The Verdict on Engagement Watches

Ah, weddings! What a perfectly beautiful time if you’re the bride or the groom and a slightly less beautiful one if you’re the maid of honor grappling with planning the ceremony itself, the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and the bridal shower all in places so conveniently removed as far away from one another as possible. 

And before the soon-to-be newlyweds get to experience the joys of having to call up the florists, dressmakers, and tailors, and figure out a way to bring a horse into the wedding venue, there’s the engagement and its enduring symbol – the ring. Treatises were written, award-winning films made, and Broadway musicals staged all trying to explain what makes the perfect engagement ring. Does it have to be a princess cut? Is that blue marquise diamond worth it? Do they love me if the stone weighs less than 3 carats? (The answer to that one is a resounding no). About a billion things to consider to ensure this defining moment is pure perfection. 

But because the younger generation is becoming less and less keen to lose themselves in the maze of wedding rituals, we might see the unwavering five-thousand-year-old traditions of engagement rings become less universal. In 2016, for the first time, articles began circulating about watches being used in lieu of engagement rings, along with more instances of women proposing to their male partners and a spike in the popularity of women’s watches. 

That’s not to say, however, that engagement watches will completely replace rings – that won’t happen anytime soon. One of the reasons is that a watch doesn’t announce to the world that you’re getting married. That you have good taste? Sure. Deep pockets? Absolutely. But could it be that, someday, signaling your marital status in public won’t be a custom anymore?

For Him & Her:

Just as weddings at churches and elaborate ceremonies are losing their popularity, traditional proposals among heterosexual couples are slowly making way for new expressions of devotion, like switching rings for or supplementing them with engagement watches. 

“I did my proposal in July last year after a wedding I shot in Italy, and he did his in Paris on January 6th this year,” says Munich-and-Amsterdam-based photographer Toni of her engagement with husband Artem, “We had discussed that we’ll give each other watches, but I didn’t expect how beautiful my watch would be, and he completely blew the socks off of me with that additional engagement ring.” The watch Toni mentioned was the La Grande Classique de Longines Automatic in yellow gold. 

Yes, inventing completely new traditions could be fun, but we understand that, for some, a sudden departure from the wedding canon can seem scary. Hence, below, we’ve selected a pair of watches that not only will match perfectly with the most stunning engagement rings (or wedding bands) but also hold their own as elegant accessories once the ceremony is over. 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 40 Platinum Sapphire Black Dial and Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar White Gold Blue Dial

One of the most coveted and traded watch brands, Patek Philippe, could well compete with Tiffany & Co. and De Beers should engagement timepieces ever begin competing with solitaire rings. 

With these starry sapphires, Patek Philippe Nautilus 40 Platinum puts the blue in “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. This iteration of the Nautilus would make an excellent choice to give your boyfriend when you want to, at long last, make things official – not the least because it’s made from platinum, aka the metal which has, up until recently, been a go-to metal for engagement rings, but also because its sleek, recognizable case and bracelet would be an elegant piece of legacy to not only wear during the ceremony but also at black tie events around the year. What makes this timepiece even more special is its extreme rarity – only 10 have ever been produced (and one is conveniently available on Wristcheck.com). 

If you’ve ever been guilty of fantasizing about your wedding, imagine how gorgeous your white dress and sapphires would look next to the blue dial of your white gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar. This one is referred to as “the watch for the discerning elite” thanks to the feats of engineering and artistry it takes to bring this elegant design to life. The ref. 5740/1G-001 is made from 18k white gold and its octagonal bezel encases a textured dial in an arresting navy-blue color. At its heart, beats the Calibre 330 SC AIG, a self-winding mechanical movement that ensures unmatched timekeeping precision and boasts a power reserve of 48 hours. 

For Him & Him

As mentioned previously, LGBTQ+ couples are less likely to follow the strict traditions associated with weddings and engagements. When we talk about the traditional same-sex proposal, it’s hard to paint a picture that looks universal for all gay couples – even in the media. In the award-winning Canadian TV show Schitt’s Creek, for example, one of the main characters David Rose gets proposed to by his boyfriend Patrick Brewer with a box of multiple gold bands rather than a single solitaire ring. It also comes as no surprise that queer men in same-sex unions are the more enthusiastic adopters of the engagement watches trend. 

Celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine, for example, recently spoke about his proposal to now-fiance Jack to Business of Fashion, “I wanted [a watch] for a long time. I definitely wouldn’t be someone wearing two rings – even wearing one already felt like a lot for me.” The pair exchanged stunning Rolex watches: Presidential Day-Date with diamonds for Joseph and Daytona two-tone for Jack. 

And, if you’re anything like Joseph Maine and don’t want to wear multiple rings but still wish for something special to mark your union with your partner, we at Wristcheck have just what you’re looking for:

A.Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Silver Dial and Lange 1 Timezone Platinum Silver Dial

As a brand, the 19th-century-founded A.Lange & Söhne is a landmark of German watchmaking. This platinum pair represents the maison’s two enduring collections: 1815 and Lange 1. 

Not only is the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar a direct homage to the brand’s founding genius, clockmaster extraordinaire, Ferdinand Adolf Lange, but it is also a heartfelt tribute to heritage watchmaking with two classic complications readjusted to the modern wearer. This beauty is powered by the L101.1 movement – a manually wound mechanism comprising 631 individual parts (with 211 and 206 of those constituting the perpetual calendar and rattrapante respectively). With four subdials etched into the sea of silver and navy-blue hands tracing each one of them, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar would be perfect for your partner who appreciates the watches that carry the weight of history and can withstand the test of time, becoming one day a precious family heirloom. 

While matching an 1815 with another 1815 during the proposal might be an obvious choice, it could be fun to switch things up a bit. Equally as fabulous is this Lange 1 Timezone in platinum with a silver dial. This model, perhaps, most genuinely embodies the spirit of A. Lange & Söhne not only thanks to its sophisticated dial with Roman and Arabic numerals but also the manually-wound caliber LO31.1 that boasts a 72-hour power reserve and water resistance of 30 meters. 

For Her & Her

As mentioned above, proposals and associated engagement are usually a joint effort among LGBTQ+ couples (which could mean two proposals) with less emphasis on the bent knee or engagement rings. Also, as seen in television and films, we often see lesbian proposals being more spontaneous compared to straight couples, not to mention those frequently happening at a much earlier stage. 

In the lesbian context, an engagement watch not only symbolizes a break from heteronormative traditions but also an opportunity to make the proposal even more personal. Think about it, as fabulous as engagement rings are, they’re hardly unique. Yes, you can choose the color of the diamond, its cut, its carat weight, and the metal of the band, but do any of those things say anything? 

Watches, on the other hand, can be a more direct reference to your relationship or your partner’s passions/personality. Say, if she travels a lot, you can get her a GMT or an IWC Pilot’s watch. Or, say, if there’s a city you both hold dear to your hearts, you can get a Patek Philippe World Time with that city’s skyline inscribed on the dial. Is your partner an accomplished athlete? Then why not choose a high-performance timepiece like Breitling or Omega? 

Or how about a pair of vintage watches that symbolize wisdom, truth, and enlightenment?

Piaget Vintage 24 Oval White Gold Diamond Lapis Lazuli Dial and Piaget Oval Yellow Gold Diamond Blue Dial

Handcrafted from the most exquisite white gold, the Piaget Vintage 24 Oval White Gold Diamond Lapis Lazuli Dial boasts a mesmerizing lapis lazuli dial that captures the essence of blue in all its depths. The shining white gold bezel and sparkling diamond indexes enhance this timepiece's allure. Powered by a dependable movement, the Piaget Vintage 24 Oval offers the ultimate simplicity of telling time with hours and minutes, while the luxurious white gold strap with a folding clasp ensures it is suitable for any occasion. This watch's stunning oval case design and unparalleled craftsmanship perfectly combine Piaget's prestigious legacy with modern spirits.

Crafted with precision in radiant 18k yellow gold, the Piaget Oval Yellow Gold Diamond Blue Dial watch emanates a vintage allure heightened by the elegant blue dial's unique texture. The iconic full yellow gold mesh bracelet, a trademark design of Piaget, embraces the wrist comfortably. This timepiece not only elevates any outfit but also boasts practical functionality for all occasions. Whether attending a formal affair or enjoying a leisurely day, this versatile watch will complement your style while keeping accurate time. The ultimate luxury of this exceptional piece lies in the shimmering diamonds embellishing the bezel, adding a touch of glamor to the overall aesthetic. Piaget's unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in every intricate detail, making this timepiece a true heirloom.