'Tis the season!
Buying someone a watch can be an incredibly thoughtful gift. But finding the right watch, and more importantly, the right watch for that person, is key.
Watches can represent a significant investment, and naturally, you want the person receiving your gift to love it, wear it, and appreciate it for years to come.
So, before you start shopping, let's go through a few things worth considering to help narrow down the selection for that special person in your life.
1. What Kind of Watches Are They Into?
I love watches. I genuinely appreciate their craftsmanship, history, and what they represent. But appreciating a watch doesn't necessarily mean I want to own or wear it.
For example, if someone gifted me a dress watch, whether it was a Patek Philippe Calatrava or a more affordable Tudor Royal, it probably wouldn't get the wrist time they were hoping for.
It's not that I wouldn't appreciate the thought. It's simply not my style.
As many of you know, I'm a tool-watch guy through and through. I firmly believe you can wear whatever watch you want, wherever you want, regardless of the occasion.
But even within the tool-watch category, I have preferences.
Field watches? I appreciate them. Would I collect vintage military field watches if money were no object? Absolutely. Would I actually wear them? Probably not.
For me, a dive watch, GMT, or chronograph would be a much safer choice.
The point is simple: just because someone loves watches doesn't mean they love every kind of watch.
My wife is actually a perfect example of how two people can appreciate watches for completely different reasons.
Over time, she's started to appreciate watches for many of the same reasons I do: the craftsmanship, the movements, and the history behind them. But if I'm being realistic, what initially draws her to a watch is much simpler. She likes how it looks, how it wears, and how well it complements her wardrobe.
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
A while back, I showed her the Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart, and she immediately fell in love with it.
Now, I'll admit, I never really thought she'd buy one. Not because she didn't love the watch, but because of the price. My wife had never been someone who wanted to spend more than a couple hundred dollars on a watch. Spending significantly more just wasn't something she had ever considered worthwhile.
But something funny happened.
She couldn't stop thinking about that Hamilton.
Weeks went by, then months, and she kept coming back to it. Eventually, after a few months of debating the purchase, she finally pulled the trigger on the beautiful blue-dial version.
And she absolutely loves it.
Here's the interesting part. Knowing how much she loves that watch, I can confidently say that if I bought her another Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart in a different dial color someday, she'd be thrilled.
Same watch. Different color. And I know she'd wear it.
Meanwhile, if someone bought me a dress watch simply because it was expensive, prestigious, or beautifully made, it probably wouldn't get nearly as much wrist time.
That's the difference between buying someone a nice watch and buying someone the right watch.
You don't necessarily have to introduce someone to something completely new. Sometimes the safest choice is paying attention to what they already love and finding another version of it.
If you're unfamiliar with the different watch categories, check out our previous article, What Is a Tool Watch?, for a better understanding of the options.
2. Where Are They in Their Watch Journey?
Is this someone who's just beginning to explore watches, or have they been collecting for years?
That distinction matters.
Someone who's just starting out may not know which styles they prefer. Maybe their only watch is a smartwatch. Yuck. Or perhaps they've never owned a traditional watch at all.
In that case, consider their lifestyle.
What do they do for work? How do they spend their free time? Are they active? Do they travel? Do they spend their weekends outdoors?
For someone who hikes, mountain bikes, or enjoys outdoor activities, a digital tool watch like a Casio G-Shock might be a fantastic choice. They're durable, practical, and available at approachable prices.
For my niece's seventh birthday, we bought her a Baby-G.
She rides bikes, motorcycles, swims constantly, and is always running around. We wanted something tough enough to handle whatever she could throw at it.
Unfortunately, she lives in another state, so we were not there when she opened it.
But when my sister sent us a picture of her wearing it with a huge smile, my wife and I knew we'd made the right choice.
My sister later texted us something that made us laugh.
Instead of our niece asking her what time it was every ten minutes, she was now telling her mom the time every ten minutes.
That's what getting the right watch looks like.
Now, if you're buying for someone further along in their watch journey, the approach might be different.
Take a look at their collection.
Do they travel frequently but don't own a GMT? That could be an opportunity.
Are they interested in racing or aviation? Maybe a chronograph or pilot's watch would appeal to them.
Do they love complicated movements, or are they perfectly happy with a simple time-and-date watch?
Their existing collection can tell you quite a bit about what they appreciate—and sometimes what they don't.
3. Are They Brand Agnostic or Loyal to One Brand?
This one can get tricky.
Some collectors enjoy watches from dozens of manufacturers. Others are extremely loyal to one particular brand.
If the person you're buying for collects only one brand, your options may be more limited. Fortunately, many established watchmakers offer a wide range of styles and references, including discontinued models.
If you're considering an older or pre-owned reference, platforms such as eBay, Chrono24, and Bezel may be worth exploring.
Depending on the platform and transaction, authentication services and buyer protections may be available. Research the specific protections before purchasing.
Personally, I'd rather pay a little more for additional peace of mind when buying an expensive watch.
Counterfeit watches, particularly sophisticated replicas of popular luxury models, have become increasingly convincing. Do your homework, research the seller, and understand what protections you're actually receiving.
And what if the person you're shopping for loves a particular microbrand?
Sometimes the selection is limited, especially if they already own the model they want.
You could explore another microbrand with a similar design philosophy, but there's another possibility worth considering.
Maybe the best gift isn't another watch at all.
A quality strap, watch roll, storage case, or another accessory might be a better fit for someone who's particularly loyal to a brand or already owns their favorite pieces.
4. What Is the Right Watch Size?
Watch sizing deserves more attention than simply looking at the case diameter.
We've covered this in greater detail in our article on finding the right watch size, but there are several things to consider beyond the millimeter measurement listed on a manufacturer's website.
Wrist circumference, lug-to-lug length, case thickness, and the overall design can dramatically change how a watch wears.
For example, someone with a smaller wrist may find a large 44mm Panerai or Breitling uncomfortable. A watch in the 36–40mm range might be a better starting point.
On the other hand, someone who enjoys larger watches may prefer something above 40mm.
But these aren't rules.
A 36mm watch can look fantastic on a larger wrist, and someone with a smaller wrist might genuinely enjoy an oversized tool watch.
The same applies when shopping for women. Don't automatically assume someone wants a tiny watch simply because of their gender.
The goal isn't to choose a watch based on what someone should wear. It's to understand what they actually enjoy wearing.
If possible, look at the watches they already own and pay attention to their proportions.
And if you're buying a surprise gift, make sure you understand the return or exchange policy before committing.
5. How Particular Is the Person You're Buying For?
This might be the most important consideration of all.
And I know this because I'm that person.
I'm extremely particular about the watches I consider buying.
For me, accuracy matters. A lot.
I genuinely use my watches as tools throughout my workday. If I'm wearing an automatic watch for several days in a row, I don't want to constantly reset the time.
It drives me crazy.
A watch running at -15/+25 seconds per day? No thanks.
I gravitate toward watches with strong accuracy specifications, particularly chronometer-certified movements.
COSC certification and METAS Master Chronometer certification are two examples of standards I pay attention to, although they use different testing requirements.
Accuracy isn't my only consideration, either.
I want a true tool watch. Something durable enough to take a beating and keep running reliably.
Scratches? I don't care. That's character.
But the watch needs to do what it was designed to do.
Does this significantly narrow the number of automatic watches I'm interested in?
Absolutely.
But these are watches for me. Just like anyone else, I'm entitled to my preferences.
Personally, I keep a list of watches I'd like to own. If someone found a watch on that list, they'd have a pretty safe bet.
And that brings me to another suggestion.
If you're shopping for someone who's very particular, don't be afraid to ask questions or find out whether they have a wish list.
A little research can make the difference between a watch that gets worn regularly and one that spends most of its life in a box.
A Final Thought: It's About the Person, Not the Watch
The idea for this article came to mind recently when a buddy of mine purchased a Tudor Black Bay Pro from someone who had received it as a gift.
For whatever reason, the original recipient didn't want the watch and decided to sell it.
Now, imagine being the person who gave that gift.
You might be disappointed. Maybe even a little hurt.
After all, buying someone a watch, particularly an expensive one, is an incredibly generous gesture.
But here's something worth remembering.
What if the person you're buying for already owns their dream watch?
What if they genuinely love wearing that one watch every single day, for every occasion?
Another watch, no matter how beautiful or expensive, might not be something they want.
And that's okay.
Buying someone a watch can be an incredible gift, but the thoughtfulness isn't measured by the price, the brand, or the complexity of the movement.
It's measured by how well you understand the person receiving it.
Take your time. Pay attention. Ask questions.
And remember, sometimes the perfect gift isn't the watch you would choose for yourself.
It's the one they would choose for themselves.
Remember the Time. Wear It Well.
Memento Temporis
