6 of the best women’s watches of 2018

Nick Kenyon

Half a decade ago, Time+Tide published a story, citing that by 2020 there would be more female millionaires in Britain than male, leaving it to the brands to respond to this shift. As we also mentioned here, women’s watches are so often an afterthought from brands, typically taking a men’s model and either shrinking it down or sinking a few stones into the bezel/lugs. While this still occurs, there are a number of brands that are working hard to have an independent women’s collection under their roof, which is refreshing to see. Last year, Baselworld had a number of women’s watches on display, so we thought we’d look back at 6 of the best women’s watches of 2018.

CARTIER RÉVÉLATION D’UNE PANTHÈRE

As with some of life’s great wonders, only when you see can you believe. And this latest marvel from the French Maison is the perfect example. With a simple turn of the wrist, what was once a blank dial begins to fill with tiny gold beads, flowing from top to bottom and revealing a stylised panther’s face. And then almost as quickly, it disappears, the beads resting at the bottom of the dial.

Ref No. HPI01259, Case size 37mm, Case material 18k pink gold, Movement 430 MC, Price POA

 

LONGINES LA GRANDE CLASSIQUE DE LONGINES

Originally launched in 1992, La Grande Classique de Longines epitomises the ‘elegance is an attitude’ tagline of the winged hourglass brand. There have been countless variations over the years, with different sizes, styles and dial colours. The latest update sees stunning sunray blue dials added. Here, it’s combined with Roman numeral hour markers and a delicately slim case profile.

Ref No. L4.766.4.94.6, Case size 36mm, Case material Steel, Movement L592.2, Price $1525

 

CHANEL BOY.FRIEND SKELETON CALIBRE 3

High fashion house Chanel was founded on the notion of gender fluidity, incorporating traditional masculine elements into women’s designs and blurring the lines between gender norms. While it’s pitched as a women’s watch, the Boy.Friend Skeleton could just as easily be worn by him. Whatever you do, do not disregard the significance and quality of this Boy.Friend. The movement powering the watch is the in-house Calibre 3 manual-wind movement, which is both technical and delicate.

Ref No. H5254, Case size 37mm x 28.6mm, Case material Beige gold, Movement Calibre 3, Price $36,500

 

NOMOS TETRA PEARL

You don’t need a sweet tooth to appreciate this latest addition to the Nomos Tetra collection. Inspired by the delectable French pastry, the Petit Four, Nomos have added four new dial colours to the collection, and the Tetra Pearl is the cherry on top, with its powdery pink dial, violet hour markers, and golden centre hands. It also features a sapphire display caseback that lets you appreciate the Alpha calibre in all its glory.

Ref No. 493, Case size 29.5mm x 29.5mm, Case material Steel, Movement Alpha, Price $3150

 

CHANEL CODE COCO CERAMIC

There are many things to admire about Chanel’s watches. From their impressive in-house movements – like their latest, the Calibre 3 – to the way that they all manage to stay faithful to the soul of the brand. The Code Coco Ceramic takes its inspiration from the iconic 2.55 bag – designed by Mademoiselle Chanel in February 1955. It uses its recognisable clasp to adorn the dial and features a “quilted” ceramic bracelet, a very visual reminder of the 2.55.

Ref No. H5148, Case size 38.1mm x 21.5mm, Case material Steel and ceramic, Movement High precision quartz, Price $15,850

 

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS LADY ARPELS PLANÉTARIUM POETIC COMPLICATIONS

Fans of Van Cleef & Arpels know that the Maison loves a bit of poetry. And their latest astronomical complication puts the solar system on the wrists of those with the world at their fingertips, with Mercury, Venus and Earth – each represented by a tiny polished bead – orbiting an aventurine dial in real time. Adding yet another rhythmical verse is the brilliant-cut diamond, rotating around the Earth in 29.5 days, offering a moon phase like no other.

Ref No. VCARO8R500, Case size 38mm, Case material White gold, Movement Valfleurier Q020, Price POA

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