We’ve all heard of the theory: a man’s true engagement ring is a Rolex. Watches are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to wearing a ring to signify your wish to tie the knot with a loved one. They prove particularly popular with men who can’t wear a ring for work purposes, or for those who don’t like to wear jewellery. If you’re in the same boat with wedding rings but you want to mark this once-in-a-lifetime milestone properly, there are plenty of luxury timepieces as options. We’ve rounded up five of our favourite wristwatches that are suitable for lifestyles and lines of work that don’t allow for pieces of jewellery. Instead, the models in this selection double up as meaningful and deeply personal statements but serve as practical tools on a daily basis. So, without further ado, here are some powerful ways to honour a lifelong bond with your partner without having to conform to societal norms for the sake of convention. All of the timepieces we’ve chosen for this guide are timeless enough to enjoy for many years to come. Considered heirlooms within their own right, here is the ultimate list of watches to gift to the groom.
IWC Watch Portugieser Chronograph IW371606
There is no one particular feature that makes the IWC Portugieser watch so iconic and timeless. Moreover, it’s a culmination of different features that come together in harmony, fusing design, history and functionality into one design. The core beauty of the Portugieser harks back to 1939, when IWC created a large pocket watch movement for two Portuguese businessmen who commissioned the brand to create a wristwatch with the accuracy of a marine chronometer but in a modern chronograph design.
Today, the IWC Portugieser is a watch that’s respected for its balanced proportions, making it an ideal wedding ring alternative, since it can be enjoyed and worn every day of the week as a staple. This model features a silver dial adorned with feuille-shaped hands rendered in golden tones and elegantly crafted Arabic numerals for the hour markers. The bezel cleverly gives the impression of wearing larger on the wrist, making it a perfect companion for those with a 7.5-inch circumference. Its quarter-second scale reminds the wearer of the Portugieser origins as a marine chronometer, while a brown alligator leather strap adds another layer of elegance to this design. To top it off, IWC fits the watch with an in-house crafted movement that can be admired through a sapphire caseback.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Matt Green Ceramic Watch PAM01697
Suppose you’re husband-to-be likes to keep up to date with all the latest releases. In that case, Panerai’s new Marina Militare models from the Submersible collection represent the very latest additions to the Italian manufacturer’s robust dive watch collection. They are perfect for those who lead lifestyles that put all their key features to good use. Because Panerai watches have changed very little in terms of their retro character and their vintage Italian charm, they instantly transport the wearer back to the heyday of the dive watch. At the same time, they demonstrate unequivocal timelessness.
This Panerai Submersible Marine Militare watch is available in steel or the manufacturer’s proprietary Carbotech material, fused from lightweight layers of carbon fibre to reinforce a tough and impenetrable matrix. Both bear the Marina Militare typography on the dial, exemplifying the brand’s dedication and partnership with the Aviazione Nationale (the Navy’s aviation branch). Even so, the Carbotech version is sleeker and stealthier in profile, with a commanding 43mm wrist presence.
The Panerai Submersible Marine Militare is 300-meter water resistant and presents the time on a military green coloured dial that evokes the uniform of the naval experts that fly the aircraft within the fleet, as well as an embossed anchor that depicts the symbol of the Italian Navy. If your man likes to wear a slice of history on his wrist but enjoys the functionality of a modern tool, a Submersible watch from Panerai could be the ultimate wedding ring alternative.
Breitling Watch Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 Blue A32398101C1A1
The Breitling Chronomat has the enduring appeal that a watch for life needs in order to stand the test of time on the wrist and take the place of something as symbolic as a wedding ring. It has several signature features that set it apart from the rest of the brand’s catalogue, namely the rider tabs located at the cardinal points on the bezel and the stunning Rouleaux bracelet, developed exclusively by masters at Breitling for this special series.
This Breitling Chronomat watch boasts a classic-looking deep blue sunray dial and a striking red-coated GMT hand, giving the watch another layer of practicality. If your husband-to-be tends to travel a lot for business, this sophisticated GMT watch will ensure he keeps on track of time zones when away from home, thanks to a superior movement fitted inside its practical 40mm case size – the Breitling Calibre 32, complete with a 42-hour power reserve. What’s more, the Breitling Chronomat is primed for daily wear with a 200 M water resistance and the aforementioned Rouleaux bracelet, with beautifully curved roll-like links designed for ergonomics and all-day comfort.
Baume et Mercier Watch Clifton Baumatic. 10518
For something altogether simpler and pared-down, experts at Baume et Mercier get it right every time with the classic design of the Classima. The range offers excellent craftsmanship at an accessible price point and is celebrated for its range of versatile designs. The Classima is defined by its rounded case, thin bezel and elegant dial, adorned with Roman numeral hour markers against either a guilloche or sunray dial.
This sophisticated model is perfect for wearing every single day. As an alternative to a wedding ring, it’s an affordable option that beats to the rhythm of a tried and tested movement with a 50-hour power reserve and COSC-certified accuracy. Its white dial is a perfect match for a timeless black alligator leather strap, complete with a traditional stainless steel pin buckle. Meanwhile, the dial features are just as carefully considered and classic. The Classima has the hairline detail at the centre, paired with slim central hands and stick hour markers that keep timekeeping to the basics. A date is provided at 3 o’clock underneath a strong sapphire glass front, the same material used for the back of the model’s 40mm steel case, affording a view of the movement in motion.
TUDOR Black Bay 68
There is no denying that a TUDOR Black Bay is a watch for life. It’s the silent partner with a rich history that stems from Rolex’s sister brand’s first-ever dive watch. Some models pay homage to that model in true to form proportions, like the Black Bay 58 with a very manageable 39mm diameter, but if your future husband likes to wear a watch with a little more presence, this Black Bay 68, released at Watches and Wonders 2025 this year, ticks all the boxes.
It has this deep blue dial that looks superb, whether matched with a casual jeans and jumper ensemble at the weekend or something more formal for work or evening events. TUDOR complements it with a contrasting black unidirectional rotating bezel that is perfect for measuring elapsed time underwater, should your loved one want to take a dip on his honeymoon. It also comes kitted out with a solid steel case, water resistant to 200 meters, and a peerlessly performing movement – the Calibre MT5601-U. It’s COSC-certified and adheres to METAS standards, exemplifying TUDOR’s expert command of one of the industry’s most demanding standards in terms of chronometry and resistance to magnetic fields.
This 43mm steel model packs a punch on the wrist but is a companion for life, with the iconic Snowflake hands, luminous and bold, guiding the way to precision timekeeping day and night. The watch also features a sun-brushed effect across its domed blue dial, echoed by the domed shape of its sapphire crystal glass top for an unmistakable neo-vintage look.
Spotted a watch that would make for the perfect wedding ring alternative for your husband-to-be? Call and speak to our sales team here at Jura Watches where we can guide you through a seamless service from start to finish, including bracelet link adjustments and warranties to ensure the perfect timeless watch is ready to mark a lifetime of commitment with your loved one on your wedding day.
