Yahoo Lifestyle Shop the 10 most iconic women's watches of all time
Andy Warhol famously once quipped, “I don’t wear a Tank to tell the time…I wear a Tank because it’s the watch to wear.” The Pop Art icon certainly knew what he was talking about – a keen horological enthusiast, he amassed an impressive collection of over 300 rare and design-led watches during his lifetime.
In the digital age, when watches are no longer strictly necessary yet still admired as beautiful accessories and works of art, Warhol’s prescient comment feels more relevant than ever. The most stylish timepieces have silhouettes that transcend time, fashion and even their original function, with elegant proportions that are as memorable as their storied histories.
If you’re thinking about investing in a classic timepiece, we’ve rounded up the 10 best ones to consider for your collection.
Tank
Debuted just after World War I, the Tank was designed by Louis François Cartier and named for the early armoured vehicles which criss-crossed the battlefields of Europe, leaving parallel tracks in their wake. Since then, the audacious watch – which represented a big departure from the circular timepieces of the day – has been through several subtle evolutions but retained the handsome good looks which are its stylistic signature. It’s little wonder that a host of A-listers, including Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Angelina Jolie and, yes, Andy Warhol, have since sported the watch on their wrist.
Cadenas
While perhaps not as famous (yet) as Van Cleef & Arpels’ blockbuster Alhambra, the Cadenas (‘Padlock’) is a total design classic in its own right. A bold design (rumoured – but never proven – to have been inspired by Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor), the Cadenas first appeared in 1935, with an unusual padlock-shaped clasp, a slinky gold bracelet and a cleverly angled dial allowing the time to be read quickly at a glance. Revived in 2015, the Cadenas celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, so expect exciting new iterations of this standout timepiece to follow in the months to come.
Reverso Classic
One of the world’s first sports watches, the Reverso was launched in 1931 as an innovative and elegant solution to the rigours endured by polo players during matches. A reversible metal case allows the dial to be swivelled away, protecting the glass from shattering with the impact of a ball or mallet. Away from the field, the Reverso’s clean, Art Deco-inflected lines have ensured it has remained a design icon for almost a century.
Seamaster
Like many classic timepieces, the Seamaster can trace its origins to a watch crafted for military servicemen. Launched in 1948, it made for airmen during World War II, as a practical, sturdy and reliable everyday watch. A few years later, it was redesigned as Omega’s first professional diver’s watch, marking the beginning of the classic watch as we know it today – one used by royalty (Prince William is a fan), explorers and James Bond himself. The sleek Aqua Terra version arrived in the early 2000s, still tough enough to withstand the depths, but also versatile and stylish enough to be worn in the city.
Cape Cod
Launced in 1991, the Cape Cod may be a relative ‘newcomer’ on the watch scene, but its deceptively simple, beautifully refined silhouette makes it no less of a must-have. Its geometric ‘square-within-a-rectangle’ shape is derived from anchor chains – a breezy, nautical link to New England, which inspired the timepiece’s name. Over the past three decades, the unisex Cape Cod collection has expanded to include complex, gem-set and mechanical versions, while its now-famous wraparound ‘Double Tour’ leather bracelet arrived in 1998 – an invention of the fashion designer Martin Margiela, who worked with Hermès at the time.
Datejust 36
Few names evoke the ‘classic investment watch’ quite like Rolex. Whilst famous models such as the Daytona and Submariner may elicit squeals of delight amongst watch aficionados, the elegant Datejust has quietly become a bestseller for the brand, and it’s not hard to see why. As the first modern wristwatch with an automatically changing date window, it revolutionised the industry when it launched in 1945 and is now considered an integral part of watch history. It also introduced Rolex’s well-known Jubilee-style bracelet, now a staple part of the collection. Reliable and beautiful, it’s an heirloom-worthy piece that doesn’t need a fanfare to be appreciated.
Première
The 1980s gave us many things, including big hair, sky-high shoulder pads and ombré eyeshadow. But the decade also saw the introduction of a truly fabulous wristwatch: the Chanel Première. Conceived by the-then artistic director of watches, Jacques Hélleu, the Première blended two of Chanel’s most recognisable symbols - the chain-link strap of its iconic 2.55 handbag and the octagonal stopper shape of its No.5 perfume. Re-issued with a (very slight) refresh in 2022, the monochromatic Première could be considered the watch equivalent of Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved Little Black Dress: sleek, sophisticated and able to go from day to night with ease.
Serpenti
“The only Italian Elizabeth knows is Bulgari,” said the actor, Richard Burton, of his then-wife, Elizabeth Taylor. He was only half joking. One of the world’s greatest film stars, Taylor was a long-time Bulgari client and helped to propel the brand’s coiled Serpenti watch to international attention when it was photographed on her arm in 1962 during a photocall for her film, Cleopatra. The watch (and its springy, Tubogas bracelet) had been launched years before, in 1948, but post-Cleopatra, it was transformed into an emblematic symbol of the Roman jewellery house – as celebrated today as it was in the Swinging Sixties.
Golden Ellipse
This modern classic was inspired by a retro dress watch from the 1960s. Originally launched in 1968, the updated version of the Golden Ellipse features the same unmistakeable oval case, but has been enhanced with an ultra-thin, self-winding movement, a slinkier chain bracelet (so innovative, it has its own patent) and a deep black sunburst dial which makes it easier to read at a glance.
Price on request
Royal Oak
How do you follow a bestseller? By releasing another. And another. Created by the legendary designer Gérald Genta, Audemar Piguet’s Royal Oak has defined the ‘luxury sports watch’ category since it first arrived in 1972. Its unconventional tonneau-shaped case and octagonal bezel caused a sensation when it debuted but is now considered a quintessential pillar of the brand, and hundreds of variations have been unveiled in the half-century since it first appeared. The latest is a jewellery-worthy mini version in hammered white, rose or yellow gold, which has a sparkling, diamond-like appeal.
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