Wimbledon had expected to mark their debut at new home Milton Keynes with this clash - it was as well for their potential new fans that they didn't.
The Hornets, with a solitary away win from their last six away games, dropped Paolo Vernazza from the side that beat Bradford and in his place came Gavin Mahon.
By contrast, Wimbledon, who have risen from a potential relegation spot towards mid-table safety, were unchanged from the side that drew with Stoke.
The game lacked pace and passion with chances few and far between.
Both keepers performed well on the occasions that they were required.
Watford played debutant Wayne Brown after his free transfer for Ipswich, and he was solid rather than spectacular.
The mobile Wimbledon midfield were always keen to run through and assist their strikers but Watford had their measure for most of the match.
Watford looked lively in the first half but they were really ineffective where it counted.
Dons promised but they failed to make the most of their approach play and, with both sides failing to find their true form, the game ended in a poor stalemate.