Forget It Bags—Cool Women Are Investing in These Watches Instead

Launched just last year, the Royal Oak Mini is Audemars Piguet at its most playful. Small but oh-so mighty, this yellow gold 23mm edition balances fine jewellery craftsmanship with everyday wearability. Its shimmering finish comes from a Florentine technique that hammers the gold with a diamond-tipped tool, creating a soft, sparkling texture. Already seen on the wrists of Simone Biles, Hailey Bieber and Serena Williams, it blends the signature Royal Oak silhouette with delightfully dainty proportions. 

Bvlgari’s Serpenti watch has evolved over the decades without ever losing its allure. Since its 1948 debut, the iconic serpent has coiled around the wrists of icons like Elizabeth Taylor, whose diamond-set version became her signature on the set of the 1963 film, Cleopatra. In 2025 - the year of the snake - it returns in a fresh, contemporary form: a rose gold double-twirl bracelet with diamonds and a cabochon-cut rubellite crown. The white guilloché dial adds contrast, while a brand-new automatic movement beats within.

First introduced in 1983 and revived in 2017, the Panthère de Cartier remains one of the maison’s most recognisable icons. This two-tone edition pairs steel with yellow gold across the case and bracelet. The core design, meanwhile, stays true to the original with a silvered dial, Roman numerals, blued steel hands and the signature brick-link bracelet - created to echo the panther’s movement and double as a piece of jewellery.

Unveiled in the late 1980s, the Première was Chanel’s first venture into watchmaking, and one that left a lasting impression. Designed by then-Creative Director Jacques Helleu, the octagonal case nods to Paris’ Place Vendôme and the iconic No.5 perfume bottle, while the chain-link strap is a subtle tribute to the house’s quilted handbags. The updated Première Édition Originale stays faithful to the OG, combining a black-lacquer dial, bevelled glass and interlaced leather-and-gold strap.

In this pastel interpretation of the Happy Sport, Chopard sets its signature free-floating diamonds against a lavender dial cut from lepidolite, a lilac-hued semi-precious stone known for its natural shimmer. Crafted in ethical rose gold, the watch features a diamond-set bezel, a matching alligator strap and a self-winding movement beneath the surface. Unveiled earlier this year, it marks a fresh chapter for one of Chopard’s most beloved designs, first launched in 1993.

Gem Dior reimagines the jewellery watch through a vibrant, abstract lens. Designed by Victoire de Castellane, artistic director of Dior Joaillerie, this 27mm yellow gold model pairs a deep-blue lapis lazuli dial with a diamond-set bezel and a chrysoprase inlay. The angular bracelet is inlaid with a further smattering of lapis, malachite, chrysoprase and diamonds, while the layered, off-centre construction was inspired by pinned-together fabric swatches in Monsieur Dior’s couture atelier.

Hermès transforms its iconic anchor chain into a high horology masterpiece with the Maillon Libre. Unveiled at this year's Watches & Wonders trade show in Geneva, the white gold creation is set with 290 brilliant-cut diamonds, 12 baguette-cuts and four cushion-cut stones. The rectangular dial, meanwhile, is cleverly integrated into one of the central links, making the watch as much a piece of jewellery as it is a timepiece. 

Originally created in 1931 for polo players, the Reverso was designed with a swivelling case to protect the dial during matches. This latest edition remains true to the original, reinterpreting its Art Deco geometry in pink gold. Here, a grained golden dial and sleek rectangular case are paired with a Milanese mesh bracelet, which has been woven from fine gold thread to drape like fabric on the wrist.

This playfully pink Aqua Terra offers a softer take on Omega’s classic sports watch. The 38mm stainless steel case frames a sun-brushed, lacquered dial, paired with a steel bracelet featuring rounded links. Rhodium-plated hands and indexes keep things clean, while a wave-edged caseback nods to the collection’s maritime roots. It’s an understated approach to colourful watchmaking.

The Piaget Sixtie channels the maison’s 1960s design spirit with a distinctive trapeze-shaped case in pink gold, set with 51 diamonds. Inspired by Piaget’s 1969 21st Century Collection, it features chiselled gadroons, a satin-brushed dial and interlaced gold bracelet that drapes fluidly around the wrist, emphasising the collection’s jewellery-first approach to watch design.

A cult favourite, this version of Rolex’s Datejust centres on a red ombré dial that fades from crimson to black - a gradient achieved through physical vapour deposition, a technique reserved for the brand’s most distinctive dials. Diamond hour markers and a brilliant-cut diamond bezel add sparkle, while the yellow gold President bracelet completes the look with signature Rolex finesse. 

TAG Heuer’s Carrera Chronograph puts a softer spin on its classic sport-watch silhouette with a powder-pink dial and diamond details. Set in a 39mm steel case with a domed crystal and vintage-inspired layout, it nods to the original 1963 design. With its diamond-set flange, 11 diamond hour markers, and clean styling, it’s a strong investment piece that balances heritage with a contemporary look.

A fresh spin on a 1920s classic, the Mini DolceVita channels a vintage look in a sleek, jewellery-like construction. This two-tone version pairs stainless steel and pink gold with a silver flinqué dial and a diamond-set case. Finished with an integrated metal bracelet, it’s an easy, understated choice that nods to the Swiss watchmaker’s storied heritage.

Independent watchmaker Vanguart fuses futurism and tradition with the Orb watch. Available in titanium or rose gold, a flying tourbillon anchors an openworked dial, while a switch on the crown activates a diamond-set orbital rotor - appearing to float as it winds the watch. It's a conversation-starting feat of design and engineering, created for collectors who appreciate mechanics as much as aesthetics.