Three of the best women’s watches, and why it’s time to drop ‘lady’ for feminine timepieces

While I’m pontificating, it’s quite remarkable how many of the biggest watch companies still use the term “ladies’ watch”, but then these brands peddle mechanical movements that have barely changed for hundreds of years, so we shouldn’t really be surprised.

Women have always been an afterthought for watchmakers, the rationale being that men tend to be the main customers. But if you only ever design watches for men and your women’s offerings are just men’s watches reduced in size, well, I’m no business genius, but you’re not really even trying to cater to 50 per cent of the population. And those women who do buy watches end up buying the better designed men’s watches, which makes the brands think they are on the right track. And so it continues.

I’ll get off my soap box now.

We’ll start this week with Omega’s De Ville Trésor, a wonderfully elegant and classic dress watch. Omega’s Constellation line usually sucks up all the oxygen, but the Trésor’s simplicity, clean and modern design make it the ideal watch for those who prefer things understated. I’m a big fan of the elongated Roman numerals, which set this watch apart.

The Trésor name first appeared in 1949, with Omega reviving it in 2014, with a co-axial movement. Alas, there’s no such fancy-schmancy move­ment inside, rather a Calibre 4061 quartz movement that keeps the size and price down (marginally) and has a solid battery life of 48 months.