Forerunner 25 (Small)

Garmin Forerunner 25, because it's the best one.

I gave in. Found a forerunner 2nd hand at a steal. Zero regrets, wouldn't go back to polar (after using them 7 years)

Garmin Forerunnner has several models in that range. Work like a charm.

Garmin Venu 1, 2, or even one of the newer Vivoactives would be great. You can get a Venu 2 for probably about $100-$130 on Facebook Marketplace right now. You can also get one of the older Garmin Forerunners for about the same price as well, if not a little cheaper

Use forerunner for swimming and it works great. So happy I no longer have to count my laps and I can just swim.

if he is working a lot in the rain, get him something with more than 2 buttons so he would be able to use the watch using only the buttons (without the touchsreen) if he needs to, something like a forerunner, or instinct (doesnt have a touch screen) or a fenix (but a fenix is one of the more expensive ones)

The same I was big on the Apple ecosystem and felt like it was a cool watch just because it integrated so well, but I never even downloaded any apps for it. All I ever used it for was timers and reminders and stuff like that and basic fitness tracking, and my forerunner does all the same stuffbut way better. Should’ve switched sooner