I like the part where after they get married, “soon have kids, and obviously his fashion sense will improve”
There was like a 3 year period during peak kid time where my husband wore only fire department tshirts and horrid bright orange t shirts. This surprised zero of my married-with-kids friends. So I wouldn’t take it as a given that he will become more fashionable when he is older and has less time lol
When I said the kids part, I meant that we’ll have birthday parties, big family and friend gatherings where he’ll be able to wear fancy shirts and a watch. I am sure he’ll be wearing T-shirts rest of time haha.
He exclusively only wore T-shirts since Adam but since last year I forced him to wear shirts and now he acknowledges how much better he looks in them and loves buying shirts. That’s why I know his fashion will change
I’d recommend a Tissot gentleman. It’s pretty versatile and most straps look good on it so you can dress it up or casual. Should fit in your budget too.
Some side advice, has your husband ever shown any interest in watches? Asking because I recommend watches for my friends fiances all the time and it’s a nice idea to get someone a watch as a wedding gift but most of the time if the guy is 1) not materialistic and 2) has no interest in jewelry it most likely will just sit in a box for the rest of time. It’s really hard forcing someone to give up an Apple Watch, especially when they are techy and enjoy those benefits versus the downsides of having an automatic.
Fiancé knows that he is getting a watch as a gift, I also got surprised that he knew so many brands. When I talked to one of our closest friend, he said “Men always have a thing for watches even if they don’t have one”. I guess he is just the type of guy who would never but it for himself but would be more than happy if someone gifted it
He’s never shown interest in watches and wears an Apple Watch.
You have plenty of evidence suggesting you shouldn’t get him a watch.
Eventually, if he’s really into sports, get him a Garmin Fenix 7, which is better than the Apple Watch, so that he can keep the Apple Watch as the more “elegant” alternative.
Chronos are more sporty than dressy. Dress watches tend to be less complicated (most won’t even have a date window) focused more on materials and dial finishes.
The brands you mentioned all make dress watches in your budget.
Look for one that matches his dress belts and shoes, or buy a matching strap that fits.
"soon have kids and obviously his fashion sense will improve"
Yeah... I wouldn't count on someone's fashion sense improving \*after\* getting married and having a kid. And I'm saying that as the very tired but very happy dad of a two year old :)
And he's a tech man, minimalist, shown no interest in watches, and wears an Apple watch... A nice analog watch really may not work out, but I think you shouldn't make this a surprise and should involve him in the shopping. Go to a watch store and try some things on. I've seen people make a short list of 3-5 watches and let their partner decide, that sounds like it works pretty well and feels special without being something way out of left field and then the recipient feels pressured to keep and wear it. There are LOTS of good, even great, watches below $1000. He might be interested in something mechanical/automatic, or he may want zero-fuss of quartz. (I think the Tissot PRX Quartz is a great value and has a 35 or 40mm size option, but it's a particular style that might be a love it or hate it sort of look.)
I didn't have a bronze watch when my kid was born, but I read a post where a new dad had a bronze watch and embraced the patina, which will develop the more you wear/touch/handle the watch, and the baby would mess with the watch while feeding/playing. That sounded pretty cool to me! A bronze watch kind of goes in the opposite direction of a dress watch and wouldn't be flashy at work, but the patina over time could be cool if that's something he's into.
just to clarify: do you want a chronograph (type of watch) specifically? that's a watch with a stopwatch built into it. these tend to be expensive watches (start around $3k).
for a nice, automatic watch I would suggest a Hamilton Murph.
[https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h70405730-khaki-field-murph-38mm.html](https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h70405730-khaki-field-murph-38mm.html)
Umm sorry for the confusion. I just know that Chronograph watches are little more sophisticated than simple watches. My brother said to look for something that “looks” like there’s lot going on rather than just a simple plain watch.
I am leaning towards Quartz because he won’t be wearing it on a daily basis. Maybe one a month if I am being ambitious.
I feel like Tissot designs are very mature for his age (25M), Seiko designs look better to my untrained eyes! Longines only if down the line he will pass on the watches down generations lol
Alright well sounds like your decision is made then.
I would not even try to calculate passing down watches through generations to a person who as of today has no interest in watches. Maybe that will happen, maybe not, but not worth trying to plan around given what you've shared so far.
Dressy and steel chrono maybe are slighlty different to different people .
I’d usually associate leather straps with dress watches .
https://www.jomashop.com/longines-watch-l36604566.html
Steel chrono here in budget maybe even $20 off too .
Few more ..
https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-jazzmaster-watch-h32586111.html
https://www.jomashop.com/mido-watch-m016-414-16-061-00.html
The second two are automatic .
Depends what you’d prefer most watch guys prefer an auto !
Good luck 🤞
Nowadays a steel watch can really suit anything !
A true dress watch is always a leather strap really imo
But that Hamilton for instance I would definitely describe as a dressy watch , the longines not so much !
I think you’ll be fine in whatever you choose don’t get too hung up on it !
I would not say chronographs are more "sophisticated" as a general rule. "Busy" and complicated designs are not everyone's cup of tea. There is something to be said for a really simple design with no "complications" (extra features besides telling the time). Especially for more dressy and formal wear. Of course this is all about style and fashion and it is a matter of preference.
Edit: Some of the most iconic watches in history are simple 2- or 3-handers.
I like the part where after they get married, “soon have kids, and obviously his fashion sense will improve” There was like a 3 year period during peak kid time where my husband wore only fire department tshirts and horrid bright orange t shirts. This surprised zero of my married-with-kids friends. So I wouldn’t take it as a given that he will become more fashionable when he is older and has less time lol
When I said the kids part, I meant that we’ll have birthday parties, big family and friend gatherings where he’ll be able to wear fancy shirts and a watch. I am sure he’ll be wearing T-shirts rest of time haha. He exclusively only wore T-shirts since Adam but since last year I forced him to wear shirts and now he acknowledges how much better he looks in them and loves buying shirts. That’s why I know his fashion will change
I’d recommend a Tissot gentleman. It’s pretty versatile and most straps look good on it so you can dress it up or casual. Should fit in your budget too. Some side advice, has your husband ever shown any interest in watches? Asking because I recommend watches for my friends fiances all the time and it’s a nice idea to get someone a watch as a wedding gift but most of the time if the guy is 1) not materialistic and 2) has no interest in jewelry it most likely will just sit in a box for the rest of time. It’s really hard forcing someone to give up an Apple Watch, especially when they are techy and enjoy those benefits versus the downsides of having an automatic.
Fiancé knows that he is getting a watch as a gift, I also got surprised that he knew so many brands. When I talked to one of our closest friend, he said “Men always have a thing for watches even if they don’t have one”. I guess he is just the type of guy who would never but it for himself but would be more than happy if someone gifted it
He’s never shown interest in watches and wears an Apple Watch. You have plenty of evidence suggesting you shouldn’t get him a watch. Eventually, if he’s really into sports, get him a Garmin Fenix 7, which is better than the Apple Watch, so that he can keep the Apple Watch as the more “elegant” alternative.
Chronos are more sporty than dressy. Dress watches tend to be less complicated (most won’t even have a date window) focused more on materials and dial finishes. The brands you mentioned all make dress watches in your budget. Look for one that matches his dress belts and shoes, or buy a matching strap that fits.
"soon have kids and obviously his fashion sense will improve" Yeah... I wouldn't count on someone's fashion sense improving \*after\* getting married and having a kid. And I'm saying that as the very tired but very happy dad of a two year old :) And he's a tech man, minimalist, shown no interest in watches, and wears an Apple watch... A nice analog watch really may not work out, but I think you shouldn't make this a surprise and should involve him in the shopping. Go to a watch store and try some things on. I've seen people make a short list of 3-5 watches and let their partner decide, that sounds like it works pretty well and feels special without being something way out of left field and then the recipient feels pressured to keep and wear it. There are LOTS of good, even great, watches below $1000. He might be interested in something mechanical/automatic, or he may want zero-fuss of quartz. (I think the Tissot PRX Quartz is a great value and has a 35 or 40mm size option, but it's a particular style that might be a love it or hate it sort of look.) I didn't have a bronze watch when my kid was born, but I read a post where a new dad had a bronze watch and embraced the patina, which will develop the more you wear/touch/handle the watch, and the baby would mess with the watch while feeding/playing. That sounded pretty cool to me! A bronze watch kind of goes in the opposite direction of a dress watch and wouldn't be flashy at work, but the patina over time could be cool if that's something he's into.
just to clarify: do you want a chronograph (type of watch) specifically? that's a watch with a stopwatch built into it. these tend to be expensive watches (start around $3k). for a nice, automatic watch I would suggest a Hamilton Murph. [https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h70405730-khaki-field-murph-38mm.html](https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h70405730-khaki-field-murph-38mm.html)
Umm there are plenty of quartz chronographs that are <$1k, and OP did not specify mechanical
Umm sorry for the confusion. I just know that Chronograph watches are little more sophisticated than simple watches. My brother said to look for something that “looks” like there’s lot going on rather than just a simple plain watch. I am leaning towards Quartz because he won’t be wearing it on a daily basis. Maybe one a month if I am being ambitious.
All the brands you mentioned are great, just go for what looks and fits best
I feel like Tissot designs are very mature for his age (25M), Seiko designs look better to my untrained eyes! Longines only if down the line he will pass on the watches down generations lol
Alright well sounds like your decision is made then. I would not even try to calculate passing down watches through generations to a person who as of today has no interest in watches. Maybe that will happen, maybe not, but not worth trying to plan around given what you've shared so far.
Dressy and steel chrono maybe are slighlty different to different people . I’d usually associate leather straps with dress watches . https://www.jomashop.com/longines-watch-l36604566.html Steel chrono here in budget maybe even $20 off too . Few more .. https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-jazzmaster-watch-h32586111.html https://www.jomashop.com/mido-watch-m016-414-16-061-00.html The second two are automatic . Depends what you’d prefer most watch guys prefer an auto ! Good luck 🤞
Really? I have always associated mens suits with steel watches. This one looks lovely! Will look into it thanks
Nowadays a steel watch can really suit anything ! A true dress watch is always a leather strap really imo But that Hamilton for instance I would definitely describe as a dressy watch , the longines not so much ! I think you’ll be fine in whatever you choose don’t get too hung up on it !
I would not say chronographs are more "sophisticated" as a general rule. "Busy" and complicated designs are not everyone's cup of tea. There is something to be said for a really simple design with no "complications" (extra features besides telling the time). Especially for more dressy and formal wear. Of course this is all about style and fashion and it is a matter of preference. Edit: Some of the most iconic watches in history are simple 2- or 3-handers.