5 Things to Know when Buying Your Groom a Watch

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! It is now time to do your research on what to surprise your fiancé with during your big day. The perfect Groom gift can provide an unforgettable memory and a wristwatch is one of the best presents a bride can gift to their lover. Here are some simple tips when purchasing a watch for your significant other.

1. Know your Budget

The first step of your complex watch hunt is simple. What amount of money have you set aside for this purchase? You should also consider your overall budget since additional surprises such as a  groom’s cake and boudoir pictures will eventually add up. A common price range for a groom gift somewhere between $250-$500 will allow you to buy a high-quality watch. By locking in your price range, this may eliminate some luxury watch brands such as Rolex, Tag Heuer and Omega upfront saving you time during your search.

2. Reflect on the Style of your Lover

This one should be easy! The style of the watch should match up with the style of your significant other. For example, is he a banker or lawyer or professional? If so, a dress watch with a stainless-steel band is most likely to suit him. White, Black and Blue dials (front of the watch) are the most common colors and very versatile when wearing with different outfits. The size of the watch is also important; 42 mm is the most common size watch dial. Check out our size guide to help you determine the correct size. Also, consider the entire case size (lug-to-lug dimensions) because this can also determine how large it will fit on the wrist.

3. Match it to the Personality of your Groom

Finding a watch brand to support and relate with is possibly the most difficult process during your shopping experience. There are hundreds of watches across Facebook, Pinterest and Google Shopping, along with the many watch wholesale websites. First, consider whether you want to buy from a microbrand watch company or a large established brand that you may find at your big department stores such as Tissot, Seiko, Citizen, Fossil, etc.

We will assume you want something different and more exciting. This is your one and only wedding present. A great way to find a more personal watch brand is to relate to the brand behind the company. Find a brand that you can relate with and are excited to purchase from. Next, consider the overall brand theme such as a diver, aviation, historic, naval, or specific city. This theme embraces the brand and will help your groom to better relate to the watch.

You should ask yourself if your groom is a fan of well-built mechanical pieces or would rather enjoy the convenience of a battery power watch. This can also help you determine whether you should buy an automatic or battery-powered watch. Automatic watches operate from the power created by moving of the wrist and are typically more expensive than quartz, battery-powered watches.

4. Discover the Meaning Behind the Watch

Every watch will typically have a series and underneath that, a collection name. A series name is the umbrella from which all collections will be designed around. One example of this is the Freedom Series which will include watches designed around fighting for America’s freedom. The collections underneath the Freedom Series could be Omaha Beach (D-Day Watch) or Independence (Revolutionary War Watch).

The famous saying, “Every watch has a story” is very accurate and this is where a little research online can help the buyer to find a watch that the recipient can really connect with.  

5. Remember - It’s all in the Details

Details, Details, Details!! Timing is very important during this process since many watches may pre-sale with an expected shipping date months later. Do not ever expect a pre-sale watch to be shipped on the date posted on their website. Stay away from watches on Kickstarter as these watches are sometimes delayed months to their buyers. A wedding is stressful enough, so it is important to only buy watches that are in stock and available to ship once you purchase.  

Check the packaging. Is this $500 watch coming in a $1 box? Quality packaging can really impact the gift opening experience and presentation can add additional value to the watch.

Review the band situation. Stainless steel bands will most likely need to be readjusted with links removed. They typically come oversized so people can remove links to fit their wrist. You may want to gift before your wedding day if you expect him to wear it down the aisle or guess his wrist size and have it resized before you gift it to him.

Now you are ready to begin shopping for your groom! Keep these details in mind and you will find the perfect watch for your significant other. Be sure to take a picture or video of him opening your present so you will always have this moment captured.