In certain cultures, buying a watch as a gift is a “mauvais ton”. Such a gift is a symbol of the near future separation or break-up. Since I’m far from superstitions, I think that offering a watch as a gift is one of the best gifts to offer. If this present can be compared to something, It can only be compared to offering books as a gift. A watch gift, especially for HIM, is a pretty challenging, yet worthy try.
The process of selection is not as easy as it can seem at first sight. There are plenty of factors to consider. And I will enumerate them in this article so that if you plan to get a watch as a gift, you will make the best choice. The difficulty of buying the right watch comes from the fact that a watch is an extremely personal accessory. Sometimes, we find it difficult to buy it for ourselves, let alone getting one for another person. Every timepiece has a certain language and a certain message to convey. Only the person resonating with it is able to read it properly. So, how to match the perfect watch for the perfect (to you) person?
Before all…
I want to let you know that this article exposes not only my personal opinion. I’ve been talking to family therapists, psychologists, watch journalists, and common watch enthusiasts to gather as many insights as possible. I was so curious to hear from a family therapist his suggestions about details to consider when gifting something to your partner. Also, the psychologists talked about the impact of a gift from a sentimental point of view. Watch journalists exposed themselves to the overall practice of gifting watches. Last, but not least, usual watch enthusiasts told me their opinions about receiving a watch gift.
On the whole, the outcome is pretty curious and interesting. I’ll describe the main ideas step by step and you’ll decide for yourself if offering a watch to HIM is or not a “mauvais ton”.
Budget issues
Many women begin their hunt for the ideal watch considering their budget as a primary factor. While the budget IS an important factor, it’s not the right factor to begin with. And not the only. Every watch type (be it a dress, sports, or aviator watch) comes in different price ranges. So, you will anyway find something suitable for your budget. But, first, you need to know what you are looking for.
For that purpose, you should better begin with WHAT WATCH he really needs. And don’t even think about googling it. If you try to find the answer on the internet, you’ll come across millions of articles suggesting to you the list of “the most popular watches every man must have”. And that’s not what you really need. Instead, you have to look around.
Inspect his wardrobe. Look at the accessories he usually wears. Find out more about his work environment. Previous watches might be suggestive of his preferences. His lifestyle can guide you better than any google article. If he spends the whole working day in a dusty environment, your formal watch suggested by Google won’t amaze him much.
And vice versa; if he suffers from aqua-phobia, imagine his face and reaction when you enthusiastically give him the latest Submariner. I know, it’s unlikely for your man to have fear of water, but you got the point. In the same context, you might be reticent in buying him a similar watch to what he already has. Don’t be. A new version of the same or similar watch is much more satisfying than a watch in the wrong style. This formula works and it is confirmed by watch journalists.
This being said…
When you want to buy HIM a watch, then you should inspect HIS lifestyle, HIS preferences, and His environment. A watch is an intimate accessory, remember? So, your choice should be based exclusively on his personality, making abstractions from what Google, friend, sister, or neighbor tells you. From this starting point, you narrow your selection to the best option possible.
What if you know little about HIM?
It’s ok if you don’t know enough about him yet. You can talk to him about it…discreetly. As our psychologists suggested, it turned out that men love to talk about watches, similarly like they talk about cars. And even though the man isn’t a seasoned watch enthusiast, and neither has tens of timepieces in his collection, he can still be a great conversational partner talking about horology.
You can ask subtly about your watches. Also, you can ask his opinion about his friend’s timepiece. More than that, you could “accidentally” come across a watch website and so on. You’ll handle this, I know. The point is to get as much information as possible about his “like and don’t like”. During the discussion, try to accurately mention a couple of watch brands to see his reaction to them. If he is reticent about Rolex, for instance, exclude it from your list.
Seems like you already intuit the brand and the watch model. What’s next?
After you already feel like identifying the right watch style and brand, it’s high time to go back to the budget aspect that we previously talked about. Make research on the possible models you intend to buy and make a price analysis. You can even break it all down in a chart with 3 price ranges: the most expensive, medium, and affordable.
Place the models according to their prices. While integrating them into your chart, try to consider their technical specifications and features. Your man might need some complications in his watch, maybe a chronograph, or a tachymeter. Two identical watches can be significantly different in price only because one of them has an additional feature that the other is lacking.
Possibly…
It’s not excluded that the brands and models you find appropriate for HIM come in a higher price range than you expected. And if you consider your budget, it only allows you to buy low-priced timepieces which are far from the demands and expectations of your partner. It’s not a problem. You can consider replica watches instead of genuine ones. With a little research, you can find beautiful imitations looking and functioning pretty decently.
For example, if your partner seems to like formal minimalist watches, why not consider a Patek Philippe Swiss imitation? Or, if he is more of a sports guy, wouldn’t he appreciate a high-quality Patek Philippe Nautilus? Instead of spending 5,000 to 10,000 $ on a genuine model, high-quality imitations could help you save a couple of thousands $. Thus, with replica watches, there is a higher probability to get your partner what he really likes, and not what you only afford. Or, if you still afford a genuine luxury watch for him, then he must ask you to marry him 🙂
Should you consider the type of straps?
Yes, you should. The same watch case looks absolutely different if coupling it with a leather strap instead of a stainless steel bracelet. Not to mention the difference between a metal strap and a NATO one. So, to help you make the right decision, just think of HIS overall style. A metal bracelet will look well whenever his wrist is “masculine” enough. In case you think a leather strap is more convenient for HIM, take into account his other accessories. These refer to his usual bag, belt, and shoes. If he prefers brown leather, then you know what watch leather strap you should opt for. All leather accessories in a man’s outfit should follow the same color and texture pattern.
There is one more recommendation for when you still don’t know which type of strap would comfort HIM better: opt for watches with interchangeable straps. Some watch brands and replica manufacturers produce watches with straps that can be replaced from metal to leather and vice versa. These are highly versatile and allow the wearer to adjust his timepiece according to the environment and circumstances.
How do YOU feel about the watch you choose for HIM?
This is a precious piece of advice that I got from family therapists when we were talking about the subject. For a couple to live in harmony, it is of the most importance to love how your partner looks and contribute to it. Your partner shouldn’t wear a timepiece that makes you want to run away from him. According to couple counselors, it’s great when partners re-fall in love with each other as it improves the connection between them. And when your partner looks amazing with a new suit, perfume, or timepiece, you want to love HIM even more. And he usually responds.
So, find a watch that resonates with you TOO. Get a timepiece you will want to steal from him once in a while. At the same time, don’t forget about calibration, and don’t buy a watch considering exclusively your tastes. That’s the philosophy behind the right watch selection.
Final thoughts
It was captivating to write an article based on specialists’ recommendations and suggestions. I hope it was entertaining for you too. I discovered for myself that there is an entire “science” about such an insignificant, at first sight, task to buy a watch. Either way, I think that taking into account all the above-mentioned points can’t lead to another outcome, rather than your partner’s appreciation and satisfaction. By the way, the AAAReplica is a great place to find some nice timepieces for HIM. Enjoy the process and good luck!