Are women allowed to ask questions here?

If so, I could use some guidance.

My husband has a big birthday coming up this year ( March 15th) he is going to be fifty! :)

I want to do something BIG for his birthday! He has mentioned in the last several years that he needs a new watch. We've looked here and there but he never seems to commit to something he really likes or it is too expensive. I know he really wants one, he had a nice watch that broke and after years of getting it fixed he finally broke down and bought a digital "timex" type watch at JC Penny's. He really does not like what he has. He loves true time pieces. Just an FYI: his last watch was his fathers seiko that was given to him after his Dad died in the early 80's if that helps.

SO... that brings me to my Mens forum question!!

What kind of watch would you like if you were:

Not the flashy type.

Somewhat athletic.

Loves outdoors.

Dresses for work although not a suit and tie. ( think dress pants and button ups)

Loves sports.

Prefers things that last. ( we collect antiques)

Gold? Silver? Chunky? Leather band? Cloth band? ARRRG!!! Help me!!! :)

Help me fellas!

If this is not appropriate for this forum I will move it to the lounge. Congrats to your new forum!!!

Do you have access to his dads old watch?
Perhaps repairing that would be most sentimental to him.
Remember, our phones tell time perfectly now... but if you were able to give him something important restored, I think that would be most touching to him.
just my two cents tho.

Maybe something like this?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=seiko+watch&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivns&resnum=4&biw=1680&bih=937&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9772960160529846863&ei=wgAxTf66IYG-sQOS2vGwBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CIIBEPMCMAg

Since I started building boats, I rarely wear my watch - I keep my timex ironman in my pocket.

My tastes run to the not-chunky, not gold and not cloth band... and not expensive.

We had family friends over last weekend for my 49th, it was really nice. I'm not sure how much I'd like a BIG deal for my birthday.

When you say "loves the outdoors", what do you mean? Hunter? Golfer? Hiker? Fisherman? Boater?

Comtec's advice about getting the old watch fixed is a good one.

Make sure the size of the dial fits his wrist. Is he built? Slender?
Will he be wearing it while he plays sports or does outdoor activities? (avoid leather, gets dirty). I don't like the look of cloth bands or digital faces at all.
If you think he would like a bolder look as opposed to elegant, just be sure it's not too heavy. Something that would look good when he's dressed up or casual is ideal.
Silver's a little more versatile than gold, but combination silver/gold covers all the bases.

FWIW, I like ones that don't have too much crap on the face, it gets out of hand on some models.

http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/gents/american_classic/jazzmaster/?id=H32625555
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/gents/american_classic/timeless_classic/?id=H40616135
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/gents/american_classic/jazzmaster/?id=H38515135
http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SPC003-Sportura-Retrograde-Chronograph/dp/B000IBPG7S/ref=sr_1_18?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1296718339&sr=1-18
http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Aqua-Terra-Railmaster-2806-52-37/dp/B000ZM13RW/ref=sr_1_18?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1296718580&sr=1-18

Tag Heuer makes some beautiful EXPENSIVE watches

http://www.amazon.com/TAG-Heuer-CAV511A-FC6225-Carrera-Chronograph/dp/B001DZQ3G6/ref=sr_1_31?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1296718954&sr=1-31
http://www.amazon.com/TAG-Heuer-CAV511B-FC6225-Carrera-Chronograph/dp/B001DZTS1S/ref=sr_1_51?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1296719057&sr=1-51

Good luck!

most guys would want.

BTW, cheaper metal watch bands tend to lose their plating and the underlying metal can be irritating to the skin.

I prefer to not have a digital watch, and I prefer to have a watch without a battery.

Putting all the above together is probably the reason I carry a vintage pocket watch. Keeps great time, sits in it's own leather sheath in my pockets...away from magnetic sources and things that the band would catch on as I do my thing...which includes cooking, wood working, woodlot management and my seemingly endless need to get my hands and forearms into restricted spaces often messy places to fix things.