Let’s be honest. No matter how many times watch brands and new watch media proclaim that “all watches are unisex!” and “anyone can wear anything!” when introducing the latest 44mm clonker—while modelling said timepiece on an impossibly hirsute wrist, we might add—there’s no denying that watches are, to an extent, gendered. Beyond the obvious question of size, there’s often a certain degree of tension between fashion and function, with the argument made that women’s watches should address the former while men’s watches hold the latter a priority. Recent years have seen attitudes start to shift (jewellery for men! Complications for women!), but one thing has become increasingly more evident — not only do girls want to have fun, watch designers seem to have more fun when they’re designing with female clients in mind.
There’s a certain sense of liberation to the women’s collections coming out of Watches & Wonders 2026; regardless of whether or not they’re explicitly deemed ‘women’s collections’. Of course, we’ll never not admire the dual flying tourbillons on the new Ulysse Nardin Super Freak or marvel at the design purity of Vacheron Constantin’s new Overseas, but when it’s the trifecta of form, function, and just a touch of whimsy you want — well, let us direct you below to our wrap of the best women’s watches coming out of Watches & Wonders 2026.
- Piaget Swinging Pebbles
- Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition
- Chanel Coco Game
- Piaget Polo 79
- Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
- IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35
- Cartier Baignoire
- Van Cleef & Aprels Ludo Secret
- Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronograph Mystérieux
- Bulgari Serpenti Aeterna
- Dennison ALD Mini Dual
Piaget Swinging Pebbles
What we think: “Stone dial watches are big business (and one of our key watch trend predictions for this year) and nobody does them quite like Piaget. While other brands are joining in on the trend, the Swiss watchmaker is flexing its mastery in ornamental stones in a fresh way, with its new Swinging Pebble lineup. Each timepiece sees a single stone—choose from tiger’s eye, verdite, or pietersite—hollowed out to house a manufacture movement before being closed to form a smooth, monolithic case. The dial is surrounded by a hammered gold bezel that matches the twisted gold chain it hangs from. The métiers d’arts in watchmaking are often thought of as elaborate or overly fussy, but the Swinging Pebbles are a cool example of how skilled craftsmanship can be used to achieve an almost reductionist final product. And, as watches slowly begin to move off the wrist, Piaget’s Swinging Pebbles makes a case for embracing the sautoir.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition
What we think: “Chopard released a perfectly lovely black onyx addition to its feminine L’Heure du Diamant collection. But might we direct you towards this Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition instead? Housing a jumping hour manufacture movement (Chopard’s L.U.C. calibre with an impressive eight-day power reserve achieved through four-barrel ‘Quattro’ technology, to be exact), it bridges past with present, teaming the innovative movement with the rare centuries-old métiers d’art technique of straw marquetry. Achieved using real rye straw from Burgundy, the dial boasts a stunning depth that photos don’t do justice.” — Esmé Duggan, journalist
Chanel Coco Game
What we think: “*Insert some remark about Chanel playing chess not checkers here.* Overplayed quips aside, the luxury French fashion house’s watchmaking department has impressed at Watches & Wonders 2026, with its Coco Game collection imbuing horology with a sartorial tone. At the heart of the collection is a chessboard, upon which the maison’s founder Gabrielle Chanel—naturally—assumes the role of the queen on both the black and white sides. Each Queen Gabrielle stands upon a watch dial, with the figurine able to be converted into a necklace. Say what you will about the house’s emblematic founder and her *ahem* somewhat dubious associations, but she does look good clad in diamonds.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Piaget Polo 79
What we think: “I’ve always loved a fusion of sporty and dressy and with its precious metal construction and integrated bracelet style, the Piaget Polo 79 has always epitomised that tension. It’s furthered here with the addition of a sodalite dial, impeccably executed with the signature polished gadroons breaking it up and contrasting with the natural striations on the stone.” — Arabella Johnson, fashion and beauty editor
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
What we think: “With its elegant cushion-shaped case, precious metal construction, Breguet-type hands and numerals, and leather strap, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’d look at the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 and think of it as anything other than a quintessential dress watch. But the Historiques American 1921 has utilitarian—and sporty!—origins, with the 45-degree dial orientation conceived to enable drivers to easily read the time without taking their hands off the wheel. Safety first, truly. Over a century after its release, the design endures. Here, it receives a few tweaks in the form of a grained silver dial with blue markings — and, it’s now available in a 36.5mm case (in addition to the usual 40mm). The subtle size down opens up the iconic style to more wrist sizes without compromising its singular design language.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35
What we think: “I know we said whimsy was the name of the game, but I’d be lying if I said this Ingenieur Automatic 35 wasn’t one of my favourite women’s releases from Watches & Wonders 2026. Sure, the gold and diamond bezel iteration is fun, but for the smaller wristed with sedate tastes among us, this stainless steel version with a blue dial is the winner.” — Esmé Duggan, journalist
Cartier Baignoire
What we think: “The modern day Cartier Baignoire was such a hit for its blend of jewellery design codes with that sense of insouciant nonchalance everyone tries so desperately hard to convey these days. I love this take for its…chalance. The gemstone-studded one in particular is on-so-chalant. Set with 171 brilliant-cut diamonds that alternate with the guilloché Clou de Paris motif across the case and bangle, it says “I made an effort and I want you to know it.” And know it we do.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Van Cleef & Aprels Ludo Secret
What we think: “A boon for surreptitious clock watchers, Van Cleef & Aprels’ Ludo Secret watch reintreprets the Ludo bracelet design from 1934. Evoking the silhouette of a belt, it’s executed here with a yellow gold ‘briquette’ bracelet topped with two circular ‘buckles’ adorned with pavé blue sapphires, connected by the concealed mother-of-pearl dial.” — Arabella Johnson, fashion and beauty editor
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronograph Mystérieux
What we think: “Parmigiani Fleurier is a master of the concealed complication, with the brand’s take on a GMT concealing the second time zone hand when not in use. Here, the manufacture applies this purity of design to the chronograph, with the Tonda PF Chronograph Mystérieux devoid of subdials and only revealing the rose gold chronograph hands when the monopusher—itself seamlessly integrated into the case—between 7 and 8 o’clock is activated.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Bulgari Serpenti Aeterna
What we think: “I wasn’t sure about the reductionist Serpenti Aeterna released at last year’s Watches & Wonders (a snake needs scales!), but when studded with a maximalist combination of diamonds, rubellite, amethyst, topaz, emerald, citrine, sapphire, tanzanite, tourmaline, tsavorite, and peridot…well, this I can work with.” — Arabella Johnson, fashion and beauty editor
Dennison ALD Mini Dual
What we think: “This is technically from indie watch fair Chronopolis, not Watches & Wonders, but the ALD Mini Dual Time deserves a mention here. Independent watch brand Dennison has released a delightfully petite take on its ALD timepiece with natural stone dials, available in both time-only and dual time configurations. Clocking in at 24.2mm by 22.0mm, it’s suitable for even the smallest of wrists. It comes in untreated or gold-plated stainless steel, presented on either a double wrapped leather strap or a metal bark bracelet; the latter brings out its jewellery-esque codes to best effect. So does the diamond bezel. — Tanisha Angel, editor
Enjoyed this wrap up of the Albert Review team’s favourite women’s watch releases from Watches & Wonders 2026? Keep up with our Watches & Wonders content here.
Words by AR Staff
