The Best Watches for Women in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend chirped Marilyn Monroe in the cult film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. We at IWS, however, are convinced by professional bias that timepieces are just as much a friend to women. In fact, much more so.

Not everyone knows, in fact, that the wristwatch was born specifically for the female audience, since for a long time men preferred to wear vest watches. The premise is that today most of the styles have skipped, leaving room for pleasant contaminations between the male and female worlds.

The only rule that always applies is style, elegance in proportion and harmony: the watch, regardless of whether the wrist wearing it is that of a man or a woman, must harmoniously match the personality of its owner. Let us now look at our list of the most desirable watches for women, with an invitation to supplement, challenge or simply discuss it with us on Instagram.

1. Rolex Submariner and Rolex Daytona

We begin with an apparent oxymoron, offering as women’s watches two typically “masculine” timepieces: the legendary Rolex Submariner and Rolex Daytona. Ingenious in steel and gold versions, and with colored dials and bezels, these timepieces create a wonderful contrast to the feminine wrist, lending character to a basic look.

You cannot go wrong wearing one of these models, even if “on paper” they are men’s watches: their allure gives any woman unquestionable charm and character.

2. Serpenti Bulgari

Our list cannot fail to include the quintessential feminine watch, a symbol of sensuality, sin and elegant charm. With an express reference to the first woman in creation, Eve, who succumbed precisely to the serpent, as well as to Cleopatra, a symbol of eternal and fatal beauty, this watch fully embodies the epitome of loveliness.

The Serpenti Tubogas watch combines the sinuosity of the snake with the contemporary appeal of the Tubogas double spiral bracelet (echoing the shape of the shower hose). A perfect harmony of tubular shapes that evoke the sensuality of feminine curves and the supple elegance of the snake.

Many versions are available, in yellow gold, rose gold, steel, with brilliant-cut diamonds, and the iconic cabochon-cut pink rubellite. Among the new models unveiled by Bulgari at Geneva Watch Days 2022, the new Serpenti Spiga Ceramica (Ref. 103199), a limited edition of 340 exclusive pieces, in black ceramic and rose gold details, deserves a place of excellence.

Also perfect for the woman who loves subtle seduction is the Serpenti Seduttori model, which revisits Bvlgari’s quintessential seduction emblem through a brand-new design: the iconic snakehead-shaped case, even thinner in thickness, is combined with a supple bracelet adorned with precious hexagonal scales. This model is also available in multiple versions.

3. Cartier

Perhaps the French Maison is the one that offers more models suitable for a woman’s wrist. First and foremost, the Santos, especially in the medium and small models (the large model risks being really excessive for a woman’s wrist). Again, for a more feminine twist, one can opt for steel and gold versions, entirely in gold or embellished with diamonds.

Then we cannot fail to mention the Panthère. First proposed in the 1980s, the Panthère watch takes its name from the bracelet that, with its ultra-flexible structure, recalls the movements of the Maison’s emblematic feline. Perfect for the sensual, mysterious and elegant woman.

Another Cartier icon that cannot be missing from the wish list of a watch enthusiast is the Ballon Bleu. Characteristic of this watch is undoubtedly the fluted crown adorned with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, as the name suggests. Discreet and refined in its iconic shape, it is perfect for a self-confident woman who makes understatement her signature style.

4. J12 Chanel

It is hard to find a woman to whom the name “Chanel” does not make her eyes sparkle. It is then impossible not to mention, among the watches to have (or dream about) the J12. An icon of Chanel watchmaking, the J12 watch is powered by either the Calibre 12.1 (in the original 38 mm version), or the Calibre 12.2 (in the smaller 33 mm version), automatic movements made by the Swiss Manufacture Kenissi, of which Chanel is a co-owner.

Available in both white and black (iconic colors of the Parisian fashion house), these timepieces are suitable for women who have style and character but make no secret of the fact that they really love watches and their pulsating mechanism.

5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Carolina Bucci Limited Edition

Any Royal Oak is capable of embellishing a woman’s wrist, since it is a watchmaking legend, but if we have to choose one particularly suited to the modern Venus, we can suggest Carolina Bucci’s limited version (to only 500 pieces).

This limited edition of the 34mm Royal Oak Automatic in black ceramicis the result of Audemars’ latest collaboration with jewelry designer Carolina Bucci. The dial features an exclusive multicolored mirror effect thanks to “rainbow” sapphires with a polished mirror effect, offering a tribute to the iconic Tapisserie motif design. The hour markers and hands are in rose gold.

6. Piaget

It would be impossible to talk about women’s watches without mentioning Piaget, the house queen of subtle yet powerful elegance. Among the many models, we choose the Limelight Gala: 26 mm round case of pure charm in rose gold, like the bracelet. The movement is quartz. A perfect watch for the woman who wants to shine but with extreme class.

Indeed, this timepiece is a reinterpretation of an iconic 1973 model, and is most notable for its two elongated lugs that sinuously embrace the case, set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds. Superb is the silvered dial with Roman numeral hour markers.

7. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic

Our list cannot miss the winner of the “best women’s watch” category at the last GPHG – Grand Prix d’Horlogerie 2022. The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic is a rose gold timepiece with a 36 mm diameter case and a Grain d’Orge guillochè dial enhanced with brilliant-cut diamond indexes.

Discreet but extremely valuable (list price is 49,500.00 Swiss francs), this is the watch for the woman who likes to stand out with elegance and who believes that, even on the wrist, less is more.

8. Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce

The sporty and elegant allure of the Aquanaut Luce from Patek Philippe is perfect for enhancing the beauty of a modern, elegant woman. Available in various versions, this timepiece features a dial with an engraved Aquanaut motif and an ultra-resistant composite strap. The rounded octagonal case, water-resistant to 120 meters, is sublimated by satin and polished finishes, and the bezel is illuminated by the glow of 48 diamonds.

In 2022, moreover, Patek Philippe launched its very first women’s self-winding chronograph and its very first chronograph in the “contemporary sport chic” Aquanaut Luce collection, the Aquanaut Luce “Rainbow” Chronograph Ref. 7968/300R-001 in rose gold. This model is illuminated by a rainbow of multi-colored sapphires and invisibly set baguette diamonds, a novel combination of sporty spirit and jewelry-making, equipped with three ultra-resistant composite bracelets: red, matte beige and matte white.

9. Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic Winding

The RM 07-01 represents the perfect synthesis of the dream timepiece for a strong, dynamic yet dreamy woman. A marvelous marriage of mechanical perfection of RM Haute Horlogerie and the sublime elegance of the sensual tonneau line, enriched by brilliants. The caliber CRMA2, an automatic skeleton movement developed in-house by Richard Mille, is the heart of a jewel that no woman could wear going unnoticed.

10. Moonswatch Mission to Venus

The delicate pastel pink color, the planet dedicated to the goddess of beauty, the details replicating small brilliants in the sub-dials-everything about this watch suggests a tribute to the feminine half of heaven. Of all the models in the now iconic Omega x Swatch line, which has spawned a veritable phenomenon, the Mission to Venus model is the one best suited for a watch enthusiast.

All chronograph hour, minute and second hands and hour indicators feature Superluminova treatment for perfect phosphorescence in the dark. The typical Velcro strap is white, perfectly offsetting the pastel pink dust of the case and dial.

The oval subdials are embellished with diamond-style detailing on the edges. The chronograph hour, minute and seconds hands and the subdial hands are also pink. All dials feature Omega x Swatch branding, as well as the iconic Speedmaster logo and the new MoonSwatch logo.

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