Corporate gift giving: yawn. Your employees will smile politely as they unwrap a knife set, while they picture their knife block at home stuffed with cutting tools. Your client will thank you and shake your hand while they hold in their other hand the fancy pen they’ll toss in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. If you want to give a gift that makes your employee or customer think, “They appreciate me,” instead of “Why on earth did they choose this?” go with a high-quality timepiece instead.
A watch is a useful gift that symbolizes professionalism, class, and gratitude. However, just because you’ve settled on a watch doesn’t mean there aren’t possible missteps that could turn your thoughtful gesture into something awkward or unappreciated. A watch is the right choice, but you still need to choose the right watch.
Here’s our sage advice to help you avoid common mistakes in corporate watch gifting, we’ve got you covered.
Mistake 1: Insert Generic Gift Here
You may feel tempted to find one nice watch and have that as your standard gift. While we appreciate the efficiency of this approach, it’s not ideal. The best gifts are those purchased with the specific recipient in mind. No one wants to receive a present that looks like someone pulled it off a dusty shelf in the Corporate Gift Swag storage room. If the idea is to make someone feel appreciated, something that seems low-effort won’t have the desired effect.
How to Avoid This:
Personalize the gift. Ideally, that means selecting a different watch for every recipient. But we know your job involves more than just being the Gift-Buying Czar, so this might not always be feasible. You can avoid the generic blahs without spending all your time shopping.
For a bulk buy or group approach, consider the watches your recipient group might like to receive. If you run an outdoor supply company, sports watches make sense. If you sell high-end real estate, luxury watches designed in the USA fit your business and your likely recipients.
Bonus Points:
Consider custom engraved watches featuring the recipient's initials or your company logo. That can turn a nice watch into a meaningful keepsake. You can add a touch of personality and customization without draining the company bank account or staying late at the office to shop for the ideal gift.
Mistake 2: Failing to Size Up Their Size Preferences
If you can select a watch for the specific recipient, spend a few moments thinking about their preferences. You may prefer to have a few gifts from which you choose, so you don’t have to spend time making a decision for every gift. You can still set yourself up with options.
Have 3-5 watch options from which you select. This choice allows you to consider the giftee’s preferences. A client who wears a modestly sized timepiece may feel uncomfortable with a massive watch. Someone with a larger wrist may not appreciate or get much use out of a smaller timepiece. Not only does giving them a watch that fits their size preferences mean it’s more likely to get used, but it also shows you put some thought into the gift.
How to Avoid This:
Spy on their wrist next time you see them. Whatever wrist candy they are supporting can give you a sense of whether they like oversized showstoppers or if the 50mm watches for sale are best suited for someone else.
If you must select one watch and one watch only for all giftees, go for something in the middle. A 38-44mm case size is the sweet spot for men’s watches, while most women’s watches usually fall between 26-38mm. These sizes are likely to work for any preference and wrist size since they are neither overly large nor tiny.
Bonus Points:
Ask around. Friends, coworkers, and family members may be able to offer insights. You can also strike up a conversation about watches to see if the recipient drops any breadcrumbs you can follow to their perfect watch size.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Customization Options
We already talked about engraving. It’s a great way to customize a watch, but not the only way. So many watchmakers offer options that allow you to truly match the watch with the recipient. Color options, sports team themes, and military service models are just some of the ways you can get a watch that screams, “This was selected just for you, Bob!” rather than one that mumbles, “Gift for [Insert Name Here].”
How to Avoid This:
Find a watchmaker with a lot of choices. If they offer multiple versions of the same style, you can keep your shopping time to a minimum and get back to logging billable hours but still find a gift that suits the recipient. Give a tie-dye version for the granola-minded giftee and one in team colors for the die-hard sports fan. If Rockwell Time's Coliseum watch is your go-to, you can present the Army-themed version to the vet in your office and the Maltese Cross to your firefighter client.
Bonus Points:
Some watch companies can personalize even further beyond off-the-rack options. Look for a watch company that will design a custom watch from the ground up to fit any recipient and occasion.
Mistake 4: Brand Overload
Corporate gifting isn’t just about thanking someone. It's also an excellent branding opportunity. But there’s a fine line between tastefully adding a nod to your company and making the recipient feel they should receive sponsorship money for sporting an advertisement. Too much branding can turn a watch into a billboard, making it more of a marketing gimmick than a meaningful gift. Those are the watches that never get worn.
How to Avoid This:
Easy does it. Stay subtle. Err on the side of minimal and classy. Consider engraving the company logo on the back instead of putting it on the face. Find a watch with dials in one of your company’s colors. That’s a reminder of who the gift came from, but it doesn’t take away from the elegance of the timepiece.
Bonus Points:
You can use the packaging to add a personalized message and emphasize the connection so the watch doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting. That keeps the branding in play but doesn’t sacrifice the aesthetics of the timepiece.
Gifting a Watch For the Win
Giving a watch as a corporate gift is a brilliant way to show appreciation, build and strengthen relationships, and make a lasting impression. However, if you make some of these gifting mistakes, that impression might not be a great one. Focusing on tailoring the watch to the recipient is the best way to turn your gift from an RBI single to a walk-off grand slam.
Remember that it’s not just about wrapping up a nice timepiece. It’s about giving something that reflects your value on the relationship and your company’s values. By avoiding common corporate gifting mistakes, you can give a watch gift that stands the test of time.
Infographic
A watch is a meaningful gift that symbolizes professionalism and gratitude. However, selecting the wrong one can turn a thoughtful gesture into an awkward situation. This infographic will help you avoid common mistakes in corporate watch gifting.
