The wedding season is just around the corner, and making the final decisions before the big day can be quite stressful.
For watch enthusiasts like us, deciding which watch to wear on this momentous day can be one of the most important choices. While many lifestyle publications suggest sticking to classic styles by wearing dress watches like the Cartier Tank or Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, I believe the key to wedding watches is how they make you feel and what you associate with them. Don't let yourself wear a watch that doesn't reflect who you truly are.
With that in mind, I want to compile a short list of things to consider when choosing what to wear on your wrist before heading to the altar. I hope these ideas can be applied across all price ranges, even if the examples I provide fall into the higher tax brackets.
Matching Metal
You've likely already chosen a wedding ring, and it will be your most important piece of jewelry, so it's a good idea if your watch matches the metal color of your wedding ring. The metal or carat weight doesn't have to match exactly, so if you have a platinum wedding ring, you can always opt for a watch in stainless steel or white gold, for example. But matching tones is always nice, considering they will likely live on the same hand.
J.N. Shapiro
Why not take it a step further by gifting a ring made by the same watchmaker as your watch? American independent craftsman J.N. Shapiro is a master of guilloché, and his dials are adorned not only with machine-turned patterns but also with matching straps. On request, Shapiro can give the same texture to a wedding ring to mimic the strap of his Resurgence model case. Of course, you can order the ring in the same gold as the watch, and if you manage to acquire a Shapiro piece for the wedding, I think it's possibly one of the best ways to tie your accessories together.
Heirloom Potential
We all know the most famous phrase in watchmaking: "You never actually own a Patek Philippe...", and it's a great way to think about your wedding watch. You need something that will last as long as your marriage and that you can pass on to the next generation, so they can wear it on their special day. Considering the recent release at the Watches & Wonders exhibition earlier this year, I find it hard to imagine a more suitable Patek watch for this purpose than the Golden Ellipse. These are elegant watches that pair beautifully with a suit, and given their design is linked to the golden ratio, they have a timeless style that the next generation will still want to wear.
- Price: $60,100 USD
His and Hers
Matching watches with your beloved is a wonderful way to link two outfits that often can be completely different and only show similarity through flowers. We're not suggesting going to extremes like Ed Sheeran, for whom Roger Smith made custom matching watches for him and his wife to wear at their wedding, but this concept can be applied to many other brands. Whether you choose the same watch in larger and smaller sizes or perhaps just a different dial color, it can be a great way to create a strong connection between each other's looks and simultaneously add to both of your collections. The only advice is to choose watches with classic designs that come in many variations, like the Oyster Perpetual or Royal Oak, so you have plenty of options to play with.
- Price: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 - $6,100 USD, 31 - $5,650 USD.
Add Personality
Watches have always been a great way for men to express themselves, given the limited choice. So on one of the most important days of your life, your watch should speak to who you are and what interests you. Are you into aviation? Check out the Navitimer. Always been a fan of comics? The Batman GMT or even the Spiderman AP might be for you. Or even if you just want to show you care about the environment, wear an Oris watch with a recycled material dial. Whatever your hobbies and interests, there's bound to be a watch that matches them, and having it on your wedding day is a great way to subtly highlight your personality.
- Price: Oris Aquis Date Upcycle Calibre 400 $4,200.
Whatever watch you decide to wear on your wedding day, make sure it's the one you'll want to keep and that will bring a smile to your face when you look back at the wedding photos.