The best watches for women are a subject of constant debate. While some may look for a piece that does it all – reads your texts, tracks your steps, measures your heart rate and so on – others might seek something that simply tells the time. And no matter which side of the watch fence you’re on, there are plenty of options to suit every style.
Whether you’re looking to spend £50, £500 or £5000, watches are an investment – and one which not everyone will agree on. The same as you would when looking to buy a designer handbag; it’s important you do your research when it comes to watches. What are you going to wear most often? Do you want a stainless steel strap, silicone, leather? Are the mechanics of a watch important to you? Would you prefer one that’s been handmade as opposed to one that’s not? Told you, it’s no easy feat.
So allow us to help you dive into women’s watch territory and answer any questions with the help of a handful of experts: Beth Lucas, watch buyer at Beaverbrooks; Vivian Stauffer, CEO at Hamilton, and Anneke Short, co-founder of The Camden Watch Company.
SKIP TO: Shop the best watches for women | What kind of watch should a woman wear? | What watch goes best with every outfit? | How we chose the best watches for women.
But before we kick off, let’s keep in mind some wise words from Anneke. “In general, my biggest tip would be quite simply buy a watch you love,” she says. Adding, “do your research, make sure you are buying from a reputable company, but also don’t get too caught up in the watch snobbery – you are the one who will be wearing it every day and the most important thing is that you love it, and ultimately that is the difference between a good and a bad watch”. Wise words that we’re sure could be used for much more than watches.
What kind of watch should a woman wear?
Looking to some of our favourite famous faces (or should we say wrists) for watch inspiration, it’s clear that personal preference is the most important and dial face, material and shade are three key areas to pay attention to.
Finding the right sized watch face “depends very much on personal taste and whether you’re looking for something trend led or timeless,” shares Stauffer. “Currently, there is a trend for smaller watches, so a 34mm case is a great option if you’d like to make more of a fashion statement. Or If you’re shopping for a round watch, then a 36mm-38mm case is a great choice for women. Alternatively, if you’re in the market for a rectangular case, look for watches which are 35mm or smaller.”
When it comes to colour, classic designs with black, white and mother of pearl dials have always been the most popular in the watch world, but according to Beaverbrooks, a British jeweller which has over 2,000 watches for sale online, this year has seen an influx of people who are choosing more colourful options. Beth says, “bright, bold designs have been a leading trend in watches recently as brands become more experimental with colour palettes”.
