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Dads get a bad reputation for being boring and dry, but we know plenty of fathers who like to surround themselves with items as chic as they are. For the design-forward individual in your life, check out our guide to the best designer gifts for Father’s Day, featuring everything from watches to tape dispensers.
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Bulova Super Seville
While Swiss and Japanese watchmakers seem to get all the attention, one of our favorite brands comes from right here in the U.S. — and has been for 150 years now. Based on its namesake timepiece from the 1970s, Bulova’s new Super Seville blends vintage styling that evokes retro TV sets with modern sensibilities. Housed in a 38mm silver-tone stainless steel case, the brand’s in-house 8-jewel NM10 quartz movement powers the time and date functions. However, it’s the versatility of this watch that really makes us love it, with an inspired design that gives you some serious wrist presence, adorned with a matching three-link steel bracelet for good measure.
CW&T M.R. Tape Dispenser
Even the most basic, overlooked items can get a design update. CW&T is one firm who specializes in thinking outside the box with everyday essentials. For this stainless steel unit, they’ve used physics and design theory to create the ultimate tape dispenser that uses the tape roll’s own tension to keep it in place.
Tivoli Model One BT Bluetooth AM/FM Radio
While home speakers have become very serious in recent years, Tivoli has kept things rather funky with the Model One. Capable of basic AM/FM functionality, the old-school-looking radio doubles as a speaker for the modern era with Bluetooth connectivity that lets you stream music from your phone.
Craighill Industry Desk Set
Craighill sure knows how to take simple everyday items and make them the highlight of your desktop. For its Industry Desk Set, the company has combined an in/out box, a monument letter holder, and a facility catchall — all constructed from 3003 aluminum and made right here in the USA. They’re sold individually or in sets of 2 or 3 as well.
Logitech MX Creative Console
For any tech-forward fathers out there, the Logitech MX Creative Console is an attractive and truly useful way to control both Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, but with an analog edge that might remind him of his retro gaming days.
Houseplant Standing Ashtray
Even if your dad isn’t a smoker, he might still appreciate this Standing Ashtray from Seth Rogen’s Houseplant. Standing 25” tall, this floor-standing unit is made from solid brushed brass with a walnut base. Available in either brown or amber glass heads, this design-forward piece will look great in any modernism-inspired living room.
Herman Miller Girard Stool
Alexander Girard debuted his original stool design in 1967, which has now been resurrected and rethought by Herman Miller, swapping the materials for improved sustainability this time around. Still retaining the mid-century designer’s knack for color, the Girard Stool now uses bio-based cushion foam and recycled aluminum for the legs.
Serene Cleaver Keyboard
Level up Dad’s desk with the Cleaver Keyboard from Serene. Following its wedge-shaped Icebreaker from last year, the tech brand returns with a more compact (and less expensive) brutalist unit made with a single block of aluminum. With a much shorter design, this is also great for traveling.
Fellow Espresso Series 1
Coffee machines are one such appliance that also doubles as a piece of furniture. And with the preponderance of design-forward options on the market, Fellow — a brand known for its already stylish grinders and tea kettle — threw its hat in the ring with its first-ever espresso machine. The Espresso Series 1 looks like it belongs in a museum, but if you’re looking to get one for Father’s Day, just know that it’s currently offered for pre-order, with deliveries expected in the next few months.
Audio Technica AT-LPA2 Turntable
The vinyl Renaissance is officially upon us. One brand leading the pack is Audio Technica, who, following its limited-edition see-through turntable in 2022 for its 60th anniversary, returns for an improved, non-limited version for its permanent range. But this is no mere gimmick, the AT-LPA2 is also given high-end audio for Dad to enjoy.
Sigma BF Mirrorless Camera
Amongst its Japanese camera brand brethren, Sigma might get forgotten about. However, the latest release of the BF Mirrorless Camera shows how they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Sporting a minimalist design, this full-frame unit also goes barebones with its configuration, featuring only a few buttons, a secondary info screen to declutter the main display, and no SD card slot.
