A Ladies Watch Doesn't Mean Small Anymore, Here Is What It Means (2024)

Beauties wearing beasts

Although there is a time and place for women to don delicate and feminine timepieces such as the Rolex Lady-Datejust – for an everyday luxury watch, chic ladies everywhere are turning to men’s Rolexes. Especially evident among female celebrities, a man’s Rolex watch as part of a woman’s wardrobe is right on-trend. And it’s not just the gold President variety either; Hollywood starlets are often seen sporting larger Rolexes such as the Daytona, Submariner, and Milgauss.

Once regarded as much too big for a ladies’ wrist, a 40mm Rolex actually looks fantastic when worn by women. A particularly popular model among famous females is the Everose pink gold Daytona as seen on the wrists of Victoria Beckham, Sofia Vergara, Paris Hilton, and members of the Kardashians. This is probably because the overall masculine style of the Rolex Daytona chronograph is softened when crafted in warm rose gold. Supermodel Elle Macpherson is also a fan of the Daytona, but she prefers the full yellow gold models with a number of them in her collection, including some vintage versions. Style maven and socialite Olivia Palermo is also a Rolex Daytona owner and hers is a stainless steel version outfitted with a mother-of-pearl dial and brown leather strap.

A Ladies Watch Doesn't Mean Small Anymore, Here Is What It Means (2)

Ladies Watch

The Rolex Submariner has been the men’s quintessential luxury diving watch for decades, but there are plenty of women who appreciate it too. Superstar actresses Sharon Stone and Drew Barrymore wear the classic stainless steel Submariner with the black bezel and black dial. On the other hand, celeb chef Ingrid Hoffman opts for the green anniversary Submariner for a pop of color. The stunning Charlize Theron also wears a Rolex diver’s watch, but hers is the even larger 44mm Rolex Deep-Sea, built to withstand extreme depths.

Another men’s Rolex collection that has found a home in women’s jewelry boxes is the 40mm Milgauss, originally created for scientists, doctors, and engineers who spent much of their time exposed to magnetic fields. Gauss is the unit used to measure magnetic density and the Rolex Milgauss is resistant to 1,000 gauss. Jennifer Aniston owns a custom-made blackout version of the Milgauss, while hotel heiress Nicky Hilton wears the stainless steel with a black dial version.

Aside from celebs, non-famous, yet ultra fashionable, women are also rocking men’s Rolex watches. The oversized timepiece trend has been around for a while and it doesn’t look like it’ll be going away anytime soon. A lady who pairs her outfits with a 40mm Rolex watch is undeniably making a strong fashion statement.

According to a recent luxury goods report, one of the hottest Rolex watch trends is women sporting 40mm timepieces. Instead of women settling for a Ladies Rolex DateJust, President, or Yachtmaster, it is becoming quite common for them to seek out a Men’s Rolex Daytona, Men’s Rolex President, Men’s Rolex Milgauss, and Men’s Rolex Submariner watches.

Superstar Jennifer Aniston is regularly seen wearing her classic 40mm Rolex President in 18k yellow gold with Champagne stick dial. The watch leaves an instant impression, especially when worn on a slender wrist. Other stars that have been seen wearing the President Rolex with a Champaign stick dial include Reese Witherspoon, Portia de Rossi, Hillary Duff, and Victoria Beckham.

The Rolex Daytona (often a favorite of Rolex collectors around the world) is owned by Jillian Michaels, Sofia Vergara, Tara Reid, and Vanessa Bryant. The Daytona’s appeal resides in its high quality precious metals, elegantly styled dial, and precision. Additionally, its rare nature is quite appealing to those looking to break the mold.

For those seeking a ruggedly elegant watch, the Rolex Submariner is a top pick. Superstars Cameron Diaz, Sharon Stone, and Vanessa Redgrave prefer its classic black dial with luminescent hour markers and stainless steel bracelet. A growing number of women are realizing that the Submariner Rolex doesn’t only belong to the likes of James Bond and his male fans. Women can utilize the watch just as effectively as they adventure through life.

The Rolex Milgauss is a growing trend for women. Jennifer Aniston recently put away her Rolex President to wear a blacked-out PVD Rolex Milgauss. The exciting watch is built to withstand a magnetic flux density of 1000 gauss. While most individuals never come close to that much magnetic energy in their lifetime, the Rolex Milgauss offers the ultimate in precision and durability.

These are only a handful of Rolex watch models that are increasingly being enjoyed by women around the world. Leading trend experts have predicted that oversized luxury watches are here to stay. Not only do oversized pre-owned Rolex watches make a statement, there are numerous models and designs from which women can choose. No longer are women constrained to small watch cases and dainty designs.

A Ladies Watch Doesn't Mean Small Anymore, Here Is What It Means (2024)

FAQs

Are ladies watches getting smaller? ›

Now that collectors are embracing smaller models, Ms. Wallner hopes that watchmakers will feel inspired to pay more attention to ergonomics. “To me, when I see a well-done ladies watch, I can feel the intention behind it and the fact that it was made for a woman's wrist,” Ms.

Are small watches out of style? ›

In the ever-evolving world of horology and fashion, trends come and go, others, but some endure the test of time. Enter the comeback of small watches, a trend that's captivating both men and women with its understated, timeless appeal.

How to tell if a watch is too small? ›

3 Ways to Tell if your Watch is Too Small
  1. You can't fit one finger under the strap. It's a simple test. ...
  2. It doesn't look proportional on your wrist. ...
  3. If your watch leaves indentations on your wrist.
Mar 20, 2024

How big is too big watch? ›

Though there is no official size being denoted as “too big” or “too small,” watch enthusiasts tend to think of a men's watch that is 40mm or bigger as “oversized” while 40mm and under is “average.”

What is the normal watch size for a woman? ›

Typically, men's watches tend to range between 38mm to 46mm and women's from 26mm and 36mm. Those that sit outside these ranges could appear too large or too small however, personal preference can come into play should you prefer the oversized look for your watch.

Is a 40mm watch too big for a woman? ›

Recommended Size

It is recommended to have a watch with 34mm – 40mm cases for women while men's watches should be 40mm – 46mm cases. On the other hand, watches with 38mm – 42mm cases are now popularly known as unisex sizes and are recommended for those who prefer a neither too big nor too small dial.

What is the rule for watch size? ›

To choose the right size involves a little more math (but you can get away with eyeballing it). Look for a lug-to-lug distance that is about 75 to 95% of the width of your wrist. Another consideration is whether the lugs are flat or curved. This will play a role in how the watch lays on your wrist.

Are smaller watches better? ›

Are smaller watches better? It's not a case of smaller watches being 'better' than larger watches, it's all down to personal preference. There is no 'one size fits all' case when it comes to buying a watch that will work for you.

Are large watches out of style? ›

The term 'oversized' might have declined in popularity but the trend for big watches is still very much a current style, with no sign of it disappearing just yet. New designs across many watch brands and manufacturers are still being released with large watch faces.

Is it okay to wear an oversized watch? ›

It becomes less about the watch's size and more about how it makes you feel: empowered, elegant, edgy, or whatever vibe you're aiming for. So, here's the takeaway: Personal style is an expression of your unique self, and a big watch can help encapsulate that in a meaningful way.

Are watch sizes trending smaller? ›

When taken as a whole, not much has changed in terms of the average watch size. Since 2019, average diameters have decreased juuuust ever so slightly from 41.1 to 40.5mm in 2023 (I'm excluding Omega's gargantuan 55mm Ploprof from the recent average because it was such an outlier).

Is the watch market shrinking? ›

According to the WatchCharts Overall Market Index, which tracks secondary market prices of 60 watches taken from the top 10 luxury watch brands, sorted and weighted by transaction value, prices have fallen roughly 40% from their 2022 high. The index peaked near $48,000 and recently made a new low at $29,368.

Is a 43mm watch too big for a woman? ›

And anything smaller than 38mm is usually for women.

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