There’s no denying the statement-making prowess of a good ornately jewelled or complicated timepiece, however for everyday wear often an elegantly understated watch is the way to go. A far cry from the oversized chronographs and intricately decorated timepieces dominating the market, the best minimalist watches for women prioritise a sleek, elegant aesthetic. Pared-back and devoid of unnecessary embellishments and accoutrements, the best minimalist watches for women balance practicality and functionality with beautiful design.
With minimalist watches continuing to grow in popularity, it’s important to keep in mind that not all watches are created equal. To help you narrow down the search for your perfect timeless timepiece, we’ve put together our favourite simple yet refined watches on the market. Herewith, the 10 best minimalist watches for women.
1. Sternglas Naos XS Gold
German watch brand Sternglas creates timelessly elegant watches with clean dials. The Sternglas Naos XS Gold is the little sister to its namesake Naos, making it well-suited to smaller wrists. The Naos XS Gold features hour and minute markers as well as a date window, which combined with the polished gold stainless steel exude a slightly vintage feel.
Price: $289USD
Model: Naos XS Gold
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 33mm
2. Breda Watch Esther
Simultaneously contemporary and classic, the Breda Watch Esther is the ideal square watch. The brushed mist blue dial pairs perfectly with the vintage-style gold-plated stainless steel link bracelet, making for a trendy yet timeless watch.
Price: $150USD
Model: Esther
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: Splash resistant
Case Diameter: 26mm
3. Solios Watches The Solar Black
A minimalist watch with a bold black dial, The Solar Black from Canadian brand Solios Watches houses a solar movement with a six-month power reserve, meaning it’s made to last a lifetime. Combining aesthetic prowess with durable materials and green technology, this solar watch features a thin case that easily slides under shirt cuffs, making it an ideal dress watch option. The rose gold case with a black dial and brown vegan leather strap makes for a failsafe choice.
Price: $394AUD
Model: The Solar Black
Movement: Solar Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 36mm
4. Linjer The Classic Watch
Inspired by the Oslo Opera House, the Linjer The Classic Watch features a two-layer dial with debossed minute markers, a brushed case, and a slightly domed crystal. The rose gold case paired with a navy leather strap is our go-to choice.
Price: $335AUD
Model: The Classic Watch
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 34mm
5. Cartier Tank Française
The ultimate sporty minimalist watch for women, the Cartier Tank Française combines a chain-link steel bracelet with a slightly chunky rectangular case and square dial. The blued hour and minute hands match the cabochon on the crown, while the silver sunray dial and silver Roman numeral hour markers contribute to a pared-back almost monochromatic appearance. Unlike other Cartier Tanks, the Tank Française boasts a not-insignificant amount of heft, giving it major wrist presence despite its minimalist aesthetic.
Price: $6000AUD
Model: Tank Française
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 25.7mm x 21.2mm (small size)
6. Breda Watch Jane
For those who seek minimalism with a twist, the Breda Watch Jane is the way to go. A delicate oval mother of pearl dial in sky blue is adorned with a slim gold-plated stainless steel bracelet, providing the watch with a jewellery-like appeal. The gold quarterly index markers and undersized hour and minute hands contribute to the dainty nature of the timepiece.
Price: $195USD
Model: Jane
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: Splash resistant
Case Diameter: 23mm
7. Nordgreen Unika
Denmark is home to some of the pioneers of contemporary minimalist, with Danish watch brand Nordgreen nailing the pared-back dial. The Nordgreen Unika is the result of a collaboration between Nordgreen designer Jacob Wagner and influencer Mathilde Gøhler. Testing the limits of minimalism, the Nordgreen Unika is devoid of hour markers, making time-telling more of an approximation than an accurate art form. The brushed dial and two-tone gold and silver-plated stainless steel 5-link bracelet provide it with a definitively contemporary feel.
Price: $384AUD
Model: Unika
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 32mm
8. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic
The devil is in the details when it comes to this deceptively simple watch. Known for its understated aesthetic, Parmigiani Fleurier reinterprets traditional watchmaking principles into contemporary designs. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic features a monochromatic grey guilloché dial with skeletonised hands and rhodium-plated hour indices. The brushed central links on the steel bracelet create a textural interplay with the outer polished links, while the fluted bezel contributes to the timepiece’s refined appearance.
Price: approx. $35,380AUD ($21,000CHF)
Model: Tonda PF Automatic
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 36mm
9. Movado Museum Classic
Minimalist design with maximum impact, the Movado Museum Classic is a showstopper. Perfect for those who can carry off a larger case size, the Museum Classic clocks in at 40mm. Designed by Nathan George Horwitt in 1947, the dial is a permanent fixture in MoMA, making this watch a wearable piece of art.
Price: $1715AUD
Model: Museum Classic
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 40mm
10. Larsson & Jennings Boyfriend Mini
This rectangular timepiece exudes the timeless sophistication of the Cartier Tank, albeit at a much more accessible price point. Featuring touches like gold indices, a Roman numeral at 12 o’clock, undersized hands, and a date window, the Larsson & Jennings Boyfriend Mini makes a statement on its own or works well layered with gold and rose gold-toned jewellery.
Price: $186USD
Model: Boyfriend Mini Gold White
Movement: Quartz
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 31mm
FAQ
The best brands making minimalist watches for women are Larsson & Jennings, MVMT, Movado, Cartier, Longines, Bulova, Solios Watches, Sternglas, Nordgreen, Timex, and Breda.
Denmark is often considered a pioneer in contemporary minimalism. The best minimalist Danish watch brands are Nordgreen, Skagen, and Jacob Jensen.
Good square and rectangular watches for women are the Breda Watch Esther, Cartier Panthere, Cartier Tank, Longines DolceVita, and Larsson & Jennings Boyfriend Mini.
Words by T. Angel
Feature & cover images courtesy of Breda Watch
