The definitive list of the most popular women's watch brands, from high street to luxury
Watches are a timeless, classic accessory that can be as practical as they are pretty. Some of us wear them as a fashion statement thanks to watch brands for women including Michael Kors and Olivia Burton, while others rely on their smart watch so much, they’d genuinely be lost without it.
Watches are, and forever will be, a classic piece of jewellery, even if you’re spending on the lower end. They’re worn whatever the occasion and look as elegant nestled alone on your wrist as they do layered with bangles and bracelets. There’s a reason watches are considered an investment piece buy, because they’re a forever accessory. Sure, they can dip in and out of trends, but their true beauty lies in becoming your very own capsule piece of jewellery.
Best watches for women – at a glance
- Best silver watch: Gucci GTimeless Pink Multibee Watch
- Best gold watch: Michael Kors Petite Lexington Pave Gold Tone Watch
- Best rose gold watch: Fossil Rye Rose Gold Watch
- Best smartwatch for women: Apple Watch
- Best fashion watch: Olivia Burton Celestial Watch
There’s a whole roster of styles of watches for women, from digital to analogue, a myriad of face shapes and strap designs, and that’s before we even touch upon smart watches. If you’re in the zone for a new watch or are researching the best watches for women in search of a Valentine’s Day gift, we’ve pulled together a definitive list of our favourite watch brands for women to guide you. We’ve even included vintage watches too, if you’re thinking a Cartier or Rolex is on the cards…
How I chose the best watches for women
- Brands: I’ve looked at the most popular watch brands for women, and included those in my edit. That includes designer brands, affordable brands and niche brands too.
- Metals: I’m a gold watch wearer myself, but I know not everyone bows down to the gold, so I’ve included silver, rose gold plus leather strapped watches in this shopping edit.
- Price: Watches are, on the whole, an investment and prices for a good watch can range from £50 upwards, into the thousands. Within this list, you’ll find a range of prices so you can compare and contrast what you get for your money.
- Style: Round faces, square, bracelet straps, chunky chains – I’ve included as many different watch styles as possible. When choosing your watch, consider both brand and style; you may love a brand, but don’t be swayed by the label if the watch isn’t your usual style. This is a piece you’ll wear every day, so it’s got to fit with your personal style.
Shop our favourite watches for women
Michael Kors Watches
Michael Kors Petite Lexington Pavé Gold-Tone Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: 2 years
Features: Waterproof, clasp fastening
With a gold hue and sparkling pavé accents, this MK watch is super glam. Made of stainless steel, this mini timepiece has a round face with a beveled topring and a matching bracelet strap.
Editor's note: "Think of some of the most popular watches for women in the last few years, and most would say Michael Kors. The brand is well known for its stylish watches, including chunky straps and more delicate styles."
£219 at Michael Kors
Shop Michael Kors US
Armani Watches
Armani Lola Watch
Shipping: £4.99 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 28 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Water resistant
This stainless steel metal mesh bracelet design has a subtle rose gold colouring, a crystal glass screen and rose gold hands and rose gold batons. Powered by quartz the watch also features up to 50 metres water resistant.
Editor's note: "I was surprised by how affordable Armani watches can be. There's a range of styles and prices but for a designer watch, you can't go wrong. I love the marble quartz effect of the face for something a little snazzier than a plain background."
£105 (save 18%) at House of Fraser
SHOP ARMANI WATCHES US AT MACY'S
Fossil Watches
Fossil Rye Three-Hand Date Rose Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Watch
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £75
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant 5ATM
Fossil's stainless steel rose gold watch features a matching rose gold face and dainty strap for a cool, elegant look.
Editor's note: "When I think of Fossil watches, I think of leather strap timepieces but a search on the site shows some beautiful, timeless stainless steel designs that are affordable but don't scrimp on quality."
£83 (save 30%) at Fossil
$56 (save 60%) at Fossil
Gucci Watches
Gucci G-Timeless Pink Multibee Watch
Shipping: Free next day delivery on orders over £75
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: 2 years
Features: Water resistant
This timeless watch is brought to life by its pink lacquered dial and signature Gucci bee design.
Editor's note: "I am in love with Gucci's bee design and on a watch, it's even cooler. The pink hue stands out against the silver metal strap, too."
£1,420 at Beaverbrooks
$1,400 at Macy's
Guess Watches
Guess Unity Watch
Shipping: Free standard delivery on orders over £30
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Water resistant
Guess watches have some incredibly bright and bold designs, and this Unity watch features a silicone strap and rainbow face.
Editor's note: "You can go for a bold, colourful design with Guess watches, a gold or silver piece or one encrusted with pave diamonds - they're a classic, and fun, choice."
£129 at Very
SHOP GUESS WATCHES AT NORDSTROM
Rado Watches
Rado Florence Classic Diamonds Womens Watch 30mm
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Full-cut diamonds
The Swiss watch brand is known for its quality pieces and we're loving the Florence Classic design, with quartz movements, rhodium-plated hands and four full-cut diamonds set as indexes at hours 3,6,9 and 12.
Editor's note: "If it's meticulous watchmaking you look for in your watch, head to Rado, the luxury Swiss brand who are known the world over for their craftmanship."
£1,200 at Goldsmiths
$1,250 at Nordstrom
Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE (2023) Sport Band
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two year
Features: Blue-tooth, retina display, crash detection, GPS, waterproof
Apple watches are the must have watch for anyone who wants to record their fitness, health, check messaging on the go and a whole lot more. This second generation Apple watch can give more insights into your health.
Editor's note: "Is there anyone that doesn't have, or want, an Apple watch? From tracking your sleep, using it to pay, GPS and a whole lot more, it's got pretty much everything you need from your phone in watch form - oh, and it tells the time too."
£219 at John Lewis
Olivia Burton Watches
Olivia Burton Celestial Faux Malachite Watch
Shipping: Free delivery on orders over £50
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant
With a gorgeous malachite green strap and matching face, Olivia Burton's timepiece is inspired by celestial icons with a North Star crystal marker.
Editor's note: "I've lusted after Olivia Burton's watches for years, as they hit the sweet spot between affordability and design. There's many designs to choose from, from pared back to colourful."
£129 at Olivia Burton
$175 at Olivia Burton
Cartier Watches
Panthère De Cartier Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Two years and six months
Features: Water resistant
Panthère de Cartier watch, a small model, quartz movement with steel bracelet is an iconic watch from the luxurious French label.
Editor's note: "If there's a watch I'd wish for, it would be a Cartier. Loved by the royal family, who pass their Cartier timepieces down throughout the generations, this is an investment buy but one that will last for eons."
£3,950 at Goldsmiths
SHOP CARTIER WATCHES AT NORDSTROM
Vivienne Westwood Watches
Vivienne Westwood Pennington Stainless-Steel Quartz Watch
Shipping: £5.95 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 14 days
Warranty: Two years
Features: Water resistant
A beautifully blue watch from British fashion house Vivienne Westwood, with stainless strap and butterfly clasp fastening.
Editor's note: "The blue of this Vivienne Westwood watch is heavenly, and pairs beautifully with the stainless steel metal. I love the subtle yet instantly recognisable VW branding too."
£265 at Selfridges
$290 at Selfridges
Casio Watches
Casio Vintage Digital Leather Strap Watch
Shipping: £3.95 for standard delivery
Returns: Within 30 days
Warranty: Not specified
Features: Date and night display, stopwatch feature, splash proof.
Casio's smooth and stylish leather band is a cute addition to their classic digital watch faces, and this watch is water resistant for daily use.
Editor's note: "You probably had a Casio watch growing up (I did!) and they've come a long way in recent years to become more on-trend. I love this simple design, which is neutral enough for daily wear, but with all the Casio features shoppers love including calendar, stopwatch and backlight."
£49.90 at Argos
SHOP CASIO WATCHES AT MACY'S
Rolex Watches
Rolex Datejust Pre Owned Watch
Shipping: Free delivery
Returns: Within 14 days
Warranty: 12 months
Features: Pre-owned
From the stainless steel and yellow gold case, to the white roman numeral dial yellow gold fluted bezel, this pre-owned Rolex is one to covet. Comes with box and authenticity, undated.
Editor's note: "Along with a Cartier watch, a Rolex has to be up there as one of the most coveted watch brands the world over. I've chosen a pre-owned Rolex watch to highlight as it's beautiful and a great way to buy your own, if you're looking for that type of investment."
£9,299 at Ramsdens Jewellery
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