AT Chrono Hunter we’re not looking to fill the role of advocate for men’s rights. We are of the opinion that they don’t really need one. That as a sex, they are still doing rather well for themselves. But if a woman has the right to expect an engagement ring, isn’t it nice for the man to receive a celebratory gift as well? 

In the spirit of equality, we are pleased to offer you some advice on engagement watches. 

Three times your monthly salary is the traditional measure of how much to spend on an engagement ring. Should this translate to an engagement watch? Well, as the engagement watch is a relatively new phenomenon, we have as much right as anyone to prescribe its proto-traditions. So, three times your monthly salary it is. 

The chief difference, other than the obvious, between rings and watches is that the wearing of rings is not limited, by tradition or practicality, to just one at a time. You could of course very easily wear half a dozen watches at a time. But the war-time spiv look is not one we feel we can recommend. Watches, very much like spouses, should be enjoyed one at a time. So, if you are buying one as an engagement gift for someone with a horological interest, you must not be offended if it is sometimes substituted with another watch from your betrothed’s collection. The trick is to find a watch that can be worn on most occasions, making it hard to resist. 

The watch must also maintain a place in your partner’s affections for as long as you do. Till death, in fact, is the ideal here. At least, that’s the contract to which your engagement is a prologue. Accordingly, when choosing the watch, you must find one that will not go out of style and that will still suit your intended as they age. Smaller-faced watches, at less than 40mm radius, with classic, plain faces will always stand the test of time. Larger, vividly coloured pieces with extra complications, tend to drift in and out of fashion and are better suited to younger, less experienced men. 

It is difficult not to feel sorry for a woman who, according to the older tradition, is expected to be the recipient of a mere diamond ring rather than the miracle of engineering that is a high-end timepiece. To remedy this, you could always surprise your bride with a watch as a wedding-day gift. The above advice is entirely relevant to women as well. Simple, compact and classic is the way to go. 

The ideal engagement watch lasts a lifetime, is dependable and a pleasure to experience. Much like the ideal marriage.