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Matching Wedding Watches Are a New Option For Newlyweds Eyeing The End of Time

Modern society is shrugging off many of its old-world values, and the ways we approach romantic relationships, engagements, weddings, and families are not immune to the trends. These days, giving an engagement ring can seem almost as up to date as busting your love interest over the head with a club and dragging them into a cave by the hair (with apologies to any who may find that trope culturally insensitive). Given contemporary values of equality (real or hoped for) in today’s marriage dynamic — not to mention the wider acceptance of same-sex nuptials — a fresher and more visible decoration of your intentions may be the engagement watch! The gender-neutral accessory is not only practical, but it can also be a great long-term investment, and appropriately speaks to the hopes for a lifetime together.

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What’s Wrong with Rings?

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Reach back into European history and you’ll discover that wedding and engagement rings were once signs not of true love, but of ownership. Ancient Romans made these symbols of bondage from materials like ivory, flint, copper, iron, and even bone. It wasn’t until 850 A.D. that the Pope declared that, within the Catholic Church, giving a ring represented an absolute intent to marry. Of course, only the wife was expected to wear it back then: Wedding rings for men didn’t become common until World War II when soldiers wanted to express their love across oceans and battlefields. Engagement rings themselves could have featured any precious stone before DeBeers sank its marketing budget into promoting diamonds (an industry that’s had its own fair share of questionable moral practices) in the mid-20th century.

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We attempted to reach jewelers for a comment on this trend, but let’s say their money remains on the classic diamond engagement ring. If you, your potentially betrothed (and his or her family) are in the least bit conventionally minded, you still won’t go wrong with something “square-cut or pear-shaped,” and your local jeweler will be more than happy to help you with that. But if you are at all open to unconventional thinking, a matching timepiece may be the way to go.

Getting to “I Do”

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Look at your engagement as the beginning of a beautiful friendship: Communication is key in any relationship, and if you haven’t already learned this, let’s get that habit started before the honeymoon. Be sure that you’ve taken the time to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your potential spouse to determine expectations. Do you both like the idea of a more innovative approach to the festivities? Ask a lot of open-ended questions about what a proposal and wedding should look like. How will family and friends react if you start doing things in a non-traditional manner? Think of this conversation as being less about spoiling the surprise, and more about making sure that the proposal is the most memorable moment possible. Showing up with a watch when a ring is expected could ruin the moment, not to mention the romance.

Style is Key

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Just like the old-fashioned down-on-one knee, engagement ring scenario, style is key to this conversation. Is your girlfriend more traditionally feminine? Or is she earthy? Even androgynous? Does your boyfriend wake up each morning and tie a perfect Windsor knot in his necktie before skateboarding to work? Let’s make sure the watch you choose is something that both of you will enjoy wearing. Would you rather have a watch that is worn mostly on special occasions? Or celebrate your union every day with something more durable?

Agree on a Budget

Finally, how much is appropriate to spend on an engagement watch? According to the wedding website The Knot, the average cost of one engagement ring is $5,500. That could buy a couple of sweet timepieces. An old rule was to spend one to three months’ salary on an engagement ring, but let’s get real: in an age of crazy student loan debt and when homeownership or a child’s education may be a higher priority, spending that kind of money may just be foolhardy. Again, have the conversation before whipping out the credit card.

Here are a few styles that we think represent modern love in a timely yet timeless fashion.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer

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If price is no object and you’re really looking for an expression that’s also an investment, consider a Rolex. Since exploration is what a relationship is really all about, this update to the 1953 classic is a perfect proclamation of your intentions. At 36 mm, the watch’s dial is a good size for all but the most delicate of wrists.

Cartier Tank Solo

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Still want to have some of that classic Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend cachet? Go for Cartier’s classic tank watch. The spare styling looks as great with sporty clothes as it does with dressier styles. Thinner case styles offering a more feminine appeal are also available.

Apple Series 6 Titanium Case with Gold Milanese Loop

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If the “in health” portion of the wedding vows is a priority, the Apple Series 6 may be the ultimate way to get and keep both of you in top form. Besides being able to measure your blood oxygen and take an ECG, the watch packs in its distinctive fitness, safety, and connectedness features. We chose the top notch 44 mm titanium case, but it’s also available in a smaller 40 mm size, as well as in aluminum or stainless steel to bring the price down to fit your budget.

Daniel Wellington Classic Petite Mesh Strap Watch & Cuff Gift Set

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Save some money for the honeymoon (and the mortgage and the tuition). This rose gold watch features a neutral 32 mm face and an elegant mesh strap, paired with a minimalistic cuff for a celebratory look.

Read more: Best Jewelry for Men

John Jones
John Jones is a Jersey City, New Jersey-based writer who enjoys covering design in all its forms, from fashion to…
TAG Heuer returns to Goodwood Festival of Speed as official timing partner
Motorsport homecoming: TAG Heuer's goodwood festival partnership honors racing legacy
Tag Heuer at goodwood

TAG Heuer comes back to the Goodwood Festival of Speed as its official timing partner. This marks a major return for the Swiss brand, which has a deep connection to motorsport. The partnership aligns with the festival’s 2025 theme, “The Winning Formula – Champions in addition to Challengers,” recognizing Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. TAG Heuer has also recently resumed its role as Formula 1’s official timekeeper.
The Duke of Richmond started the festival in 1993. It centers around a 1.86-kilometer hillclimb course, where Max Chilton set the current record of 39.08 seconds in the McMurtry Spéirling. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees, with millions more following through live streams, making it a central stage for car culture.
TAG Heuer’s motorsport history spans over a century, beginning with the first dashboard-mounted chronograph in 1911. The brand later introduced the first 1/100th second chronograph in 1916 and the first automatic chronograph for sale in 1969. Its partnerships include Formula 1, Porsche, Oracle Red Bull Racing, the Indianapolis 500, and the Automobile Club de Monaco.
“Motorsport is not just about competition, it is a cultural force, like TAG Heuer,” said Antoine Pin, TAG Heuer CEO. “We are honored to return as Timing Partner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
To mark the occasion, TAG Heuer created the limited edition Carrera Chronograph x Festival of Speed. This watch features a British racing green dial inspired by Goodwood Green, a subtle hobnail pattern, and red accents. The 42mm case houses the in-house TH20-00 movement and comes with a brown leather rally strap reminiscent of 1970s motor racing.
Only 100 pieces of this special edition exist. Goodwood Road Racing Club members will have the first opportunity to purchase it before it becomes available to the general public. The design celebrates British car culture and showcases TAG Heuer’s expertise in chronographs.
The Duke of Richmond highlighted TAG Heuer’s significance in motorsport, noting its honored history and collaborations with some of the sport’s greatest drivers and teams.
This timing partnership reinforces TAG Heuer’s leadership in motorsport and offers a new platform to celebrate car culture through precise timekeeping and commemorative watchmaking.

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Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
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Frederique Constant unveils new Healey limited editions in pale blue
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Frederique constant's healey editions

Frederique Constant has extended its partnership with British carmaker Healey, marking two decades of collaboration. This year, two new limited editions have been introduced, departing from the traditional British Racing Green. Instead, they feature pale blue dials inspired by early 1960s Austin-Healey 3000 MKII models. Priced at €1,695 and €3,395, these timepieces continue an unusual collaboration that began in 2004.
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Unlike typical automotive collaborations that focus on brand logos and color matching, Frederique Constant’s approach is different. The brand aims to capture the essence of this specific car and also supports Healey classic car rallies and community programs. Over 20 years, the partnership has produced many timepieces, most featuring the 100S’s distinctive green livery.
This year’s editions take a new aesthetic direction. The pale blue sunray dials with metallic coloring are inspired by the early 1960s Austin-Healey 3000 MKII, moving away from the traditional green to reflect the broader Austin-Healey palette while maintaining a connection to racing heritage.
The three-handed automatic variant features a curvaceous 36mm polished steel case, incorporating both Frederique Constant and Healey dial elements. Applied hour markers, including an oversized 12, are hand-polished silver with white luminous material. The bright red central seconds hand adds a sporty, dashboard-inspired touch, while the dark blue minute track flange matches the co-signing.
The chronograph edition measures 41mm and has a polished steel case with a two-counter layout. Bright red accents appear on both the central chronograph hand and the 30-minute subdial, which sits opposite the small seconds display. This color coordination visually connects to automotive instrumentation while maintaining horological function.
Both models are paired with blue leather straps and closed case backs engraved with the historic 100S. Each is limited to 1,888 pieces, emphasizing the partnership’s exclusivity while still offering reasonable availability for enthusiasts.
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