The 24 Best Watches for Women in 2024

Hollywood's It-girls are making these timepieces cool again.

Bella Hadid wearing watch
(Image credit: Getty)

Watches have been an iconic status symbol for decades, and they’ve recently seen a resurgence in pop culture. Models and It-girls like Bella Hadid, Zendaya, Emily Ratajowski, The Olsens, and Kaia Gerber have all been spotted wearing luxe timepieces from established brands like Cartier, Omega, and Audemars Piguet. Shoppers have taken notice, opting for women's watches as a go-to accessory, as heirlooms, or as a key part of their daily jewelry stacks. 

Here at Marie Claire, we also believe watches are an essential wardrobe item. But it can feel like some watches are doing too much—tracking your steps, your texts, and your heart rate. What if you want a watch that does less in the logistics department and more in the style realm? Consider the watches on this list our gift to you. We've gathered the best luxury watches and timepieces at a budget in every material out there, from silicone and rubber watches to stainless steel and solid gold.

We even turned to experts like Brynn Wallner, founder of the mega-popular Instagram account and website Dimepiece, Kim-Eva Wempe, the Managing Director and Owner of Wempe, and J.J Owens, the founder of Daily Grail Official, a website dedicated to melding the worlds of watches, fashion, and celebrity, for their advice on all things watches. Keep reading to check out their picks, discover which of the best watch brands are trending for 2024, and bask in the best watches for women this year.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 26: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Jennifer Lawrence attends the Christian Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Jennifer Lawrence wears a silver watch at the Christian Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

 “I think many watch brands have come to the realization that women equally appreciate the technical aspects and craftsmanship of sophisticated watches and have since catered to that, offering a much more comprehensive range of styles, and not just jewelry watches but haute horology pieces as well,” says Wempe about how she has seen the women’s watch category expand over the last few years. 

“When something gets so much attention, it becomes difficult for people to ignore. Soon, you start seeing watches everywhere and realize how impacted by the news/social cycle you are,” echoes Wallner of Dimepiece. “Once you dig deeper, past the hype, you realize how special watches can be.” She also notes that smaller watches like Hadid’s are a major trend in the watch world right now. Technically speaking, a small watch is a timepiece measuring under about 36 millimeters.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Kaia Gerber attends Planet Omega Hosts Fashion Panel & Cocktail Reception at Chelsea Factory on November 14, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/WireImage)

Kaia Gerber wearing an Omega watch in New York City in November 2023.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 28: Bella Hadid is seen wearing a watch arriving at an hotel wearing a watch on February 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/GC Images)

Bella Hadid wearing a Cartier watch in Paris in February 2022.

(Image credit: Photo by Pierre Suu/GC Images)

Yes, watches can come in at a higher price point than many accessories, but purchasing a watch is more than a single expensive purchase. “They're often an investment from a financial standpoint, yes, but above all, they're a sentimental investment,” Wallner explains. “The relationship one forms with a watch is more intimate than with any other luxury item, like a handbag or shoes. A watch, when worn regularly, becomes a part of you, something you wear for life and then pass down to future generations.” 

In a time when logos and brand names have been removed in favor of subtle, smaller branding, the appeal of a watch seems obvious, especially when smaller sizes are trending. The if-you-know-you-know appeal of wearing a luxury piece with a brand name that’s almost imperceptibly small to a passerby on the street is perhaps one of the clearest reasons why timepieces have seen a boost in sales. It’s one of the few luxury items you can wear for only yourself with a bit of versatility—concealed under the sleeve of a sweater or shown more prominently on the wrist whenever you want.   

Ahead, shop watches from a range of price points from brands like Cartier, Michele, Shinola, Timex, and more. The selection has been broken down into both large and small-sized options so you can choose the one that’s best for you this season.

The Best Watches for Women

Best Gold Watches For Women

Best Silver Watches For Women

Best Black Watches For Women

Best Colorful Watches For Women

Brynn Wallner's Favorite Watches for Women

When asked about her favorite affordable watch brands to shop, Wallner had one answer: “I love BREDA, a smaller watch brand with a sharp focus on design and affordability. My favorite watch of theirs is the Jane (Tethered) for a chic look or their Play for a sporty moment."

Watches for Women Trending for 2024

Sure, you’re buying a pricey item, but you can still incorporate a few trends into your purchase. “We see our customers leaning towards more traditional masculine styles—slightly chunkier, with less sparkle and more weight on the wrist,” says Page. Aside from styles, Page notes that there are also several key brands that are popular. “Our customers who buy into traditionally "masculine" styles from Cartier, Hermès Timepieces and Vacheron Constantin opt for bigger 38mm-40mm cases and sport integrated bracelets.” 

How to Style Watches in 2024

Gone are the days of wearing only your watch and nothing else. Mixing metals and stacking your watch with the rest of your jewelry is not only trendy, but Wallner actually encourages it. “! I love a two-tone moment,” she says. “I wear my steel Cartier Tank Française with my gold rings and it looks very chic.” 

Meet The Experts

Brynn Wallner
Brynn Wallner

Brynn Wallner is a writer, consultant and founder of Dimepiece, a platform dedicated to all things women and watches. She lives in New York City. 

Kim-Eva Wempe
Kim-Eva Wempe
Jessica Owens
J.J Owens

Having collected watches for half her life, J.J. Owens’ interest for horology was peaked through her father. After being unable to shake her love of timepieces, she turned her passion into a career by launching Daily Grail, a media where culture and horology intersect. 

Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen. 

With contributions from