Fathers Day Gift Guide: Luxury Men’s Watches

The bad news: Time catches up to all of us.  The good news: The two watches Active Junky’s selected put you ahead in the race to know, go and do whatever makes life worth living.  Moment-by-moment and day-by-day.

Reactor Poseidon Ionized Men’s Dive Watch:  Go deep, shine brightly

Peter Reese

Ridiculous, really, that a watch can handle 1,000m depths and keep ticking.  While Reactor’s iridescent finish mimics the creatures found on shallow reefs and sand bottoms, it owns dry land with a stunning presentation.  For a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury brands, this limited-edition model – as in, 200 – is the perfect reward for surviving academic, professional, personal or athletic trials.  Testers, already favoring other Reactor models for their industry-leading luminescence (meaning, the time is visible through shirt cuffs and sheets at night), vouch for the 316L stainless build, forged and plated to make Poseidon a legacy piece.  Charging continuously from the wearer’s hand motion, the watch is best worn with the linked, stainless steel band (a rubber band comes included as well). 

Tester Comments: “If you’re not ready to claim it, don’t wear it.  Few personal accessories carry so much core function, along with personal style, as a well-considered watch.  And the 48mm-diameter Poseidon won’t hide from true performance and a powerful presence.  It doesn’t need a GPS because, if you’re wearing it, you already know you’ve arrived.”

Best For: Going all-in, a group gift or self-reward – with a caseback that reveals the charging rotor as yet another bonus

Check Out the Reactor Poseidon Stainless LE >

slow watch slow Jo 17: Confidence in the future

Rhett Cutrell

The sun will set today, rise tomorrow.  Meanwhile, deep inside the 38mm silver stainless steel case (316L), a Swiss-made, Ronda Caliber 505.24H GMT quartz movement oscillates.  Capable of controlling four hands along with a date function, slow watches laser-focused slow Jo on simply telling the time.  Not for nervous glances or moments of trepidation, but for confident living.  Certainly, to the trained eye, the 15-minute graduations dial the time in more closely.  To observers, the silver, 100m-rated case and Italian vintage calf leather strap look almost too removed from everyday travails.  On the contrary, the ability to see 24 hours unfold without distractions produces a sense of perspective – and clarity – not found in watches consumed with nano-seconds.  It took Active Junky some time to understand the concept, stick with it and come to value slow Jo.  We’re there.  And will have a hard time going back.

Tester Comments: “This 65g model jumps from business to jeans, nightlife to international travel.  Luxury Men’s Watches

The durable mineral glass and cream face combine for readability in all lighting conditions.  Optional straps in metal mesh, canvas and nylon turn the slow Jo 17 into a full timekeeping wardrobe, knowing that the vintage leather is tough to beat for all-around wear.  Battery life estimated at 45 months is notable, as is a two-year warranty.  First loved it at a luxury ski resort, now going “slow time” with a saison at my favorite brewpub.”

Best For: Under-$300 wardrobe elevation, gift-giving to those who are ready to recalibrate their days and nights + use with the sublime storage case as a bedside clock

Check Out the slow watch slow Jo 17 >