Thanks, Scout Pilot. Anything specific you'd recommend?
Oh gosh, that's tough. Why couldn't you have a boy?
For a young lady, rugged though she may be in terms of physical and mental grit, I doubt she wants a man-size hunk of steel dangling from her arm. for my graduation, my father got me a
Luminox Navy SEAL 3001 Dive watch, which at the time was the only thing they made. As you can see on that site, they make much more now. The Luminox was virtually indestructible. To wit, I once had it ripped off in the pit of a very...um...vigorous...concert in Philadelphia. I found it afterwards, missing the glass, strap, and all but one hand, looking as though it had been put in a rock crusher. But it was faithfully ticking. I sent it to Luminox, and for $100 they rebuilt it. I still have it. It's still the brightest night time watch I've ever used, but only the numbers and hands glow, so it's not annoying like Indiglo. That watch kept time for me on many, many missions on both deployments, and I could see it without white light or without presenting too much of a signature. Crazy thoughts to have about your little girl, I'm sure, but someday she'll be doing those sorts of things.
That watch has since been retired, after almost a decade of yeoman's duty on my left arm. Now, I wear
this watch that my wife gave me on our wedding day. It's quite a piece, though I've never found it to be as tactically useful as the Luminox, nor as rugged. But that's the price you pay for style.
Not knowing your daughter, I would humbly suggest the following: a Luminox Ladies Colormark 7051 Dive Watch. It comes in a variety of colors, though I would say the standard white is the best choice for professional reasons.
It's reasonably priced ($230, give or take) and will last her for years. Plus, it's a utility watch and it gives you or mom a chance to buy her a "dress watch" for Christmas or some other event.
Hope this helps, just one man's opinion--a man who likes useful gifts.