To many women out there, the world of luxury watches might seem like a boys’ club. Sean Connery’s James Bond character sports a Rolex Submariner, U.S. presidents frequently show off stately Day-Date watches, and the CEO of LinkedIn rocks a classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Is there room for women and watches tailored to feminine styles in this space?
Here at Avi & Co., we know that the answer is a resounding yes. Men’s watches may seem like they are dominating the airwaves – but that doesn’t mean the ladies have been forgotten about. Many top watchmakers have actually designed lines specifically for women wearers. Plus, in today’s modern world, women are staking a claim on oversize “men’s” watches, too.
Let’s take a look at today’s watch trends for women and the watches created with ladies in mind.
The Legacy of Women’s Wrist Wear
Women’s watch styles are not a newfangled creation, even if that is what popular media would have you believe. In fact, Europe’s courtly women actually prompted the invention of wrist watches in the late 19th century. Men were still wearing pocket watches, but women’s clothing at the time did not have pockets to accommodate that accessory. Thus, royal women and ladies in the aristocratic class began to ask watchmakers and jewelers to design custom pieces that would meet their unique needs.
Early wrist watches were typically aesthetically intricate, looking more like jewelry than today’s timepieces. The watch face itself was often hidden from view under a jeweled case or flap, and many of these pieces featured precious gems and delicate metalwork. The first record of a wrist watch was one commissioned by the Hungarian Countess Koscowicz in 1868 by a brand you will likely recognize: Switzerland’s Patek Philippe.
Even though women started the wrist watch movement, it might appear as though women’s styles have fallen into second place in the male-dominated horological space. But don’t worry, our favorite watchmakers have not forgotten about female consumers. Creators like Rolex and Patek Philippe have been especially dedicated to designing women’s lines – and even new-age watchmaker Richard Mille leans into the decadence of jewelry watches oriented toward its female wearers. Let’s take a look at these elegant creations made specifically for ladies.
Rolex Lady-Datejust
Rolex launched the first Lady-Datejust in 1957, just a few years after the successful men’s version of the watch. The timepiece was a smaller version of the classic Datejust, made to flatter women with more slender wrists. The line remains popular today, offering a versatile timepiece for anyone who prefers a more understated silhouette.
In 2021, Rolex unveiled a fully gem-set version of the Lady-Datejust – but models like the one above, which features a diamond pave bezel as well as diamond hour markers had already become popular. We love the look of the reference above (#279381RBR) for its versatile combination of steel and 18K rose gold as well as its captivating purple dial. Often, women’s watches offer a pop of color that is not always available in the men’s versions of the same piece. This Lady-Datejust showcases a 28 mm silhouette, making it a petite yet memorable piece for any woman looking to elevate her wrist wear game.
The Lady-Datejust line is quite broad in scope. While all of the models offer the line’s trademark date display at the 3 o’clock position, there are many other specifications that you can select to your liking. For instance, the Lady-Datejust is available with a diamond bezel as well as a smooth or fluted bezel. Dial colors include purple, pink, mother of pearl, aubergine, olive green, steel grey, chocolate brown, and silver… just to name a few.
While most Lady-Datejust models feature the slim 28 mm case, there are a few variations that offer larger silhouettes. For instance, the Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster offers a slightly larger silhouette at 34 mm as well as a five-link bracelet rather than the line’s typical three-link band. Whichever Lady-Datejust you choose, you cannot go wrong with these striking timepieces that exude glamour at every turn.
Patek Philippe Twenty~4
The first line in Patek Philippe’s hallowed repertoire to be marketed specifically at ladies, the Twenty~4 collection is designed for the modern, elegant, active woman. The collection launched in 1999 and marked a notable shift in the company’s mentality, as then-president Philippe Stern wanted to ensure the brand was appealing for female as well as male consumers.
When the watch was revealed at Baselworld in 1999, it showcased a striking rectangular case shape, not unlike that of the brand’s Gondolo line, which exudes art deco influence. The original Twenty~4 pieces were priced at just $7,800 and were meant to offer modern women the opportunity to get their hands on a luxury timepiece they could afford themselves. The watches were crafted from stainless steel and had a diamond-set bezel for a feminine flair. To this day, Patek Philippe continues to create Twenty~4 watches in the image of the 1999 timepieces.
In 2018, Forbes reports, the brand revisited the Twenty~4 line and released a version with a circular face as well. These timepieces continue to offer a diamond bezel but have updated the line to be more diverse, catering to the styles and preferences of a wide range of women watch wearers. If you are looking for an accessory that is sure to stun whenever you walk into a room, the iconic look of a Patek Philippe Twenty~4 might just be for you.
Richard Mille's Jewelry Watches
Watchmaker Richard Mille is a relatively new addition to the luxury watch scene and is currently nearing its twenty-fifth birthday. These tonneau-shaped timepieces are typically oversize and feature eye-catching skeletonized dials that give the wearer an inside look at the incredible artistry and mechanics lying just beneath the protective case of the watch. While some people find Richard Mille watches chunky and unwieldy, the brand has recently been leaning into sleeker designs and lightweight materials without compromising on performance and durability.
The brand has numerous friends and partners that represent its innovative creations, including female athletes like golfer Diana Luna, winter sport champion Ester Ledecká, equestrian Flore Giraud, and racing driver Lilou Wadoux. Richard Mille has also partnered with famed actress Michelle Yeoh, who helped the brand design two women’s jewelry watches: the RM 051 and the 51-01 tourbillon.
These watches prove what many of us already knew: A women’s watch does not have to be smaller, pinker, or cutesy. Instead, it can be a force to be reckoned with. In the realm of Richard Mille jewelry watches, we particularly love the RM 67-01, seen below. Michelle Yeoh herself recently wore this timepiece to a Wicked red carpet event, subbing out the black rubber strap for a witchy deep green. This piece offers a striking 47 mm case, meaning you’ll make a statement wherever you wear it.
What Is a "Women's Watch" Anyway?
In our modern world, you might find yourself asking the question… What is a “women’s watch” anyway? Do gendered labels intended for marketing and SEO actually matter when it comes to which watch you choose?
We think of these labels as more of a suggestion than a hard-and-fast rule. If you are searching for a timepiece with a slimmer profile or more diamond or precious gem accents, it might be worth looking into pieces that are branded as “women’s watches.” Of course, any person of any gender might like a watch that meets these specifications, and there is nothing wrong with adding these elegant and upscale timepieces to your collection.
On the flip side, there is a growing trend toward oversize watches for women in the fashion community, with notable names like Mary-Kate Olsen and Victoria Beckham showing off larger-than-life styles. Olsen, for one, wore an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak while attending a New York Fashion Week event, turning heads and capturing the attention of the accessories reports among us. The 41 mm case size makes this a typically masculine watch, but it’s clear that personal preference is more important than gendered marketing labels when it comes to dressing for a night out on the town.
Shop Women's Watches and More at Avi & Co.
No matter what size or style you are looking for, find the perfect watch at Avi & Co. We are a trusted secondary market retailer specializing in upscale brands like Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille. Stop by one of our three stores, located in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen, to explore our broad selection of luxury wrist watches.
Schedule an appointment now – we can’t wait to meet you!
