Watches have been an iconic status symbol for decades, and they’ve recently seen a resurgence in pop culture. Models and It-girls like Bella Hadid, Zendaya, Emily Ratajowski, The Olsens, and Kaia Gerber have all been spotted wearing luxe timepieces from established brands like Cartier, Omega, and Audemars Piguet. Shoppers have taken notice, opting for women's watches as a go-to accessory, as heirlooms, or as a key part of their daily jewelry stacks.
Here at Marie Claire, we also believe watches are an essential wardrobe item. But it can feel like some watches are doing too much—tracking your steps, your texts, and your heart rate. What if you want a watch that does less in the logistics department and more in the style realm? Consider the watches on this list our gift to you. We've gathered the best luxury watches and timepieces at a budget in every material out there, from silicone and rubber watches to stainless steel and solid gold.
We even turned to experts like Brynn Wallner, founder of the mega-popular Instagram account and website Dimepiece, Kim-Eva Wempe, the Managing Director and Owner of Wempe, and J.J Owens, the founder of Daily Grail Official, a website dedicated to melding the worlds of watches, fashion, and celebrity, for their advice on all things watches. Keep reading to check out their picks, discover which of the best watch brands are trending for 2024, and bask in the best watches for women this year.
Jennifer Lawrence wears a silver watch at the Christian Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris.
“I think many watch brands have come to the realization that women equally appreciate the technical aspects and craftsmanship of sophisticated watches and have since catered to that, offering a much more comprehensive range of styles, and not just jewelry watches but haute horology pieces as well,” says Wempe about how she has seen the women’s watch category expand over the last few years.
“When something gets so much attention, it becomes difficult for people to ignore. Soon, you start seeing watches everywhere and realize how impacted by the news/social cycle you are,” echoes Wallner of Dimepiece. “Once you dig deeper, past the hype, you realize how special watches can be.” She also notes that smaller watches like Hadid’s are a major trend in the watch world right now. Technically speaking, a small watch is a timepiece measuring under about 36 millimeters.
Kaia Gerber wearing an Omega watch in New York City in November 2023.
Bella Hadid wearing a Cartier watch in Paris in February 2022.
Yes, watches can come in at a higher price point than many accessories, but purchasing a watch is more than a single expensive purchase. “They're often an investment from a financial standpoint, yes, but above all, they're a sentimental investment,” Wallner explains. “The relationship one forms with a watch is more intimate than with any other luxury item, like a handbag or shoes. A watch, when worn regularly, becomes a part of you, something you wear for life and then pass down to future generations.”
In a time when logos and brand names have been removed in favor of subtle, smaller branding, the appeal of a watch seems obvious, especially when smaller sizes are trending. The if-you-know-you-know appeal of wearing a luxury piece with a brand name that’s almost imperceptibly small to a passerby on the street is perhaps one of the clearest reasons why timepieces have seen a boost in sales. It’s one of the few luxury items you can wear for only yourself with a bit of versatility—concealed under the sleeve of a sweater or shown more prominently on the wrist whenever you want.
Ahead, shop watches from a range of price points from brands like Cartier, Michele, Shinola, Timex, and more. The selection has been broken down into both large and small-sized options so you can choose the one that’s best for you this season.
The Best Watches for Women
- Best Small Watch Overall: Tory Burch Eleanor Goldtone Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch
- Best Big Watch Overall: Daniel Wellington Iconic Link Rose Gold Watch, 40mm
- Best Luxury Watch: G-Timeless Leather Strap Watch, 27mm
- Best Affordable Watch: Timex Indiglo Easy Reader Quartz
- Best Minimalist Watch: MVMT Boulevard Series Watch, 38mm
Best Gold Watches For Women
If you’re looking for a simple, timeless timepiece, consider this watch from Tory Burch. It’s dainty at just 24mm, so it'll blend in with the rest of your jewelry with ease. It’s made from gold-tone stainless steel rather than solid or plated gold, so you can get the same look for less.
This gold watch from Ted Baker could easily fit in with the rest of your bracelet stack. It's outfitted with a quartz movement and a statement-making black face. The watch itself is made of yellow gold-plated stainless steel and the case measures 24mm.
Rose gold is a forever-favorite metal in my jewelry collection—especially in the summertime—and this under-$200 watch from Kenneth Cole is no exception. It's water-resistant, has a dainty quartz movement inside and the sturdier square shape is perfectly offset by the delicate braided band.
Yes, this rose-gold watch is cute—and it also comes in two other colors. The traditionally feminine colorway contrasts with the black contrasts with the bold color of the watch’s face. From the iconic link design on the strap to the chunky, oversized design, it’s bound to make a statement.
For a watch that is sure to make a statement on your wrist, go blingy or go home. This Michael Kors pick is the perfect fit: The pave details! The bright gold colorway! The exaggerated numbers on the face! It has it all.
Best Gold Watch With a Small Face
This vintage-feeling watch from Cendré has a tiny round face made to be styled with the rest of your jewelry stack. The lightweight braided strap also sits perfectly flat against your skin for a seamless look.
Best Silver Watches For Women
While others on this list mix-metals in a subtle way, this watch from Coach is all about combining silver and gold. The crystal embellishments where the numbers would usually go add a bit of sparkle.
If silver is more your go-to than gold, check out this 30mm watch from Tissot. The large roman numerals paired with its sapphire crystal face make for a sophisticated, yet vintage-feeling timepiece.
A watch is a great way to add a little bling into your look, especially when said watch is as dainty as this 23mm one. from JBW. It's water resistant and made from stainless steel, so it's durable and fashionable.
Not every watch needs a thick strap! This one from Shinola has a dainty option that looks more akin to a bracelet than a traditional timepiece. At 33mm wide and made from sturdy stainless steel, the elegantly braided clasp works for day and nighttime wear.
Rose gold and silver is an unexpected color combination, but it works on this thin bracelet-style watch from Longines, a brand worn and loved by Jennifer Lawrence. "I love this watch because it’s super comfortable, has a classic dial and is not so easily recognized," wrote one reviewer.
The brightl green-colored face on this 36mm watch immediately caught my eye. It takes inspiration from New York City skyscrapers from the 1920s and is made from stainless steel with a sapphire crystal glass watch face. it's also available in other color combinations, including a bright red or turquoise face.
Best Black Watches For Women
The leather strap on this gold watch from Gucci is subtly embossed with the brand's interlocking-G logo. The delicate 27mm face is matched with a 14mm band that's subtle in shape, but it packs a punch courtesy of the print.
If you’re someone who wears all-black day-to-day, make your watch follow suit. This one from MVMT is perfect because it will always coordinate with your outfit thanks to the singular colorway. It also has a two-year warranty if you ever damage it.
For a touch of rose gold, try this under-$200 option from BREDA. Clocking in (excuse the pun) and 35mm, it has a larger frame than some of the others on the list but the thinner band gives it a delicate feel.
There's no denying that Cartier is the watch brand of the moment. This Santos watch from the line—now available on Net-a-Porter—has been a classic since it was originally created in 1904. It’s also on the smaller end of the big watch spectrum at 38mm, so it’s not overly trendy due to its shape.
If you want your watch to get here in 24 hours, pick up this classic option from Timex that's available on Amazon. It has no frills, retails for just $50, and will age like the most chic family heirloom.
I've been wearing Swatch watches for years and they're still a favorite in my collection. This all-black one is waterproof with a leather band a two-tone black face, perfect for wearing with an all-black outfit.
Best Colorful Watches For Women
"I wasn't really a watch-wearer before I got this red-and-gold watch from Michele. Now, I wear it whenever I have a neutral outfit on. It measures 36mm and I don't have the biggest wrist in the world, so I appreciate the larger look it has. The slimmer band, which measures 18mm in width, also makes the case look larger. But, if you want to wear another color, you can shop it in an icy lavender shade." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
A designer watch is a great gift, but it’s also a great way to treat yourself if you’re not looking to buy a new bag or pair of shoes. This dainty watch from Balmain comes in two colors, but I prefer this kelly green shade that's seriously trendy right now. You can wear it every day if you wear primarily neutrals, or swap it out like you would a bag or a pair of shoes.
Acetate watches like this one from Nixon can feel more casual when compared to a classic larger watch made from steel or leather. Choose from a classic brown tortoiseshell or opt for one that comes in white, blue, or pink.
I’ve been a longtime wearer of Casio watches, and for good reason: They're lightweight and often come in a multitude of fun colors and prints. Case in point: This bright pink option perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond. Feel free to wear your heart on your wrist.
Not all watch bands need to be made from leather or metal. This one from Lacoste is instead made from a sporty silicone material and comes in an array of bright colors like pink and green. Measuring in at 36mm, it's on the larger side for a woman's watch but looks smaller thanks to the thinner strap and face.
The '90s called, they want their watch back. This sporty green digital watch from Adidas is perfect if you're on the go—or if you don't like the look of a traditional watch. Lightweight with a larger face size of 36mm, it's bound to make a statement.
Brynn Wallner's Favorite Watches for Women
When asked about her favorite affordable watch brands to shop, Wallner had one answer: “I love BREDA, a smaller watch brand with a sharp focus on design and affordability. My favorite watch of theirs is the Jane (Tethered) for a chic look or their Play for a sporty moment."
Watches for Women Trending for 2024
Sure, you’re buying a pricey item, but you can still incorporate a few trends into your purchase. “We see our customers leaning towards more traditional masculine styles—slightly chunkier, with less sparkle and more weight on the wrist,” says Page. Aside from styles, Page notes that there are also several key brands that are popular. “Our customers who buy into traditionally "masculine" styles from Cartier, Hermès Timepieces and Vacheron Constantin opt for bigger 38mm-40mm cases and sport integrated bracelets.”
How to Style Watches in 2024
Gone are the days of wearing only your watch and nothing else. Mixing metals and stacking your watch with the rest of your jewelry is not only trendy, but Wallner actually encourages it. “! I love a two-tone moment,” she says. “I wear my steel Cartier Tank Française with my gold rings and it looks very chic.”
Meet The Experts
Brynn Wallner is a writer, consultant and founder of Dimepiece, a platform dedicated to all things women and watches. She lives in New York City.
Having collected watches for half her life, J.J. Owens’ interest for horology was peaked through her father. After being unable to shake her love of timepieces, she turned her passion into a career by launching Daily Grail, a media where culture and horology intersect.
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