We’re just going to come out and say it — watches are timeless, making an extraordinary gift and an even more special keepsake that she’ll love.
However, finding the perfect watch is very much a matter of personal preference, style and budget. That’s why the New York Post ran through the gamut of online options to research top brands, as well as interviewing a professional watch expert for insight and firsthand recommendations — aside from our own.
“Buy what you will wear! I can’t stress that enough,” Brynn Wallner, founder of Dimepiece, a platform dedicated to all things women and watches, told the New York Post. “Don’t spend a bunch of money on something that will collect dust in your jewelry box. If you don’t own any watches, don’t feel overwhelmed; everyone must start somewhere. Choose something you love and you will find that even the physical act of wearing a watch will lead to an increased amount of awareness and education.”
Ahead, Wallner shares her top recommendations and we also sprinkled in some top-choice picks. For more info, you’ll want to comb through our in-depth FAQ section — following the best watches to buy — for important information to know before making your purchase. (Related: Best men’s watches).
Click to jump to a specific section:
- Best Women’s Watch Overall
- Best Affordable Women’s Watches
- Best Women’s Watches Worth the Splurge
- Best Designer Women’s Watches
- Best Women’s Smart Watches
Best Women’s Watch Overall
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Hand-Wound 22mm Small 18-Karat Rose Gold Watch
The Cartier Tank was invented in 1917 and remains ever-relevant today, over a century later. Andy Warhol famously said, “I don’t wear a Tank to tell the time. In fact, I never wind it. I wear a Tank because it’s the watch to wear!”
“Indeed, the Tank and its variations have been chosen by everyone from Princess Diana to Michelle Obama to your’s truly,” Wallner tells The Post. “The Cartier Tank Française was my first-ever luxury watch and it is still the piece that gets the most wrist time out of everything in my collection. Deeply rooted in history — elegant and versatile — it’s a certified classic from an iconic brand that has always understood its female clientele.”
Best Affordable Women’s Watches
Breda ‘Groove’ Silver and Metal Bracelet Watch
“Breda is a smaller watch brand based out of Dallas that I love for its attitude and unique design offerings,” Wallner says. “The Groove wears like a bracelet and has a cute, colorful dial that isn’t trying to be anything it’s not.”
More, details like these on affordable watches make them more interesting than just cheaper versions of expensive styles.
Swatch Back to BIKO Bloo Watch
Children of the 80s will fondly remember the days when colorful stacks of Swatches reigned the watch landscape.
“We may not be stacking them anymore, but Swatch remains one of the most reliable, playful and legitimate Swiss watches on the market,” Wallner notes. “This tiny blue 25mm version is my go-to when I want to keep a low profile and have a little fun.”
Tissot PRX 35mm Bracelet Watch
If you’re following trends in the watch industry, you know that integrated sports watches are back (think: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Patek Philippe Nautilus, etc.).
“The Tissot PRX, whose design also stems back to the 1970s, is the affordable answer to this craze; and I love the smooth dial on this one, with a color that shifts as it playfully catches the light,” Wallner says.
Daniel Wellington Petite Evergold 28mm Mesh Strap Watch
Meet our all-time favorite watch we wear to work, on date nights and to formal and casual occasions alike: the Daniel Wellington Petite Evergold 28mm Mesh Strap Watch. There’s nothing quite like its simple charm (and, bonus points for being affordable compared to some others online!)
By far, it’s one of the best gifts we’ve ever receives, matches with everything (especially if you love yellow gold) and has a beautiful, classic white face that’ll span the test of time.
Best Women’s Watches Worth the Splurge
BVLGARI Serpenti Tubogas Yellow Gold & Diamond Double Twist Watch
According to Wallner, it’s difficult to convey in words how sensually feminine the Bulgari Serpenti can make you feel.
“It’s a deeply striking and iconic design that takes inspiration (obviously) from a snake, which ancient civilizations and modern cultures alike regard as a symbol representing power, wisdom and protection,” she adds. “It has graced the wrists of superstars from Elizabeth Taylor to Adele and goes just as well with a gown as it does stripped down (Adele wore hers casually sipping a margarita court-side at the Lakers game).”
Versace New Generation Stainless Steel 36mm Bracelet Watch
New York Post Shopping can’t stop glossing over the Versace New Generation Stainless Steel 36mm Bracelet Watch. From its stunning stainless band to emerald pop of color and gold accents, it’s an all-around fantastic watch — in a premier bracelet-style, must we add — that’s less than $1,000, yet still a splurge for some.
FERRAGAMO 1927 Chrono Stainless Steel 42mm Watch
For a statement watch with some feminine flair (one Wallner says is characteristic of women’s watches more so than men’s, but more on that below), the FERRAGAMO 1927 Chrono Stainless Steel 42mm Watch is our top pick.
Namely, its rose gold and stainless contrast is both striking yet neutral at the same time, and it won’t overpower most wrists.
Best Designer Women’s Watches
Gucci Grip Watch
One glance at the Gucci Grip watch may have you rethinking what defines a wristwatch.
“Its design, said by the luxury fashion house to be inspired by skateboarding, veers boldly from the straightforward dials we’re used to seeing on traditional timepieces,” Wallner adds, recommending this particular designer style. “Its unusual look is exactly why I like it.”
Missoni Gioiello Stainless Steel 22.8mm Bracelet Watch
The Missoni Gioiello is a sexy, jewelry-forward piece that is perfect for a night out.
“I love it for its chunky ‘gold’ bracelet (that I recommend wearing a bit loose for a more relaxed, luxurious feel),” Wallner notes. “I also love that the dial subtly features Missoni’s zig-zag pattern, nodding to the Italian fashion house’s signature look.”
COACH 38mm Arden Watch
COACH is a designer spanning through the decades (and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon). If you want designer without the designer price tags, we recommend opting for the 38mm Arden Watch. It taps into more premium styles with its contrasting yellow gold and stainless coupling, and we love its bling accents on its face.
Best Women’s Smart Watches
Apple Watch Series 8
“Topping this category is, of course, the Apple Watch, which, for most of us, is the industry standard and requires no introduction,” Wallner notes. “Just one word of advice: don’t wear it to a formal event like a wedding; hit pause on your step-counting and untether yourself for the night.”
For more, check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 8.
Google Pixel Android Smart Watch
“I must recommend the Google Pixel due to the fact that not everyone on this planet is an Apple consumer,” Wallner says. “It works seamlessly with anything in the ‘Pixel portfolio’ and Android family, with the added benefit of full Fitbit integration.”
More, its clean, circular design is about as sleek as any smartwatch can be.
TAG Heuer Calibre E4 Leather Strap 42mm Smart Watch
“TAG Heuer is a brand deeply rooted in watch history and, under the LVMH umbrella, continues to innovate within the industry,” Wallner says. “The Connected is its take on the smartwatch worn by the likes of Naomi Osaka and Sydney McLaughlin.”
Not to mention, even if you aren’t a professional athlete, you can appreciate how thorough its features are for bettering your lifestyle.
An FAQ on Women’s Watches
Ahead, Wallner gives us the 411 on what to look for when shopping for a quality women’s watch, different types and styles you can expect to find online and more.
What to look for in a women’s watch, according to an expert
According to Wallner, the most important question you can ask yourself when looking for a watch is: would you wear it?
“Devoid of context, this seems like a silly question, but a lot of people go into their watch collecting journeys for the wrong reasons: following trends, hoping to make an ‘investment’ or simply buying just to buy,” she explains. “For a lot of women, watches haven’t been as advertised as heavily to us as, say, fashion. We don’t quite understand our own taste in watches and shopping for them can be overwhelming considering all the nuances in product (is it a quartz or a mechanical watch? How to decide between a leather or a metal strap? What difference does each brand name make? Vintage, pre-owned or new?”
Rather than seeking to know all the answers up front, she recommends buying something you will love to wear every day to start off.
Above all else, you also want to ensure — if you’re buying a luxury or designer option online — that you’ll receive authentication papers and the original box, if possible (exactly what you’d expect if shopping at an in-person jeweler).
How do women’s watches differ from men’s?
Unsurprisingly, to even label a watch by gender has become somewhat taboo in the industry, per Wallner.
“Theoretically, there should be no difference between men’s and women’s watches,” she says. “People should wear whatever they choose, regardless of who it’s marketed to. But oftentimes women’s watches are smaller, and this simple fact comes down to practicality. I’m generalizing here, but women’s wrists tend to be smaller, and therefore the watches are smaller for ease in wearability.”
It’s chic to wear an oversized “men’s watch” – and there’s certainly a time and a place for that look; but people tend to fancy a piece that sits comfortably on their wrist without being too heavy or dominant.
“Size aside, women’s watches do often have a little extra ‘flair,’ whether that be diamond markers, a mother of pearl dial or a colorful accent,” she adds. “The industry has fallen back on this design language in a way that’s become slightly tiresome; just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I want to wear pink. I do genuinely love the color pink, but in a watch, I appreciate something a bit more neutral because I need it to go with everything.”
A final note is that women’s watches tend to be equipped with quartz movements, which is watch-speak for battery powered. “Mechanical movements are physically more difficult (and costly) to fit into smaller case sizes, so many watch brands rely on quartz batteries to power their ladies offerings,” Wallner explains. “And, up until quite recently, most women haven’t prioritized mechanical movements in the way that men historically have. There’s nothing wrong with a quartz movement – it tends to make the watch more affordable and less high maintenance. But it is something to consider when investing in a timepiece.”
The different styles of women’s watches you can find, according to an expert
When buying a watch, one of the questions you must ask yourself is whether you want a luxury timepiece or a “fashion watch.”
“The latter, as the category would suggest, is made by a fashion house and is a little less ‘serious’ in the eyes of hardcore watch collectors,” Wallner notes. “Fashion watches tend to be marketed heavily to women because, as a general consumer group, we are already acclimated to the luxury houses that sell them. For example, we may love Gucci for their horsebit loafers and colorful dresses, so it may not be a stretch for us to buy their watches. Gucci watches are great, by the way, and I love their designs – but understand that these sit in a different category than the Rolexes of the world.”
More, the fashion watches tend to be more affordable and casual, moving more seamlessly with the pace of trends and seasons. They may not be pieces that will stay in your collection (and that of your grandchildren) for decades — however, Wallner says she has both and wears both).
Once you’ve sorted out the difference, and you decide on the category (often dictated by your budget), you might see jewelry watches, sports watches, tool watches or dress watches.
“Oftentimes, brands don’t even bother to categorize ladies’ watches as specifically as they do men’s,” Wallner says. “But you can look at a watch and determine whether its jewelry-forward (wears like a bracelet, accented by gem-stones), sporty (a watch on a rubber strap, for example), complicated (equipped with mechanical ‘complications’ that perform a task other than simple timekeeping) or dressy (maybe on a leather or silk strap, suitable for formal evening wear).”
The main takeaway? Don’t be overwhelmed by the categories, but rather rely on your sartorial instinct when determining which watch is best for your daily wear.
What materials are women’s watches typically made of?
“On the higher end, women’s watches are typically made from precious metals – steel (not silver!), 18K gold (rose, yellow, white) and platinum,” Wallner lists. “Whether sitting on a bracelet or a leather strap (exotic or otherwise), many of the Swiss made, luxury brands source top of the line materials to ensure durability and lifelong wear.”
On the lower end, many women’s watches will be gold plated or some sort of plastic (unless you’re buying a very expensive plastic watch, like a six-figure Richard Mille).
The hottest women’s watch trends right now, per an expert
In the Y2K era, bigger was better. “Think about that chunky, oversized Michael Kors watch you maybe wore in high school,” Wallner reflects. “This is still certainly a look that has lingered in the watch world (and the Y2K fashion trend simply won’t die), but many women (and men!) are starting to opt for smaller watches based on their versatility and wearability.”
This is in part due to a resurgence of vintage watches; a 36mm watch in the 1950s was considered gigantic, and so many watches made in the 90s or before tend to be made in smaller case sizes.
“Women are also choosing watches that are stackable, subtler and more casual than the average looking watch,” she shares. “The Cartier Panthère, for example, has been a favorite for celebrities ranging from Keith Richards to Bella Hadid to even Timothée Chalamet – a slinky, sensual timepiece that could from afar be mistaken for a bracelet.”
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