The Best Engravings to get on Watches (6 Ideas)

The best engravings to get on watches. Six ideas for personalised gifts that anyone will love.

When it comes to personal style, there are few accessories as timeless and versatile as a wristwatch. 

A well-crafted timepiece not only serves the practical purpose of keeping you punctual but also is a great way to show off your taste and personality. 

While there are numerous ways to customise your watch, one often overlooked avenue for personalisation is custom engraving. Adding an engraved message to your watch can elevate it from a simple time-teller to a cherished keepsake. Read on to find engraving suggestions that add a personalised touch. Whether you’re splurging on a nice watch for yourself, shopping for a future family heirloom or trying to find the perfect gift, these special messages are the best way to make a watch truly unique 

1. Personal motto or mantra

Let your watch serve as a daily reminder of your guiding principles. Whether it’s a timeless Latin phrase like “Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day) or a personal mantra that motivates you, having it etched onto the back of your watch is the perfect way to inspire you to live every moment how you want to. 

Engraving Ideas: 

• “Carpe Diem”
• “A little bit better every day” 
• “The best things in life are free”
• “Time flies when you’re having fun”

2. Special dates

Anniversaries, birthdays, your wedding day and other significant dates can be engraved as a heartfelt tribute to cherished memories. Whether it’s the date you met your significant other or the day you achieved a personal milestone, engravings that mark a special occasion will guarantee you always cherish those moments. 

If you struggle to find the right words to express sentimental moments, the good news is that a simple date is enough to add meaning without a lot of explanation. 

Engraving Ideas: 

• “10.12.18 – Our First Kiss”*
• Wedding date
• “Aug. 9, 2009 – First time homebuyer” 
• ” March 8, 1996 – Happy Birthday, [Name]”

3. Coordinates or location names of a meaningful place

If there’s a place that means a lot to you, consider memorialising it with your watch engraving. Whether you showcase the coordinates where you met your significant other, give a nod to your hometown, or simply remember a special holiday, it’s a great idea to pay tribute to a place you love. That way, the memory of that location can be a constant companion on your wrist every day. 

 Engraving Ideas: 

• “37.8136° S, 144.9631° E – Where We First Met”
• “123 Example Street – our first home. We’ve come a long way.” 
• “Byron Bay, Where Our Love Story Began
• “True Love – Paris 2010” 

4. Inspirational quotes

The best message to wear on your wrist is one that will inspire you day after day. Whether you adorn your new watch with a quote by your favourite musician, artist or author, it’s a good idea to choose something that will remind you to give each day your best. 

Not only is a powerful quote the perfect engraving for your own watch, but it also makes a great gift. You can rest assured that the recipient will feel empowered every time that they look at the back of the watch, and what a pleasure it will be knowing you infused their daily life with a bit of wisdom. 

 Engraving Ideas: 

• “To thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare
• “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
• “Be not simply good – be good for something.” – Henry David Thoreau
• “The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein 

5. Initials or monogram

Don’t want to add too much engraving to that picture perfect case? Instead of writing out long phrases or sentences on your engraved watch keep it simple initials or acronyms. Understated and elegant, these subtle additions are sentimental without being too wordy. Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most! 

Engraving Ideas: 

• You + your partner (E + J) 
• Your initials + those of your best friend (MK + LE)
• The initials of all your family members (JS, LS, DS, TS, SS) 
• Acronyms to represent words (BB for ‘best bud’)

6. Achievements and milestones

Celebrate the grand achievements in your life with some real gravitas. Whether it’s college graduation, starting a business or smashing a goal you’ve been working towards for years. Commemorating specific occasions with a special timepiece is a worthwhile way to celebrate them. 

As an added bonus, remembering your achievements will inspire you to keep going until you fulfil all your dreams. The hard part is deciding which ones are worth splurging on an expensive watch! 

Regardless of what you choose to have engraved, the most important thing is that it’s meaningful to you. Getting a custom engraving on a watch is like writing a secret note to yourself (or the watch wearer), so make sure it’s something you’ll like reading for years to come. While you can never go wrong gifting a watch, adding a customised engraving can make it so much more special. Whether it’s for yourself or a unique gift for someone else, a personalised watch will be cherished for years to come. 

Engraving Ideas: 

• Graduation (MD – UNSW Graduation 2010)
• A big day like launching a business (Business Name, Jan 1 2023) 
• A milestone you’ve been working towards (14 Feb 2019. Citizenship granted.)
• Accomplishing a goal (42.195km. First Marathon)