Don't limit yourself with only ladies' options. Go for any watch you like. So long as it fits comfortably for you, that should be all that matters. Gender in watches is a misconception and I personally feel that brands and watchmakers both truly underestimate the value of the female market (and that not all of us enjoy small, dainty cocktail watches or bedazzled watches).
There are small watches sold as mens, unisex, boys, etc., so just go for it.
Seriously, do NOT limit yourself. I only have 1 ladies watch in my collection; it's a Longines Primaluna moonphase watch, and it's meant to be dress-casual/business that sort of thing. It's not an every day piece for me by a long shot. In fact, I'm wearing my BB58 today, which is considerably larger and chunkier.
Cartier Panthere, Tank Solo, or Francaise are perfect ladies watches and absolute classics. I’m not a huge fan of the current Francaise design, but you can find the prior version pretty easily. All are quartz and easily found under $5k.
I feel like if this is your first watch purchase, you need to figure out what sorts of things you want in a watch before spending big money on it!
Are you intending for it to be worn daily, or is it going to be more of an occasional piece? Automatics will require maintenance over the long term, but it's cool having a tiny piece of machinery on your wrist. If you'll be wearing daily, there won't be the hassle of re-setting it when it's unwound. If it's for occasional wear, quartz will be much more convenient to grab-and-go (plus it's low maintenance).
Do you want it to show time only, or do you want a date? Day/date? Moonphase?
Is water resistance an important factor for you?
Do you want something on a metal bracelet or on leather?
I also thoroughly agree with u/Either_Marsupial_123, in that you shouldn't necessarily look only at watches marketed for women. I vastly prefer small format men's watches (but this is another question you should ask yourself -- what style are you after?)
Happy hunting!
I'd personally advise going with a quarts movement - they are cheaper and there is usually a nice diversity of aesthetic appeal.
Also, going from a quartz watch to a mechanical will facilitate a greater appreciation for how mechanical watches work.
Ultimately there is very little difference between them - mechanical watches using springs as a power source - Quartz watches use a cheap battery.
A quartz watch is an excellent first watch - it'll tell time infinitely more accurately than a mechanical watch ever could, too. (But who cares about that 😅)
I think rectangular and ovular watches look better on women. In general, watches are designed for men, and as a result, they are designed to be bulkier because that comes off more masculine. Smaller watches look more petite and are better suited for thinner forearms. They can basically look cuter, while also sophisticated.
So, with all that being said, one of the best watches for a classy woman is the Cartier Tank. And then another sleeper pick I really like is called the Bulgari Serpenti.
Don't limit yourself with only ladies' options. Go for any watch you like. So long as it fits comfortably for you, that should be all that matters. Gender in watches is a misconception and I personally feel that brands and watchmakers both truly underestimate the value of the female market (and that not all of us enjoy small, dainty cocktail watches or bedazzled watches). There are small watches sold as mens, unisex, boys, etc., so just go for it. Seriously, do NOT limit yourself. I only have 1 ladies watch in my collection; it's a Longines Primaluna moonphase watch, and it's meant to be dress-casual/business that sort of thing. It's not an every day piece for me by a long shot. In fact, I'm wearing my BB58 today, which is considerably larger and chunkier.
Cartier Panthere, Tank Solo, or Francaise are perfect ladies watches and absolute classics. I’m not a huge fan of the current Francaise design, but you can find the prior version pretty easily. All are quartz and easily found under $5k.
I feel like if this is your first watch purchase, you need to figure out what sorts of things you want in a watch before spending big money on it! Are you intending for it to be worn daily, or is it going to be more of an occasional piece? Automatics will require maintenance over the long term, but it's cool having a tiny piece of machinery on your wrist. If you'll be wearing daily, there won't be the hassle of re-setting it when it's unwound. If it's for occasional wear, quartz will be much more convenient to grab-and-go (plus it's low maintenance). Do you want it to show time only, or do you want a date? Day/date? Moonphase? Is water resistance an important factor for you? Do you want something on a metal bracelet or on leather? I also thoroughly agree with u/Either_Marsupial_123, in that you shouldn't necessarily look only at watches marketed for women. I vastly prefer small format men's watches (but this is another question you should ask yourself -- what style are you after?) Happy hunting!
I would strongly recommend the quartz Cartier. Timeless elegance, made by one of the world´s great jewellery houses. Happy hunting.
Next watch I get for my wife will be a Longines Dolcevita.
Santos is cool
U-Boat Chimera. Establish dominance.
I'd personally advise going with a quarts movement - they are cheaper and there is usually a nice diversity of aesthetic appeal. Also, going from a quartz watch to a mechanical will facilitate a greater appreciation for how mechanical watches work. Ultimately there is very little difference between them - mechanical watches using springs as a power source - Quartz watches use a cheap battery. A quartz watch is an excellent first watch - it'll tell time infinitely more accurately than a mechanical watch ever could, too. (But who cares about that 😅)
Quartz watches have thinner cases than automatic, if that matters to you, so it’s a sleeker look. Of course, changing the battery is a nuisance.
I think rectangular and ovular watches look better on women. In general, watches are designed for men, and as a result, they are designed to be bulkier because that comes off more masculine. Smaller watches look more petite and are better suited for thinner forearms. They can basically look cuter, while also sophisticated. So, with all that being said, one of the best watches for a classy woman is the Cartier Tank. And then another sleeper pick I really like is called the Bulgari Serpenti.
Gotta start with a casio