Watch Hunting for Someone Special
Alright Crunchers, I'm looking to get my wife a few watches, small collection, and realize I know very little about dressier watches or the ladies market of watches. Are there micro brands that go in that direction? What are your favorites? What are you or your significant other wearing?
She prefers smaller, under 36mm, with Arabic numerals, thinner case profile/no bezel.
Understood that this is a pretty large topic, so I'm open to learning anything and everything.
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Raleigh
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Member since
Last active: 14 hrs ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
Are you looking to get her "proper" watches, from recognised brands like the Lorier shown above, are you open to looking at "fashion " brands?
For example, there's this from Jacques Lemans. â¬299, in various colourways.
https://www.jacques-lemans.com/en/Dublin-1-1940H
https://www.traskawatch.com/products/commuter-34-faded-copper
This was the first watch that came to mind!
Are you looking to get her "proper" watches, from recognised brands like the Lorier shown above, are you open to looking at "fashion " brands?
Open
Have you showed her some different styles? Divers? Sport watches? Or is it all based off dress watches? With the trend towards smaller watches there are a ton of options. Do you have a price point?
https://www.traskawatch.com/products/commuter-34-faded-copper
This was the first watch that came to mind!
that's a great suggestion
Not sure about micros ... but you might want to check out Tissot, Raymond Weil, FC, Baume. And you can never NOT check Seiko. Most of them have some very nice looking quartz based ladies watches in the 500-1200 bucks range. Admittedly apart from Tissot and Seiko, most are going to be closer to the upper end. I have a similar dilemna coming up (birthday and anniversary), so would be grateful if you let me know of something cool in the micro space. My personal frustration is with the import duties associated with buying micros in my country....dramatically reduces choice :(
Are you buying, but she is choosing? That's OK, but if you're doing both it's dangerous territory. It's such a personal item. You wouldn't want her to approve of them, just so that she doesn't offend you, then not wear them. Just saying.
I would look at a Cartier Tank Solo.
I feel like Longines has some nice womens watches. But I also dont really know that much about womens watches.
I've learned to start with Cartier. I don't know what the budget is but any of their classic product lines will be perfect. The Panthers, Tank, Santos, I could go on and on
Just buy her a Cartier. One and done! Plus, she will tell all her friends how great you are!
Contact https://www.bo-tello.es they will happily have a chat with you and choose a watch for her!
Excellent service, for free still, and they speak English!!
Maybe that helps!
As my wife doesnot really care for watches. I got her a Seiko Solar.
Size (under 30mm) is just right.
No winding and No battery issues for ~10y.
You have some decent indications of taste (size, Arabics, etc.) but I would recommend an evening of looking at few sites together. Tissot and Longines would be a good start - lots of different models available in a decent range of price points. If nothing else it will probably help to further zero in on what she likes (or really dislikes).
Seiko SUP250, a ladies Seiko tank-style watch. Low maintenance, looks amazing, from a respected brand.
Maybe look at Longines Dolce Vita, Grand Seiko ladies Snowflake (STGF359)
Seiko SUP250, a ladies Seiko tank-style watch. Low maintenance, looks amazing, from a respected brand.
Jomashop has a great deal on these. I've been thinking about getting a Seiko tank myself. 👍
Whatever brand you get her, make sure it's a quartz. Women don't care much for winding and setting dates.
This is what my wife wears.
https://www.bezali.com/products/tag-heuer-womens-wah1319-ba0868-formula-1-diamond-two-tone-stainless-steel-and-ceramic-watch?variant=32057541328974¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoKeuBhCoARIsAB4Wxtf0rHbePNYQxlqtBIsHxVcH8imiILwvUaUr3UjLY52jd5e07dmEbmkaAoneEALw_wcB
Originally I bought this for myself but based on how this is now her daily watch, it might be worth considering for your wife.
Nomos club campus neomatik. 37mm.
I got a Tissot for my wife at Christmas.
I would say Longines or Tissot are good to start with. They have very classic, dainty watches.
I do have to agree with the comments that it is very sweet of you to do this for her - but maybe have her go along with the buying?
Just so that you both are happy. She can choose what really suits her and you are happy that you were able to do this lovely thing for her and know she'll love and use all of it 😉
Hope it is OK I said this 🙏
Longines Dolce vita (Longines website)
I took a shot of the slightly larger size but the cone with various sizes and dial configurations 👍🏻
Longines Mini Dolcevita is a standout choice
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/hands-on-longines-mini-dolcevita-watch/
Just get that beautiful Lorier, and forget about it!
Thanks to everyone for the comments. Had some awesome recommendations, and alot of fun hunting around for the 'right' one. Ended up going with a Frederiqe Constant
I would say Longines or Tissot are good to start with. They have very classic, dainty watches.
I do have to agree with the comments that it is very sweet of you to do this for her - but maybe have her go along with the buying?
Just so that you both are happy. She can choose what really suits her and you are happy that you were able to do this lovely thing for her and know she'll love and use all of it 😉
Hope it is OK I said this 🙏
For sure. It's definitely a hard road to navigate.
I think it’s important to differentiate whether you are hoping she will become an enthusiast and share your descent into the rabbit hole or did she initiate this conversation?
As a woman in this hobby I can tell you that what I know about the “ladies” watch market would fit in a thimble. Most of us move on to unisex sizing and design pretty quickly. That said my watches range from 26-42mm so in general it’s hard to figure out what we might like.
The Cartier comments are spot on. It’s hard to go wrong with a tank or panthere if that’s where your budget lies. Also the questions about wearing to complement jewelry are important. When she starts wearing watches she may fall in love with bezels so I wouldn’t rule out anything after the first one goes on her wrist.
If you just want to get her started with some inexpensive options to try out I would suggest a three watch collection- tissot 35 mm prx quartz, Seiko tank and a baby g shock in a fun color. You can get all three on jomashop for under $500 and return anything she really doesn’t care for.
Good luck with your choices- she’s lucky to have you thinking and caring about what she might want!
Definitely some insight there. Went with something unisex is size, thin, and able to do everything she might want out of one. She may go down the rabbit hole, she may not. I'm just happy to have her in my life.
NWA inbound.
@angelah I think it's time for a NWA!