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10 Wedding Watches for Grooms or Guests
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Choosing a watch for your wedding – or for a wedding you plan to attend – demands more than just horological savvy.
Fashion’s rules may be flexible, but milestone moments deserve deliberate choices. For instance, while there are plenty of watches that scream to be seen, for a formal wedding, you’ll want a timepiece that’s understated, clean, and simply elegant.
There are typically enough complications at a big event already; adding more to the dial of your watch isn’t the right move. Instead, you should lean into the classic and the refined.
For less formal nuptials, these rules can be relaxed, but the gaudy is never a good plus one.
So without further ado, let’s break down some of the best watch options for weddings.
Formal
IWC Portofino
Most men look more dashing in a suit or tuxedo than casual clothes, as the structured lines and elegant styling of formal attire emphasize all the right aspects of a gentleman’s physique.
In much the same way, the clean lines, simple dial, and classic good looks of the IWC Portofino (ref. IW356501) make it a wristwatch for special occasions when sophistication and discernment matter.
The Portofino has been and continues to be a signature choice for tastemakers who know the value of subdued refinement.
The white dial and mirror-polished stainless steel case are eye-catching without being distracting, and on a day as momentous as this one, you want the bride – not your watch – to be the talk of the reception.
Marked in Roman numerals at 12 and 6, this is a watch that might almost go unnoticed on your wrist – precisely what you’re looking for as a guest or groom.
But if white and silver aren’t your colors, don’t fret: the Portofino is available in a wide range of dials and case materials, and you’re sure to find one that’s just right for you.
Expect to pay a minimum of $5,500 for this timepiece.
Omega De Ville Trésor
Omega’s De Ville Trésor isn’t just a watch: it’s a statement of aesthetic sensibility, a gentlemanly nod to the understated, the elegant, and the essential.
Stripped of complications, this sleek timepiece knows how to impress. Its opaline, textured dial whispers luxury, and its simple markings and hands illustrate what refined good looks are all about.
Handsome enough for any wedding, and august enough to wear to a royal union at Westminster, Omega’s De Ville Trésor is a watch that sets you apart from the crowd – not because it’s unaffordably priced, but rather because it’s so effortlessly elegant.
Remarkably, this exquisite watch can be yours for roughly $4,100.
Patek Philippe 5227G
So far, I’ve focused on white dials, a classic look for formal occasions. But black tie and black dials are impossibly elegant in the evening, subtly signalling your mastery of gentleman’s style.
I know of none that are as striking as Patek Philippe’s 5227G, a testament to clean lines and subdued markings and hands. The 5227G’s dial isn’t just “black:” it’s midnight so deep you’ll never wish for morning. And for a night you never wish to end, that’s the perfect statement.
For tuxedos, black suits, or perhaps even a white dinner jacket or charcoal blazer, this stunning wrist watch won’t be outdone by anything on anyone’s wrist at any price.
Patek Philippe’s commitment to luxury horology is legendary, and the price of the 5227G reflects that. Expect to pay upward of $45,000 for this Patek.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds (ref. Q398847J)
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Duoface Small Seconds demonstrates that square can be very, very cool.
This horological legend offers two looks: a star-burst textured black dial that can be reversed to reveal a matte silver alternative.
Both are disarmingly handsome, featuring clear, clean hour markers, simple hands, and a small seconds complication at the 6 that doesn’t draw the eye as much as balance the elegant dials.
The rectangular case is meticulously machined, and you needn’t be a connoisseur to recognize class and taste when you see it.
The versatility of two faces is certainly an element of the timeless appeal of the Reverso Duoface collection, and this one, complete with a black leather strap, is more than a match for your bespoke suit or tux.
Silver for day and black for evening? Your choice, of course, but whatever your pick, style never looked so sharp or so confident.
This Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface Small Seconds sells for $13,700.
Orient Bambino
When the occasion demands a tasteful, polished look, a timepiece that delivers cultured sophistication can feel out of reach. Luxury horology often commands price tags that make a new suit seem inexpensive, but savvy watch enthusiasts know where to find affordable elegance.
Enter the Orient Bambino, a watch with style to spare. Affordably priced and carefully crafted, the Bambino is a dress watch you won’t be afraid to wear, wherever life takes you. And you can be confident that this Orient can hold its own against far more expensive timepieces without missing a beat.
The Bambino I prefer, Version 7, wears a simple black face. Unpretentious, classy, and perfectly at home for everything from black tie to dressy casual, this watch is all about value for what you pay – a hallmark of old-moneyed style where excess is waste, or worse yet, uncultured.
And no one who sees this watch on your wrist will mistake its quality, despite its attractive pricing.
This Orient Bambino can be yours for just $285.
Hamilton American Classic Valiant Auto (ref. H39515734)
A final black-dialed timepiece to consider is the American Classic Valiant Auto from Hamilton.
The choice of Roman numerals as hour markers, as well as more visible second markers than many of the watches I canvass today, marks this Hamilton out as style marker.
Still elegant, still poised, the Valiant Auto’s sunburst black dial and clean lines indicate more than the time: they suggest the refinement of a gentleman who knows what he’s about, a gentleman who can lead in a room full of followers by dint of strong, unhesitating choices that reflect his values.
For evening weddings generally, especially when paired with black, gray, or white, this stunning timepiece will get the right kind of attention on your wrist.
Hamilton’s American Classic Valiant Auto can be yours for roughly $780.
Seiko Presage “Cocktail Time” SRPB43
Value, like beauty, isn’t just a function of price. And like the Orient Bambino, there are horological bargains out there if you know where to look.
Among them, you’ll find the Seiko Presage “Cocktail Time” (ref. SRPB43). Often regarded as the best looking watch under $1,000, this elegant statement of Japanese watchmaking may not carry the brand recognition of Patek Philippe or Rolex, but its reserved, handsome appeal is obvious.
Elegant but not stuffy, beautiful but not expensive: this Cocktail Time is almost impossibly attractive in person, and photographs simply can’t capture the liquid silvers and sky blues its stunning dial offers in shifting light.
Easy to pair with a dark suit or tux, this timepiece is wedding ready for just $425.
Less-formal
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 (ref. 228239)
Rolex isn’t just a luxury watch brand; in many senses, it’s the luxury brand.
That’s anything but an accident. Absolutely first-rate manufacture, attention to detail that puts lesser names to shame, and cultural cache that every watchmaker envies: that’s what Rolex offers your wrist.
Among its legendary collections, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date offers everything a guest or groom could want in a dress watch.
From its style-defining two-tone bracelet to its fluted bezel, from a range of stunning dial colors to subtle variations of its hour markings, this watch is always classy, always tasteful, and always appreciated by discerning eyes.
So whether you choose a classic white face, a rich royal blue, or even dark gray, you’ll find that the Day-Date keeps step with your personal style.
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This Rolex won’t come cheap: expect to pay no less than $42,000 for the white gold version of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date.
Rolex Datejust
No less iconic than the Day-Date, the Rolex Datejust offers legendary good looks that work hand in glove with less formal fashion.
The Datejust’s bracelet, fluted bezel, and simple dial don’t dim the spotlight that rightly shines on the bride, but they do signal class, sophistication, and cultured, understated luxury.
A wide array of hour markings and dial colors allow a personalized look, but choices like the silver or gray dial (ref. 126334) are your best bet if you’re looking for a versatile timepiece.
A timeless classic like the Datejust won’t come cheap: expect to pay roughly $13,000 depending on your specific choices.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra has the good looks and refinement to pair perfectly with casual looks, making it an easy choice for relaxed weddings.
Among my favorites in the Omega lineup, the Aqua Terra offers dial colors like black, blue, and green that can be combined with smart fashion to make a statement. It’s not always easy to dress casually and look sharp, but the Aqua Terra is a step in the right direction.
An elegant dial design that’s eye-catching but not busy, a sleek case, and an understated bracelet harmonize to create an adventurous look that remains poised, controlled, and debonaire.
The Aqua Terra can be yours for approximately $7,000.
Conclusion
The rules of style may be in flux, but good taste is always fashionable.
For your wedding day, or as a guest at a friend’s nuptials, the right watch is a chance to elevate your appearance and signal your refinement, sophistication, and practical grasp of culture.
And whether that moment finds you in black tie, a white dinner jacket, a dark suit, or just a linen shirt and pants, there’s a watch on our shortlist that’s sure to be perfect.
About Exquisite Timepieces
Established in 1998, Exquisite Timepieces is your one-stop shop for all things luxury watches! We are an authorized dealer for 60+ luxury watch brands including Omega, Hublot, Seiko, & Longines! We are proud to showcase one of the world’s largest pre-owned watch collections, including renowned brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. Check out our brand new watch arrivals here and popular pre-owned listings here.
