Watch Giving Etiquette: Why Watches Make Great Gifts

"I always judge a man by his shoes and his watch."

― Tamer Hassan

1. Why Watches Make Great Gifts
2. The Etiquette of Giving Watches in Different Cultures
3. Final Thoughts

John Wick star Keanu Reeves gifted each of his stuntmen with $10000 Rolex watches as thank-you gifts once they were done filming, reinforcing his image as the nicest guy in Hollywood. Each watch was engraved with “The John Wick Five” and included a personalized thank-you message from the movie star. And while I’m not suggesting you put a dent in your bank account gifting everyone Rolexes, there’s a lesson to be learned here.

A good quality, branded watch is a charming yet reliable gift idea that you can’t go wrong with. Add a personalized message for your recipient and you’ve got the perfect gift that will not fail to impress. It’s a stylish, practical, and sentimental item that shows class on the giver’s side. It’s a great choice of gift yet, depending on where you are in the world, you still have to follow proper etiquette so as to not cause awkward situations or offend the recipient. When it comes to gift giving, good intentions don’t always make up for sending the wrong signals.

In some cultures people see getting gifted a watch as a sign of respect, while others interpret it as a countdown to doom. So before you wrap up that stylish watch in a gift bag, let’s explore what a watch really says to the recipient and learn some essential etiquette.

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Why Watches Make Great Gifts

No one hates a good watch gift.

What was invented as a useful machine to tell us what time it was with accuracy quickly became more than that. Whenever there’s something new and trendy for sale people get it as a show of status. After all, in the early days, only a few could afford such a luxury. When they became more affordable, the craftsmanship and cost of the watch became the measurement of status. Wealthier people could afford more expensive watches.

We have come a long way from that and almost everyone can buy a reliable wristwatch and, with the exception of luxury watches, they don’t serve that purpose. Nor is it essential for keeping track of time as everyone owns a smartphone. These days, a well-chosen watch is more of a fashion statement and a personal signature.

Watches can be deeply personal. A rugged, water-resistant dive watch suits an adventurer, while a sleek, minimalist design works for someone who appreciates elegance. (A smartwatch? Well, never give those unless requested). This makes it easier to tailor them to your recipient’s style, making your gift feel more personal and meaningful.

Overall, if you consider their tastes and don’t get a cheap or ugly one, most recipients wouldn’t mind getting a watch as a gift. Which makes it a safe yet impressive choice for a gift.

If I’ve convinced you to be a believer in the power of watch gifts, I would also like to discuss some potential cultural landmines. I’m rooting for you and don’t want your gift to fail because of cultural differences.

The Etiquette of Giving Watches in Different Cultures

Gifting a watch carries deep symbolism, but its meaning shifts across cultures. What may be common in Western societies could backfire in some Eastern cultures. Let’s explore some of these potential differences so that you know how to navigate through them and your gift conveys the intended sentiment and hits the mark.

The West

In most Western cultures, a watch is a timeless (pun absolutely intended) gift. It marks big life moments—graduations, promotions, anniversaries—and carries a sense of tradition. Recipients will generally appreciate a high quality, well-chosen watch, regardless of price.

Tip

Personalized gifts are especially popular in the West, so if the recipient is close to you, such as a close friend, S.O. or family member, I recommend you get them one with a personal message engraved.

Germany

Germans, known for their love of precision (among other things, but let’s not hash out old, um, issues), see watches as a sign of appreciation and achievement. Giving a watch here is less about sentimentality and more about celebrating someone’s accomplishments—a new job, a graduation, or a well-earned retirement. Just make sure you pick a good quality one; gifting a cheap knockoff in Germany is the real faux pas.

China

If you’re in China or if your recipient is from the culture, gifting a watch can be a serious no-go. The phrase for “giving a clock” (送钟, sòng zhōng) sounds eerily similar to “attending a funeral” in Mandarin. It’s basically the equivalent of saying, “Here’s a little something to remind you that your time is running out.”

Not exactly the warm sentiment you were going for as one UK Minister found out after giving a watch to the mayor of Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei, without realising such gifts are taboo ¹

That said, some modern Chinese gift-givers work around this by accepting a watch as a “purchase.” The recipient symbolically gives a small amount of money in return, avoiding the unlucky connotation. Still, I would generally avoid gifting a Chinese person a watch unless they’ve made it clear that they don’t mind.

Japan

In Japan, watches make excellent gifts, symbolizing the value of time and the moments shared. It’s a common present for retirements, anniversaries, and special milestones. Just be mindful of the number four—since it sounds like the word for “death” in Japanese, so avoid a watch with “4:44” on display. Superstitions can be tricky.

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Final Thoughts

Watches make fantastic gifts—timeless, stylish, and meaningful. But like any great present, they come with unspoken rules depending on where you are. If you’re giving one, make sure 1) it’s a good quality item that matches your recipient’s style and 2) You consider your recipient’s cultural background to avoid breaking etiquette rules.

And if you ever receive one in China? Maybe slip your friend a coin in return, just to be safe.