6 women’s watches worth investing in now, per an expert

January 21, 2025

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 Post Wanted 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 Post Wanted. “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 from the best women’s watch brands, and we also sprinkle 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.

Best Women’s Watches

Best Overall: Cartier Tank Francaise Quartz Women’s Watch

Pros:

Timeless design
Elegant and versatile
High-quality craftsmanship
Reliable quartz movement

Cons:

Limited features (basic timekeeping)

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!”

The Cartier Tank Francaise Quartz Women’s Watch is a timeless icon of sophistication and elegance. With its square-shaped case, Roman numeral markers, and sleek stainless steel bracelet, this watch epitomizes refined style. The quartz movement ensures precision and reliability, while its minimalist design makes it a versatile accessory for both day and evening wear. As one of the most beloved designs in Cartier’s collection, the Tank Francaise blends heritage with modernity, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a watch that can seamlessly transition from formal to casual settings.

“This is my first-ever luxury watch,” recalled Wallner. “I got it as a gift to myself on my 31st birthday, and it still gets the most wear as my collection expands. It’s classic (the Cartier Tank line is historical!), elegant (no one can deny the refined allure of Cartier), (relatively) affordable, versatile, and low-key enough to get you from the subway to a work trip in Europe, where watch theft is on the rise.”

Best Affordable: Seiko Quartz White Dial Black Leather Ladies Watch

Pros:

Affordable
Classic design
Reliable quartz movement
Comfortable leather strap

Cons:

Simple design (lack of complications)
Leather strap may wear over time

The Seiko Quartz White Dial Black Leather Ladies Watch offers exceptional value for its elegant and timeless style. Featuring a clean white dial, gold-tone hour markers, and a slim black leather strap, this watch is both sophisticated and understated. Powered by reliable quartz movement, it delivers accuracy and durability without the hefty price tag. Ideal for those seeking a stylish, everyday timepiece, this Seiko watch provides both functionality and fashion, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for an affordable fine piece of jewelry.

“I love Seiko,” revered Wallner, “but I am sad that they have phased out most of their more female-friendly styles, like their sized-down, sporty divers. This is a good option, although I am wary of watches that look too much like the more popular, higher-end versions of themselves. If you were to wear this watch around town, it’s likely that most people would mistake it for a Cartier Tank at a distance, only to find out that it’s a Seiko. If this doesn’t bother you, go for it and wear it in good health!”

Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 10

Pros:

Advanced health and fitness tracking
Seamless integration with Apple devices
Customizable watch faces
Bright, high-quality display

Cons:

Short battery life with heavy use
Sporty look is not as versatile

The Apple Watch Series 10 is the ultimate combination of technology and style, offering a sleek and modern design with powerful smartwatch functionality. With its bright display, customizable watch faces, and a variety of fitness and health tracking features, the Series 10 is perfect for the active, tech-savvy woman. Whether you’re tracking workouts, receiving notifications, or managing your calendar, this smartwatch integrates seamlessly with your Apple devices. The addition of advanced health monitoring capabilities, like heart rate and sleep tracking, makes it not just a stylish accessory but a vital tool for maintaining your well-being throughout the day.

“If you must wear a smartwatch, Apple is the go-to,” Wallner mused. “Don’t try to dress it up or make it anything it’s not. And please, for the love of god, refrain from wearing it to a formal occasion like your friend’s wedding or a gala.”

Material: Aluminum or stainless steel (depending on model) | Case design: Rectangular | Dial style: Digital, customizable watch faces | Size: 41mm and 45mm | Movement: Digital (smartwatch) | Strap: Various options (silicone, leather, stainless steel) | Additional features: Health tracking, fitness functions, notifications, GPS, customizable watch faces

Best Everyday: Citizen Classic Dress Watch, 27mm

Pros:

Affordable
Sleek and simple design
Comfortable 27mm case size
Eco-Drive (no battery changes)

Cons:

Minimal features (basic timekeeping)
Small case size may not suit all preferences

The Citizen Classic Dress Watch, 27mm, is the perfect timepiece for those who appreciate simplicity and elegance in their everyday accessories. With a slim, stainless steel case, a clean white dial, and a minimalist design, this watch offers both versatility and sophistication. The 27mm case size ensures a comfortable fit for smaller wrists, making it a great choice for women looking for a subtle, stylish watch for daily wear. Powered by Citizen’s reliable Eco-Drive technology, it also offers the convenience of never needing a battery change, providing both style and practicality for every occasion.

Best Classic: Rolex Day-date 18k Gold Presidential 18038 Champagne Watch

Pros:

Iconic design
18k gold construction
Day-date complication
Automatic movement

Cons:

Very expensive
Bulky for smaller wrists

The Rolex Day-Date 18k Gold Presidential 18038 Champagne Watch is the epitome of a women’s luxury watch with class, embodying the brand’s commitment to precision and elegance. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this iconic women’s gold watch features a champagne-colored dial, day and date complications, and a signature President bracelet that exudes sophistication. The automatic movement ensures unparalleled accuracy, while the timeless design makes it a perfect heirloom piece. Known for being worn by world leaders, the Rolex Day-Date is the ultimate symbol of prestige and refinement, ideal for those who appreciate enduring quality.

According to Wallner, “One cannot deny the staying power of a Rolex ‘Presidential’ Day-Date. An all-gold watch is certainly flashy, but they don’t call it the President for nothing.”

Most Unique: BVLGARI Serpenti Tubogas Yellow Gold & Diamond Double Twist Watch

Pros:

Unique, eye-catching design
Luxury materials (gold and diamonds)
Bold and symbolic design
Versatile for special occasions

The BVLGARI Serpenti Tubogas Yellow Gold & Diamond Double Twist Watch is a stunning masterpiece that combines bold design with opulent craftsmanship. Inspired by the serpent, a symbol of power and transformation, this watch features a coiled yellow gold bracelet that wraps around the wrist twice. Adorned with diamonds, the watch’s striking design is complemented by a clean, elegant dial. Its distinctive look, combined with luxurious materials, makes it one of the most unique and eye-catching timepieces, perfect for those who want to stand out with a bold statement piece that seamlessly blends fashion and function.

“I call the Bulgari Serpenti the Scorpio of the watch world,” said Wallner. “If you’re into astrology at all, you know that Scorpios inspire both fear and fascination. Ancient civilizations and modern cultures alike regard the snake, embodied here in the Serpenti, as a symbol representing power, wisdom, and protection — qualities that also define the complicated Scorpio. If this isn’t selling you, you’re probably not the type to choose the bold, very loud, yet iconic Serpenti.”

Buyer’s guide

When it comes to purchasing a women’s watch, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you select the perfect timepiece to suit your needs, lifestyle, and personal style. This buyer’s guide will walk you through the most important aspects to think about when choosing a women’s watch, from style and material to movement and price.

Style

The style of the watch is one of the most personal decisions you’ll make. Watches can range from casual and sporty to elegant and luxurious, so it’s important to choose one that reflects your taste and fits your daily routine.

Casual and Everyday: Simple designs, minimal complications, and durable straps (like leather or silicone) are ideal for daily wear. These watches offer both functionality and style without feeling over-the-top.
Luxury and Formal: High-end materials, such as gold, platinum, and diamonds, combined with refined designs, make these watches perfect for formal occasions or for those looking to invest in a timeless piece.
Sporty and Active: Watches designed for active individuals often include features like water resistance, fitness tracking, and durable materials such as rubber or stainless steel.

Material

The material of the watch influences its durability, weight, appearance, and overall longevity. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right material for your watch:

Stainless Steel: Durable and resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is a popular choice for both everyday and luxury watches. It offers a polished, sleek look while providing strength and resilience.

Gold: Yellow, rose, or white gold watches offer a classic, luxurious appearance. These can be found in both solid gold and gold-plated options. They’re often favored for special occasions.

Leather: Leather straps add a sophisticated touch to watches and are commonly found in classic and women’s dress watches. However, they may require more care to prevent wear over time.

Ceramic: Lightweight and highly scratch-resistant, ceramic watches are known for their smooth, modern appearance. They’re also hypoallergenic, making them ideal for sensitive skin.

Rubber and Silicone: Best suited for sports or casual watches, rubber and silicone straps are durable, flexible, and comfortable, making them great for active lifestyles.

Movement & Dial

The movement inside the watch determines its precision and maintenance needs. The dial style also plays a crucial role in aesthetics and ease of reading.

Movement:

Quartz: Quartz movements are powered by batteries and are known for their accuracy and low maintenance. They’re commonly found in affordable and everyday watches.

Automatic: These watches are powered by the motion of your wrist and don’t require a battery. Ideal for watch enthusiasts, automatic movements offer a traditional, mechanical experience.

Manual: Similar to automatic, manual movements require you to wind the watch by hand to keep it ticking. They offer a classic experience, often favored in women’s vintage watches.

Dial:

Analog: Traditional dial with hour, minute, and second hands, perfect for classic and dress watches.

Digital: Watches with a digital display often have a modern look and offer features like backlighting and multi-function displays. These are often seen in sporty or tech-focused timepieces.

Hybrid: Combining analog and digital elements, hybrid dials offer the best of both worlds, appealing to those who enjoy a mix of traditional and modern.

Case

The case is the part of the watch that holds the movement and dial. The material, shape, and size of the case significantly influence the watch’s appearance and comfort.

Shape:

Round: The most classic and traditional shape, offering versatility for any occasion.

Square/Rectangular: Sleek and modern, square or rectangular cases often create a more geometric, refined look.

Oval: A softer, more feminine shape, oval cases have a unique appeal.

Size:

Smaller cases (typically 26mm to 34mm in diameter) are more delicate and suit women with smaller wrists or those who prefer subtle timepieces.

Larger cases (35mm to 40mm) make a bold statement and are ideal for those seeking a more noticeable presence.

Oversized watches are also in trend for those wanting a fashion-forward, attention-grabbing accessory.

Price & Brands

Watches come in a wide range of price points, from affordable to luxury. It’s important to set a budget and consider the brand’s reputation for quality, craftsmanship and customer service.

Affordable Watches: Prices can range from under $100 to a few hundred dollars, offering great value without compromising on style or functionality. Popular brands include Seiko, Citizen and Fossil.

Mid-Range Watches: Ranging from $500 to $2,000, mid-range watches offer solid craftsmanship and unique designs. Brands like Tag Heuer, Longines and Hamilton are well-known in this category.

Luxury Watches: Watches in the luxury category are priced from $2,000 and can go well beyond $10,000. These timepieces are often crafted from premium materials with high-end movements. Notable luxury brands include Rolex, Cartier, Omega and BVLGARI.

An FAQ on Women’s Watches

Ahead, Wallner gave us the 411 on what to look for when shopping for a quality women’s watch, the different types and styles you can expect to find online, and more.

What are the hottest watches and watch styles for women right now?

“Right now, we are sticking to the classics,” Wallner eagerly shared of women’s watch shopping in 2025. “There’s a real return to the tried and true pieces like the Cartier Tank and the Rolex Lady-Datejust. These are smaller, elegant, versatile pieces that are especially great for a first-time watch buyer in need of something that goes with absolutely everything.”

What do I look for in a women’s watch?

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 explained. “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 the 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.

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, (exactly what you’d expect if shopping at an in-person jeweler).

How do women’s watches differ from men’s?

Unsurprisingly, labeling 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 said. “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 added. “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 explained. “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.”

What are the different styles of women’s watches you can find?

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 noted. “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 horse-bit 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 said. “But you can look at a watch and determine whether it’s jewelry-forward (worn 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 listed. “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).

Which type of watch suits a thin-wrist female?

“The secret to wearing watches well is to understand proportionality,” advised Wallner. “Much like with clothing, fit is key. A smaller watch simply looks better on a smaller-wristed individual. Of course, you can play around with proportion…sometimes it’s fun to go for the ‘borrowed from the boys’ look. Just as you’d wear an oversized blazer, you may also be drawn to the bigger, traditionally labeled ‘men’s’ watches, like a cool Breitling Navitimer. If you are taking a ‘risk’ like this, it is best to tune into the small styling details. I tend to wear bigger watches looser, to convey a sexy, irreverent vibe.”

Which wrist should a woman wear a watch on?

According to Wallner, “The rule of thumb is to wear your watch on the non-dominant wrist. If you’re right-handed, wear your Hermès Cape Cod on your left wrist, which will be slightly more sheltered from your activities.”

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