Despite a display that was full of commitment and endeavour Wednesday were defeated as Jobi McAnuffs goal after just six minutes proved to be the winner at Hillsborough.
The Owls started brightly but were stung by the Hornets first real attack when Ellington played a slide rule pass through the heart of the defence for McAnuff to slot coolly past advancing keeper Grant in front of the Kop.
The home side were not found wanting for effort and created a number of good opportunities to draw level in the first half, most notably for Watson and Tudgay, who both lacked composure and failed to find the target when well placed.
Wednesday were given good vocal backing by the crowd and came out well in the second half but lacked a cutting edge up-front and made too many basic errors at the back.
The game marked the end of Michael Johnson's loan spell and his experience will be sorely missed, his covering tackles and positional awareness often got the team out of trouble during this game and his spell at the club overall.
Deon Burton came on for the final twenty minutes and his return to fitness and the starting line-up will be needed in coming games as Wednesday are creating chances that are all too often going begging.
The result saw Watford return to the top of the Championship table while the Owls now sit perilously close to the relegation zone in 19th place, just one point ahead of third-from-bottom