Round-UpEthos Watch Awards 2017: The 14 Best Watches For Women

As Beyoncé puts it: ‘Who run the world? Girls!’ Just in case you thought the watch world is ruled by men, pause, because women are equally tech-savvy and enthusiastic about toys that puts them at the same level as their male counterparts. It’s a thing of the past that women are all about aesthetics. Today, the crème of luxury brands craft watches that are beyond just bejewelled accessories and women are willing to pay six-figure and higher prices for them. Women have developed a taste for mechanical watches, with a functional inclination, and luxury brands in 2017 kept that in mind. As a result, Omega’s flagship for women was an automatic Speedmaster, while Jaeger-LeCoultre gave us a moon phase indicator. The year 2017 also broadened the domain of women’s watches in terms of aesthetics, such as the exquisite Bulgari Serpenti leather strap or the Raymond Weil Repetto with its take on the delicate ballerina inspiration. Before we spill out the exquisite timepieces, you should know that this list curates the best from the world of horology this year – the timepieces that bridge the dichotomy between aesthetics and performance.

1. Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral – Watch Of The Year 2017

This watch is equipped with Carl F. Bucherer’s pride and joy, the peripheral rotor that is mounted on the edges of the movement using ball bearings, allowing the beholder an unobstructed view of the movement. This admirable innovation in the rotor that powers a self-winding mechanism is precisely why we have chosen this as our watch of the year. This impressive rotor winds a movement offering the date and small seconds, in addition to the hours and minutes. The dial in mother of pearl, and the bezel set with diamonds give this watch a dressy look, fit for the kind of celebration this watch itself deserves. While the strap is in black leather, the 40.6mm case in stainless steel is water resistant to 30m.

2. Frederique Constant Art Deco

Cut out for the woman who craves functionality with panache, the Art Deco collection is inspired by the Art Deco look of the 20s and 30s. The massive aesthetic appeal in the watch is emitted from the petite 25mm case and an exuberant black dial with guilloche decoration. Representing every modern-day woman, the watch has ‘rounded curves and corners, inside and out’.

The silver printed numerals on the dial match the metal bracelet and add sheen to the classic timepiece. An award-worthy element of the Art Deco timepiece is the reliable the FC-200 quartz movement it runs on. The quartz movement also assures 25 months of power reserve, making the ‘accessible luxury’ timepiece even more enviable.

To order the Frederique Constant Art Deco, please call +91 8725028886

3. Raymond Weil Repetto Shine ‘Etoile’ Special Edition – Best Watch For All Occasions

A collaboration between two extremely classy brands with a common quest for excellence and precision has resulted in a hands-down award-worthy watch. The Raymond Weil (RW) Repetto deserves every right to be mentioned on this list. Why? Because it emits pristine glamour and grace in its 32mm steel case and original silver bracelet. The 40-year-old superior Swiss watchmaking qualities that Raymond Weil is renowned for make the RW Shine Repetto a stunning performer.  An extension of the ‘Shine’ collection, it embodies the ‘tulle’ serenity and is crafted in the eminent Repetto leather. The shine ‘Etoile’ watch is a dress watch that accompanies a woman through her day. RW’s patented system of removing the lugs and changing the strap makes it easy to strap on either the pink blush or crystal carbon black strap. The ballerina feminine imagery is reflected on the silver, satin-brushed dial. The tulle motif and the diamond studs denoting the other hour numerals bring out a shimmering effect.

4. Movado Edge 2017

There is no way that we skip featuring one of the most aesthetically appealing watches of the 21st century. The first Edge collection was launched in 2015, and after enjoying phenomenal success, the brood kept increasing. The latest Edge collection for women is exquisite, elegant and functional. Available in three gorgeous variations – stainless steel, or a rose or yellow gold PVD finish – it has created a furore in fashion circles. Designer Yves Behar has lent the watch his savoir-faire from the design world and given a modern, artistic twist to the Edge collection by incorporating a looped brown leather strap. The classy upgrade looks beautiful and is equally comfortable on the wrist. The 34mm case is not diminutive and designed with the intention of having people notice. Top that with a ridged, three-dimensional dial in an uncanny industrial turbine pattern and the timepiece is irresistible.

5. Favre-Leuba Raider Sea Bird – Best Sporty Watch

Any watch from the Favre-Leuba Raider collection is hardly meant for those with delicate taste. The Raider timepieces are magnanimous and bold, and they’re exactly the kind of watches that grab your attention. And just like any other Raider watch, the Sea Bird is not apologetic for its generous size. So if you like a large wristwatch, this is your best bet. In a large size of 37mm, the case is in steel and houses an automatic movement. The dial of the watch is in copper, offering striking contrast against the white metal look of the watch, and it features applied luminous indexes for the hour markers. Protected by a sapphire crystal glass, this watch is water resistant to 100m.

6. Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend Lady 32

Corum’s most recognisable collection – the Admiral’s Cup – always has something for everyone. This one here, is the Legend Lady in 32mm. The iconic Admiral’s Cup flags serve as pennant hour markers on the white mother-of-pearl dial. The 32mm dodecagonal case is disguised slightly by the use of a round bezel around the circular dial, which probably makes this watch appealing even to those who prefer a more traditional form. The white dial, steel, and the white strap give this timepiece a pristine look, while it’s also very sporty owing to the use of rubber, and of course the Admiral’s Cup flags. The Corum ‘key’ emblem subtly makes an appearance on the strap, while it’s also present on the crown.

Here are 13 reasons why you should invest in a Corum Admiral’s Cup watch.

7. TAG Heuer New Lady Link

The TAG Heuer Lady link fetches accolades on its own merit! The new redesigned watch stays true to the brand’s tagline, ‘Don’t crack under pressure’. Lady Link grabs compliments for striking the perfect balance, and not being too girly. The watch has retained and presented the iconic ‘S’-shaped bracelet in a curved form that sits smoothly on a feminine wrist. Daintily, the watch is in a 32mm case, sans the horns, and a well-integrated case-bracelet outlook. Do not underestimate the performance of the watch as it is a power cracker with one of the most reliable TAG Heuer quartz movements. The elegant aspect of the aesthetics is brought out in the beautiful, blue sunray dial, 12 delicate VS diamond and contrasting faceted hour and minute hands. What makes the Lady Link all the more praise-worthy is that the iconic design understands ergonomics and wearer’s comfort, making it the perfect choice for the modern, active woman. The gist of the lady link is ‘where comfort and elegance collide’.

8. Omega Speedmaster 38MM ‘Cappuccino’

Omega is synonymous with recognition of achievement in the world of wristwatches. Receiving plaudits for their wristwatches every year has become a trend and it is one of the few brands that devote themselves equally to shell out the best men and women’s watches. This year, a praise-worthy ladies watch is the Speedmaster 38mm chronograph. The watch reflects Omega’s heritage. Crafted with simplicity, and adding vibrancy is the ‘cappuccino’ tone. The watch features a 38mm 18-carat Sedna™ gold case. The dual bezel includes a tachymeter on a brown aluminium ring on the inside and an alluring, diamond-pave outer side. The watch gets its name from the ‘cappuccino’ hue of the dial that has three oval sub-dials and an oval date window. Driven by the Omega Co-Axial Calibre 3330, this piece is completed with a taupe-brown leather strap and a seahorse medallion on the caseback.

9. Baume & Mercier My Classima – Most Elegant Watch

A brand that truly understands the moments that make life special, Baume & Mercier exudes elegance and sophistication in everything they do. And their My Classima timepieces are no exception. In fact, this is the collection that takes the brand’s leisurely lifestyle personality forward, with relaxed and soothing features. The Roman numeral hour markers, the date at three o’clock, the stylish steel case, and the clean lines of its design make this watch a really graceful instrument to put on your wrist. Celebrating life’s moments that you mark, commemorate and remember, this watch comes with a clean caseback, offering you the option of having a message, a date, or initials engraved on it. With such personalisation, the My Classima can truly become your Classima, even making this an ideal present for a special someone. The My Classima for women also comes in a version with a blue leather strap and a moon phase indicator.

10. Hublot Big Bang 38mm

A rich brown dial and rubber strap complement the diamond-encrusted bezel of this watch, seen on a round, rose gold case that is 38mm in diameter. Housed in this case is a quartz movement. Behind the sapphire crystal of this watch is the chequered pattern of the dial, featuring gold hour and minute hands with a luminescent coating, and a seconds hand that has the Hublot ‘H’ as its counterweight. The dial also features indexes and stencil-style Arabic numerals as alternating hour markers. This timepiece is water resistant to 100m.

11. Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon Medium

This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre gave us the beautiful Rendez-Vous in a variety of sizes, colours, and materials. This one here is the Moon Medium version in a 34mm stainless steel case, with a blue leather strap that is reminiscent of a clear, blue sky. With diamonds on its bezel, Jaeger-LeCoultre speaks of the moon phase indication as inspiring. The texture on the silvered dial extends onto the moon phase sub-dial that seemingly covers the artistic Arabic numeral hour marker at six o’clock. The movement powering this watch is an automatic calibre with 267 components, including 42 jewels. This timepiece is water resistant to 30m.

To order the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon Medium, please call +91 8725028885

12. Longines Elegance Symphonette

A perfect dress watch, this sleek timepiece comes in an oval steel and rose gold case of 18.9mm, and a ‘woven’ link bracelet, also in steel and pink gold. Powered by a quartz movement, the watch offers hours, minutes, and small seconds, seen on a sub-dial at six o’clock. The dial in mother of pearl has an inner gold ring, with the hour marker numerals separated in segments, and a classic element in the form of blued hands. The bezel is decorated with diamonds, adding just the desired glamour to this watch. It’s no surprise that it’s also the choice of Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Kate Winslet.

13. IWC Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36

A collection that lived up to all the hype at the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie 2017 is this edition of the Da Vinci, and hence it bags a spot on this coveted list. The collection comes in a plethora of options that could thrill anyone, but this watch captured our attention with its winning fusion of aesthetics and functionality. IWC has previously launched women’s watches for its Pilot and Portofino collections, but this series has set an all-new benchmark. The timepiece reflects a feminine side in the 36mm steel case, which is rounded to perfection, complemented by the recessed inner circle on the dial. The dome-shaped crown is arresting for its utter elegance. The ‘poetic moon phase display makes this watch particularly attractive for women.’ Specially designed watch straps by Santoni are available in a rainbow of colours from raspberry to brown, but this deep blue hue is the one that particularly stands out. Appealing to the chic, yet workaholic woman is the solid automatic calibre 35800 that offers a 42-hour power reserve.

14. Bulgari Serpenti

Closing on a high, we give you the romance of the Bulgari Serpenti. Continuing with more aplomb, the iconic collection – that shot to fame after Elizabeth Taylor wore it portraying Cleopatra – enamoured everyone at Baselworld 2017 with its new edition. Summing it up best, the brand says, ‘The rarely-tamed Serpenti collection is all tied-down in leather.’ And that is exactly the focal point of these beautiful timepieces – the interchangeable wraparound leather straps. An effortless siren in the women’s watch segment, this piece features a petite, curved case at just 27mm, set with diamonds, and featuring a red, lacquered dial, with guilloche soleil treatment. If all of that isn’t opulent enough, the crown houses a pink sapphire cabochon, and the strap is a customisable double-twist Karung leather band. The daring new timepiece runs on a reliable B033 quartz movement.

All the watches showcased above are available at Ethos Watch Boutiques.

Click here for the 19 best watches for men