Is a watch a good gift?

When you’re looking to get your loved one a present, it can be hard to find something that ticks all the boxes. Is it a gift they want? One they need? Is something they’ll use? Will they like it?

And because these questions always pop up, your mind naturally turns to their hobbies and interests for inspiration. If you know the special person in your life loves their timepieces, the next question you’ll ask yourself will be…

“Is a watch a good gift?”

Below, I detail why a watch makes for a great present before helping you find the right kind of timepiece to get.

Why a watch is a good gift for your loved one

Watches make perfect presents for many reasons. They:

• Add extra class and style to outfits

• Are practical

• Can be used and enjoyed every day

• Show you understand your loved ones interests

They can also be given for all sorts of occasions. In fact, my very first watch was a present my mum and dad got me for my 7th birthday. They also got me a Seiko after I passed my A-Levels (many, many years ago). I still have both watches to this very day - I kept them because they have meaning and sentimental value.

Gifting a watch can also have a symbolic meaning. In a sense, you are literally giving someone the gift of time, and saying you cherish every second together. In terms of heartfelt gifts, that’s tough to beat.

How to find the right watch to gift

Watches come in a range of:

• Colours

• Materials

• Sizes

• Styles

So, before you make a decision, think about the watches they currently wear or their overall fashion sense. Would the watch you pick go with their clothes? Would it look good on display in their room? Is it a timepiece they would choose for themselves? If you can say “yes” to those questions, you’re on to a winner.

And speaking from experience, please don’t underestimate the size of the watch. As someone who has very small wrists, a timepiece with a large case diameter would look huge and clumsy on me. On the reverse side, someone with bigger wrists will probably appreciate a larger diameter much more.

To help, keep the following in mind as a rough guide:

• Small diameter: 24mm - 36mm

• Medium diameter - 38mm - 42mm

• Large diameter - 44mm - 48mm

• Oversized - 52mm and over

Gift watch examples

Not sure where to start looking? I’ve picked a few great watches to give you inspiration, whether you’re looking for an everyday timepiece, a beautiful watch for special occasions, or a showstopper worthy of being displayed in the Louvre:

Seiko Prospex Solar Diver’s - £500

The Prospex collection is rugged, reliable, and perfect for everyday wear. The black dial Solar Diver’s from Seiko has tons of style and can be paired with both smart and casual outfits, and is tough enough to wear when playing sports or when going on an adventure.

As a gift, you can’t go wrong with this model looks-wise; a stainless steel watch with a black dial is essentially the male equivalent of a little black dress. And at the £500 price point, this particular watch is a good gift that doesn’t break the bank.

Here are some of the key features that make the Solar Diver a winner:

• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass

• Lumibrite dial (glows in the dark)

• Water-resistant up to 200m (professional diving standards)

• Sleek and slim 11.3mm case

• Solar charging, with a 10-month power reserve

Longines HydroConquest - £1,550

It’s hard not to see the beauty of the bi-colour HydroConquest. The blue dial adds an eye-catching hue in contrast to the shimmering yellow gold found on the bracelet.

Again, this timepiece has enough elegance to bring together a formal outfit, but plenty of charm for everyday use. And with a quartz movement, you know your loved one will be able to rely on this watch daily for accurate time keeping.

Some key elements to the HydroConquest are:

• 42mm stainless steel and PVD yellow gold case

• Quartz movement

• Stainless steel and PVD yellow gold bracelet

• 300 metres water resistance

• Blue dial with baton markers

Omega Seamaster Railmaster - £5,400

The term “timeless look” is often bandied about with very little thought, but there is genuinely no better way to describe Omega’s Railmaster. The Novonappa brown leather straps are just beautiful, and the beige dial with black gradient makes this timepiece incredibly easy to read.

And while the box it comes in isn’t exactly part of the watch, even that is a thing of beauty, and adds more depth to the gift element of giving this watch to a loved one.

The key features of the Railmaster are:

• Brushed and polished case

• Genuine Novonappa leather

• Easy-to-read display

• SuperLumiNova numerals and hour markers

• Small Seconds display

• Resistant to magnetism up to 15,000 gauss

• Sapphire crystal caseback

Is a watch a good gift? Absolutely!

As with any present, what makes a watch a good gift will come down to the thought you put into it.

If you know your loved one is really into watches, anything that shows you’re paying attention to their interests will warm the cockles of their heart.

Just be sure to pick a watch that’s truly for them if you want a winner. It has to suit their style and way of life, and it should make them feel like they’re about to own the world every time they put it on. The right watch can really pull everything together and give a big boost to someone’s confidence.

Have fun browsing a range of beautiful watches, and I hope your loved one loves the gift you get them!