watch suggestion needed for a somewhat touchy situation

Originally Posted by globetrotter

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choose something that you like and wear it. she wants to see it on your wrist. My MIL bought me a watch I don't like, even though it was a nice enough watch. I know it pisses her off I don't wear it.

Your MIL is something else though, I'd take every chance I'd have of letting her know how I feel about her (very bad). I'm glad you sometimes indulge into that mindset.

BTW, on that Omega, when you open the clasp, the two scissor pieces that form the folding part of the clasp are a great place to engrave. I saw it done on a Planet Ocean given to the guy as a grad gift, and it had plenty of room to write "From mom and dad, congratulations, the date, etc) in nice cursive script. It was subtle and classy, I plan to do the same one day.

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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If she can afford it, whatever the budget, this is an important opportunity to either be a classy guy or end up having this be a sore subject as long as she lives. It would appear that this gesture is very important to her and probably highly symbolic. Ideally, you would find a watch that you really like and will wear most of the time. Because if you don't , believe me that will be noticed. It may not be fair that she is putting that upon your shoulders, but hey, that is just the way it is when you get in-laws. Perhaps the two of you can go shopping together for it but only after you have researched a variety of brands at different price levels that you know you would like and wear. It might also be nice to ask to have it engraved with the wedding date. That would probably mean a lot to her. Whatever you do, be graceful about it. Express your gratitude and make her feel that it is important to you.

Originally Posted by Twotone

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Go watch shopping together -- you get the watch you really want and she gets to bond with you. It sounds to me like you have a pretty cool mom-in-law -- keep her happy now, and it will pay off later. Twotone PS: Make sure that you're always wearing the watch when you will be meeting her.
Heed these old dudes' advice. As for the watch, how about an IWC? Pilot or don't know if possible under $3k but Ingenieur. Omega is.. meh

Thanks for the advice. Engraving is definitely a must, don't know why it didn't occur to me before.

I'm extremely grateful for her gesture, but the decision part makes me nervous. Like pocketsquareguy said, this seems to be a situation that can set the tone for my relationship with mother-in-law, and I certainly don't want to screw up now, especially on something that appears so trivial.

She had her mind set on buying a Rolex, which I convinced her is not necessary (not a big Rolex fan, but we do see her often so whatever I end up with I'll have to wear regularly). So she finally said for me to pick out something that I like in the $3-$4K range. I'm afraid that I might offend her by choosing something something around $1K (I was thinking Oris or Hamilton), that she might look at it as if I don't think she can afford a 3-4 thousand dollar watch (thinking too much?). On the other hand, I can't help but feeling like a greedy d-bag saying "buy me this $3K+ watch".

I want to have specific watches in mind when we go into a dealer. I love IWC (was saving up for a Portuguese), but I think most are above $3K. Also, any suggestion on AD in NYC?

There's some good advice in this forum. You're stressing too much - she has been very straightforward and presumably genuine in her offer. It should be reasonably simple to accept her offer in a humble but appreciative way.

Anyhow - heed the advice her and research, research, research. You want to pick something that you will cherish for many years to come.

IWC Mark XVI. Retails for $3,500, but you should be able to get a discount that brings it under $3K.

Originally Posted by unaware

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My future mother-in-law is insisting on buying me a watch as a present for the upcoming wedding. Despite numerous attempts to convince her that it is not necessary (she's already helping to pay for part of the wedding), she is determined.

What do you guys suggest in this situation?

Originally Posted by unaware

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So she finally said for me to pick out something that I like in the $3-$4K range.

She has made it clear what she wants to buy you for the wedding and has given you clear parameters as to how much she'd like to spend. Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be. I'd suggest doing a good deal of pre-shopping/trying on before going with her on THE shopping trip so you have a better idea of what exactly you want and and know which ones you like in theory, but just don't "feel" on your wrist. It might be a good idea to already have a "deal" sorted out before you bringing her with you so you can get the best deal with little haggling in her presence.

I don't think going vintage or grey market is a good idea in this instance. I would play the odds and assume your future-MIL doesn't have the Style Forum "best deal by any means necessary" mentality and would most likely prefer the perceived respectability (warranty/service) you would have buying a new watch at an authorized dealer. I would definitely try to stay closer to the $3,000 end of the range. Also, the pre-haggling will look good to her since she'll see you choose a watch closer to $4,000 in value, but would be buying it for closer to $3,000.

Breitling Superocean Steelfish (new design). Very nice watch for just under $3K.

http://www.breitling.com/en/#/models...ean-steelfish/

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra ? Pretty nice watch. But +1 on go shopping with your mother in law. From what I remember, this watch retail for $3,000. But you can easily get 20-30% discount on it.

It is very nice of your future mother in law to offer to buy you a nice watch for your upcoming wedding. If you are not that familar with watches in the that price range, you can either go with a Swiss watch that has name recognition (Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer) or one with less name recognition (IWC, Oris, Tissot, Baum & Mercier).

If I were in your situation, I would go with either a Rolex or an Omega and here is my reasoning. You are not buying the watch for yourself. Someone else is buying this watch for you. The name brand of this watch may be more important to her than to you. The fact that she mentioned that she wanted to get you a Rolex means she recognizes the brand name and know that others will recognize it as well. This information is important to her and do not ignore this. Listen to her and do not be an idiot. When a woman says something, there is a reason behind it. This will impact your future relationship with this woman and you definitely want to be on her good side as you are marrying her precious daughter. Having said that, only the Rolex Air King falls into the price range. However, there are many Omega watches that you can get in this price range.

I would first go to a watch dealer that is an authorized dealer for both Rolex and Omegas. Look at those watches in the price range and pick a few that you like. Go back later with your future MIL and ask her which one she prefers and let her buy you that watch. If she really insists on the Rolex, then get the Rolex and then wear that watch with pride at the wedding and for the first few years of your marriage. Later if you really want, you can buy yourself an IWC or any other quality Swiss watch with your own money.

Originally Posted by unaware

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Thanks for the advice. Engraving is definitely a must, don't know why it didn't occur to me before.

I'm extremely grateful for her gesture, but the decision part makes me nervous. Like pocketsquareguy said, this seems to be a situation that can set the tone for my relationship with mother-in-law, and I certainly don't want to screw up now, especially on something that appears so trivial.

She had her mind set on buying a Rolex, which I convinced her is not necessary (not a big Rolex fan, but we do see her often so whatever I end up with I'll have to wear regularly). So she finally said for me to pick out something that I like in the $3-$4K range. I'm afraid that I might offend her by choosing something something around $1K (I was thinking Oris or Hamilton), that she might look at it as if I don't think she can afford a 3-4 thousand dollar watch (thinking too much?). On the other hand, I can't help but feeling like a greedy d-bag saying "buy me this $3K+ watch".

I want to have specific watches in mind when we go into a dealer. I love IWC (was saving up for a Portuguese), but I think most are above $3K. Also, any suggestion on AD in NYC?

let her buy you a rolex, thank her profusely over champagne, anything less would be in bad form, although, it sounds like she is trying to upgrade your appearance and let everyone know you are not the scrub you appear to be

Longines master complications

Originally Posted by unaware

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Now, she doesn't know anything about watches (and I know barely more than her), so I'm left with the task of picking out a watch around $3K

A task? Woe to you..

Originally Posted by Timeless Fashion

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It is very nice of your future mother in law to offer to buy you a nice watch for your upcoming wedding. If you are not that familar with watches in the that price range, you can either go with a Swiss watch that has name recognition (Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer) or one with less name recognition (IWC, Oris, Tissot, Baum & Mercier).

If I were in your situation, I would go with either a Rolex or an Omega and here is my reasoning. You are not buying the watch for yourself. Someone else is buying this watch for you. The name brand of this watch may be more important to her than to you. The fact that she mentioned that she wanted to get you a Rolex means she recognizes the brand name and know that others will recognize it as well. This information is important to her and do not ignore this. Listen to her and do not be an idiot. When a woman says something, there is a reason behind it. This will impact your future relationship with this woman and you definitely want to be on her good side as you are marrying her precious daughter. Having said that, only the Rolex Air King falls into the price range. However, there are many Omega watches that you can get in this price range.

I would first go to a watch dealer that is an authorized dealer for both Rolex and Omegas. Look at those watches in the price range and pick a few that you like. Go back later with your future MIL and ask her which one she prefers and let her buy you that watch. If she really insists on the Rolex, then get the Rolex and then wear that watch with pride at the wedding and for the first few years of your marriage. Later if you really want, you can buy yourself an IWC or any other quality Swiss watch with your own money.

Oh for Pete's sake. She knows nothing about watches and said Rolex because that's the one 'high end' watch that she's aware of. She is letting the man pick his gift. We can't have our mothers in law picking out everything for us to wear now can we.

If you like the IWC, the Mark XVI seems like a fine choice under $3,000.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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Where does the 3k figure come from? If you're really trying to spare her bank account, maybe find a cheaper watch beforehand and then act like you've fallen in love with it?

exactly..
this is what i would do.

Follow the good advice above from PSG and Twotone. She wants to give you a very nice gift. Let her have that experience--and let yourself enjoy it. I am sure that you will find something you like, and she will be delighted to buy it.