Popular Watches for College & High School Graduates

There’s something symbolic about giving a gift that honors the passing of time, especially to commemorate one of life’s great milestones: graduation. Whether the young scholar is finally making it through the awkward teenage years and heading toward a new adventure in college or the workforce, or earning a degree after four (or more) long years at a university and starting a career — graduation is a celebratory time, and it deserves a gift worthy of the occasion.

Giving a timepiece to a new grad is traditional for good reasons, as it’s both sentimental and practical. It’s a reminder of timeliness and professionalism; it’s downright useful; and it also serves as a quiet reminder of all the hours spent studying, learning and growing. Maybe it will inspire reflection on the last four years, or maybe it will help the graduate get to his or her first job on time. Either way, they’ll look at their watch and think of you — and that’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Hook+Gaff watches make the ideal graduation gift for a lot of reasons, but most notably for their durability and versatility. A Hook+Gaff watch seamlessly goes from the boat to the boardroom — perfect for the avid angler, business professional or active outdoorsperson. They are strong enough to endure exposure to the elements in the duck blind and stylish enough to impress during a first internship. These watches stand up to a lifestyle that’s rugged yet refined — find the perfect match for your graduate today!

King Tide

Purposefully built for the coastal angler, the King Tide is the ultimate counterpart for anyone whose day is dictated by the rising and falling tides. This watch features an analog tide indicator, which offers more accuracy and can be set for your specific location — unlike the digital tide watches that are currently available on the market.

The King Tide also utilizes H3 technology. The Swiss-made trigalight^® glass tubes on the hour markers and hands provide self-powered illumination that never stops. It’s durable, classic and highly functional — the perfect symbolic (and practical) gift for a new grad and inshore angler. Even if they’re at work, in class or planning the next adventure, this watch will keep their mind on time well spent on the water.

Sportfisher Black

Designed for the ultimate sportsman, this was Hook+Gaff’s first model to utilize H3 illumination technology. The dial’s hour markers are constantly illuminated — ideal for early mornings on the creek or late nights walking back from the library. Beyond being a performance-driven timepiece, its black-on-black design makes it a real luxury-wear showstopper. This watch can handle whatever you throw its way, and it’ll look good doing it.

Field Watches

Whether your grad likes waking up before sunrise to jump in the duck blind or enjoys wading a cold mountain stream tossing the fly on a fall afternoon, our Field watches deliver. This timepiece features a Swiss quartz movement and, like all Hook+Gaff watches, the unique left-side crown placement helps the wearer avoid wrist irritation during those favorite outdoor activities. In addition to being water and corrosion-resistant, this timepiece offers a stylish and simplistic design and has become our best-selling collection. Because who doesn't enjoy time well spent outdoors?

Golf Watch

For those who see golf less as a hobby and more as an obsession, the new Hook+Gaff Golf Watch is the perfect fit. Success in golf requires confidence, skill and grit — characteristics also found in our watch-making process. Crafted with the utmost care and precision, our new Golf sport watches are able to play through the toughest conditions. The Golf Watch features a custom 41mm solid high-grade titanium screw-down case, while the Women’s Golf Watch features a custom 36mm screw-down case of the same caliber. Both have a left-side crown placement, providing a classic look — but much more comfortable feel — for life on the course.

Sportfisher 3 and Women's Golf Watch

If you have a female grad in your life, the Sportfisher 3 or even our women's Golf watch is a sure way to put a smile on her face! Built with rugged durability yet sporting a feminine design, these watches deliver performance-proven functionality that will take her from the water or golf course to a night on the town and everywhere in between. With a smaller face and band than the other Hook+Gaff watches, these watches look sleek enough for daily wear but have all of the same features to fit the needs of outdoor pursuits, offered in a white or a new mother-of-pearl dial color. Best of all, these watches are ultra-comfortable thanks to the left-side crown placement.

Captain 

For a graduation gift that will stand the test of time, consider Hook+Gaff’s newest automatic mechanical watch — the Captain. Featuring a Miyota 9015 automatic "self-winding" movement with date adjust, this watch knocks functional luxury out of the park. With a 316-L surgical stainless steel case, mesh bracelet, and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, this timepiece offers a timeless, sleek aesthetic that conveys a young person ready to take on the world. As practical as it is beautiful, the watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters. 

The above mentioned timepieces are just a sampling of all that Hook+Gaff has available — there are a number of additional watch styles to choose from. All of the watches come with a wide variety of strap options, from multi-colored rubber dive bands to hand-stitched leather. Find the watch/strap combo that perfectly suits your graduating senior here. Of course, the most important gift you can offer is to give your endless support during these major life transitions and by spending quality time together as long as you can.