Best watches for women—timepieces for every budget
Our fashion team select the best watches for women, from everyday timepieces to evening accessories
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The best watches for women are timepieces that you'll invest in now, but love for a lifetime.
When it comes to the best watches for women, look for styles that won't date. Jewelry trends tend to be less rapid than fashion trends, with seasonless styles forming the basis of most watch brands' collections. Think about your watch as an added accessory or an extra piece of jewelry. Consider when you'll want to wear it—will you wear it to casual, work, or evening functions? Or are you simply looking for a watch that will slot into your capsule wardrobe and that you will wear everywhere?
You will need to take your skin tone into account when picking a metal shade. Think about 'what color suits me' before making any purchases. Silver tones look great against darker skin tones, whereas gold gives warmth to all skin tones. In recent years, rose gold has become popular in the watch and accessory world. Rose gold works particularly well on yellow-based skin tones, as the pink tone of the metal creates balance.
Best watches for women—quick links
- Cartier—best for investment, a Cartier watch is a piece you will treasure and hand down for generations, prices from $2,610 / £2,190. (opens in new tab)
- Certina—with a 130-year history, you're buying into both serious style and a dedicated watchmaking history, price from £265. (opens in new tab)
- DKNY—a favorite one for fashionistas, DKNY watches are modern and sleek, for all day, every day, from $155 / £137.36. (opens in new tab)
- Fossil—chic smartwatches that easily combine glamour and tech, alongside their core range of everyday, affordable styles, from $130 / £89 (opens in new tab)
- Gucci—get runway style with this fashion-pack fave, from $950 / £720. (opens in new tab)
- Michael Kors—great for affordable designer watches, think modernist design and logo detailing from $85 / £79. (opens in new tab)
- Movado—best for fashion-forward design paired with watchmaking knowhow, from $395 / £295. (opens in new tab)
- Olivia Burton—a British accessories brand with a vintage feel, these pretty timepieces won't date but do have a little more character than most classic pieces from $100 / £79. (opens in new tab)
- Rolex—the most famous watch brand of them all, a Rolex is one of the most sought after, luxury items in the world, from £4,200 (opens in new tab) (not available online)
- Sekonda—dressy watches that certainly lean into the realm of jewelry, you can also find some fantastic price points, from $29.69 / £21.95. (opens in new tab)
- Skagen—sleek timepieces with a modernist feel. These are modern and discreet for those who want something that will easily slot into your wardrobe from $75 / £89. (opens in new tab)
- Swatch—best for choice, whether you want metal, leather or a watch with an injection of color, Swatch has so many options from $55 / £46. (opens in new tab)
Best watches for women—as chosen by our experts
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We've considered a range of styles and budgets. These are the 12 worth looking at.
1. Certina
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Certina is a Swiss watch brand, created in 1888. They specialize in sports watches, so precision and reliability are key, but that doesn't mean they compromise on beauty. With fantastic underwater technology and dynamic design, Certina balances form and function.
- View all Certina watches from £265 (opens in new tab) (UK only)
RRP: £440 (UK / Europe only) | With an attractive moon phase display and sleek white leather strap, it features a high-quality mother of pearl dial that will brighten any look.
2. Michael Kors
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Much like the best designer bags, designer watches act as entry points to a brand. Michael Kors' watches offer refined style in a mix of metals to suit a multitude of tastes—expect a little bit of sparkle too, making these great day-to-evening styles.
- View all Michael Kors watches from $85 / £79 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $295 / £275 | For a more androgynous feel, opt for chunkier faces and darker hues. This gold mesh strap manages to feel both weighty and refined for a striking but elegant watch. The darker watch face also enhances the watches modern feel.
RRP: $179 / £180 | The MK logo is now universally recognizable but this subtle cream-on-cream design is a chic way to wear the brands' monogram. Available for engraving, this timepiece is a stylish gift for all ages. The non-metal strap gives this watch a more relaxed feel.
RRP: $195 / £209 | If you've invested in an Apple watch but feel that it sometimes misses on evening glamour, you can now dress up your watch for nights out. This clever jeweled casing will give a new lease of life to your Apple watch in a jiffy.
3. Cartier
Reasons to buy
A Cartier watch is a big investment purchase, you know you're buying something that will last forever. Because of this, the watch styles are incredibly timeless and devoid of the extra embellishment that you might find on more trend-led pieces. When it comes to Cartier, established in 1903, less is more: delicate watch faces contrast with weightier or bracelet-style straps. They'll look elegant with anything but add to your best blazer and shirt combination for a really slick look.
- View all Cartier watches at Watches of Switzerland from $2,610 / £2,190 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $2,980 / £2,500 | The Tank Must watch is a beautiful, classic timepiece with a smaller delicate face and narrowed silver bracelet style strap. The striking blue sword hands subtly contrast with the silver watch.
4. Gucci
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Gucci may not be the first brand you think of for watches, but the Gucci range is really popular thanks to the brands' fashion prowess.
The brand sells classic styles, featuring their easily recognizable red and green striped design, and some sleek metal iterations. But they also design fun, trend-led pieces that will be relate to Gucci's creative vision for each season.
- View all Gucci watches from $950 / £720 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $950 / £720 | Featuring two house icons, the bee and the Web stripe detail, this watch is the ideal purchase for true Gucci fans. While this is quite trend-led, as it features classic Gucci iconography you can enjoy this for seasons to come.
5. Olivia Burton
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Rooted in nature, you'll see that the glorious world around us is a huge source of inspiration for the Olivia Burton brand. Floral prints, pretty pastel hues and delicate bee, butterfly and dragonfly emblems to create watches with a sense of magic and fantasy. These are gorgeously feminine watches at great price points, making them ideal gifting items. Team with any one of your best dresses to carry on that ethereal feel.
- View all Olivia Burton watches from $100 / £79 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $125 / £89 | This lavender strapped watch is so pretty and delicate. Named 'secret garden', this is an ideal gift for those who want a statement timepiece. And with this floral fare it's ideal for spring.
RRP: $140 / £99 | Nature is a strong theme for Olivia Burton and this is interpreted through pretty watch face prints in romantic pastel hues. This rose gold mesh strapped watch is an easy every day style that will work for smart occasions too.
6. Movado
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Movado has a long and rich heritage in watchmaking, having launched in 1881. A Swiss watch brand, you're buying a combination of their expertise and their reputation for creating modern watches with a fashion aesthetic. Striping back some of the fussier detailing you might see on watches from big Swiss watch houses, Movado is all about sleek design and block color. A statement accessory on their own, you can easily team a Movado watch with your best jeans and tee and still have a strong and directional look.
- View all watches at Movado from $395 / £295 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $495 / £395 | Looking for a showstopping gift? A bangle watch takes timepieces into the realm of jewelry and blurs the line between timekeeping and accessorizing. This gold bangle watch is a perfect example of this silhouette.
7. Fossil
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Fossil watches are extremely high-quality. Their watches do have a more androgynous feel to them and they have also expanded their watch collection into smartwatches which are well worth checking out. Utilizing OS by Google their feminine smartwatches are a stylish option for those who want their multi-functional watch to look good.
- View all Fossil watches from $130 / £89 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $249 / £199 | With multiple strap options, this watch is packed with functionality (and looks cute too)—compatible with Wear OS by Google works with phones running the latest version of Android™, it has a water-resistance of 3 ATM, can measure heart rate and connect to WIFI and Bluetooth.
RRP: $319 / £299 | This slightly sportier execution of the Fossil smartwatch packs a hefty tech punch. Compatible with Wear OS by Google works with phones running the latest version of Android™ and has a memory of 1GB RAM, 8GB of Storage. Offering touchscreen use and voice activation, you can run your world on the go.
RRP: $219 / £209 | One of the most notable aspects of Fossil's smartwatch offering is the hybrid selection. For those that don't want to go full tech but do want some of the functionalities—notifications for apps, workout trackers and music controls, the hybrid offers a gorgeous aesthetic and just the right amount of tech power.
8. Swatch
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Swatch is probably one of the most commercial and recognizable brand names of watches. With an almost endless selection, Swatch is where watch fun starts. With a magical array of colors and prints, there is something for every taste. From bold and bright, cartoonish and chic metallics, Swatch has really got all the bases covered. And better still, this high-quality brand also has incredible price points too.
- View all Swatch watches from $55 / £46 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $110 / £91 | This minty hue is just so refreshing. A good choice for every day, this icy tone features a minimalist face in a complimentary silver tone that adds to this watch's style and sophistication. This is a grown-up watch, with the right dose of fun.
9. DKNY
Specifications
Reasons to buy
DKNY have been well-known for their directional watch collection for many years. An entry point to the rest of the Donna Karen label, they offer designer style at a much more affordable price point. Iconic for its 'New York' aesthetic—in the same way a Burberry trench coat makes us think of London—strong, sleek, modern are the key terms that spring to mind.
- View all DKNY watches from, $115 / £137.36 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $155 / £137.36 | The discreet DKNY lettering on the face makes this ideal for anyone that wants to have a designer watch, without broadcasting it. The bold contrast of the black, gold, and crystal accents around the face make for a striking final piece.
10. Sekonda
Reasons to buy
This British watch brand is all about high-quality watches at affordable prices. We've opted for their bracelet watches, as they deliver a high-end aesthetic at a pocket-friendly price, but if you're looking for any style of watch at a reasonable price then Sekonda is a good place to start.
- View all Sekonda watches at Watchshop from $29.69 / £21.95 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $52.80 / £38.95 | With an antique feel, this watch is also a bargain. Fantastic as a gift or for evening, this bejeweled watch is something really special.
11. Skagen
Reasons to buy
Much like the best Scandinavian clothing brands, Danish brand Skagen is known for its sophisticated and minimalist design aesthetic. Expect fuss-free design, chic color options, and classical styles that will never date.
- View all Skagen watches for women from $75 / £89 (opens in new tab)
RRP: $115 / £109 | A clean and minimal design, this watch features a navy leather strap with rose gold rim and white watch face. The navy blue is a lovely, lighter hue compared to black leather and metal. A timeless design that you can enjoy for years.
RRP: $135 / £129 | Still pared-back, this Skagen watch feels a little more fashion-forward than most of their subtle designs. The steel mesh and rose gold make for a very stylish and sharp combination. The watch is engravable too, making it great for gifting.
12. Rolex
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Largely considered the finest and most luxurious watches in the world, a Rolex watch is a highly sought-after item. The best Rolex's for women are true investment pieces—like the best Chanel bags, that can be loved, worn, and passed from generation to generation. From subtle and sleek to bold and diamond-encrusted designs, a Rolex watch will certainly never date. Not retailed online, the exclusive Rolex watch is an in-store shopping experience.
- View all Rolex watches at Selfridges from £4,200 (opens in new tab) (not available online)
RRP: £4,200 (not available online) | The sunray finish creates delicate light reflections on many dials in the Oyster Perpetual collection, creating a characteristic subtle glow that moves depending on the position of the wrist.
Rivkie is a fashion editor, writer and stylist with over fifteen years' experience in the industry. Having studied design and pattern cutting at the London College of Fashion, Rivkie fell in love with styling and journalism, covering fashion weeks in London, Paris and New York.
Specialising in plus size fashion, Rivkie has long championed that style is for everyBODY and has been a regular talking head on a host of radio stations and television shows, pushing for greater representation for plus size women and fashion throughout her career.
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