How to gently tell partner I don't like gift

[Runnermumof2]

So I was out 10 year anniversary yesterday. We don't really celebrate things like that, but being 10 years he wanted to get something to mark it. It was very nice of him and gave me a watch last night. Problem is that he really likes collecting nice watches, i don't.
He did say it wasn't expensive "so that I will wear it" and he left the receipt inside. I was £400. To me that's still expensive and honestly, I don't actually like it. It feels old fashioned to me, I know his mum would like it, so maybe that's what he was thinking ?
He said it would be good for work, as iv just gone back from maternity leave. Second problem being that I work in a hospital, so am not allowed to wear watches and am 'bare below the elbow'
How do I let him know gently that I'd prefer to return it ? I did try to bring up the topic when he mentioned that he's spent the last of his monthly money on is in a jokey way and said 'but I would have been happy with a trip to B&M, you didn't have to buy me a watch' and he responded that it was something he really wanted to do to mark the occasion.

I'm stuck. I don't want to hurt his feelings. But also I know if I keep it, it will just gather dust in the cupboard and the money could be much better spent elsewhere.
Any help ?

but that's exactly what people are saying, there was no though - OP doesn't care about watches, OP doesn't wear watches, what thought process would lead a reasonable person to 'Oh I know, I'll buy her a watch!' conclusion?
I might really like high heel Louboutins and think they would be a fabulous present for me, but I wouldn't buy DH a pair..

After ten years I’m surprised you feel the need to be gentle… I just tell DH if I don’t like his gifts and he returns them! There’s just no point bullshitting if it’s a waste of money because you’ll never wear it. £400 is a huge amount to throw away as well, it isn’t like a £30 dress you’ll never wear. Just tell him it isn’t your style and you’d rather spend the money on a day out or something nice like that…

This is my view exactly. I would keep it and wear it when I could. Sometimes these things have grown on me.

This is gonna be awkward, but you need to have a conversation now otherwise you’ll have another 20 years of being bought presents you don’t like or need.

After 10 years and with the shared income, you need to be honest. To be fair, I’m really surprised the husband doesn’t know about not wearing watches while doing clinical work? However it does provide a convenient way for you to package the news.

”it’s a lovely watch but I’m not allowed to wear it at work meaning it will spend most the time in a draw and only come out for special occasions, which seems a waste. Are you able to return it perhaps? It’s a lovely idea, but maybe we could look at a necklace or something that I can wear more frequently.”

Sooner the better while he still has the receipt. If £400 is a lot of money in your household, you should probably have a conversation about the need to talk to each other before purchasing such expensive gifts. The adverts are wrong, nobody like having other people’s tastes imposed on them, especially with items you wear or use regularly. When a lot of money is spent then it is really important to check it ticks all the right boxes for the recipient. But don’t go too far the other way and be too practical. It is nice to spend money on unnecessary things sometimes especially when marking a special occasion, so if you can afford that sort of money, don’t bring practicalities (beyond work) into the conversation.

Beware some men can act like children, getting into a huff and vowing never to buy you a present again, then completely blaming you for their overreaction. It’s emotional immaturity; any suggestion of been wrong makes them feel stupid (perhaps back at school again) and rather than reflecting and learning, they do what they probably did at school which is ‘attack’ by being bolshy and blaming others. If this happens, it shows some deeper problems that would really benefit from some relationship counselling. Gift giving shouldn’t be a source of fear for both of you.

Don't allow your own personal budgetary constraints to try to make others feel bad because they can, or want to, sped whatever they like on a significant gift for their partner.

Well unfortunately the husband in this case wasted 400 quid because the OP doesn't like the gift.
£400 or 40p. Makes no difference really if it's a crap gift.

Nice (failed), obvious deflection technique when you've been called out for petty, jealous behaviour.....

Not jealous (well ok.... maybe a bit 😂) but just shocked.
Maybe I am naive but I don't know anyone who would be able to spend £400 on a gift that hasn't been specifically asked for.
I know lots of people who could plan and save up for a gift costing that amount but as a random "I hope they like it" gift I am genuine in being shocked.

Explain to your husband that while you really appreciate his thoughts on buying a gift to mark the occasion you'd much rather have a bit of jewellery, (or whatever else you'd like) as you'd get more wear out of it coz you can't wear the watch at work. Then take it back to refund it or exchange it. I'm sure your DH will understand & want you to have something you like rather than something he likes that you won't wear.