The best watches to wear on your wedding day

Russell Sheldrake

For those planning a wedding, it can feel like wedding season is always just around the corner and making those final decisions before your big day can be rather stressful. For watch addicts like us, deciding which watch to wear on your big day can be one of the biggest decisions you have to make. And while there will be many guides from lifestyle publications say that you need to stay extremely classical, wearing a dress watch like a Cartier Tank or a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, I think what matters more about a wedding watch is how it makes you feel and what connection you have to it. Don’t let yourself be pigeonholed into wearing a piece that doesn’t speak to who you are.

Bearing that in mind, I wanted to build a short list of watches that I believe offer the best chance of fitting in with a dressed up, wedding look, all while leaving room for them to be personal to you, instead of feeling like you are wearing the same watch as everyone else on what should be the most memorable day of your life.

Dennison Aventurine dial in steel

This is likely the newest and, simultaneously, one of the oldest brands that will feature on this list. Dennison was relaunched in the second half of last year, reviving the famous old British case maker with a brand new look and feel. These rounded square dress watches are simple, yet unique in how they execute a formal aestetic. Designed by the brilliant Emmanuel Guiet, the level of attention when it comes to the details of this watch go against its modest price point. And what better way to add a bit of subtle sparkle to your own wedding day outfit then with this amazing aventurine dial. You can also pick this watch up from our London Discovery Studio. Price: £640 (∼US$795). 

Alpina Heritage Automatic

If you are made about vintage style but aren’t looking to compromise on your modern needs, then the Alpina Heritage Automatic might be the best fit for you. It channels style from the 1920s and 1940s in a surprisingly modern package. Measuring 38mm with long slim lugs, it carries itself perfectly in today’s expectations of how a watch should wear, but is styled as though it was made 80 years ago. An understated piece with some great little details that you only notice once you get up close. Price: US$1,795.

Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase

Going for a classic brand like Longines on your wedding day is never a bad idea, as it offers you that protection of knowing that your watch is not going to be something you have to worry about. Instead you can focus on how to tie your bow tie. This dress, Havana brown dial has a crisp sunburst texture to it that gives the Flagship Heritage Moonphase a sense of real lustre to it. An elegant choice that would sit extremely happily alongside a sharp blue suit. Price: US$3,050.

Fears Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour Raven Black

If you are going for a black tie dress code for your special day, then this Raven Black dial on the Fears Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour might be the best option to go with your dinner suit (or tuxedo if you are on that side of the pond). With contrasting finishes on its inner and outer discs helping to provide some subtle distinction between the two, while your eye is instantly drawn to the juxtaposing white spot for the jump hour at 12. It’s an incredibly smart design that speaks to the classicism that Fears is able to tap into thanks to its British design. And luckily you can buy this in both of our London and Melbourne studios, as well as from our online store. Price: US$4,490

Grand Seiko SLGW005

If precision is one of your key priorities on your wedding day, having to make sure that everything runs exactly on time, then I can’t think of a better option that the ultra-precise Grand Seiko SLGW005. Thanks to its 9SA4 high beat movement it is able to run at 5Hz with a deviation of -3/+5 seconds a day, you’d feel pretty safe knowing that you won’t be late down the aisle. It also helps that it’s an incredibly smart looking watch, with a plain dial featuring a double Seiko and GS signatures creating that small point of difference. Price: US$9,700. 

Daniel Roth Extra Plat Souscription

I’m not going to sit here and pretend like this isn’t a wildly expensive and hard to acquire watch, but if you have the means, and your wedding day is approaching, I am certain this would make the perfect watch to wear as you read your vows. Its slim, shaped case casts an elegant silhouette over the wrist and the gold on gold look will match your wedding band perfectly. The only issue would be ensuring you are one of the first 20 in line to get one of these Souscription models. Price: CHF 45,000 (∼US$50,000) 

Piaget Andy Warhol

This one not only speaks to the art lovers out there, but also, those who appreciate the progression of a brand like Piaget. Originally called the Black Tie, this oversized, stepped case is made from white gold and was renamed to mark one of the brands most famous collectors, the pop artist, Andy Warhol. While this cocktail watch came in plenty of iterations back in the 1970s, this new release comes with a rich blue meteorite dial and clous de Paris engraved around the case. Price: US$60,000.