Valentine’s Day is all about love – and what occasion embodies that more than an engagement or wedding? After all, finding your match needs to be celebrated properly. That includes not only the right location and catering, but also a very special outfit – including an appropriate watch. To avoid a potential faux pas when choosing the right watch for the bride and groom, we’ll share a few tips, rules, and watch models to equip you for everything from your engagement to the altar to your anniversary.
A Watch as an Engagement Gift
While the lady usually receives an engagement ring, the man usually goes away empty handed. That’s why in recent years, there’s a new trend in which fiancés also get a gift. This is often a beautiful watch. Just like the ring, a timepiece is a romantic symbol of the love and affection that the two partners feel for each other. A beautiful gesture, because a luxury watch will accompany you for a lifetime in the best case – just like your better half. To ensure that your future spouse can enjoy their engagement gift for a long time to come, you should focus on quality.
Which luxury watch is suitable as an engagement gift for a man?
If you would like to give a luxury watch as an engagement gift, we would like to help you choose a model. The following tips will make choosing the right watch easy as pie.
- Opt for classic, elegant designs. They usually have a timeless look and can be combined with a variety of outfits. If the watch is too extravagant, there is the risk that it will steal the show from the bride and groom at the wedding.
- Choose a watch that matches the style of the person receiving the gift. For example, if they are more of a sporty type, a classic chronograph may be the ideal gift. In addition, the color of the dial and the material of the watch should be coordinated with the groom’s outfit so that the watch does not clash with the color of the suit, cufflinks, etc.
- Make sure you choose the right watch size. When in doubt, opt for a slightly smaller size of 36 mm to 38 mm. Smaller sizes are currently back in fashion and have the advantage that they are usually somewhat flatter and slide better under a shirt cuff.
- Set yourself a price limit! Of course you only want to give the love of your life the best of the best, but the wedding itself is already costing you a lot. So don’t overdo it.
Selected engagement watches for him
Let’s now take a look at some models and brands that are ideal as engagement gifts for men. All of these brands have an excellent reputation and the models are timeless classics with high quality workmanship. They all impress with their class and elegance and are suitable for both slim and strong wrists.
- Longines is a brand with an impressive history. The traditional Swiss watch manufacturer has numerous suitable models on offer. The watches in their Master Collection and Heritage series are a particularly good choice. The selection ranges from classic and understated to sporty and elegant.
- The Portofino Automatic from IWC is a true classic. Named after the Italian port city of the same name, this wristwatch reflects the lightness and elegance that Italy is known for. It is understated, but undoubtedly tastefully designed and pleasantly flat at 9.2 mm. The case back also offers plenty of space for personal engravings!
- The Reverso from Jaeger-LeCoultre is without question an icon of the watchmaking world. Its rectangular reversible case, which was developed for polo players in the 1930s, is what makes this watch so unique. For our list, we have chosen the Reverso Classic Monoface Small Seconds. It has an Art Deco dial with Arabic numerals and small seconds. Turning the case reveals an empty surface that is ideal for engraving.
- The Rolex Datejust has defied all trends and fads since the 1930s. As the archetype of the modern wristwatch, it stands for timeless elegance like no other. That makes the Datejust a hit beyond its role as an engagement gift. The collection offers numerous variants, so there is something to suit every taste.
Why not something unusual for the lady?
A luxury watch has some similarities to a marriage: made to last a lifetime, for better or for worse, with the right care and storage. It is not without reason that the union of movement and case is also referred to as a “marriage” in watchmaking jargon. In this respect, the idea of giving your wife-to-be a watch or giving each other a gift for an engagement or wedding is an obvious one. This may seem a little unorthodox, but it is a very individual and unusual gift that will set you and your other half apart from many other couples.
Selected Models for You
A luxury watch instead of a ring is particularly recommended if your future fiancée has a thing for watches. To give you a little inspiration, we have put together some top models for women.
- The models in the TAG Heuer Carrera Ladies collection are perfect for active women. With its sporty, elegant appearance, the women’s version of the legendary motorsport watch is restrained enough not to stand out too much and is also suitable for everyday wear. With its elegant mother-of-pearl dial and diamond indices, the Carrera Ladies also shines on sophisticated occasions such as weddings.
- Just like men, women are always right with a Rolex Datejust. However, women should opt for one of the numerous Lady-Datejust models, due to their smaller diameters. From models entirely in stainless steel to elegant Rolesor designs – its various configuration options make the Lady-Datejust just as multifunctional as the conventional Datejust. The perfect choice for engagements and weddings.
- The Cartier Ballon Bleu offers a skillful balancing act between classic elegance and sporty avant-gardism. The collection is available in a variety of materials, colors, and sizes, meaning the models not only cut a fine figure on the wrist of a modern bride but also in the office. Whether classic stainless steel or set with diamonds – you will find the perfect accessory for the perfect day in the Ballon Bleu collection.
- If you want something a little more eye-catching, why not go for an industry classic like the Royal Oak Quartz from Audemars Piguet? Thanks to their unmistakable design, Royal Oak models are always an eye-catcher – whether on a man’s or a woman’s wrist. Thanks to the unique and particularly elaborate polish, even simple stainless steel models sparkle beguilingly in the sunlight. An effect that is further enhanced by visual refinements such as gold and diamond bezels.
Luxury Watches as a Wedding Gift
If you are looking for an interesting wedding gift, wristwatches can be just the thing. Coordinated partner watches in particular are a great idea. However, as described above, it is also important to consider the personal taste of the bride and groom. If you want to give the groom a luxury watch, for example, it’s best to consult the bride. She will probably know best what her husband-to-be likes and dislikes. Otherwise, you can of course follow our previously mentioned tips for buying a men’s watch or our guide to the perfect women’s watch.
Special Gifts for Silver and Gold Anniversaries
Celebrating anniversaries with a very special gift is also a great idea. How about a vintage model that was made in the year of your wedding, for example? With a watch for your silver or golden wedding anniversary, you can celebrate your time together – and fulfill a long-time wish of your loved one. Many watches also have enough space on the case back to give the gift an even more personal touch with an individual engraving. A watch engraved with the wedding date or the name of the bride or groom is sure to make your partner happy.
General Rules for Wearing Watches at Weddings
To ensure that a wristwatch only attracts positive attention (if any at all) on the day of the wedding, we would like to give you a few tips for wearing watches at weddings. Of course, these are all just rough guidelines that are by no means set in stone. However, it is worth reviewing your choice of watch with the following tips.
- Once again: “Your leathers and metals should match!” This means that leather and metals should be coordinated in your outfit. If you wear black shoes and a black belt, the watch should not have a brown leather strap. Are a silver belt buckle and silver buttons part of your outfit? Then a watch in red or yellow gold is out of the question. Instead, you should opt for a stainless steel or white gold watch.
- “Keep the plates on the table!” The plates belong on the table (and not on your wrist). In other words, your watch should not be oversized and should be appropriate for the occasion. If possible, avoid watches with a diameter of more than 44 mm. A classic wedding is an elegant and undoubtedly upscale occasion which an oversized sports watch fits as well as a tuxedo does at a bowling alley. For men: As a rule, your watch should be able to disappear comfortably under your shirt cuff.
- Keep it discreet. Even if it may be difficult for some passionate watch lovers, it is better to opt for a restrained watch model and not wear the particularly colorful special edition with the most elaborate complications. After all, the attention should be on the bride and groom and not on your watch.
- If you are the bride and regularly wear a wristwatch in everyday life, then please do the same at your wedding, unless your wedding dress has long sleeves. Otherwise, the significantly lighter skin around your wrist could become an unwanted eye-catcher. If you don’t want to wear a classic watch on your wedding day, you can opt for an artfully designed jewelry watch instead, which is designed like a bracelet and will blend seamlessly into your outfit.
