The last thing you want on your special day is for each element of the day to run late. And let’s be honest, it’s not always the bride’s fault when that happens.
It’s key for groomsmen to arrive on time to greet guests, and for the Best Man’s speech to go ahead when planned amongst all the other toasts.
But you don’t want them to wear just any watch on the day, it has to be something that not only looks smart, but also goes well with the rest of their attire.
And it would only be fair to gift the groomsmen with matching watches. They’re all part of the same team, after all.
In this article, we’re going to show you what we believe are the 10 best watches for groomsmen on the market at the moment.
Of course, there may be several things you want to consider before you buy, which is why we’ve also put together a brief buying guide for you.
And without further ado…
OUR TOP PICK
This very unassuming watch could almost go unnoticed, it’s so thin and modest. But it allows the wearer to detect the time perfectly, thanks to the bright hands on the clock face.
Its modest appearance is very elegant, and it can be worn with any black suit. It features a stainless steel dial and the strap is made with genuine leather that will not fade.
No wonder it's a bestseller with the leading online retailers!
If you like the minimalist style of this watch but need another color, there are other colors available on the product page, including a very smart all-navy number, a white clock face on a black strap, and an all-brown number to name but a few.
Pros
- Very elegant and minimalist
- Has a stainless steel dial
- Has a genuine leather strap
- Alternative colors available
Cons
- The watch has no luminescence and cannot be read in the dark
EDITORS CHOICE
What better way to express your gratitude for your groomsmen than to give them a personalized watch commemorative of the occasion.
And what more elegant way to do so than with a wooden watch.
It’s available in either walnut or a much darker wood that’s almost black. There are 6 different engraving structures to choose from. But better yet, you can also choose your preferred font.
There are 10 styles of font to choose from, all with their own look. You could go for a macho blocky style, something more standard, or something a little prettier.
The watch features a Japanese quartz movement on the dial, a top quality soft leather strap in a color to match the dial, and is entirely handcrafted.
Pros
- Elegant walnut wood appearance
- Several graving structures available
- Choose one from 10 different fonts
- Japanese quartz movement on the dial
- Top quality soft leather strap
- Watch is entirely handcrafted
Cons
- Some customers found the darker version of the watch hard to read
BEST VALUE
This no-nonsense chronograph watch has proved to be a big hit with the gents. It features a rugged style, with its bold and bulky appearance, but with a matte finish that’s somewhat more laid back.
It features a quartz movement with a 3-hand analog display, and large numbers placed where needed, making it both easy to read and designed to be noticed.
It’s also pretty durable, too. The mineral crystal lens covering the dial is highly scratch resistant.
And if the groomsmen have to quickly direct guests out of the rain during the day, that won’t be an issue because of the watch’s high level of water resistance.
It’s also available in other colors and with different straps.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular watch, simply click on “Check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
Pros
- Bold, oversized appearance
- Very easy to read the time
- Scratch and water resistant
- Available in other colors
- Available with different straps
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
RUNNER UP
Of course, if you wanted to be truly traditional, you could always go for a really nice pocket watch like this one.
The pocket watch comes on a 45 cm long steel chain and features a precision quartz movement with a traditional Roman numeral style white face.
Meanwhile, on the lid of the watch, you get to thank the groomsmen for being part of your special day. The message reads, “To my Groomsman…thank you for being a part of our special day”.
And I don’t know about you, but I just love how the message is adorned with a top hat.
The outer part of the watch is silver, and this helps to accentuate the delicately etched lettering. Very sophisticated and charming.
If you were to buy them as a set, there is a discount available. You may also want to consider one for each member of the groom’s party.
Pros
- Very traditional & sophisticated pocket watch
- Has a charming message that’s well received
- Smart silver outer with delicately etched lettering
- Has a traditional Roman numeral style white face
Cons
- You cannot customize the font
RUNNER UP
If you’re torn between getting a silver look watch or a gold one, how about getting the best of both worlds with this stylish number?
It has a stainless steel band with a gold look stripe following it all the way around. The clock face meanwhile features a really nice navy background with sharp gold lettering for the figures.
This makes it a little easier to read than traditional Roman numerals. It would go perfectly with a blue or navy suit.
It features Japanese quartz movement and a rotatable bezel. We also like how it supports several other functions beyond telling the time.
It can provide the wearer with today’s date, and it can also function as a stopwatch. It can also handle a little rain.
If perhaps you like the style of the watch but would need a different color, we’re pleased to report that this watch is available in a whopping 32 different color schemes.
Simply click on “Check price” for the product page to open up in a separate tab.
Pros
- Stainless steel band with gold look stripe
- Beautiful navy blue dial, perfect for blue suits
- Also provides wearer with date & stopwatch function
- 31 alternative color options to check out
Cons
- The water resistance is minimal
RUNNER UP
What makes this watch look so smart is how the strap, the clock face, and the bezel are all of the exact same color.
And what makes it so elegant is the completely uncluttered look of the clock face.
Rather than display numbers around the dial, there are simply easy to see lines, so the wearer can read the time without any garish figures standing out.
It features Japanese quartz analog movement and a stainless steel strap. It also has some other handy features, including a calendar and a stopwatch.
And it can handle being out in the rain with its moderate water resistance.
The all black option goes perfectly with black suits and is also great for everyday wear when the special day is over.
There are also 11 other color options available, including several all one-color options, including one all gold and one all sliver.
There are also some other nice styles there, including a back clock face on a gold strap, and a black clock face on a silver strap.
Pros
- Very smart all one color watch
- No garish numbers on clock face
- Also features a stopwatch & calendar
- Alternative color options to consider
Cons
- Some customers had trouble resizing the watch
RUNNER UP
This is a perfect watch for a wedding, it looks particularly elegant with it’s stand-out (and trendy) rose gold accents against the stainless steel of the strap and the matching silver look clock face.
It features Japanese quartz movement and a long battery life.
And in addition to providing the wearer with the hour and minute of the day, it also provides the date and even the second. It also offers some water resistance.
This watch also happens to be available in 27 other color schemes, including a very nice black and gold, a black and rose gold, a blue and rose gold, a rose gold and white, a silver and black, and several more besides.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular wristwatch, simply click on “Check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
Pros
- Stand-out rose gold accents
- Stainless steel matching strap
- Japanese quartz movement
- Also features calendar function
Cons
- Some customers had trouble resizing the watch
RUNNER UP
If you like to buy from big name designer brands, then this watch may be of interest to you. Michael Kors is a world-renowned brand of award winning luxury accessories.
This very unassuming watch could almost go unnoticed, it’s so thin and modest. It’s particularly elegant, with no garish accents to detract from its beautiful simplicity.
It features 3 hand quartz movement, a hardened scratch-resistant mineral crystal glass, and a strap with a brushed and polished finish.
It also happens to be quite water resistant, and can take being splashed while the wearer washes their hands.
It can be worn with any black suit, and will serve the wearer well long after the special day has passed.
If you like the minimalist style of this watch but need another color, there are several other color options available on the product page, including some nice silver ones and gold ones, and a really nice 2-tone gunmetal and rose gold.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular wristwatch, simply click on “Check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
Pros
- Comes from a great designer brand
- Very sophisticated and minimalist
- Features scratch resistant glass
- Also offers ample water resistance
- Also available in other color options
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
RUNNER UP
If you would like to treat your groomsmen to a smartwatch, this would be the way to do it.
It has all the features of a regular smartwatch, but has the appearance of a regular analog watch, that can remain in its analog clock face formation until a smart notification comes through.
It can pair with both Android or iOS smartphones via Bluetooth, so you don’t need to worry about what kind of smartphone your groomsmen have, it will work.
Furthermore, it’s entirely rechargeable and can last for days without needing to be recharged. A wireless charging dock and travel adapter is included in the box.
It features a black clock face and black strap and will look great with any black outfit. The accents on the clock face are very striking, making it very easy to read the time.
It’s water resistant, does all kinds of fitness tracking, allows wearers to pay for items with their watch, has built in speakers and microphone, and notifies the wearer of their appointments.
It’s also available in rose gold or black and silver. And you can either go for the 42 mm diameter version, or a larger 46 mm diameter one.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular wristwatch, simply click on “Check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.
Pros
- Smartwatch that can be paired to a smartphone
- Looks like a regular sophisticated analog watch
- Offers water resistance, fitness tracking, and more
- There are other color options available
Cons
- Premium product at a premium price
RUNNER UP
This watch is perfect for any groomsmen that are wearing blue suits to the wedding. It features a navy genuine leather strap, while the clock face is also navy blue with a dark bezel.
It’s very easy to read the time on this watch because the gold hands of the analog display really stand out against the navy background.
The numbers on the dial are shown in traditional bold Roman numerals.
If navy blue is not quite right for the groomsmen however, there are several other color options available, including a very nice silver and black, and a black and rose gold.
Pros
- Prefect for wearing with blue suits
- Easy to see hands and accents
- Features traditional Roman numerals
- Features a genuine soft leather strap
Cons
- Some customers have said it’s not as blue as in the picture
Best Watches For Groomsmen Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. We’ll walk you through some of the key things to consider before you buy.
Should Groomsmen Wear A Watch?
I can certainly understand why this may be a concern. No-one wants to see people looking down at their watch on such a momentous occasion.
Some people may consider it rude. However, as we mentioned in our introduction.
It is imperative that the groomsmen are on time to greet wedding guests and perform any further activities or duties throughout the course of the day.
Analog Vs Digital
In my personal view, digital watches are easier to read and to tell the time with. However, even the least traditional weddings require some traditions to be kept.
A digital watch would look incredibly out of place against formal wedding attire, and we would argue that analog watches are the only real option here.
Color
The most important thing to think about, with regards to the color of the watch, is whether or not it goes well with the rest of the groomsmen’s attire for the day.
If, as is most usual, the gents are wearing a black suit, they could get away with a black, gold, silver, or wooden watch. If however they were wearing a blue suit, a black watch would clash.
Bold Vs Understated
Men’s watches tend to fall into two main styles, namely big, brash and bold, or minimalist and understated. As to which of the two styles to go for, that depends very much on the groomsmen’s own individual styles.
You need to know your groomsmen and what sort of style they would prefer. If you’re lucky, they may all prefer the same style of watch.
Customized
If you want your groomsmen watch to serve as a commemorative gift, then it would be nice to mark the occasion and celebrate the friendship with a personalized message on the back of the dial.
You don’t necessarily have to pay separately for such customized engraving, and the Engraved Men's Wooden Watch from Cosvog that we showed you earlier comes with engraving included in the price, as does the Engraved "to My Groomsman" Pocket Watch.
Value For Money
If you have several groomsmen watches to buy for the special day, then you don’t want to have to spend any more money than you really need to.
As I believe we’ve shown you here, you can get some really nice groomsmen watches for under $50 a pop. Please be sure to check prices as you go along.