The debate about whether automatic or battery-powered watches are better has been ongoing for decades and it ain’t stopping anytime soon.
If you’re in the automatic watch group, you probably appreciate the craftsmanship and tradition of watches that are powered by the movement of your own arm. You also know the convenience of never having to change a battery or worry about your watch running out of power.
It’s not a coincidence that most five-to-six-figure watches are automatic. They’re more expensive because they’re harder to make and the demand is higher.
If you’re in the market for a new automatic watch, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, it’s important to find a style that suits your personality and taste. Second, you’ll want to make sure the watch is made from high-quality materials that will last. And finally, you’ll need to choose a reliable brand that will back up its product with quality customer service.
To make this task simpler, this article will cover the 8 best automatic watches for women you can get in 2023.
Disclaimer: TimepieceKing is reader-supported and might earn a commission (at no additional cost for you) for purchases made via links in this article. Otherwise, writing this excellent piece would’ve been impossible!
Best Automatic Watches for Women (Top 3 Overview)
Best Ladies Automatic Watch (Top 3 Reviewed)
1. Tissot T0502071111705
Details
We open up the list with what is in our opinion the best female automatic watch when it comes to value.
The timepiece is manufactured by Tissot which is one of the most trusted Swiss watchmakers in the medium-price sector. What people love about the brand is that most Tissot watches are within reach of an average enthusiast yet all come with a Swiss-made label and, most importantly, Swiss automatic calibers.
The T050.207.11.117.05 model you see above is a perfect blend of style and functionality. The case is made up of stainless steel and has a diameter of 35 mm with 9.75 mm thickness, which makes it extremely light on your wrist as well as sturdy enough for everyday use.
This Tissot watch has a white mother-of-pearl dial with silver-tone alpha-style hands and index hour markers. Arabic numerals mark the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.
This timepiece features a Swiss automatic movement that can be seen through the transparent case back and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for added durability. The exact movement used in this watch is Tissot’s in-house caliber Powermatic 80.11. It is a 25-jewel movement that has an impressive power reserve of 80 hours.
The stainless steel bracelet provides comfort as well as a secure fit for your wrist, while the butterfly clasp ensures you will never have to worry about losing or damaging it during daily wear.
On the waterproofing front, the watch can withstand a pressure of up to 30m which is a usual rating for a dress watch.
Learn more about Tissot by reading our Tissot watches review.
2. Orient FNR1Q00AW0
Details
If you’re hunting for a reliable mechanical watch but want to keep the money in your bank, Orient provides plenty of food for thought.
Next to Seiko and Citizen (which will be featured further down the article), Orient is considered the most prominent Japanese watchmaker that specializes particularly in affordable automatic models.
Despite the visible drop in price, by no means is Orient FNR1Q00Aw0 a less elegant timepiece than the Tissot model discussed above.
The all-stainless steel watch has a solid caseback and fixed bezel. The watch wears slightly smaller than our top pick as the case diameter is 31mm. However, the watch is a bit thicker (12,5mm). It has a 3-link stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp with a safety release, ensuring it sticks to your wrist.
The white dial has luminous blue hands and Arabic numeral hour markers in the Breguet style, as well as minute markers around the outer rim. and a date display at the 3 o’clock position.
The model features scratch-resistant mineral glass, guaranteeing solid protection against cracks and scratches. The presence of this material is hardly a given when it comes to low-budget timepieces like this one.
The watch has an upper hand over the Tissot model above as it’s water-resistant up to 50m.
To learn more about Orient, read our Orient brand review.
3. Cartier WJCL0031
Details
If the sky is the limit as far as your budget is concerned, aim for the very top-shelf options. And there are not many that can compete with Cartier when it comes to luxurious automatic watches for ladies.
Introducing the Cartier WJCL0031, a luxurious and sophisticated ladies’ watch. This timepiece is sure to impress and would make an excellent gift for any occasion.
- Read also: Best Cartier Watches for Ladies
The cushion-shaped, 18kt rose-gold case and bezel are beautifully designed and measure 31mm in diameter and 11mm in thickness. The band is made of alligator leather to ensure the comfort of wearing and an opulent look. It has a standard tang buckle closure.
The flinqué sunray dial is stunning, with blued-steel sword-shaped hands and diamond hour markers. It has Roman numerals at the 12 o’clock position, minute markers around the outer rim and a date display at the 6 o’clock position.
The Swiss automatic movement ensures accuracy in timekeeping while the durable scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects your investment. The exact mechanism used with this model is Cartier’s in-house caliber, Calibre 1847 MC. It is a very highly thought-of 23-jewel movement with a power reserve of 42 hours.
The watch is water-resistant up to 30m and, generally speaking, it’s advised against exposing such highly-priced timepieces to water use.
If you like the sound of Cartier but find the pricing too steep, we strongly encourage you to check out our list of the best Cartier homages.
Automatic Watches for Ladies: Alternatives
Certainly, there’s no accounting for taste! If none of our top three picks has grabbed your attention, below you will find an alternative list that includes five additional women’s automatic watches that won’t break the bank.
4. Invicta 22655
Details
We open up the alternative list of best automatic watches for women with this head-turning watch model from Invicta.
If you’ve been on the lookout for a watch that can help you stand out from the crowd without breaking the bank, look no further. Invicta is one of the leading forces in the affordable watch sector with plenty of automatic models to pick from.
Invicta 22655 is a great affordable option for anyone looking for the so-called skeleton design. Skeleton watches allow you to pick at the intricate workings of the mechanical movement through the dial, caseback, or both – just like in the case of this timepiece.
The watch has a rose gold-tone stainless steel case measuring 36mm in diameter and 13mm in thickness. As already mentioned, it also has a transparent caseback.
This elegant Invicta model has a satin band with standard buckle closure. Considering the fancy design, the silver dial is fairly easy to read, and the large Arab numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock are rose gold – matching the case and the bezel.
Like most Invicta watches in this price category, this one utilizes Flame Fusion crystal which is Invicta’s patented glass type. It’s durable and similar to mineral crystal in terms of its hardness and scratch resistance.
The Chinese automatic movement ensures okay but not excellent timekeeping. If you’re looking for something more reliable, consider any models on the list powered by either Swiss or Japanese mechanisms.
Last but not least, the timepiece is water-resistant up to 50m.
If you’re undecided on the quality of Invicta, read our Invicta brand review for more clues.
5. Seiko SYMA06K
Details
Gold-tone watches might never go out of fashion as many wearers simply love the vintage vibe associated with them. They certainly prove the watch doesn’t have to be real gold in order to turn many heads!
Step up your style game with this sleek and sophisticated Seiko watch from the budget-friendly Seiko 5 collection. Powered by a 21-jewel Japanese-automatic movement, this timepiece functions without a battery and powers automatically with the movement of your arm.
Apart from being a world-renowned watchmaker, Seiko is also an excellent manufacturer of movements. Despite the relatively low price, the in-house movement shouldn’t lose or gain more than a minute a day. It also has a decent power reserve of 40 hours.
- Check also: Cheapest Seiko Watches
Seiko SYMA06K features a durable mineral Hardlex crystal for lasting wear. Hardlex is Seiko’s patented form of crystal that’s on a similar page durability-wise as mineral glass. The gold-tone stainless steel case and bracelet are brushed and polished to perfection, while the black dial has gold-tone hands and hour markers that emit a soft luminous glow after dusk.
The watch wears fairly small as the case measures 24mm in diameter and 11mm in thickness. The 5-link gold-tone bracelet uses a push-button foldover clasp with safety.
The watch’s additional function is the day and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock.
Last but not least, the watch is water-resistant to 99 feet (30m), making it ideal for everyday wear. Whether you’re heading to work or out on the town, this watch is sure to add a touch of luxury to any outfit.
For more information on the brand, read our Seiko watches review.
6. Bulova 98P170
Details
Next to Invicta, Bulova is another American watchmaker that doesn’t shy away from providing excellent value for money.
The style offered by Bulova is vastly different, however. Most of their watches, including the ladies’ line, are leaning strongly towards the dressy spectrum. Which will probably suit you just fine!
There’s certainly no beating around the bush with one of the best-selling women’s watches in the Sutton collection, Bulova 98P170. This gorgeous timepiece is adorned with 5 sparkling diamonds, individually hand-set. The watch’s white mother of pearl dial features an open aperture through which you can peek at the intricate workings of the automatic movement, while the two-tone rose gold and stainless steel case houses an exhibition caseback that displays the automatic heartbeat movement in all its glory.
With a 35mm case diameter and 11mm thickness, we could consider the watch mid-sized. The two-tone stainless steel bracelet has 3 links and uses a push-button deployment closure. The beautifully-adorned face has the best possible protection from damage in the form of sapphire crystal glass. The crystal is domed and has an anti-reflective coating so at times you might forget it’s even there!
Crucially, the model uses a reliable Swiss automatic movement with a power reserve of 40 hours.
Unsurprisingly for a dress watch, the water resistance is really moderate (30ATM/30m).
Unsure about Bulova? Feel free to read our Bulova brand review.
7. Tissot T0352071603101
Details
Tissot‘s automatic watches for women can be so diversified it would be a waste to include just one on the list.
Introducing the Tissot T0352071603101, a stunning timepiece that combines classic elegance with modern functionality. The T0352071603101 model features a stainless steel case and a red leather strap for a sophisticated look. The case diameter sits at 32mm, making it delicate and feminine. The 10.1 mm case thickness gives it just the right amount of weight, while the butterfly clasp ensures a secure and comfortable fit.
The silver dial is adorned with silver-tone dauphine-style hands and index hour markers, as well as minute markers around the outer rim. A date display at the 3 o’clock position adds an extra level of convenience.
While the watch is extremely classy, it’s also built to last. Anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the face from cracks while the 100m water resistance allows you to safely wear it in water. The 100m rating is fairly unusual for leather strap dress watches so it should be appreciated.
Akin to the model that opened up today’s list of best automatic watches for women, this one too is powered by Tissot’s much-loved Powermatic 80 movement. A quick reminder that these movements, on top of excellent accuracy, have a power reserve of 80 hours. What’s more, the inner workings of this mechanism can be observed through the transparent caseback.
8. Timex TW2T86100
Details
Last but not least, closing the list of the top automatic watches for women is this budget-friendly timepiece from the third American watch brand, Timex.
Timex watches are appreciated because most of the time they look way above their moderate price tags. This one is not an exception to the rule. Timex TW2T86100 is quite a stunning timepiece that’s sure to turn heads.
This model features a rose gold-tone case and a genuine leather strap that matches the blue dial adorned with crystal accents. The rotating disk for the floating hour-hand is a unique touch that sets this watch apart from the rest. The model is leaning towards a bigger-sized women’s watch with a case diameter of 38mm and 12mm thickness. It uses a standard tang buckle clasp as closure.
Probably one feature that stands between this watch being a good one and a great one is the fact that it uses an acrylic dial window. Unfortunately, the glass type isn’t as lasting as the mineral or sapphire you can find in other models mentioned on the list. Timex seems to opt for acrylic glass type in a lion’s share of their watches.
The watch is powered by a reliable Japanese automatic movement which you can observe through the transparent caseback.
Finally yet importantly, this watch is also water-resistant up to 50m, making it the perfect accessory for more than just a cocktail party.
