The 2024 holiday season is in full swing, and we’re entering that fun stretch of making lists, checking them twice, consulting the gift-giving powers that be to lock in presents for our loved ones before shipping cancellation windows close until next year. Seeing as I am a woman of reasonably good taste (at least I’d like to think so) who happens to be putting together my own holiday wishlist for this year, I think there isn’t a better time than now to use my proclivity for online shopping and watch knowledge for good. 

I will take a moment to state clearly that anyone can wear any watch they like! I love men in small watches! Women in big watches! And vice versa! Ultimately, my goal with this is to make women feel more included in the conversation, rather than further alienated by it. From here on out, we will be using the term “Watches For Women” in the most expansive sense. On the theme of expansiveness, you will find I’ve included several affordable options (like, under $100 affordable), and have tried my best to include compelling pieces that won’t break the bank for those who are just getting into watches (and for those who are unsure if they want to wear watches in the first place). Whether you’re shopping for a watch gift for a special woman in your life or you’re looking for some wishlist inspiration for yourself, all are welcome here in this humble gift guide, capiche? Now let’s get into the fun stuff.

Under $500

Casio LA670WGA-1

Price:  $42.95, Case Size (L x W x H):  30.3 × 24.6 × 7.3 mm, Crystal: Resin glass, Water Resistance: Splash proof, Movement: Quartz

This Casio model was the first watch I ever wore into the ground in the lifetime before I started writing about watches. It’s also, hands-down, the watch I see the most out and about in NYC and beyond. Even though my own model has gone kaput after more than five years of active service, I still can’t bear to throw it away. For those just testing out watches, the Vintage section of the Casio collection is a great place to start. Each model captures that unique flavor of nostalgia that Casio is so good at inspiring, and makes the brand feel continuously relevant. 

What I love about this model is its teeny-tiny size and simple, straightforward timekeeping. Despite its small size, this watch features the stopwatch and alarm functionality that you’d expect from Casio, and the bracelet is adjustable to help create a comfortable fit on any wrist. I am partial to small watches, but for those who want something that takes up more room but still captures a similar retro feel, you can’t go wrong with this model, either.

Timex 1983

Price: $219, Case Size: 34mm, Lug Width: 20mm Crystal: Acrylic, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Miyota Caliber 8215 Japanese automatic movement

In terms of both its homage and contemporary designs, Timex has been crushing it lately. One recent release that you might have missed is this modern reimagining of the brand’s 1983 Automatic E-Line, which was defined by its rounded square “T.V.”-style dial. In addition to its '80s-era charm, this reissue features a 34mm case, a domed acrylic crystal for an additional touch of vintage-inspired flair, and is equipped with a Miyota Caliber 8215 movement with hacking seconds and hand-winding.  

Breda Watches

Price: Ranges from $150-$250, Water Resistance: Splash proof, Movement: Japanese-Made Miyota Quartz or Japanese-Made Seiko Quartz

Here, because I actually couldn’t pick out a favorite model, I’ve just opted to include a sweeping shoutout for the relatively young brand Breda. Amongst all the noise of the watch industry, Breda has managed to actually create a product that, in my opinion, has that unisex appeal that a large section of the industry is chasing, and presents it in a way that appeals to a younger, digitally savvy audience. And, it does it quite stylishly, I might add. 

I was actually introduced to this brand by a friend who purchased this ‘Jane’ model (which I believe is one of its most popular) to celebrate getting a new job. The brand’s ethos is to present a fresh take on timelessness and to offer quality pieces at attainable prices. Most of its watches are priced under $200, and though it does not have any pieces with mechanical movements available now, each piece uses a different iteration of a Japanese-made Seiko quartz and Miyota quartz movements. 

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRP841

Price: $450 (now $360 with discount), Case Size: 33.8, Case Thickness: 11.29mm, Crystal: Hardlex, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Caliber 4R35 - Manual and automatic winding capabilities 

You’re likely already familiar with Seiko’s popular 40.5mm Presage Cocktail Time, but did you know that it comes in small wrist-friendly 33.8mm options? Available in both a pale pink shade and the icy blue hue that we’re used to seeing, these models maintain the elegance that defines the line, including the dynamic textured dial, and I think that the pairing with a matching stainless steel bracelet helps make these renditions even more versatile. Another thing to love about these smaller models is that you don’t have to make any sacrifices in the movement department in this downsizing. These models are powered by the automatic mechanical Caliber 4R35 which runs on 12 jewels and features hand-winding capabilities, and you can see it in action through the exhibition-style caseback.

Under $2,000

Dennison A.L.D

Price: $690, Case size (lug-to-lug): 37mm, Thickness: 6mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Swiss Ronda Quartz 1032-1

In case you haven’t noticed, stone watch dials are really having a moment. Expanding past its case-making roots for its 21st-century rebirth as a fully-fledged watch company, Dennison opted to launch a lineup of stone-dial pieces as its inaugural series in combinations of Malachite, Lapis, Tigers Eye, and Sparkling Aventurine. 

Each model features a "rounded square" case design, which is directly inspired by the last cases Dennison produced in the 1960s. With its 37mm lug-to-lug and profile of just 6.05mm, each piece looks great on just about any wrist. Of course, to maintain its slimness, this watch is powered by a quartz movement (the Swiss Ronda Quartz 1032-1 to be exact), but it's a tradeoff I’m willing to make for how comfortable it wears. I think my favorite among these is the Aventurine and Stainless Steel version, but it's hard to say.

Paulin Modul C Manual

Price: $1,086, Case Size: 35mm, Thickness: 8.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 40mm, Lug Width: 18mm, Crystal: Hesalite, Water Resistance: 50 meters Movement: ETA 7001

With its bright pink and blue color palette and quirky mixing of contemporary style with vintage-inspired elements, the Modul C from Paulin struck me as the perfect wildcard pick to include in this gift guide. The independent, Glasgow-based watchmaker's Modul C gets its name from its modular case design, which accommodates a variety of different movements, including the automatic Swiss-made ETA 7001 that powers this model. Additionally, there are multiple strap options available to help give an additional personal touch from the jump. 

In the ever-growing world of watch microbrands, the competition is only getting tougher, but Paulin’s playful use of color and typography set it apart from the pack. In addition to its bold aesthetic, this model measures 35mm in diameter and only 8.2mm thick which, along with its domed hesalite crystal, adds to its late '60s-inspired charm and unisex appeal. 

Longines Mini DolceVita

Price: $1,600 (strap), $1,850 (bracelet), Case Size: 21.50mm x 29mm, Thickness: 6.75, Lug Width: 16mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters Movement: Quartz Caliber L178

Though it's unfair to pick favorites, the Mini DolceVita has, quite transparently, been on the top of my watch wishlist since its release back in 2023. DolceVita translates to “the sweet life,” and with its bite-size 23mm diameter and stainless-steel bracelet that I’ve seen referred to as “chocolate bar style” on more than one occasion, the name couldn’t be more fitting.

The rectangular case design that is a hallmark of the larger DolceVita collection is a callback to a model that Longines released in 1927, and the Mini DolceVita is available in both a sector-dial layout (which also feels right in line with Longines’ heritage), and, my personal favorite, the silver flinqué dial with a guilloché pattern and Roman numerals. This piece in its many iterations makes a great candidate for a first big watch purchase, and I would suggest getting an additional leather strap to make it ready for just about any occasion. 

Shinola Circadian Monster 36mm

Price: $1,550, Case Size: 36mm, Thickness: 9.25mm, Lug Width: 18mm, Crystal: Double Curve Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Sellita SW200-1

Shinola is a brand that has, admittedly, not really been on my radar. I wouldn’t say I’m the only one who feels that way – the Detroit-based brand doesn’t put a ton of weight behind marketing efforts or advertising. The recent release of Shinola's new take on its Monster line, the Circadian in 36mm, changed that for me. 

The brain behind the Circadian Monster 36mm is designer Ying-Yi (Molly) Wang, who has been designing watches for over ten years and wanted to create a piece that was specifically designed to look great and wear comfortably for women and people with smaller wrists. The black mother-of-pearl option is a clear standout among the trio, though this piece is also available in white mother-of-pearl and bright red. This watch is powered by the Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 Automatic movement and is water-resistant to 100 meters. 

Bulova American Girl "M"

Price: $550, Case Size (width): 16.7mm, Crystal: Double curved sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: 5R21 Quartz

If you watched the Netflix series ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ this piece might look familiar. Bulova’s American Girl collection of women’s watches was first launched back in the 1930s, and the series continued in various iterations all the way through the 1960s. The recently released American Girl “M” limited edition, a follow-up to the gold-hued original from 2022, opts for silver tones for its take on the heritage 1957 model. The angular geometry of the tonneau-shaped case is paired with a faceted, bangle-style bracelet, which features an extender chain to accommodate multiple wrist sizes. I’d like to see brands like Bulova continue to reach back into the archive of tiny early 20th-century ladies’ watches and reimagine them in a contemporary context. 

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm

Price: $750, Case Size: 35mm, Thickness: 10.93mm, Lug-to-Lug: 39mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Powermatic Caliber 80.111

This pick seems a bit obvious, but it would be remiss of me not to include at least one PRX in this roundup. While I’ve opted for this all-gold model that leans into the funky '70s style, there are plenty of other color options to choose from if the gift recipient prefers something more tame. 

34mm to 36mm cases are within my personal sizing sweet spot for watches on the standard/larger side. The PRX is one of the most popular entry points into the world of Swiss-made watches for good reason: it's packed with a Swiss-made automatic movement (with 80 hours of power no less), is stylistically versatile, and features an attainable price point under $1,000. The integrated bracelet style does make this piece wear slightly larger, but Tissot did just unveil its smallest PRX ever at just 25mm. However, like most modern watches of its size, the movement within the 25mm PRX is quartz.

Over $2,000

Nomos Glashütte Club Sport Neomatik 

Price: $3,390 , Case Size: 34mm, Thickness: 8.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 41.5mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic DUW 3001

I was going back and forth between several models from Nomos to include, but the German brand’s take on the sports watch won out for its overall versatility. While the 37mm option with the polar blue dial remains among my all-time favorites, the brand recently released a new 34mm take on the Club Sport Neomatik in a trio of new colors including blush pink, purple, and gold.

Nomos has refined its Bauhaus-inspired minimalism down to a science and is unafraid to throw in a dash of playfulness in its designs.I love the mixing of the Arabic numerals with the baton indices on this line, and the brand’s use of color within the collection helps the Club Sport Neomatik stand out against the extensive options of Sports watches on the market today. The 34mm variant of the Club Sport Neomatik is powered by the brand’s in-house- manufactured DUW 3001automatic movement. Additionally, it is water resistant up to 200 meters. 

Vieren OG Automatic Black Croc

Price: $2,850 ,  Case Thickness: 8.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 41.5mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Swiss ETA-2671 automatic

For my final microbrand pick, I’m going with the young brand Vieren, which specializes in making bold, rectangular timepieces with an intentionally unisex bend. Vieren has recently been experimenting with incorporating inspiration from the musical world into its designs, but the brand’s limited-edition Croc line is one I keep finding myself drawn towards. Most of the brand’s pieces are paired with bracelets, but the use of leather on the Croc doesn’t stop at the strap: the dial itself is crafted out of leather. This pick is definitely on the more edgy side, so for something more traditional, I will refer you now to the Matte White OG Automatic. 

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 34mm

Price: $6,600,  Case Size: 34mm, Case Thickness: 11.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 40.5mm, Lug Width: 16mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 150 meters, Movement: Omega Master Chronomater Caliber 8800, automatic 

Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra line writ large is a great option for a “First Luxury Watch” purchase, and I would argue that it’s versatile enough to be a one-and-done collection in and of itself. Of course, the Black Lacquer variations of the Aqua Terra are enjoying their time in the sun now, but what I would pick for myself within the collection is hands-down the 34mm variation of the Shades line. 

By now, I’ve made it abundantly clear that 34mm is well within my sizing sweet spot, and I really like that even with the smaller size, you don’t have to make any sacrifices in terms of the movement – the Omega 8800 movement within is a METAS-Certified Master Chronometer with 55 hours of power. This piece is water resistant up to 150 meters, but its aesthetic isn’t so sporty that it can’t be dressed up for a night out. Additionally, the range of colors is so varied that you can really find one that feels like you. 

Grand Seiko Heritage Hi-Beat SBGH347 

Price: $6,900, Case Size: 37mm, Case Thickness: 13.3mm, Lug-to-Lug: 44.6mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85

Once again, narrowing it down to just one Grand Seiko for this gift guide was a difficult task. There are so many Japanese "micro seasons" to choose from, it gets a bit overwhelming. But this blue-hued model ticks off everything I personally want in a GS: Hi-Beat movement, intricately finished dial in a fun shade, minimalist design, and a well-proportioned 37mm case. I will say as a caveat that if small sizing is more important to you than an automatic movement, I am also quite a big fan of this 28.9mm take with a Snowflake dial.