The Ultimate Guide to the Best Watch Brands for Women

Did you know the first wristwatches were actually worn by women, thanks to Countess Koscowicz of Hungary? In 1868, she commissioned Patek Philippe to create a piece of jewelry that doubled as a watch, marking a female-forward trend for timepieces that were simultaneously ornamental and functional. Among the men who caught on—ditching their pocket watches for wristwatches in the 1900s—was Louis Cartier, who designed the Cartier Santos-Dumont in 1904 for a pilot friend, before offering them to the public in 1911.

Today, a woman’s watch is still a symbol of opulence, like a designer handbag and fine jewelry. Whether it’s the allure of a gleaming gold Cartier Tank, the elegance of a leather Hermès Cape Cod, or the sophistication of a coiled Bulgari Serpenti, these timepieces are meticulously crafted investments, destined to become a cherished heirlooms. Of course, luxury watches are a serious investment. Intricate bracelet links, mechanical quartz movements, and luminous precious metal cases are just a few of the hallmarks of these pieces. And while wristwatches are one of the few accessories perhaps more revered in the menswear market, women’s offerings are equally as elite.

As they are likely among the most costly accessories or luxury gifts you’ll ever invest in, watches require thorough research and consideration, whether you’re seeking an everyday companion or a special-occasion stunner. Scroll ahead to discover a list of our top 5 best watch brands for women—unquestionably, one or several of these will make you tick.

Cartier

THE HOLLYWOOD WATCH BRAND

Even if you’re unfamiliar with the watch world, you’re likely familiar with Cartier’s most famous watch, the Cartier Tank. Designed in 1917, it rose to icon status throughout the course of the 20th century, gracing the wrists of superstars like Duke Ellington, Gary Cooper, Jackie Kennedy, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana … the list goes on. Its smallish size and varying iterations have rendered this watch gender-neutral since day one, which can be said for many of Cartier’s pieces. The maison’s creative, pioneering spirit is the reason Cartier remains as relevant as ever today. (In fact, Cartier just surpassed Omega as the second-largest Swiss watch brand behind Rolex, according to Morgan Stanley’s 2022 Swiss watches report.)

My very first luxury watch was a Cartier, a small steel Tank Française that cost a mere $3,400 (a quaint price tag compared to its competitors’ offerings), and I wholeheartedly recommend the brand to any woman looking to start or expand her collection. Or, if you’re an aspiring It girl, may we recommend a gold Panthère?

Audemars Piguet

THE GLAMOROUS SWISS WATCH BRAND

Conceived in 1875 by watchmakers Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the leeetle Swiss town of Le Brassus, Audemars Piguet remains family-owned today. It’s an “indie,” yes, but it’s a powerhouse, ranking in the Big Four of watch manufacturers alongside fellow privately owned companies Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Philippe.

AP’s most iconic model is its Royal Oak, designed in the early ’70s by the renowned Gérald Genta (or “GG,” affectionately), with the ladies’ version, by female designer Jacqueline Dimier, following in 1976. The Royal Oak was kind of a flop at the start (why would anyone buy such an expensive steel sports watch?), but over time, it achieved legend status with varying iterations listed, notably, without gender labels—a signal to the consumer that the Royal Oak and the rest of AP’s watches are for everyone. I’m especially fond of the frosted gold models, created in collaboration with jewelry designer Carolina Bucci using a “Florentine finish.” Ugh, the glamour. And if you can’t afford a Royal Oak, I recommend also checking out vintage APs on the secondary market, focusing on funky designs from the ’70s and ’80s for a more avant-garde look.

Hermès

THE EMERGING HERITAGE WATCH BRAND

When buying a luxury watch, one of the questions you must ask yourself is whether you want a timepiece or a “fashion watch.” More on that later, but first, let’s talk about Hermès and how it has successfully transcended the “fashion watch” label, emerging as a serious competitor in the watchmaking world. The brand’s steady horological creations turned even the snobbiest watch enthusiasts’ heads, and in 2021, its sales broke into the top 20 group of Swiss watchmakers for the first time.

The selection for women and men alike is classy, well designed, and—bonus!—its strapped offerings are made with that buttery Hermès leather. The preppy, oft double-wrapped Cape Cod watch has achieved star status among names like Madonna, Stella Tennant, Gwyneth Paltrow, and even Punk’d-era Ashton Kutcher. Then there’s my personal favorite, the Kelly Watch, whose dangling lock renders it so impractical that it feels like magic.

Piaget

THE JEWELRY-ADJACENT WATCH BRAND

Some may associate the name Piaget with haute jewelry and ball gowns, but this Swiss brand constantly pushes the limits of existing know-how in luxury timepieces. Piaget’s defining era came in the ’60s, when, building upon high-end horological creations, the brand focused on creativity and style, releasing the world’s first dials made of hard stone. Think deep blue lapis hues, dreamy green jadeite—it was love at first sight for the fashion-obsessed elite, like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, and Sophia Loren. Additionally, Piaget’s friendship with Salvador Dalí resulted in a limited-edition collection of watches and jewelry with coins from the Dalí mint, catapulting the brand into high-art-world status.

My favorite piece came about in 1979: the Polo, designed for serious polo players and jet-setters alike. I’m truly obsessed with the (vintage) version of this watch, with its integrated bracelet and subtle dial. Today, Piaget continues to create genre-bending (and gender-bending) designs, luxurious and jewelry-forward.

Rolex

THE GENDER-AGNOSTIC WATCH BRAND

Ah, Rolex: a brand that needs no introduction. It’s the household name in haute horology; you may not know jack about watches, but you’ve heard the name Rolex! And you may even be familiar with its top-selling model, the Datejust, which is a favorite of Hodinkee adviser Cara Barrett: “To me, it is the perfect watch,” she declares. “If anyone ever asks me what watch they should buy, I suggest the Datejust 99 percent of the time. It’s clean, classic, can be dressed up, dressed down, and it will last for-literally-ever.”

This is all a testament to Rolex’s history, best-in-class manufacturing, and its established-beyond-reproach reputation. So, yes, the Datejust. As Barrett mentions, it’s a tried-and-true starter watch (or, if you’re like me, it’s a great second watch). I own a vintage, two-tone 26 mm Datejust with a champagne dial, the same one Carmela wears on The Sopranos. Then there are bigger, sportier models like the Rolex GMT or the Submariner, worn by stars like Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston. Rolex’s watches vary in size and complication, but despite how they’re labeled on the Rolex website, they’ve all been culturally solidified as gender-neutral. Honestly, there’s nothing sexier than a lady wearing a “men’s” Rolex.