Need advice on the best way to preserve a Speedy for the next 8 years (future present for my son)

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input. I am sure that I'll take it out every once and a while to appreciate the movement and would likely wind it up then.

i love the idea of handing watches down when children get older. i also agree on the fact that they should be worn (at least at special family events) so that they get "some history". unfortunately my father was never into watches and so i can just hope that my son will be. 😀

regarding: "sunlight and heat creates so called "tropical" dials but dark gives us the orange lume."

please post some pictures because i have no idea what this look like

I do like the idea of giving it some use during special occasions. I have a '68 speedy so I would be curious to see how old he would be before he noticed that it was a different watch. He is getting into watches already though so he might notice right away, haha.

First of all - I think what you're doing is really cool. It's one thing to pass down your own watch, but it's cool to buy a specific watch for a son/daughter knowing that you'll take good care of it in the meantime.

Secondly - I wouldn't be afraid to wear it and just never tell him that it'll eventually be his. My dad's a one watch kind of guy and he's worn the same Submariner for years. He's never said anything about passing it on, but if he ever does, it'll immediately become the most cherished watch in my collection, in large part because of all the memories I have with him and the dive trips we've taken together. That stuff gets lost if it's stored in a safe for the entire time period and then given as a gift he's never seen before.

Just my ten cents though. Can't go wrong either way!

Just received the watch today and adding a few pics.

That's awesome! Great find and sure to be an awesome gift whenever it's passed along.

I picked it up for just about $2000 so think it was a pretty good price as well.

just pack the whole movement in cosmoline and lock it up. 😀

Why food grade silica gel? I don't think I want to eat my watches, ever. 😉