Does your fiancé have brothers? If so, forget about her late father’s watch, unless you’re willing to foot the repair bill, give it back to your Mother-in-Law after the wedding, and possibly have it gifted elsewhere. This would be a beautiful & generous gesture on your part if truly willing to let the MIL decide the watch’s future.

No brothers? I’d inquire about it. Ask if the MIL would be comfortable with you fixing it up to wear on the big day and you would continue to care for it and maintain it with her blessing. See where that goes. You may need to reassure her that in the event of divorce the watch would be returned.
That has the chance to be a special watch.


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Does your fiancé have brothers? If so, forget about her late father's watch, unless you're willing to foot the repair bill, give it back to your Mother-in-Law after the wedding, and possibly have it gifted elsewhere. This would be a beautiful & generous gesture on your part if truly willing to let the MIL decide the watch's future.

No brothers? I'd inquire about it. Ask if the MIL would be comfortable with you fixing it up to wear on the big day and you would continue to care for it and maintain it with her blessing. See where that goes. You may need to reassure her that in the event of divorce the watch would be returned.
That has the chance to be a special watch.

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Man o man,
I would not discuss divorce matters before the wedding.

Saying something like divorce now is akin to a prenuptial in a lot of women's minds.

The cost of repair would well be worth the relationship building he is doing by no strings attached.

 

That JLC is class.
Go get it fixed. A running watch ticks like a person's heartbeat, so if you associate it with the person who owned it...

 

I choose the Patek.

 

The correct watch to wear with a tuxedo is - none.
The correct watch for a groom is his best man.

If you still need to wear a watch - take it off before photos.

 

The correct watch to wear with a tuxedo is - none.
The correct watch for a groom is his best man.

If you still need to wear a watch - take it off before photos.

I disagree. I have tried many times to go watch less and it drives me out of my mind. I'd rather be technically wrong and wear a watch than not have one on at all. That being said I do believe you are correct that technically you are not supposed to wear a watch with black tie. I have certainly heard that before.

 

Get the JLC fixed and wear that, I'm sure your fiance and MIL would love the gesture.

If it comes to you permanently that would just be a bonus.

 

If you need to wear a watch with black tie, then I would suggest looking for something in a white metal. This would be a better match aesthetically, as well as better adhere to the traditional notion behind black tie (if you care about such things) that your soon-to-be wife is supposed to be the attention-drawer, not yourself.

Have you owned a watch in the 33mm range before? I would make sure that you are comfortable with wearing a watch that size, as most moderns will perceive a watch that size as being too small for a man. This perception is unjustified historically, obviously, but in this day and age wearing a traditionally proportioned dress watch does require a certain self-confidence.

If you are fine with this, however, then you can and I would say should take advantage of the heavy discount on vintage, sub-37mm Pateks and Vacherons—you certainly will not be able to get Patek or Vacheron that satisfies modern sensibilities in the $5,000 range. Otherwise, something from JLC or maybe Cartier would be a more affordable option.

 

If you need to wear a watch with black tie, then I would suggest looking for something in a white metal. This would be a better match aesthetically, as well as better adhere to the traditional notion behind black tie (if you care about such things) that your soon-to-be wife is supposed to be the attention-drawer, not yourself.

Have you owned a watch in the 33mm range before? I would make sure that you are comfortable with wearing a watch that size, as most moderns will perceive a watch that size as being too small for a man. This perception is unjustified historically, obviously, but in this day and age wearing a traditionally proportioned dress watch does require a certain self-confidence.

If you are fine with this, however, then you can and I would say should take advantage of the heavy discount on vintage, sub-37mm Pateks and Vacherons-you certainly will not be able to get Patek or Vacheron that satisfies modern sensibilities in the $5,000 range. Otherwise, something from JLC or maybe Cartier would be a more affordable option.

move put them on and for a daily wear watch I can not do smaller than 36mm but for a formal setting I do not mind 33mm. I had and sold a universal Geneve that was 34mm. Simple gold watch. 2 hands. It wore very small but looked good with formal occasions. 99% of the time when I wear a suite I just wear my twotone datejust which is a 36mm but much "meatier". Honestly I find us watch people are the only ones even really paying attention.

 

I’d just go ahead and wear the DJ but if you want something more “dressy” I’d go Reverso.

 

Maybe it's just me but I find it kind of pointless to buy a watch (especially one that may or may not be your preferred style) to wear at just the wedding and never again (I'm assuming this is what will happen). In your case, I think your best bet would be to either wear the DJ on a strap or get the old JLC fixed.

 

Tell her you'd like to fix up and wear her father's watch to honor him. Then offer the watch back afterwards. I would think they would appreciate the gesture.

 

JLC for me

 

 

Wear whatever floats your boat, it isn't anybody's business other than yours (and your fiance' (and her family (and maybe your family))). Last I knew the Office of Legal Deportment - Formal Attire Response Team & Services, doesn't enforce those silly old rules any more. They will however stop you from doing the macarana or the electric slide (and just forget about the chicken dance).

[But technically the watch should be silver, plain face, no seconds hand, on leather. And also no babies. And never acknowledge the wait staff unless it's to criticize them for something. And of course only old timey waltz music is permissible. And Ladies are not allowed to drink, and cigars are on the terrace with brandies only. Have fun.]

 

And also no babies

Absolutely! When did it be come acceptable for babies to be brought to wedding, which is an adult affair (except for the occasional flower girl)? Hire a babysitter or don't attend.

 

I would come right out and say you'd be extremely honored to wear her late father's watch, that you'd be honored to have it repaired at your expense. I can't think of a nicer way to indicate how much she and her family mean to you.

 

JLC Futurematic with black dial. Make A Statement While Saving For The Hookers And Cocaine At Your Bachelor Party!?

 

Reverso was my first thought when I read the topic of the thread. I owned one for a time, and it's a dynamite piece. Also, if you go with the classic version then it can be inscribed to mark the occasion.

This is the one I wore for a period...

 

Another vote for a JLC.

The Seiko SARB series also has a number of very nice dress watches as well.

Good luck.

 

OP, if you feel the need to wear a watch with a tuxedo please wear a dress watch with a black leather or croc strap. The case should be steel, white gold or platinum. The dial should be white (preferably) or silver and no date. The watch should be an appropriate diameter--smaller (more discreet) is better than larger.

Lastly, no one follows the rules anymore and no one will notice your watch, so wear what You like. Cheers and congrats!

 

How about a Cartier, like the Santos Dumont Collection Privee?

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Everybody wins with the JLC.

 

I absolutely love the idea of your FIL's watches. I would think your MIL and fiance would be too.

I guess I didn't get married in a tux, just a suit, but I wore a watch.

 

Unless you wear dress watches a lot, ask to borrow the watch...you don't need to repair it. Just borrow...doesn't matter if it doesn't work. Someone will tell you the time.
Maybe they'll decide to give it to you after, maybe they won't.
Go spend that $5000 on a watch you really like.

 

I agree with offering to fix the JLC just to be able to wear it at the wedding. If they then offer it up as a gift to you, what can you say but thanks? If not, you will have earn some brownie points with the family anyway.

 

Love many of the options posted. How about a Grand Seiko wildcard?

 

If you decide not to ask about the JLC, personally I would go with one of the new Constellation on leather pieces. I think this should be the next Bond IMHO. (Right on your price range too. Prestigetime.com has them for 5K.)

131.33.41.21.01.001

131.33.41.21.06.001

 

I'm getting married this December. I am looking for an appropriate watch to wear with a tuxedo as well as something nice to mark the event. I tend to get a watch when I change jobs, get something special like my classic car or my sailboat, or other life events. I also (in non corona times) attend at least one or two black tie events a year so it would be nice to have a proper watch.

I currently just wear my twotone datejust. I know it's not really appropriate but half the guys I see are wearing an Apple Watch with a tux so who cares. My original though was to put my twotone datejust on a nice black leather strap. Still haven't ruled that out since I do truly love that watch. It has the gold dial so I think it looks relatively dressy.

i don't have a picture of it but my fiancé's late father has an old gold JLC that is currently not working. Ideally I'd love to get that fixed and wear that. Not sure how to bring it up. I was secretly hoping they would gift it to me since it's just sitting in a drawer unused and I'd love to get it repaired / restored and use it.

outside of that my short list is as follows.

patek calatrava

vacheron constantin - do not have a reference just saw quite a few simple pretty vintage gold watches in the 33mm size range at decent prices.

Rolex Cellini

JLC - an older gold dress watch again.

JLC - reverso - only new one on the list. Would be the small seconds version I love in silver

the budget is around 5k. Willing to go up for the right watch. Since I'm paying for the wedding less than 5k is ideal. I am fine with vintage watches. I actually prefer an old nicely used gold watch. I just think it looks appropriate with black tie. 33mm is the smallest size. I also love "square" watches. I am looking for higher end. I know there are lovely Hamilton's, longines, etc etc etc but I am