The 10 Best Ladies Watches to Gift This Valentine’s Day

The best way to celebrate a woman of beauty and substance on Valentine’s Day is with a gift that has those same qualities. A luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary watch hits just right, preferably one that straddles the line between tradition and modernity—a timeless design, but with a modern twist; and state-of-the-art chronometry but scaled to a woman’s wrist. It’s a tall order, but the ladies’ watch segment has been up to the task lately, as the 10 watches in this gift guide illustrate. They prove it’s possible to be technically sophisticated, beautiful and sized to fit, with a dash of investment potential all in one package. Their makers understood the assignment. That said, two of these watches are technically men’s models, so they’re sized a little bigger than the rest, but we love them anyway because they’re stylish and classic.

Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle 33

The 33 mm Traditionelle is the sized-for-women version of Vacheron’s classic time-only model. It’s an elegant day-to-night alternative to the more decorative Égerie or Lady Kalla models in the Vacheron catalog, with a touch of color and some diamonds to give it some flair. Bt’s more than superficially pretty: the 33mm Traditionelle, like the larger men’s models, is finished to Geneva Seal standards. $33,400

Cartier Tank Américaine

The classic Tank, designed by Louis Cartier in 1917, has had many iterations (Tank Cintrée, Tank Chinoise, Tank Française, Tank Solo). The Américaine is one of the most compact, measuring 35.5 mm wide. Set with diamonds on the case and bezel, in 18-karat white gold, this version is the perfect cocktail watch, but classic enough to be a daily wear. The Roman numerals, railroad minute track, and blued hands identify it as pure Cartier. $55,000

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Perpetual Calendar Ref. 7340/1R

The Twenty~4 collection has been Patek Philippe’s prominent ladies’ collection since 1999, but it has gone through a series of recent upgrades. It was a quartz collection until 2018, when it was redesigned and given an automatic movement. This Patek upped the ante year with a perpetual calendar, the brand’s speciality, was added to the collection. The green dial is an emerging trend, and looks great with the rose gold case and bracelet. $132,659

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 30

Shades of purple and green keep cropping up on this season’s luxury watches. More than just a pretty face, though, the Aqua Terra 30 contains the elite Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8750, certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). And it is water resistant to 150 meters. There are gold and two-tone options, with diamond hour markers and diamond set bezels. Color options, all with lacquer coatings, include pine green, grey, brown, burgundy, black, or mother-of-pearl. (The steel version here is $7,100 and with diamonds, $7,800)

Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Guilloché

This gold power watch is the newest version of the Louis Vuitton Convergence introduced last year with a dragging hours and minutes display. The Guilloché dial is rose gold, engraved the traditional way, with vintage hand-operated rose engine turning machines and lathes. The center is engraved in a pattern of undulating rays emanating from the hour and minute guichets (windows), meant to resemble the edges of clouds pierced through with sunlight. $58,500

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Timer

Tiffany & Co. once ran a watch workshop in Switzerland, where, 160 years ago, it produced a chronograph called the Tiffany Timer, hence the name of this new chronograph. The dial is created by applying 15 layers of clear lacquer over a coat of Tiffany blue-colored varnish. The movement, made by LVMH sister brand Zenith, is the El Primero 400 chronograph movement, customized with a carving on the rotor of the brand’s famous Bird on a Rock brooch. With a platinum case and baguette diamond hour markers, it’s limited to 60 pieces at $55,000 each. But if you can’t get your hands on one, there are plenty more accessible watches in the brand’s lineup accented with the signature hue.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 34 mm

The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 is one of the purist expressions of classic watchmaking. It is an elegant, commendably austere, three-hander that has long been a male collector’s favorite. Now it is available in a 34 mm version, thanks to a newly developed manual movement that is scaled for smaller wrists. It has a 72-hour power reserve and the usual superb Lange finishing. Men who prefer vintage sizing will want to share it. Price upon request

Hublot Big Bang One Click Coal Blue Diamonds

Hublot’s new Big Bang One Click in coal blue is part of the watch industry’s return to power pastels. It’s a softer side of the brand, which is typically known for bright, vibrant shades. There are four models to choose from, with tonneau or round cases ranging from 43 mm to 33 mm, with or without diamonds, priced from $14,800 to $22,900. This one is 33 mm, set with 36 diamonds and containing an automatic movement. $15,500

Gérald Genta Geneva Time Only

In watchmaking circles, Geneva represents the center of luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary watchmaking, but the name that really carries weight here is Gérald Genta, the world’s most celebrated watch designer. The classic rounded cushion case of the Geneva Time Only design is based on Genta’s 1970s original, here interpreted in rose gold (Marrone) or white gold (Grafite). At 38 mm it can be worn by men as well. The time-only automatic movement is made by sister brand Zenith. 25,000 Swiss francs (about $31,673)

Breitling Lady Premier Automatic 36

A ladies’ time-only watch with a seconds hand is an everyday classic that, in previous eras, took the form of a quartz fashion watch. This Breitling Lady Premier Automatic in 36 mm contains Breitling’s in-house automatic caliber 10 with a 42-hour power reserve, but retains a feminine sensibility, with a colorful dial and dusting of diamonds on the lugs and bezel. It is also available in a strap in a choice of sage, dove gray or aubergine. $9,500

This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.