Women’s watches – how to choose the right one

The most important thing when choosing a women’s watch is that it suits your wrist and everyday outfits. Start with the size: do you want a small, jewellery-style watch, a classic medium-sized model or something large and bold? Then choose a colour and strap to match your jewellery. The movement and price will help you make the final choice.

1. Size: small, classic or large

Women’s watch cases come in many different sizes. Here are three approaches, with examples from our range.

• Small and jewellery-like (under 30 mm). This feels more like a piece of jewellery that also tells the time. It suits a slim wrist and works with other bracelets. Examples include the Guess GW0925L1 (21 mm), Cluse CL50009 (24 mm) or Lorus RG261LX-9 (29 mm).
• Classic (30–36 mm). The most versatile size, suitable for work and evenings out. Examples include the Citizen Eco-Drive EM0890-85A (30 mm), Cluse watches with a 33 mm case, Lee Cooper’s 34 mm models or the Jacques Lemans 1-1997F (36 mm).
• Large (38 mm and above). A so-called boyfriend-style watch stands out on the wrist and works well with simple clothing, such as jeans and a white shirt. For example, the Guess W1156L1 (40 mm) or Guess W1223L4 (42 mm).

If you are unsure which size suits your wrist, measure your wrist circumference and see the table in our article on choosing a watch size and strap length.

2. Style: which watch suits your outfits?

A good watch works with what you wear most often. A few styles to consider:

• Minimalist. A simple dial, few details and a slim strap. Amsterdam brand Cluse is a good example of this style. It works for the office, with jeans or with a dress.
• Jewellery-like and eye-catching. If you want your watch to stand out, look at Guess. The range includes both slim bracelet watches and large fashion watches.
• Classic. Jacques Lemans (an Austrian brand established in 1974) and Zeppelin women’s watches, such as Porcelain Lady and Grace Lady, work well with a suit, coat or dressier outfit.
• Retro. The small gold-tone digital Casio LA680WEGA-9ER looks straight out of the 1980s and pairs well with other delicate jewellery. Its case measures only about 34 × 29 mm.
• Sporty. If your watch also needs to stand up to exercise and hiking, look at smaller G-Shocks. The GMA-P2100 is a compact G-Shock measuring 46 × 40.2 × 11.2 mm. Its case is 2.7 mm narrower than the GMA-S2100’s.

3. Colour and strap

A simple rule: choose your watch colour to match the jewellery you wear most. If your ring and earrings are silver, a silver-tone or steel watch works well. If you prefer gold, choose a gold-tone or rose-gold-tone watch. If you wear little jewellery, a silver-tone watch is the easiest to style.

• A metal bracelet looks smart and suits everyday wear.
• Milanese mesh is a fine metal weave with a more delicate appearance, and its clasp allows the length to be adjusted smoothly.
• A leather strap is warmer and softer, and is easy to change to give your watch a fresh look.

4. Movement

A quartz watch is accurate and does not need winding. For even less maintenance, consider Citizen Eco-Drive watches. They charge using both daylight and indoor light, so regular battery changes are unnecessary. For example, the Citizen EM0500-73L is a classic women’s watch with a 32 mm case.

For fans of mechanical watches, there are also women’s automatic models, such as the Vostok Europe Undinė Mirror Automatic (39 mm) and Kenneth Cole Automatic. An automatic watch winds itself through the movement of the wearer’s arm. If it is not worn and its power reserve runs out, it stops. We explain the differences in our article on automatic, quartz or solar-powered.

If you plan to wear your watch while swimming, check its water resistance. According to Casio manuals, a watch rated at least 5 bar is suitable for swimming, but always check the manual for your particular model. A watch marked only “Water Resist” can withstand rain and handwashing but not swimming. Read more in our article on watch water resistance.

5. One watch or several?

Many women wear one simple watch every day and another for special occasions. For example, a silver-tone watch with a metal bracelet for workdays and a small gold-tone watch for evenings. A third might be a sports watch for exercise and travel. An affordable watch is primarily an accessory, so you can own several, just as you might have several bags or pairs of shoes. Approximate price ranges in our selection:

• Lee Cooper, Q&Q and Lorus: starting at around €20–40.
• Cluse: around €70–140.
• Guess: around €90–270.
• Citizen and Vostok Europe: from around €100, with more expensive models costing several hundred euros.
• Zeppelin and Aviator: from around €300.

6. If you are buying a watch as a gift

Look at the jewellery she wears and whether it is gold or silver. If she already has a watch, take note of its size. If she wears delicate jewellery, opt for a smaller watch. If she wears large, bold accessories, a larger watch will work too. If you are unsure, a good option is gift card worth 25, 50, 75 or 100 euros. It is valid for one year.

All watches come with a 14-day right of return (return postage is paid by the buyer) and a 2-year warranty. If you have any questions, write to info@kaekellad.ee. Browse the full range: women’s watches.