I remember standing in front of the mirror that morning, still in my boxers, hair a mess, bowtie on the table, and my wedding suit [12. Tux or Suit? What Grooms Should Wear for a Wedding] hanging just behind me like a quiet reminder: this is the big day. But among all the to-dos — steaming the suit, polishing the shoes, breathing deeply — one thing I hadn’t quite figured out was the watch.
It seems small, doesn’t it? A tiny piece of metal and leather. But it isn’t. Not on this day.
Because your wedding watch isn’t just a timekeeper. It’s a memory keeper. It marks the moment when you said yes, when your voice cracked during your vows, when your heart beat faster watching her walk down the aisle. And for many grooms in Singapore — whether you’re having a 5-star hotel banquet or a garden ROM — your watch is the one thing you wear on your wedding day that you might still wear for the next 30 years.
So what should you choose?
If your father, grandfather, or even future father-in-law has a timepiece they’re willing to loan you, take it. Vintage timepieces have a soul to them. A well-aged Omega Seamaster or a Rolex Datejust passed down through generations isn’t just style — it’s legacy. It’s “something borrowed” with emotional weight.
Singapore weddings run the spectrum: black-tie Mandarin Oriental affairs, colonial-style brunch receptions at The Summerhouse, or intimate solemnizations at home. Your watch should match the vibe.
Look — I get it. Some grooms are tempted to rent or borrow a flashy AP or Hublot just to impress. But unless it’s you, it won’t feel like you. Your wedding watch should be the one you wouldn’t mind seeing in every wedding photo [26. Do I need a pre-wedding photoshoot?] for the rest of your life. It should feel honest.
If your daily watch is a Seiko Presage or Tissot Powermatic and it already feels like you — wear it proudly. A well-chosen $1,000 watch with sentimental value will always beat a borrowed $50,000 flex.
A great idea I’ve heard from some grooms (and wish I had done myself): buy the watch as a gift to yourself for the wedding, then engrave the date on the back. Not for resale, not for flexing — but for remembering. And maybe one day, you’ll pass it down to your kid when they’re standing in front of their own mirror, bowtie on the table, suit behind them.
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Watches mark time — but they also mark moments. On your wedding day, you’re not just choosing a piece of gear. You’re choosing a companion for one of the most important days of your life.
So choose something that reflects who you are, where you’ve come from, and what kind of husband you want to be.
And remember to set the time.