These are the best watches for women in 2024, from quartz to automatic

The best watches for women are a subject of constant debate. While some may look for a piece that does it all – reads your texts, tracks your steps, measures your heart rate and so on – others might seek something that simply tells the time.

Whether you're looking to spend £50, £500 or £5000, watches are an investment – and one which not everyone will agree on. The same as you would when looking to buy a designer handbag; it's important you do your research when it comes to watches. What are you going to wear most often? Do you want a stainless steel strap, silicone, leather? Are the mechanics of a watch important to you? Would you prefer one that's been handmade as opposed to one that's not? Told you, it's no easy feat.

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Classic designs with black, white and mother of pearl dials have always been the most popular in the watch world, but according to Beaverbrooks, a British jeweller which has over 2,000 watches for sale online, this year has seen an influx of people who are choosing more colourful options.

Meet the expert: Beth Lucas, Watch Buyer at Beaverbrooks.

“Bright, bold designs have been a leading trend in watches recently as brands become more experimental with colour palettes,” says Beth.

“We saw a 60% uplift in pink watches last year after the Barbie film premiered, with some models, such as our Vivienne Westwood Lady Sydenham Gold Tone Pink Quartz Watch initially selling out.”

While limited-edition models from popular brands are always desirable, Beth Lucas argues that there's much more to buying the right watch for you. “The most important things to consider are your personal preferences, your budget, and the occasions you plan on wearing it for. There are a number of amazing brands offering watches at different price points, but because a timepiece is a special and personal purchase, making the investment worthwhile is all down to how much it means to you.”

Ask yourself: are you looking for a watch that you can pass on as a family heirloom, or is simply finding a style that you can wear every day a key priority?

“A Swiss-made, automatic watch is a precisely engineered mechanical object and extraordinarily labour-intensive to make, which is reflected in a higher price point. The TAG Heuer Carrera Stainless Steel Automatic Watch, for example, strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, while offering all the features you’d expect from Swiss craftsmanship.”

If you wear a lot of silver jewellery go for a watch that fits in with your everyday pieces, and the same for if you wear yellow or rose gold. It's also wise, if possible, to invest in a second watch strap in a different material, so you can swap them around to suit your ensemble.

TAG Heuer Carrera Stainless Steel Automatic Ladies Watch

£2,850 at Beaverbrooks

Eleanor Watch in Gold-Tone Stainless Steel

£315 at Tory Burch

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If you were to take a leaf out of Princess Diana's book, then Cartier's Tank Louis fits the bill. She was often spotted wearing this model, but she was also fond of Patek Philippe. It’s been said that she'd sometimes wear two – her own, a gold Patek Philippe Calatrava, plus Charles' Disco Volante – to bring him luck during his matches.