Best Luxury Watches for Women – Modern Classics to Covet
While it’s easy to update one’s wardrobe season after season with on-trend pieces, a ladies’ watch box should be filled with modern classics that will always be in style. From lavish jewelry watches to everyday timepieces to sportier numbers, read on to discover some of the best luxury watches for women available today.
Patek Philippe Twenty 4 Women’s Watch
First unveiled in 1999, the Patek Philippe Twenty 4 was the brand’s offering for the modern woman. Built in steel, furnished with diamonds, and sporting a rectangular Art Deco-inspired silhouette, the Twenty 4 was positioned as an everyday luxury women’s watch.
While Patek eventually released more precious versions of the Twenty 4 in gold, stainless steel remains the most popular version. The stainless steel Twenty 4 ref. 4910/010 dons a 21.5mm x 30mm rectangular case along with a matching steel bracelet with a foldover clasp. On the “Timeless White” dial sits ten diamond hour markers along with applied Roman numerals. Furthermore, there are also 36 white diamonds set into the case, in addition to the characteristic black onyx on the winding crown.
Powered by a highly precise quartz movement, the Patek Philippe Twenty 4 has a battery life of around three years. An absolute icon in the luxury watch space for women, the Twenty 4 is casual chic at its finest.
Rolex Datejust Women’s Watch
Hands down one of the most (if not the most) famous ladies’ luxury watches is the Rolex Datejust timepiece. In fact, the Lady-Datejust is the top selling model for the brand, outselling men’s models like the Submariner and the Daytona. Rolex released the women’s version of the Datejust back in 1957. During the ensuing six decades, the Lady Datejust family has become widely varied with a large assortment of different styles and materials.
An especially popular version of the Lady-Datejust is the solid yellow gold Rolex Datejust ref. 69178 with a President bracelet. With the classic 26mm Oyster case, the signature fluted bezel, the essential date window magnified by the Cyclops lens, and the famous semi-circular shape of the President bracelet, it’s easy to see why this has been the go-to luxury watch for women for decades. This particular Datejust ref. 69178 comes with a sleek black dial dotted with ten diamond hour markers for extra lavishness. Especially noteworthy is that all Lady-Datejust models run on automatic mechanical movements rather than the more ubiquitous quartz calibers.
Given the Rolex Lady-Datejust’s prestige and distinct looks, we’re sure it’ll remain as one of the best luxury watches for women for a long time to come.
Cartier Panthere Women’s Watch
Just this year, Cartier brought back the Panthere women’s watch and with good reason too. An icon of the 1980s and 1990s, the Panthere jewelry watch quickly gained cult status among the chic-set thanks in part to its bold bracelet design that wears like a piece of fine jewelry. Moreover, other signature design details include the square bezel with exposed screws, the classic Cartier style Roman numerals on the dial, and the octagonal crown set with a blue sapphire.
While there are solid gold and pure stainless steel versions, the two-tone Cartier Panthere watch for women is the quintessential edition. This particular model from the first generation of the Cartier family features a 27mm steel case topped with a contrasting 18k yellow gold bezel. On the white dial sits the blue sword-style center hands in addition to a discreet window at 5 o’clock. The unmistakable supple bracelet features alternating yellow gold and steel links, ensuring this watch can be paired with either yellow or white metal jewelry.
Whether from a few decades ago or today’s version, the Cartier Panthere’s timeless glamour makes it a top contender as one of the best luxury watches for women to sport.
Chanel J12 Women’s Watch
When Chanel presented the J12 in 2000, the watch’s popularity exploded. Built from high-tech ceramic and often dressed in the Maison Chanel’s signature black or white colors, this sporty luxury watch became the must-have among fashionistas everywhere.
Fast forward 18 years later and the Chanel J12 remains as one of the best women’s luxury watches to own. With its bold 38mm case, black ceramic and stainless steel build, and stark white details on the dial, the Chanel J12 ref. HO685 is a fantastic choice. Emphasizing the watch’s sporty style is the robust unidirectional rotating bezel with knurled edges, as well as the watch’s water resistance to 200 meters.
Driving the time and date functions of the Chanel J12 HO685 is an automatic movement with approximately 40 hours of power reserve. A powerhouse in ladies’ luxury watches, the Chanel J12 is as head-turning today as it was when it debuted almost two decades ago.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Women’s Watch
While the Reverso watch was first conceived in the 1930s as a watch for men to wear during polo matches, the Art Deco style of the Reverso translates beautifully as a lady’s fine timepiece. For over 85 years, there have been countless versions of the Reverso watch. Naturally, all Reverso timepieces are equipped with the swivel case integral to the watch’s design. The Duetto edition of the Reverso watch features a choice of two different watch faces.
The ladies’ Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duetto ref. 266.1.44 is a solid 18k yellow model equipped with a lush link bracelet. The first watch face displays oversized Art Deco style Arabic numerals, blue sword-shaped hands, and an intricate guilloche pattern at the center. Perfect for daytime wear. Flip the case around and the glamorous second watch face shows off a delicate mix of mother-of-pearl and guilloche detailing. Adding to the dressiness of the second face are the two rows of diamonds lining the case. As a result, this side is ideal for more formal evening wear.
At the heart of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duetto ref. 266.1.44 is a manual-wound in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre movement with 38 hours of power reserve. With its reversible case mechanism and two distinct looks, the JLC Duetto is one of the best luxury watches for women that can seamlessly go from day to night in an instant.
Piaget Limelight Women’s Watch
Since Piaget is both known as a jeweler and a watchmaker, it comes as no surprise that their jewelry watches are simply stunning. A mainstay of Piaget’s women’s watches for decades, the Limelight timepieces shine bright with plenty of diamond adornments and unique designs.
This particular Piaget Limelight ref. P10213 flaunts a seductive oval-shaped case embellished with graduated diamonds on the bezel. What’s more, Piaget also adorned the duo of oversized numerals on the mother-of-pearl dial with diamond pavé too. Presented on a classic black leather strap, this extravagant jewelry watch is always red-carpet ready.
These iconic timepieces from Rolex, Patek, Cartier, JLC, Piaget, and Chanel are some of the best luxury watches for women out there. Built by famous watchmaking houses and designed with women’s taste in mind, they are both beautiful and technically exceptional. Coveted by celebrities, taste-makers, and the fashion-savvy, a fine ladies’ timepiece is an essential component of any chic woman’s wardrobe.
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