10 Reasons Women Wear Mens Watches & Best Mens Watches For Ladies

Should women wear men’s watches?

The short answer is…absolutely, positively, yes!

But let’s dig into this.

First off, oversized and big face watch styles exist in ladies lines these days. Michael Kors has many women’s watch models with 42mm diameter cases. So why would it be strange for a woman to wear a 41mm model from Rolex?

Well, it wouldn’t be, and many women are doing so. Here in South Florida, the trend is strong and we love it. We even see women wearing Rolex Sky-Dwellers and AP ROO Offshores gracefully.

It really just comes down to the woman. If she can pull it off naturally, it can look amazing. So long as the watch isn’t too disproportionate on her wrist. We say go for it. We say the same to men who have small wrists after all.

Secondly, let’s just be clear here. A men’s 36mm watch like the Rolex Day-Date or Datejust has become essentially a ladies watch these days. Of course, it is a man’s watch technically, and men are still wearing it and buying way more than women, but with the trend in oversized watches, no man or women is going to turn their head in shock for (or scoff at) a woman wearing a 36mm men’s watch.

So, if you are asking if a woman should wear a man’s watch, we are assuming you mean the bigger man’s 38mm plus models…and the answer is still yes.

Simple Rules Apply

All you need to do is ensure the watch fits your wrist. When buying a luxury watch, the same rules apply to women as they do for men. You want to be sure you are going to feel comfortable in it and that you will realistically get good day-to-day use out of it.

Thus, if you prefer men’s style watches, there is definitely no reason why you shouldn’t get one. All we can recommend is that you try it on first…

Now, all of this doesn’t really explain why women want to wear men’s watches, and moreover, why they want to wear men’s watches when brands are already producing ladies watches in case sizes greater than 40mm.

Well, there are actually some seriously good reasons for it, which we are about to explain now…

10 Reasons Why Women Want to Wear Men’s Watches

1. Status Symbols

Women want bigger watches these days just like men do. This trend has been going strong for decades already. And yes, MK is a nice brand, but it doesn’t have the status in the watch game as Rolex does.

Rolex doesn’t make many large ladies watches. They only have the Pearlmaster 36 and a mid-size Yacht-Master. But what about the Submariner or Daytona (two of women’s favorite).

Women want robust watches with masculine line and technical dials that state “here’s a great F’in watch!”

2. Contrast

One of the main reasons women wear men’s watches is because it offers incredible contrast with feminine styling and other women’s jewelry. A woman wearing a Rolex Cosmograph can look elegant and sporty at the same time. The larger size of Rolex men’s watches can help to accentuate the delicate lines of a women’s wrist. Some men might cringe, but the juxtaposition of a men’s Rolex and feminine clothing looks superb.

3. More Interesting

More often than not, men’s watches are simply more interesting. The watch game is still very much a men’s game. Typically men’s watches are more stylish and complicated. They have more unique complications and features than what you will find on their feminine counterparts. This might be because brands think women care more about looks and men appreciate the mechanisms that go into watches much more, but this is something that is undoubtedly changing.

4. Movement

Movement choice is personal. Quartz watches can offer convenience and accuracy, while manual and automatic movements offer a different ownership experience. Both types require appropriate care and servicing; a mechanical watch is not automatically more practical or maintenance-free.

Ask about the exact calibre and service history, and choose the movement you want to use. Size and a gender label do not determine movement quality or ownership cost.

What's more, a lot of women appreciate the engineering skill that it takes to make these little tiny, complex machines just as much as men.

5. Better Investment

Resale value depends on the particular reference, originality, condition and market at the time of sale. A model marketed to men does not guarantee that you can recover its purchase price.

Neither Rolex nor another brand guarantees appreciation. Choose within a budget you can afford to own, and compare actual references rather than treating a gender category as an investment rating.

6. Statement-Making

A ladies watch with a colorful strap and a case with tons of sparkling diamonds is a statement piece. But do you know what makes an even bigger statement these days? Women wearing a large men’s watch like a 42mm Yacht-Master II.

Women make statements with men’s watches in a way that relates to when women first started wearing pants back in the 1920s. It states that she is a powerful human being, and she knows a good watch. Moreover, she is a person with spending power.

Plus, the look of a men’s Rolex is classic and clean. Some women don’t want to make a statement that involves flashy colors and diamonds. What better way to do it than a Rolex watch that was made to be a man’s watch? We can’t think of any at the moment…Not when it relates to watches, at least.

7. Versatility

Another simple but true point, men’s watches are more versatile than ladies watches. Ladies’ watches are generally more decorative. They are more like jewelry than a watch. Look at all the women’s Cartier watches to get an example of this (with some exceptions, like the classic Tank watch). Now, there’s nothing wrong with jewelry-like, decorative watches. They can look fantastic with certain outfits and nights out on the town. However, a sporty, basic watch will go with literally everything. This simplicity, this classic style, that you mostly see on men’s watches, is much more versatile, and this has been driving women to men’s watches for years now.

8. Durability

Durability depends on materials, construction, condition and the intended use of the reference. A larger case or a men’s label does not automatically make a watch stronger.

Rolex men’s watches are made to be tools, which means they are made to be in extreme conditions and handle some abuse. For example, the Cerachrom ceramic bezel, which is essentially scratch-resistant.

Now, ladies Rolex watches are great quality and are made to last, but they still won’t have the robust durability of a Rolex men’s watch.

Again, you are paying for something expensive, you want it to last.

9. Larger Size

The desire for a larger watch extends to women. Most women think a big watch is more aesthetically pleasing. A bigger face offers a more sporty image, and as we mentioned, it contrasts beautifully with other delicate accessories like a diamond ring, a Cartier Love bracelet, a pendant necklace, and so on.

Now, women still sometimes want a smaller, refined ladies watch. For some occasions, it is much more suitable…But the larger size is surely becoming the more day-to-day look.

What’s more, the larger size is easier to read! We’ve seen some ladies watches that are so difficult to tell the time because they are so tiny.

10. Relationship Convenience

This is kind of a funny one, but nonetheless true. Men and women can share their watches if a woman likes wearing a men’s watch.

In fact, there is a big trend called the “boyfriend watch”. A boyfriend watch is essentially an oversized, masculine watch that appears to belong to your boyfriend. These days, we’d like to think of them as “relationship watches”, as the man can take his girlfriend's watch for the day, and vice versa…

Imagine being able to swap watches with the one you love? When it comes to wearables you can’t do that with most things. So, it’s great that it is possible with luxury watches, which are one of the best things in life to wear!

Best Men’s Watch Sizes for Women

For women in the market for a men’s watch, we suggest looking at 36mm up to 40mm, although a watch as big as 42mm or even 44mm can work for some women. It’s really up to you. A size 36mm men’s watch is essentially a normal size for women these days.

Women wearing men’s watches is a bold style that has been popular for decades, it’s nothing new. At this point, it’s not a trend, in a fad sense, it’s a way of fashion.

Best Men’s Watches for Women

The most popular men’s watches for women are Rolex, so in this post, we will stick to Rolex models.

But before we go over what we think are the best Rolex men’s watches for women, here are the brands we see women wearing the most:

• Rolex
• Hublot
• Audemars Piguet
• Patek Philippe
• IWC
• Tag Heuer
• Breitling

Women appreciate true watch classics, so anything that is a classic will be best and make the most sense for women, especially if it’s vintage. Plus, vintage watches from over 25 years ago are generally smaller in size, albeit bigger than most modern women watches.

Here are our Top 7 Men’s Rolex Models for Women:

1. Day-Date Presidential 18K Yellow Gold Watch - A watch that Jennifer Anniston is rarely seen without.

2. Stainless Steel GMT-Master II (Batman or Pepsi) - Great for women with a jet-set lifestyle.

3. Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner - This is a classic and a favorite for women down here in South Florida.

4. Two-Toned Rolex Submariner - Similar to a GMT master, the Submariner in Two-toned is another favorite among women.

5. Two-Toned Rolex Datejust II - A 41mm watch that will fit most women’s wrist superbly. There are also diamond hour markers, which is perfect for women as we all know women love diamonds.

6. Datejust 41 - This is an understated watch, but at 41mm it offers the oversized ever-coveted statement-making look.

7. Rolex Daytona - Last but definitely not least, the Daytona is a watch women are obsessed with. It’s probably the most classic and popular Rolex of them all. Moreover, this one is in Rose Gold, which is the hottest metal in the watch game right now. It has a soft touch which will be fantastic for women.

Wrapping Up

So, to all the women out there looking for a new watch, don’t hesitate to get a men’s watch if you love it.

You can find a vast collection of watches at our retail showroom Diamonds by Raymond Lee in Boca Raton.

We have one of the largest collections of Rolex watches in all of South Florida.

Want to trade a women’s watch for a men’s watch?

We buy, sell and trade watches, so feel free to bring in an old ladies watch to see if you can trade it up for a men’s watch.

About us - Diamonds by Raymond Lee

Diamonds by Raymond Lee is Boca Raton’s most recommended sales and service centers for watches, diamonds, and high-end jewelry. Our business is family owned and operated. We have over 30 years of experience selling fine certified luxury watches and in that time we have built an unparalleled reputation for fair, quality dealings in South Florida.

Our goal is to meet the needs of our customers at our Boca Raton retail store and online and to provide our community with the best possible experience.  We combine value, quality, and cost with the remarkable ability to meet and understand the needs of the people we serve.

If you live in Boca Raton, please feel free to drop by our showroom anytime!

Address - Visit Raymond Lee Jewelers in Boca Raton:

22191 Powerline Road, Suite 12B, Boca Raton, FL 33433

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm. Closed Sundays and major holidays.

(561) 750-7808

Can women wear men’s Rolex watches?

Yes—choose by comfort, style and function rather than the label in a catalogue. Diameter is only a starting point: lug-to-lug length, thickness, weight and bracelet adjustment affect how a watch sits. Try the crown and clasp positions and check that the bracelet stays comfortable as your wrist moves. A model marketed to men is not automatically more durable, more practical or a better resale purchase. Compare the individual reference and condition, then choose what you enjoy wearing.

Compare Rolex watches. Explore Datejust sizes and listings. Discuss a watch trade or evaluation.