Crunch time

Let the apple of your eye know how much you love them with the gift of a watch that marries the characteristics of a core investment piece with an unexpected twist

- By Hannah Silver

As the big white wedding falls out of favour, so the marking of a matrimonial moment takes an untraditional turn. More and more couples are eschewing the symbolism of an engagement ring for something a little more functional. In a romantic riff on a lifetime of love, an engagement watch is both a practical and chic token, with the added bonus of making for a sensible investment in a shared future. The sentiment is encapsulated by a host of watch brands that have woven romantic references into their 2022 releases, bringing contemporary elegance to classic forms with dials in unexpected hues, off-centre markings and modern silhouettes.

Watches

This page, Seamaster Aqua Terra watch in steel, £5,700, by Omega

Opposite, Classique Calendrier 7337 watch in rose gold, £39,300, by Breguet