My Favorite Women's Watches From SIHH 2016

Last week we brought you our top picks overall from SIHH, but this week I wanted to share with you my top favorite picks from the women's side. There were plenty of ladies' watches to choose from but not all of them made the cut. Keep reading to see what my favorites were (hint: not all of them are "ladies").

1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual-Time 39 MM

I love a good AP Royal Oak. The design is iconic and timeless and they can be worn by both men and women. That is why I have chosen this Royal Oak Dual-Time released at SIHH specifically FOR women. It isn’t necessarily a new watch (actually it was originally released in 1990) but it is new that AP is marketing it for women. The old and faithful automatic caliber 2329/2846 dual-time movement is in a 39 mm steel case with leather strap. Price is $27,700.

2. Cartier Crash In Pink Gold

Another one of my favorites is also a reproduction of an old watch in a new material. At SIHH last year, Cartier released the new Crash in platinum and this year they returned again to the vintage design, and have released it in pink gold. I like this watch for two reasons. Firstly, I am obsessed with the vintage Cartier Crash watches from the late 1960s (would take London or Paris).

And, secondly, although I am not a huge fan of modern reproductions of vintage watches, I think that Cartier really nailed the skeletonized platinum version. Mix that with my love of pink gold and you have a great watch. The movement is the same impressive caliber 9618 MC used in the previous platinum model. The price on the pink gold is a $68,000.

3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Small Calibre 5300

You may have read here about the new Overseas Ultra Thin or the gorgeous Overseas Perpetual Calendar released a couple of weeks ago, but what you didn’t see was the new smaller Overseas caliber 5300 model with diamond-set bezel. I know that diamonds aren’t for everyone, but this is a really cool mix of industrial sporty design with a “feminine” touch. The watch is 37 mm and comes in steel with a vibrant blue dial and pink gold with a rose dial; both are available on the interchangeable bracelet or strap. The brand new caliber 5300 automatic movement was designed and made in-house and is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The prices are as follows: Pink gold with bracelet, rubber strap, and alligator strap is a whopping $51,400; the pink gold with rubber and alligator strap is $39,500; the steel models are sold with a steel bracelet, rubber strap, and alligator strap for $24,900.

4. Piaget Limelight Gala Milanese

Okay so this watch isn’t exactly technically advanced (yes, it's quartz) or mechanically interesting BUT this is one of the more tasteful and elegant watches for a woman that is set with diamonds. I tend to go back and forth on whether or not I like a diamond-set watch, but I really appreciate the clean lines of the Limelight Gala Milanese and the simplicity of the design. The Limelight Gala Collection was created in the 1970s (aka the hey-day of Piaget). The present model is the newest addition to the collection and for me the best part is the awesome mesh bracelet that was so often used on the vintage models. The white gold is $36,000 and the pink gold is $34,500, which is A LOT for a quartz watch, but then again Piaget is a true "luxury brand" and prices are set accordingly.

5. A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin

So, this watch is not technically a “ladies watch,” but part of the beauty of being a woman is you can wear almost any watch (the truth hurts, guys). It is no secret that I love Lange (you can read more about that here and here), and this year at SIHH was no exception. The Saxonia Thin is an incredibly elegant watch with an even more elegant movement. The manual winding L093.1 is not new but still runs like a dream. The case is 40 mm in diameter and is larger than some would deem comfortable, BUT the 5.9 mm thickness of the case makes up for this. The silvered dial is clean and austere in the best way possible. The watch is available in pink or white gold, both priced at $24,500, which compared to some of the other pieces on this list, is a "steal."

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