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I think most of the unsolicited advice was based on personal experiences and coming from a well meaning place. Speaking for my myself I've come across people saying they don't want a ring several times including when I was engaged to somebody many years ago but more often than not it has ended up being a bone of contention at a later date for various reasons.
Wrong of people to assume you guys haven't got this stuff nailed, but I think people were just urging caution in a well meaning way.
Stonehedge-
Oh yeah i agree every one is speaking from experience and trying to be helpful. I have previously suggested covering both bases just with the watch bias because people can change their minds particularly when friends and family will 100% be questioning the idea of watch first ring second. I mentioned my wife wanted a ring and only when watch shopping for me a couple of months before our wedding decided a she wanted a watch as well. I'd already gone over budget on the ring and this last minute request put me under a bit of pressure. My best man was in the running for a hyper chrome, hydro conquest or RW tango initially but ended up with a cheap moody looking emporio armani in the end because my wife had inadvertently just cleaned out his gift budget. I expect the OP will end up with both in the end either by specific request or just to make life easier and settle the friends and family down an approach i recommen i was just trying to re rail the thread back to watch chat as the OP will have plenty of friends and family to drive him mad with every other detail of the wedding. We've all been there and know how stressful the process is and are just trying to help based on our own mistakes and experiences.
Retro_Bastard
Although the ring preconceptions inc
X salary are still very much around going right back to the OP. This isn't my fiance wants a ring but I'd rather buy her a watch or even a not keen on rings would prefer a watch but not sure what kind of watch, you know what i like or just surprise me situation. The lack of desire for a ring and preference of a nice watch has been clearly expressed right down to the style of watch. Surely thats the hard work done? The only real problem now should be falling in love with a watch that isn't available then feeling like having to compromise. There is a budget and style of watch as a starting point so a shortlist of 3-6 watches might be a good place to start. That is the one area this forum actually could be helpful. The mission then is to check availability and find as many watches on the shortlist under one roof which is another area members may be able to advise on. Most of brands on a list should be available in London boutiques so doing the rounds shouldn't be that bad as long as you've had a ring/email around to check they have the watches in store and book appointments if necessary and if any of the stores sell jewellery as well don't mention the the W word until after you've got the watches out of the way otherwise rings will start appearing in front of you before you know it. Have an early night wake up fresh eat your Weetabix and spend the day watch shopping. Take plenty of pictures even more if your not able to have them all laid out side by side at once in front of you. Think about it
Pick a favourite and go and buy it then if you fold under the pressure from others go and get a token ring and as no desire for an expensive ring in a specific style has been expressed picking up something understated should be relatively straightforward and not too expensive.