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To start, I have no idea of the non-male membership constituency on WUS, but I assume that a marked majority on this forum identify as male. Yet, as fellow watch lovers, many of you will have significant others in your life. As this ladies' watch forum shows, every now and then you might find yourself faced with the question what options are there to treat them to an interesting timepiece. As a starting enthusiast I’m only too happy to spend some time analysing and appreciating any interesting watch design, but I find most (affordable) watches aimed at women a bit of a let-down.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of women’s watch designs being produced: from common high street fair, such as Skagen, to high end jewellery, such as ever-popular (and very expensive) Cartier. More often than not, in my impression, watch designs for women tend to use brighter colours, bling, or both. While I certainly can appreciate the elegance of a diamond or two on a women’s watch, bling and bright colour alone do not make a great design in themselves. Sometimes a women’s watch version is no more than a simple downsizing exercise. Another thing that seems conspicuous is the general absence of mechanical movements, even from the more luxury brands (though threads on this forum already alerted me to Certina breaking this trend). Before quartz was an option, naturally mechanical movements did power women’s watches, too. Is there no love for mechanical movements from the other sex? Moreover, when recently on such a quest myself, to find a suitable piece for a significant other, I noticed a distinct lack of representation of women’s watches in the current barrage of microbrands.
Naturally, the other sex can coast along somewhat with those models marketed or simply deemed suitable as unisex. I also realise that like all watches, the watch size considered appropriate for women has increased significantly over time, which puts many more watches up for consideration. Certainly, I wouldn’t want to prescribe what anyone wants to wear. Yet, as I’m probably still somewhat more traditional at heart, I find it a sector of the market lacking energy and excitement. Certainly on WUS in general, women’s watch designs seem to get much less (if any) traction, and many of the threads in this forum focus on higher ~>2000USD/EUR/GBP price points.
Therefore, I felt it was time for a thread like this. Since luxury (and fashion) watch brands have certainly not stopped producing women’s models, I’m particularly (but not exclusively) interested in finding out about the following:
Nevertheless, ultimately anything goes really, although I'd propose a focus on contemporary rather than vintage pieces. I’m simply eager to see what you would or indeed have considered when not buying in the 'Cartier/Hermes-like category'. Naturally, if any are in fact reading this, very keen to hear from discerning women’s watch wearers themselves!
Watch brands meeting some of these criteria that I consider worthy of a look include Frederique Constant, Tissot, and some Longines.
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Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of women’s watch designs being produced: from common high street fair, such as Skagen, to high end jewellery, such as ever-popular (and very expensive) Cartier. More often than not, in my impression, watch designs for women tend to use brighter colours, bling, or both. While I certainly can appreciate the elegance of a diamond or two on a women’s watch, bling and bright colour alone do not make a great design in themselves. Sometimes a women’s watch version is no more than a simple downsizing exercise. Another thing that seems conspicuous is the general absence of mechanical movements, even from the more luxury brands (though threads on this forum already alerted me to Certina breaking this trend). Before quartz was an option, naturally mechanical movements did power women’s watches, too. Is there no love for mechanical movements from the other sex? Moreover, when recently on such a quest myself, to find a suitable piece for a significant other, I noticed a distinct lack of representation of women’s watches in the current barrage of microbrands.
Why, I ask myself, is there not a similar desire for design flair and outright creativity, or even horology, geared towards women’s watches?
Naturally, the other sex can coast along somewhat with those models marketed or simply deemed suitable as unisex. I also realise that like all watches, the watch size considered appropriate for women has increased significantly over time, which puts many more watches up for consideration. Certainly, I wouldn’t want to prescribe what anyone wants to wear. Yet, as I’m probably still somewhat more traditional at heart, I find it a sector of the market lacking energy and excitement. Certainly on WUS in general, women’s watch designs seem to get much less (if any) traction, and many of the threads in this forum focus on higher ~>2000USD/EUR/GBP price points.
Therefore, I felt it was time for a thread like this. Since luxury (and fashion) watch brands have certainly not stopped producing women’s models, I’m particularly (but not exclusively) interested in finding out about the following:
- Microbrands or independents that also specifically include designs catering for other than the male sex. (As far as I’m concerned it does not have to marketed as a women’s watch, but I’m interested to find out about creative, elegant, and well-balanced watch designs that you would consider suitable and desirable for the other sex.)
- Smaller form factors (which I consider on or below typical men's vintage sizes, so say ~<34mm);
- Women's watches with mechanical movements;
- Genuinely interesting designs (so not just added bling, bright colours, or downsized) at affordable price points (say ~<1000USD/EUR/GBP).
Watch brands meeting some of these criteria that I consider worthy of a look include Frederique Constant, Tissot, and some Longines.
