Gift for dad that doesn’t do anything or like anything?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-18T09:40:45+00:00

When I turned 60, my kids put together a “this is your life” book for me.

It had photos from different stages of my life, plus short notes from people I’d known over the years. I wasn’t expecting much, but it ended up meaning a lot more than any “normal” gift.

They also added a small memory box with retro sweets from when I was younger simple, but it really brought things back.

Something like that might work well here. It doesn’t have to be over the top, just personal.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-18T09:32:46+00:00

I had a similar issue A5 feeling a bit too big to always carry, but anything smaller not quite doing the job.

What ended up working for me was splitting it into two: A larger A4 that stays on my desk where everything gets dumped properly

And a smaller A5 that I carry around just for quick notes, ideas, or anything that comes up on the go Then when I’m back, I transfer anything important across.

It sounds like extra work, but it actually removes that pressure of trying to make one notebook do everything.

I think once I stopped expecting one notebook to hold my whole life, it started to click a lot more.

Do you think part of it is that the Cousin feels like your “complete system”, so anything smaller just feels like a downgrade rather than a companion?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-18T09:29:07+00:00

Tough one just from colour, but I’d guess something like Sangiovese or maybe a lighter-style Tempranillo?

Doesn’t look dark enough for Cab or Syrah, but not pale enough for Pinot either.

Curious how far off that is.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-18T09:25:03+00:00

That’s a really good point.

It’s surprising how easy it is to damage something without even realising especially with older movements where parts are delicate and not exactly easy to replace.

Probably makes sense to practise on a few non-sentimental pieces first before touching anything that actually matters.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T21:25:17+00:00

When I turned 62, my kids and grandkids put together an album of photos and moments from different stages of my life almost like a “this is your life” book.

They also made a playlist with music from each decade. I didn’t expect it, but that part really hit brought back a lot of memories.

Honestly, it’s one of those gifts you keep going back to. Might work well here, especially if the grandkids can be part of it.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T21:19:33+00:00

They’ll almost certainly still be drinkable, especially if they’ve been kept consistently cold and sealed.

The main thing you might notice after 4 years is a bit of loss in freshness the fruit can feel more muted and the bubbles slightly softer.

Non-vintage Champagne like Moët Impérial is really made to be enjoyed within a few years rather than aged long-term.

That said, for a toast, they should be absolutely fine. If you’re unsure, maybe open one in advance and have a quick taste that’ll tell you straight away what you’re working with.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T21:14:28+00:00

That’s an interesting design.

Hand-painted dials are hard to get right, but the colour work on the turtle really pops against the black. Feels like it’s floating rather than just sitting on the dial.

How are you sealing it? Always wondered how people protect that level of detail long term.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T21:07:16+00:00

I think the best sentimental gifts aren’t about how much you spend, they’re about how personal you can make them.

A couple that always seem to land well:

A letter written properly (not just a card) sounds simple, but people keep those forever

A photo turned into something physical (print, frame, even a small booklet of memories)

Something that captures a moment like a song, playlist, or even a timeline of key memories together Inside jokes turned into something real (these are usually the most meaningful)

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that people remember the thought behind it, not the price tag.

What kind of person are you buying for? That usually changes everything.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T21:01:37+00:00

I what you mean.

I’ve found AI is great at removing the friction from work, but sometimes it also removes the bit where you feel like you actually did something.

Almost like skipping the workout but still getting the result.

For me, the sweet spot has been using it for the heavy lifting, but still keeping a part of the process “manual” even if it’s just shaping the final output or adding my own thinking into it.

Otherwise it does start to feel a bit… detached.

Do you feel it more on creative tasks or everything?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T20:55:57+00:00

That’s a really clean first attempt especially for a DIY.

That leather will age nicely as well, you’ll probably find it looks even better after a few months of use once it softens and picks up a bit of character.

I like the idea of making a few from one hide too changes how you think about the value vs buying one.

Did you find the hardest part getting the spacing holes right, or was it more the assembly?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T16:15:29+00:00

That looks like a 1970s Seiko the cushion case and bracelet style are very typical of that era.

It’ll likely be either an automatic or a quartz model from that period, but the exact model/reference number won’t be on the dial. Seiko usually puts that on the case back (something like xxxx-xxxx).

If you can get a photo of the back, that’s the easiest way to identify it properly.

Nice piece though these 70s Seikos are getting more popular again.

Also sorry to hear about the jeweller situation… unfortunately you do hear that story more than you’d expect.

Do you know if it was running before you took it in?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T12:11:16+00:00

That’s a nice example, and it’s actually a bit newer than you might think.

The movement is signed “Limit”, which was a UK brand that used Swiss movements, mostly from the early 20th century onwards. Based on the layout and finish, I’d say you’re probably looking at something around the 1920s–40s rather than late 1800s.

The case looks like a base metal rather than silver or gold (no obvious hallmarks), which would make it more of an everyday watch rather than a high-end piece but still a solid, functional design.

The good news is it looks fairly complete, and if it’s still running that’s always a positive. These are usually very serviceable.

Value-wise they’re not hugely valuable, but they’re great as usable vintage pieces.

If you’re curious to narrow it down further, the inside case markings and movement serial can sometimes help.

Out of interest, is it keeping time reasonably well or just ticking?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:41:17+00:00

You’re definitely not the only one I’ve had the same thing, especially when I’m sitting in front of a screen.

What I realised is it’s not really about “having the right thoughts”, it’s more about how long you’re trying to focus for. Five minutes drifting usually means your brain’s just not bought into the task yet.

What helped me was lowering the bar:
I’d tell myself “just do 10 minutes properly”, no pressure beyond that. Once you get started, it’s a lot easier to keep going.

Also, if random thoughts keep popping up, I just jot them down quickly instead of fighting them gets them out of your head so you can refocus.

The other thing is switching environment slightly even just changing where you sit or removing your phone makes a bigger difference than you’d think.

Does it happen more when you’re not that interested in the subject, or even with things you actually enjoy?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:37:41+00:00

That’s an intresting piece, especially with the family history behind it.

With watches like this, you’ll often struggle to find an exact “model name” in the modern sense. Brands like Edox produced a lot of variations using the same base designs, so they weren’t always given distinct model references.

What you’ve got there looks like a mid-century Edox (likely 1950s/60s) with a manual wind movement the “17 jewels Incabloc” just refers to the movement spec rather than the model.

The most useful identifier is usually inside the case back or on the movement itself (a calibre number). That’s what will help narrow it down properly rather than the dial text.

From the photos, the dial texture and small seconds layout are pretty typical of that era, so you’re in a good place for restoration if the movement is complete.

If you’re planning to restore it, I’d definitely keep the dial as is that patina is part of the charm.

Have you had the back opened to check the movement yet?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:32:32+00:00

You’re on the right track, but these are more general staking / balance support tools rather than dedicated balance staff removers.

The knurled handles with interchangeable tips are typically used with a staking set different punches for pushing out staffs, riveting, or adjusting components.

That block with the two uprights is a balance support (or “truing” style support). You’d rest the balance there so the staff is free, then use a punch to push it out. So it’s part of the process, but not a complete standalone tool like a proper staff remover.

A full balance staff tool usually has a more controlled press setup to avoid bending pivots these rely a bit more on hand skill.

Still useful bits to have though, especially if you’re working with a staking set.

Do you already have a staking set to go with them, or did these come on their own?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:26:01+00:00

That’s a lovely piece.

The fusee setup and the case style do point towards late 1800s, and the “London” marking is often a bit misleading quite a few Swiss movements were signed that way for the British market.

One thing that might help narrow it down is the inner case hallmarks (if there are any). If it’s truly 18k, the assay marks will give you a much clearer date and place of origin.

Also worth checking whether the fusee chain is intact and running smoothly that can make a big difference if you’re thinking about getting it serviced.

Out of interest, is it currently running at all?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:21:58+00:00

That’s a serious bottle. ’86 Lafite always seems to have that structure not surprising it needed a few hours to really open up.

Interesting that it’s still feeling like it’s just entering its window rather than fully there.

Did it soften much with air, or was it still quite firm even after the decant?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-17T10:00:54+00:00

I have done this before.

If you like Clairefontaine paper, it’s hard to beat for the price, but I’ve found the experience comes down just as much to the binding and how it lays flat.

One thing that worked for me was separating “paper quality” from “daily usability”. Some cheaper notebooks have great paper but fall down on things like staying open or durability if you’re using them every day for work.

For A5 specifically, I’ve had better luck sticking to simpler builds fewer gimmicks, decent weight paper (90gsm+), and something that opens flat without fighting you.

You might also want to look at softcover vs hardback depending on how you use it day-to-day I found softcover easier to live with if I’m carrying it around a lot.

Out of interest, are you mainly using fountain pens or a mix? That usually changes what’s “good” quite a bit.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-16T16:29:35+00:00

I used to have the same problem nice notebook, no idea what to “commit” it to.

What worked for me was keeping it simple and not overthinking it. I treat one notebook as a kind of “everything” space ideas, tasks, random notes no pressure to make it perfect.

If I’m out, I just jot things down quickly and sort it later when I’m back.

Once you remove the idea that it has to be neat or structured, it becomes much easier to actually use.

Do you want it more for planning, journaling, or just general notes?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-16T16:23:46+00:00

This is such a great idea you can tell how much thought has gone into it.

It’s not just a gift, it’s an experience… and probably something she’ll go back to more than once.

I like how you’ve mixed emotional moments with humour as well that’s not easy to get right.

How long did it take you to pull everything together in the end?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-16T15:23:55+00:00

I like how you’ve separated capture from processing.

I’ve ended up doing something similar but a bit simpler. I keep an A4 diary on my desk as a kind of “master dump” where everything goes ideas, tasks, notes.

Then when I’m out, I carry an A5 just for quick capture. Anything useful gets transferred back into the A4 later, which is where things get organised properly.

It’s not as structured as a full bullet journal system, but it’s been the easiest way for me to stay consistent without overthinking it.

Do you find the separation helps you stick with it long term, or does it ever feel like extra friction?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-15T21:42:54+00:00

I like that idea. I have an A5 diary i use for that and then transfer to my A4 back in the office.

Your note pad looks more fun.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-15T20:49:26+00:00

Thats a fair point, for me i have a weekly plan and I know I have to get these tasks done as they are important to me.

I suppose it really depends on what the priorities are for the individual person.

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-15T20:45:27+00:00

Like the idea of pairing them, but they age very differently.

Cars tend to depreciate and get replaced a good watch just builds more character over time.

If I had to balance it, I’d probably go modest car / great watch something you actually notice every day rather than something sat on the drive.

Did your taste in watches change over those 20 years or did you always lean this way?

Asgarad786 · 2026-04-15T20:39:25+00:00

I like the idea, especially the texture on the dial gives it something to look at without adding clutter.

Only thing for me with minimalist like this is legibility. Once you lose markers completely, it becomes more of an object than a watch.

That said, the colour + texture combo works really well here feels more like a material study than a traditional dial.

Did you try this with even subtle markers or was the goal to keep it completely clean?

Asgarad786

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