As florists, parfumiers, jewellery and watch brands (not to mention watch websites!) are keen to remind you, it’s Valentine’s Day this coming Saturday. But one thing that surprises your editor-in-chief is that all the press releases crossing his desk are for ladies’ watches. What about us men?
I would love to buy a watch for my wife for Valentine’s Day, but her tastes do not appear to be taken into account by the majority of watch brands. It may be refreshing (not least for my wallet) that she doesn’t like diamonds or mother-of-pearl, but how many ladies’ watches avoid this feminine cliché? The answer is very few, as I can confirm from my wife’s grumblings as she drags me past countless shop windows to emphasise her point. Maybe she is a glaring exception to feminine tastes in general, but it’s something brands might like to think about for the future.
The man’s perspective
But what about buying the man in your life a watch for Valentine’s Day? If only it were as simple as finding one without any diamonds or mother-of-pearl! Above all, your budget will be the determining factor and the starting point for reconciling the dreams of your loved one with the reality of your finances.
When offering a watch as a token of love, the timepiece needs to suggest an everlasting quality. There needs to be a reassuring feeling of reliability to the piece and a timeless design that can still be looked back on in admiration when you are celebrating your diamond wedding anniversary. Perhaps even a solid case back to allow for that special engraving.
I obviously get asked a lot for watch recommendations from my friends and I’m always very wary about answering. Aside from the delicate question of budget, which can make or break a decision, a watch remains a very personal item for a man – one that is crammed with emotion and in many cases is the only accessory he will wear.
That is why I am not illustrating this article with any watches. Instead, I heartily recommend our Watch Finder and its advanced search function. We have over 10,000 different watches in our database, all searchable by price, brand, case shape, case material, diameter, water resistance, movement or even strap. You can click on any watch that grabs your attention to find out more information and links to your nearest stockist.
Happy hunting!
