Best designer watches for women in the UK (2026)
Our top designer watch for women is the Gucci G-Gucci YA125513: a distinctive Swiss-made steel watch from a house that makes its own watches. The runner-up is the Gucci G-Timeless YA1265021, a small 29 mm watch with Gucci's classic styling. This page is for women who want a watch with a fashion name, from Gucci and Emporio Armani to Michael Kors, Burberry, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger. We compared models on who makes them, movement, size, materials and design.
By The Watch Sorted desk · Updated 6 November 2026 · 30 products, all price-tracked
Our picks
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
One of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
All 30 compared
Photo: WATCH & WATCHOur top pickA real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Our verdict
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the most watch for the money: a Tissot PRX costs about half as much and is the better watch on paper.
Read the full review →
Photo: WATCH & WATCHRunner-upA real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Our verdict
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the most watch for the money: a Tissot PRX costs about half as much and is the better watch on paper.
Read the full review →
Photo: WATCH & WATCHAlso goodOne of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
Our verdict
One of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want value: a Tissot or Seiko automatic does the same job for well under half the price.
Read the full review →
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Our verdict
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a better-made watch for the money: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price beats it.
Read the full review →
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Our verdict
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a better-made watch for the money: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price beats it.
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Our verdict
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch to keep for decades: a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko at the same price is the better-made watch.
Read the full review →
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Our verdict
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch to keep for decades: a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko at the same price is the better-made watch.
Read the full review →
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Our verdict
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch to keep for decades: a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko at the same price is the better-made watch.
Read the full review →
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Our verdict
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch to keep for decades: a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko at the same price is the better-made watch.
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Our verdict
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want after-sales care from the maker: Burberry no longer makes watches, so repairs depend on the shop and independent watchmakers.
Read the full review →
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Our verdict
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want after-sales care from the maker: Burberry no longer makes watches, so repairs depend on the shop and independent watchmakers.
Read the full review →
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Our verdict
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want value: at this price a Tissot or a Hamilton is the better Swiss watch.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Our verdict
A small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Our verdict
Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
ⓘ Some links are affiliate links: a purchase may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we pick or how we rank it. Prices shown may have changed since they were checked.
Before you buy
Who actually makes them.
Most fashion watches are made under licence. Fossil Group makes Michael Kors, Emporio Armani and made Burberry; Movado Group makes Tommy Hilfiger; Timex Group makes Versace. Gucci is the exception, making its own watches in Switzerland. That matters because watches from the same group share movements and construction: a Michael Kors and an Emporio Armani are built in much the same way. Gucci's own Swiss production is the main reason its watches cost more.
Quartz movements.
Almost all designer watches are quartz, the same basic technology as much cheaper watches. They're accurate and practical. A few, like the Gucci Dive Automatic, are mechanical. Quartz keeps good time, is ready to wear whenever you pick it up and needs a battery every couple of years. That suits a watch worn for occasions as well as every day.
What the money buys.
You're paying for design, brand and finish. For the same money, a watchmaker like Tissot, Citizen or Seiko gives better movements and materials. Buy designer for the look. For similar money you could have a Tissot PRX 35 mm, a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko, with better movements and longer lives. If the designer look is what you want, that's a perfectly good reason to buy one.
Size.
Women's designer watches range from about 26 to 38 mm. Many women choose larger unisex sizes. Check the size against a watch you already wear. Gucci's G-Timeless starts small, around 27 to 29 mm, while Michael Kors's Lexington and Bradshaw are deliberately oversized. Petite versions of many Michael Kors designs suit smaller wrists.
Gold and rose gold.
These are plating or PVD coatings over steel, which wear on edges and clasps. Silver steel wears better for daily use. Taking the watch off before washing up, swimming or applying hand cream helps the finish last. If you want gold tones for daily wear, two-tone shows wear less.
Crystal-set models.
Michael Kors and others use crystal-set bezels and dials. They catch the light but can lose stones if knocked. Stones are usually glued in rather than set, so avoid harsh cleaning products and hard knocks. A jeweller can usually replace a lost stone.
Swiss vs Asian made.
Gucci and Versace are Swiss made; Michael Kors, Emporio Armani and Tommy Hilfiger are typically made in Asia with Japanese movements. Swiss made adds cost but not necessarily practical benefit for a quartz watch. A Japanese quartz movement is just as accurate and reliable as a Swiss one, so the Swiss Made label is about status rather than practical benefit for a quartz watch.
Resale.
Designer fashion watches lose most of their value once bought. Treat them as something to wear, not invest in. Keep the box and papers if you might sell later, but expect only a fraction of the price back.
Burberry stock.
Burberry no longer makes watches, so its models are remaining stock. Once sold out, they're gone. Check the size carefully before buying, as you may not be able to exchange a discontinued model for another size or colour.
We haven't worn every watch here. We compared what UK shops sell by published specs: maker, movement, size, materials and design, and we're plain about who makes each brand's watches and what the price buys. UK prices and stock are tracked through the day. Read our full methodology →
More buying guides
Common questions
What is the best designer watch for women?
Gucci for Swiss-made design, Emporio Armani for clean Italian styling, and Michael Kors for bold glamour. Choose the design you love. Gucci is the only house here making its own watches in Switzerland, which partly explains its higher prices.
Are designer watches worth it?
For the look, yes. For the engineering, no: a watchmaker at the same price gives more watch. Buy designer because you love the design. They're well-made fashion pieces with reliable quartz movements, and they suit people who want a recognisable name on the wrist.
Who makes designer watches?
Mostly licensees: Fossil Group (Michael Kors, Emporio Armani), Movado Group (Tommy Hilfiger), Timex Group (Versace). Gucci makes its own. Watches from the same group share movements and construction, so the differences are mostly in design.
Do designer watches hold their value?
Generally not. They lose most of their value once bought. Gucci holds a little better than the licensed brands, but none is an investment. Keep the box and papers if you might sell.
Are Gucci watches better than Michael Kors?
Gucci watches are Swiss made by Gucci itself, with generally better materials, and cost more. Michael Kors are made by Fossil with Japanese quartz movements. Both are fashion watches first. If you want the most watch for the money, a Tissot or Citizen beats both.
What size designer watch should a woman wear?
Most women find 26 to 36 mm comfortable, and many prefer unisex sizes around 35 to 38 mm. Some designer watches, such as Michael Kors's Bradshaw, are deliberately oversized at 43 mm or more. If the lugs overhang your wrist, it's too big.