We all know that watches are far more than just functional objects used to tell the time. Watches for women - and men - are an accessory, a style symbol, and throughout history, even a statement of social identity.

Watches have the power to influence an outfit as much as a pair of shoes or a bag. For many people, watches also have huge sentimental value and can be passed down through families from generation to generation.

All of these reasons are why you shouldn’t take picking the best watches for women lightly. Whether you’re browsing luxury watches, smart watches, or something classic and simple, it’s important to take your time (excuse the pun) and do your research. 

Here, we share our pearls of wisdom on what to consider when buying a woman’s watch for yourself or as a gift for a special lady in your life.

The best watches for women

When thinking about which are the best watches for women, there’s no one singular answer because the perfect watch varies from person to person.

The best watch is the one that makes its wearer feel themselves and feel most special wearing it—this can look and feel different for everybody, depending on things like personal style, age, and budget. 

Below, we cover the key things to keep in mind when it comes to buying a new watch. We’ll also share some specific advice when looking for the best luxury watches and smart watches for women so you can find the perfect piece. 

Things to consider when buying a women’s watch

With so many choices in front of you, it can be hard to know where to start, and finding the right watch for you can feel like a bit of a puzzle.

The four key categories below are a great place to start if you want to refine your search:

• Purpose and function
• Aesthetic and style
• Lifestyle and wear
• Budget and cost

Let’s take a look at each one in more detail… 

Purpose: what do you want the watch for?

Watches can be worn for all sorts of reasons so you’ll need to know what you want out of the new addition to your collection before you start shopping.

Some watches are functional and technical, like the Garmin epix™ Pro, for example. Other ladies’ watches, like the Nomination Paris design, are more like fine jewellery or finishing touches to an outfit. 

Do you want the watch to be a statement, sparkling showstopper? Do you want it to link up to other devices and provide the day-to-day benefits of wrist technology? Do you just want something understated and simple that looks elegant while displaying the time?

Decide what you want the watch to do and let that guide you. Of course, you can have more than one watch in your collection so you can switch it up depending on functional requirements.

Look and feel: what kind of style do you like?

How a watch looks is normally always as important to the wearer as what it does in terms of features and function. This is where deciding on the overall look and feel of the piece comes in and this can be broken down into a number of different visual aspects. 

Ladies’ watches come in all shapes, sizes and styles. The Hamilton Ventura S, for example, is delicate, feminine, and contemporary, while the Hamilton Field Expedition is more utilitarian and has a more gender-neutral appeal.

Some people want something chunky and modern, while others like something classic or vintage-inspired. It comes down to the wearer’s personal style, as well as the style of the rest of their jewellery, and whether they want their watch to complement or contrast. 

This is all about how you want the watch face and watch hands to look. You can choose between digital and analogue and then explore numbers, markers, or Roman numerals.

With an analogue watch, you can also choose how you want the background of the display to look and the type of glass the protective face is made from. This Nomination Paris Oval design has a mother-of-pearl face, for example, while the Skagen Signatur Lille has a classic white face. 

Aesthetic and purpose crossover when it comes to choosing the materials you want your watch to be made from. Gold casing with a matching mesh strap is a popular dressy option, for example, while something with a textile strap is ideal for activewear and athleisure. 

Common metals that watch straps and cases are made from include:

• Gold
• Silver
• Rose gold
• Stainless Steel
• Titanium

Popular non-metal materials for watch straps include:

• Leather
• Silicone
• Rubber
• Nylon

Each comes with its own benefits, from durability to price point, so make sure to look into those as well as weighing up which ones you most like the look of.

Complexion

Another factor to consider that people often forget is the complexion or skin tone of the person wearing the watch. Gold, for instance, is typically more flattering on warmer skin tones, while silver can complement paler, cooler complexions. 

Lifestyle: how will the watch be worn?

When selecting a watch, it’s essential to think about how it’s going to be worn on a day-to-day basis and the kind of wear and tear it’s going to face. 

If the wearer wants to wear their watch all day every day but their job involves them coming into contact with a lot of water (e.g. a hair stylist or dog groomer), you’ll need to look for something with water-resistant properties.

As another example, the lifestyle of an office worker who uses a computer all day will be far better suited to delicate designs and softer metals like gold than somebody who has a manual, hands-on job that could lead to scratching and other damage.

There is always the option to change watch straps to suit the environment the watch will be in. A silicon or rubber strap could be worn day-to-day, for instance, while a metal, leather, or more decorative strap could be saved for evening wear or special occasions. 

To help protect a watch when it’s not being worn, we also recommend investing in some purpose-built watch storage. This will help make sure all of your watches (and other jewellery) stay safe, organised, clean, and free of dust and scratches. 

Budget: what are you looking to spend?

Our curated collection of ladies’ watches here at Sarah Layton ranges from under £100 to over £1,000. However, the price of watches across the whole market can vary drastically from less than £20 to the hundreds, thousands, and sometimes even millions.

Figure out what you’re willing to spend and shop within those guidelines.

If you want to keep your budget modest, there are a whole host of styles and designers that can provide something that’s special without being too expensive. If you want to splash out or even make an investment, you could explore luxury designers, premium brands, and collectable pieces. 

The best luxury watches for women

As with any kind of watch, when it comes to picking the ‘best’, it’s all about the personal preferences of the wearer and considering the key factors we covered above. However, here are some general tips for finding the perfect luxury ladies’ watch.

• Pick reputable premium brands that you can trust. Just because a brand describes a watch as ‘luxury’ doesn’t mean it will necessarily tick all of the right boxes in terms of high-end quality. That said, you don’t have to spend tens of thousands on classic watch brands like Cartier and Rolex to enjoy luxury wrist wear.
  
  
• Luxury watches are innately more expensive than others, which is why we recommend going for something timeless as opposed to trend-led. This means the money you invest in a premium piece will hold value for longer.
  
  
• Look out for brands and designers that offer servicing and warranties with their luxury watches. This will help keep your piece in tip-top condition and help you care for it in a way that preserves its quality.

The best smartwatches for women

Again, when looking at any type of watch for women, you need to think about the four key things we explored earlier: purpose, style, lifestyle, and budget. Let these factors guide you when shopping around for smartwatches for women. 

Here are some other general tips and tricks to keep in mind when it comes to smartwatches specifically:

• Pick a watch that is designed for sports and activewear if you want to use it to support your health and fitness. Go for a rubber strap, a perforated strap, or one with sweat-proof properties, and look out for water resistance.
  
  
• Most leading brands of smart watches for women will be compatible with all or a majority of devices but before making a purchase, just make sure this is the case for yours.
  
  
• Different brands of smartwatches come with similar features but also some unique functions that set them apart from their competitors. Make sure to do a comparison of your favourites to ensure the smartwatch you choose will do all the things you want and expect it to.

Shop beautiful ladies watches at Sarah Layton

We have a diverse range of watches for women available at Sarah Layton, so there’s sure to be something to turn your head. From smart watches and luxury watches to timeless and practical pieces, we’ve got something for every watch collection.

If you’ve already found a watch on our website that has stolen your heart, you can simply order it online and have it delivered to your home. Or if you’d prefer to pick your order up in person, just let us know or select ‘Reserve in store’ during checkout.

If you’d like some more watch-buying advice or have any questions, get in touch - we’ll be more than happy to help.