1 Caps off: Though technically a man’s watch, the Clé de Cartier, a solid yet elegant timepiece, works well for either gender. Masterfully crafted, it is the perfect (über-luxury) piece with which to send off any ambitious grad to face the joys (and challenges) of adulthood. $34,900 for solid gold; www.tourneau.com
2 Goes with everything: You never have to worry about being over- or underdressed with the Rolex GMT-Master II, which is appropriate for every occasion, from your child’s birthday party to a black-tie gala. And even better, its resilient materials and ability to display multiple time zones make it an incredibly practical investment. $8,950 in stainless steel; www.rolex.com
3 Fit for a Prince: IWC only made 1,000 of The Little Prince watches and one of them is at Tourneau at Bryant Park. Named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic story, this watch has whimsical features like a day indicator with illuminated stars; each represents a different planet the prince visits. $12,100; www.tourneau.com
4 Keep it going: The forgetful (or busy) man in your life will have one less thing to worry about with the IWC Portofino, a classic automatic watch, which has an eight-day power reserve. A discrete dial shows how much battery life is left so you’ll always have an accurate measure of the time. $9,900 in stainless steel; www.iwc.com
5 Set sail: Rolex is the only luxury brand that makes its watches fully waterproof (not just water resistant). The band of the Rolex Yacht Master 40 is made from highly durable black elastomer, so you can hit the seas knowing your timepiece will be ticking long after you return. $22,000; www.rolex.com