The Time+Tide Mother’s Day gift guide

Borna Bošnjak

The likeliest way for someone to get into watches is through a familial connection – in my case, both of my parents played a major role in my eventual fanaticism. While I mostly talked about watches with dad, it way my mum that kept my first-ever watch in pristine condition, only to give it to me years later, as well as pass down on an old ana-digi Casio she used to wear when I was in primary school. As hard as I try, I still can’t figure out what the reference of that (now lost) watch was. Our mums are the main reason any of us are around as well, and what better way to show your appreciation for someone than gifting them a watch? Oh, there are other ways to do that, I hear you say? Well, us watch nerds wouldn’t know any better.

For the thrifty mamma – Casio LF20W

Truth be told, you could put any entry-level Casio on this list, and I don’t think you’d get any complaints. The reason I chose the LF20W, however, is because there’s a general agreement in the T+T offices that it could continue the best-selling trend of the venerable F-91W. With similar proportions, this reimagining of the AE-20W Twin-Graph, the LF20W experienced a common trope with hot Casios, where they’ll be sold out everywhere for the first few months after release, with huge markups on the secondary market. Thankfully, that hype has died down, so you can easily pick up resin cutie from the Time+Tide Shop. Price: A$99.95

For the dressy dame – Fears Archival 1930

Limited to just 130 pieces, the Archival celebrated 175 years since Fears’ founding. It closely follows the outlines set out by a vintage Fears model, but instead uses an upgraded new-old-stock ETA 2360, the same movements Fears was using in the ’60s. It’s no secret that rectangular watches are hot right now, but with everyone wearing Cartier (not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you), why not go for something a little left-field, but just as cool? Price: A$6,450 from the Time+Tide Shop

For the vintage mother – Nivada Grenchen F77 Lapis Lazuli

To the mums who like to jump on a trend, but do so unexpectedly, Nivada Grenchen’s new F77 may be the answer to the integrated-bracelet question. With a 37mm diameter suitable to most wrist sizes, I believe the stand-out model is the lapis-dialled number. Naturally, each dial is unique thanks to the stone’s textures, and the softened features normally found on other watches of this type are softened for a subtler look. Price: A$2,390 from the Time+Tide Shop

For the ana-digi amma – G-Shock GMS110

While the digital G-Shocks take most of the mass-market appeal, I feel like there are ana-digi options that many people kinda sleep on. The new GMS110 is a good example. The usual complaint with these is that they’re just too big and too thick, but with a 42mm x 13mm case, this metal G-Shock is certainly more manageable. The host of usual shock and water-resistance features is still here, with Casio’s proprietary Neobrite lume on the hands. Price: A$549 from the Time+Tide Shop

For the mini mum – Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Auto 34mm

Watches (and the accompanying advertising) are becoming more and more resistant to the gender binary, but for a sporty watch that incorporates a few more traditionally feminine cues, look no further than the Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer. It’s a watch that does shrink-it-and-pink-it right, going for a subtle rosé dial that looks just as at home on a new Lange or Patek, and retains the H-10 movement with its 80-hour power reserve. Sized at 34mm, it’s not the tiniest of watches, but that suits its style and 100 metres of water resistance. Price: A$1,850 from the Time+Tide Shop

For the adventure-ready lady – Doxa SUB 200T

Ask any watch enthusiast, and they’ll tell you no collection is complete without a diver. Okay, that’s not true because I don’t truly believe that, but it is true that dive watches have become an everyday staple for many. The new SUB 200T takes the brand’s instantly recognisable design and squishes it down into a much more wearable case, especially for smaller-wristed folk like myself. It also essentially has no lugs and is impressively thin, coming in at 39mm in diameter, 41.5mm lug-to-lug, and 10.7mm in height. Price: A$2,550 (rubber), A$2,590 (steel bracelet) from the Time+Tide Shop

For the majestic matriarch – Bulgari Serpenti x Tadao Ando

The previous suggestions spanned a wide price spectrum, but for those who really feel like treating their mum, there’s really only one option in my eyes. The Bulgari Serpenti is just about the most elegant dress watch around, and the brand’s third go at collaborating with Tadao Ando yielded this spectacular aventurine stone and two-tone Tubogas number. Price: CHF 15,700