My mother is one of my role models. I admire her calm, diplomatic demeanor, her elegance, and how she almost always has the right answer or decision for everything. Despite our different personalities (or maybe because of them), I always like to come back to the house I grew up in. To me, it represents warmth, comfort, and protection. It’s the place I come for understanding, whether I’m right or wrong, and for someone to listen when I feel like I’m in over my head with life’s problems. Mother’s Day (not to mention Father’s Day) is one of those times of the year when we celebrate very special people in our lives. And if we’re being honest, it’s really 364 days too few.
Neither of my parents were big watch wearers when I was growing up. My father, however, eventually gave in and bought a Breitling Chronomat. I even caught him buying another watch from time to time, trying to turn his one-watch collection into a one-two watch punch. My mother, on the other hand, well, even though she inspired my fashion sense, we’re different when it comes to watches. I wear a watch (almost) all the time, while her wrist remains bare to this day.
We’re looking at Chrono24’s sales figures today to see what the top ten most popular models are in the “Women’s Watches” category, checking out each brand’s best-selling model. For this list, I didn’t set out to find out what the top ten watches are that women are buying. Instead, I set out to get my mom excited about one of these watches. How did I do? Read on to find out.
1. Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173
Our list’s most popular model is the Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173. Made of stainless steel and gold, this two-tone watch has a 26-mm case and, like the other watches in this Top 10 list, has a sapphire crystal, a hard, high-quality synthetic glass that can only be scratched by a diamond or diamond-coated tool. This feature alone makes this watch the ideal companion for a busy, on-the-go mom.
The Lady-Datejust has an automatic movement and comes with your choice of a dial with or without diamonds. Whether your mother is doing the shopping, playing with the kids at the playground, or taking care of business at the office, this is a reliable, stylish timepiece she’s going to love.
2. Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118/1200A-001
A watch in a much higher price category (and probably not the best choice for the playground) is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118/1200A-001.
The Nautilus is probably the most well-known collection in the entire Patek Philippe catalog. Patek’s watches are often nothing less than priceless heirlooms that you’ll be delighted to pass from one generation to the next.
This watch has a 35.2-mm stainless steel case. Its bezel is set with 56 diamonds that sparkle like there’s no tomorrow. The smooth, durable steel of the watch harmonizes beautifully with the royal blue of the dial and its soft, horizontal stripes.
3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 77350CE.OO.1266CE.01
This is another watch on our list that’s in the (very) upper price category: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 77350CE.OO.1266CE.01. It’s all black except for a few of its elements (the bezel screws, indices, and hands), giving it an absolutely cool appearance. This is a watch guaranteed to turn heads time and time again.
The octagonal bezel, a trademark of the Royal Oak, gives this women’s watch a very sporty look. Its ceramic case makes it especially durable and scratch-resistant, so it’ll look like new for years to come. This is a great watch for moms who have their hands full.
4. Cartier Tank Française W51008Q3
The quartz movement in the Cartier Tank Française W51008Q3 places us back squarely in the affordable luxury watch realm. Mom’s going to love how she can don this watch without it needing a wind. On any of her busy mornings, she just needs to strap this Tank on her wrist, and she and her gorgeous watch will be set to go.
The 20 mm stainless steel case of this watch features a silver dial with Roman numerals and only an hour and minute hand, with no second hand, for a minimalist, understated, timeless look. It’s the perfect understatement on your wrist for church, weddings, or any special occasion.
5. Chanel Première H0001
The Chanel Première H0001 is another watch on our list that’s powered by a quartz movement. It measures 20 x 26 mm, and has a jet-black dial that contrasts beautifully with its golden hands, case, and bracelet, the latter two of which are made of gold and steel. The bracelet’s chain links turn this watch into nothing less than a stunning piece of jewelry.
This model stands out the most compared to the other timepieces on our Top 10 list thanks to its shape, bracelet, and simple dial. Its jeweled appearance is certain to bring out the individual style of anyone who wears it.
6. Breitling Navitimer Automatic 35 U17395211A1U1
The case of the Navitimer Automatic 35 U17395211A1U1 is 35 mm in size, and is made of gold and stainless steel. Its mother-of-pearl dial is adorned with sparkling diamonds, while its delicate hands deliver great legibility for its wearer. The mother-of-pearl looks great together with this two-tone watch, and will draw Mom’s gaze down to her wrist again and again.
Try not to get too caught up in the sparkle of this watch. Like any Breitling pilot’s watch, this Navitimer is built for the adventurous parts of Mom’s day, like her next camping trip or the upcoming birthday party with a dozen kids running around the house.
7. Panerai Luminor Due 38mm PAM 01248
This 38-mm watch is one of the larger ones on our list, and with 72 hours of power reserve, it’s certainly the most long-lasting: the Panerai Luminor Due 38 mm PAM 01248.
The beige dial features a small seconds subdial and date complication, giving it a tidy, uncluttered appearance. This is a great watch for the office, when running errands, or meeting friends.
8. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master Chronometer 220.10.34.20.02.001
A favorite watch of mine is the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 220.10.34.20.02.001, a 34-mm “go anywhere, do anything” sports watch with 150 meters (15 bar, 492 feet) of water resistance and a 55-hour power reserve.
This watch is a great choice for water sports, whether swimming in the pool, or ocean diving. Wear it on your next hike, too, because this is a timepiece that’s up for any challenge. Its stainless steel case and light silver dial are stunning. Speaking of the dial, you’ll notice it has a wave pattern that beautifully complements the rose gold hour markers. Thanks to its great functionality and looks, the Aqua Terra is a watch for whatever life throws at you.
9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duetto 266.8.44
Depending on how you grew up, it’s typically the moms who are called upon in the family to perform the tightrope act between strict and comforting, hitting just the right note of coaxing, cajoling, and commanding. In other words, Mom needs to show the different sides of herself, just like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duetto 266.8.44 – the model renown for its sophisticated pivot mechanism and two dials.
This timepiece has a classic, timeless dial on the one side of its case, and a mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-bezel on the other. Both dials’ bezels are reminiscent of a picture frame. Whichever dial you choose, both are wonderful to behold. The watch itself is powered by a hand-wound movement.
10. Hublot Big Bang 361.sx.1270.rx.1104
You either love them or you hate them: Hublot watches (kind of like adolescent kids and their parents, right?). The same is true for the Hublot Big Bang 361.sx.1270.rx.1104. Smaller than most unisex watches at 38 mm, we see Hublot following the current trend towards smaller sizes, releasing a selection of 38-mm timepieces that you can read about in our Watches and Wonders 2024 article.
This Hublot Big Bang has a black dial, quartz movement, and comes on a rubber strap. It’s a great choice for all kinds of daily situations that might make Mom break a sweat from time to time. This is a robust statement watch, whether you’re at the gym, out on the town, or at your next business meeting.
Final Thoughts
Let’s rewind back to the beginning of this article: Which watch did I select for my mother?
Spoiler alert: I’m going to hold off on getting her a watch. She just prefers not to have anything on her wrist, at least during the work day. But…
“I like the Cartier Tank the best. It’s pretty and elegant. I like the proportion between the dial and steel bracelet, there’s nice harmony there. And I’m perfectly fine with the price.” My mother doesn’t care if she gets an automatic or quartz movement. In any case, this is the watch she can picture getting, as a head-turner for special occasions, or evening events. And if she buys a watch, she’ll want to have some kind of special connection to it.
“How about a matching pair of mother-daughter watches?” I asked with a smirk. That got a grin right back from her. As you can see, I’m still working on it. I’ll get there.
