colours so choose from, like pink, white, and purple.
As they get older and better at managing their watches, you can switch to other strap types.
Functionality
A watch might be there to help them in learning to tell the time, no doubt, but they can do so much more than that.
Features like a chronograph on a watch, for example, bring extra learning into the mix. That allows the kids to get better used to all what their watches can do besides just telling the time.
You would be surprised to know that many people do not know the first thing about chronographs on their watches. That would not have been if they started early enough – just like your kids are about to get the chance to.
Some Great Options for Boys' Watches
Now that we have discussed how to choose a watch for boys and the benefits of gifting them one in the first place, what children's watches are out there on the market?
Like we said earlier, there is a limited range of quality boys' watches mainly because they are not the target market for most brands.
Fortunately, limited doesn't mean non-existent. Check out the picks we have handpicked for your children below.
Native Watch Series – Great for Younger Boys
This series starts at 28mm on the case measurement, making it a great choice if you were looking for something truly premium for your young boys.
Since this will most likely be their baptism into the analogue watch niche, the watch display is bare save for the Nordgreen logo. The focus here is on telling the time than any other thing. We can leave the chronographs till when they are better at telling the time in analogue format.
Like every other pick on this list, the Native series is blessed with a ton of options.
On the dial alone, you can choose to have black, blue, or white dials.
Even though there are a ton of strap picks for you also, it is recommended that you go with a sports strap, like a nylon (black, olive green, or navy blue) or rubber (black) strap. That way, you are sure the fine watch has a better chance of taking misuse while the boy learns how to treat a watch properly.
Much later in life, they can find a new strap to convert the watch to their new taste.
Philosopher Watch Series – Amazing for Teenage Boys
The stage between being a younger kid and an older boy is not that defined, but you know it when you see it.
At this stage, the average boy can handle a complicated watch – but not too complicated either.
The Philosopher strikes that balance right with its simple display.
Starting at 32mm and going to 40mm case diameter, you should not have a problem getting something that works for your boys here. The dials are only offered in white and black: both neutral colours that go with different styles and outfits.
The choice of watch strap here will come down to the kind of boy in question.
Do they have what it takes to handle a stainless steel/ mesh/ leather band yet, or would you prefer they spend more time with the sports-friendly rubber and nylon?
The choice is yours – but make sure your gift is in line with the boy's personality.
Final Words
As promised, we have powered through a list of the finest boys' watches you can find – and for different age ranges and price points also.
When you are looking to give the gift of time to any boy, you now know what to do even better. You can also find our collection of girls' watches at Nordgreen.