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The staying power of the wristwatch—when many use their phone as a clock—speaks volumes. The best watches are among some of the most covetable luxury goods out there. Nestled among bracelets or solo as your stand-alone piece, a women’s wristwatch is an expertly utilitarian piece of jewelry. “Wearing a watch is much more than telling the time,” says jewelry designer Carolina Bucci, who designed the Frosted Royal Oak watch in collaboration with Audemars Piguet. “In general, my life is so filled with emails and being chained to a smartphone, that I take great pleasure in the analogue parts of my day.” Indeed, a watch is a lot less anxiety-inducing to look at than a cellphone.
It might sound like a stretch, but for all intents and purposes they’re also one of the easier pieces of hardware to wardrobe. Petite evening watches are as elegant as a diamond bracelet; chunkier models have informed heft. Not to mention, there’s something deeply satisfying when a piece not only looks fantastic but is also functional—a true common denominator for the best watches.
The purchase of a watch is something that can feel intimidating. There’s the look but also the complications (watch speak for the technical elements in the timepiece). Knowing how to navigate the frenzy of watch obsessives is also something to get used to. When it comes to the purchase of a watch, there’s something to investing in special, lasting pieces that can be markers of anniversaries, birthdays, or (quite simply) time. Those looking for hard-to-find models may find more luck in the pre-owned market. And, as Bucci adds, “of course, alongside all of it is the aesthetic side of things—some designs...are truly iconic.” Here are our recommendations for the best watches for women at any point of life.
The Best Watches for Women, According to Vogue
- The Classic: Cartier Tank Must watch, $3,450
- From the Men: Tag Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 5 watch, $2,250
- Doubles as Jewelry: Swarovski octagon cut bracelet watch, $480
- The Sporty Option: Apple watch, $799
Classics
The quintessential women’s watch is petite and demure. Though an evening watch isn’t always required, the dimensions and hallmarks of one (slim, a tad sparkly, and often with an exotic-leather strap) look just as well with a white T-shirt as with a gown.
Borrowed from the Boys
There’s no limit to the pieces that women borrow from men’s closets. Just like the tuxedo, a men’s watch on a woman is a tried-and-true stylish move. As more and more women have adopted traditional men’s watches, companies have scaled back the bulk on the dials while keeping all the other details the same.
Watches as Jewelry
Disguised as a bracelet, these watches are the most obvious bridge between the worlds of jewelry and timepiece. Each is a statement on its own or an over-the-top addition to a wrist of bracelets.
Sporty Chic
Sporty doesn’t have to mean a running watch—although the Apple Watch has the technology to help with that. These options have functions that may have traditionally been used for divers, or the tracking of laps on the race course, but look just as good on the wrist regardless of if you’re using them that way or not.
