The Guide to Women's Watches

Did you know that the very first Rolex Testimonee was a woman? Her name was Mercedes Gleitze. She was the first woman ever to swim the Straits of Gibralter, and the first European woman to swim the English Channel - an extraordinary accomplishment done all while wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Automatic Watch. 

Women have been wearing professional model timepieces for decades. As a self-purchase, you're choosing a watch that's going to be a part of the stories you tell and the experiences you live. As a gift, you're offering someone a heritage collectable, ready to be worn, loved, and shared. 

So glad you asked. 

Traditionally, women's watches have been in the 26mm-28mm size range (aka, dainty). Over the past five years however, we've seen a huge jump in both variety of watch sizes, and styles being requested. I'm seeing more women reaching for a dive-style or a Chronograph, challenging the stereotypical approach and putting modern, well-designed, and well-made women's watches on the forefront of today's watch world. 

Brands like Tudor have done an exceptional job introducing gender-neutral sizes in professional watches. Pieces like the Black Bay 54 immediately stand out in this category - a true dive watch with a rotating bezel that comes in at a smooth, comfortable, gender-neutral 37mm diameter. 

Another brand doing a phenomenal job in the category of gender-neutral sizing is Grand Seiko. Their line-up of exceptional quality watches features a vast array of dial color, texture, and size offerings. We love the line-up of 34-37mm watch offerings in their collection. 

Pro Tip: Consider "His and Hers" watches for the holidays! Grand Seiko has a great selection of timepieces that coordinate beautifully. Ask our team for ideas!

I get asked this question a lot, particularly in regards to women's watches, and particularly when we're browsing for a gift watch. There are a few things I always look for when we're choosing a watch for someone else: 

• Is she familiar with watches? Think about if you've seen her wearing a timepiece at recent events, around the house, or at dinner. If she's accustomed to wearing watches everyday, you could go either way on a battery-power or automatic. Automatic watches are self-winding, so as she wears it, it will continue to power itself and she doesn't have to worry about bringing it in every year or two for a battery change. 
• Is a watch more of an evening out accessory for her? More of a special add-on piece that she stacks with her bracelets? If so, you might opt for a battery-powered timepiece that she doesn't have to wind and set every time she wears it. 

You'll have to change out the battery in a Quartz watch every year or two depending on the brand and the battery. In general, you can expect $10-$20 for a battery change depending on who you like to go to. 

The benefit of a Battery-powered watch is that don't have to set it, even if you don't wear it for a week or two. If you're going for low maintenance, or if you're looking for a watch for someone who may not be able to easily set their timepiece, a Quartz is a great place to start. 

Automatic watches have a variety of different movements in them, so the power reserve and accuracy will be determined by the watch you select. Make sure to ask about both when you're comparing watches. Our watch team and associates are experts in watch technicalities, so don't be afraid to ask about all the ins-and-outs of your new timepiece!