5 Best Small Watches for Women
13th Jul 2021
Source: Portal Satova/Shutterstock.com
Small watches are considered any timepiece with a case diameter between 20mm-36mm and a band width of 10mm-18mm. These delicate wristwatches are elegant and glamorous, making them the perfect choice for a confident woman who wants to show off her panache while wearing a practical timepiece. In this selection of the five best small watches for women, you’ll easily find a look that matches your style and wrist size.
1. Blancpain Ladybird
Once considered the world’s smallest round-faced watch, the Blancpain Ladybird celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. Before its release, the company was in the hands of Betty Fietcher. She saw a market for what she termed “cocktail watches,” petite timepieces for women that could pair beautifully with formal couture and everyday attire. In 1956, Betty’s nephew took over management of the company and made his aunt’s dreams a reality, releasing a watch with the smallest automatic movement in the world.
This petite timepiece has come to be a beloved women’s luxury accessory for its refinement and grace. The Blancpain Ladybird Womens 0063E-2954-63A still features the company’s tiny 615 caliber automatic movement. The 21.5mm 18k rose gold case features a mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by a glittering diamond bezel. The understated black leather strap tempers the watch’s opulent case design and, at 11mm wide, it is the ideal width for a delicate wrist.
Source: Dmitri Gromov/Shutterstock.com
2. Cartier Panthère Mini
In 1914, Louis Cartier commissioned a watercolor painting by George Barbier, Woman with a Panther. Inspired by the feline’s grace and coloring, the original Panthère watch was launched the same year — a round timepiece with a square case and link bracelet set with onyx and diamonds. So popular was the watch’s design, that the panther motif was gradually incorporated into the brand’s jewelry collections and eventually its logo.
But it wasn’t until the Panthère watch was relaunched in 1983 that it became the distinctively elegant design known and loved today. The Cartier Panthère Womens WJPN0019 watch features an exquisite 25mm x 21mm rhodiumized 18k white gold case set with brilliant cut diamonds. The white dial face emphasizes the bold black Roman numerals, offset by the cobalt blue sword hands. The 18k white gold bracelet has uniquely rounded links, giving the design a feminine softness that contrasts the square case and pointed octagonal crown.
Find the Perfect Rolex for Your Wrist
3. Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso
Most small women’s watches are designed purely for aesthetics, highlighting the wearer’s femininity and elevating an outfit in the same way as a bracelet or ring. Despite its stunning Art-Deco-inspired design, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso has distinctly practical origins. The brand was initially approached by British officers stationed in India for a watch that could withstand the rigors of a polo match. In response, the company created the Reverso, which featured a cradle to hold the case, allowing the watch face to flip around to protect the fragile glass during gameplay. It was released to the public in 1931 and found instant success with young professional men and women who loved the case’s slender dimensions and refined styling.
The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Classic Small 2618140 epitomizes the brand’s subtle combination of practicality and style. The 35.78mm x 21mm rectangular case is crafted from stainless steel and houses a precision quartz movement. It features the iconic horizontal grooves along the top and bottom of the case, referencing the company's characteristic Art Deco aesthetic. The silver dial displays both Arabic numerals and indices, with blue sword-shaped hours indicating the time. The Reverso’s stainless steel bracelet is also available in leather, ideal for a sportier look. Unless you know how to resize a watch bracelet, a leather strap is an easily adjustable option that is simple to maintain.
4. Rolex Lady Pearlmaster
Not only are women’s Rolex watches a high-quality choice, but they’re a fantastic investment because their value appreciates over time. Rolex is an esteemed maker of watches with a long history, stemming from the vision of founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1905. At just 24 years old, Hans began working on a wristwatch that was both elegant and accurate, which was unique for the time period. After much success, Rolex released its first ladies wristwatch in 1957 and has since created gorgeous pieces that are appropriate for women with dainty wrists.
The Rolex Lady Pearlmaster was released in 1992 as a more delicate version of the classic Yachtmaster. The Rolex Lady Pearlmaster 80318 CD is a stunning choice for women who want a luxury watch that catches the eye. It features a beautiful champagne dial and bezel set with 12 diamonds. It has an 18K yellow gold case measuring 29mm, so, while flashy, it’s still suitable for women with slender wrists. The Rolex brand is synonymous with style and luxury, and there are numerous covetable women’s Rolex timepieces on the market. However, most Rolex designs feature a 38mm-44mm case and, although this makes a bold sartorial statement, many women find the case size ostentatious.
5. Patek Philippe Twenty-4
Patek Philippe is one of the oldest and most prestigious watchmaking houses, but their Twenty-4 model timepiece is decidedly modern. Crafted at the turn of the new millennium, this chic, streamlined watch was designed for active young women, devised to be worn at all occasions and with any outfit, from high-end corporate wear to athleisure ensembles, to formal dress.
Encrusted with diamonds and manufactured from 18k rose gold, the Patek Philippe Twenty-4 4910/11R-011 exemplifies modern, feminine elegance. The quartz movement is enclosed in a 25.1mm x 30mm rectangular case, and the rose gold bracelet is only slightly narrower than the case, giving the timepiece a seamless appearance more like a cuff than a watch.
Source: Victoria Chudinova/Shutterstock.com
The Perfect Watch for Your Wrist
Today, plenty of small watch styles are available to women, making it easy to select a model appropriate for your wrist size and stature. When making your decision, consider the style of the timepiece, the color and material of the watch, the size of your wrist, and the bracelet or strap. For sleek women’s watch designs, check out our complete collection at Luxury of Watches. With multiple brands, styles, and sizes, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit.