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The Insider Pick:
Wristwatches are a fun fashion accessory, and the choices are nearly endless. We think the classic look of the Fossil Jacqueline watch makes it a great everyday accessory that will add a touch of sophistication to your wardrobe for a budget-friendly friendly price.
Smartwatches and high-tech fitness trackers are gaining in popularity, but there’s something to be said about the humble analog watch. Truth be told, there are plenty of traditional watches out there that aren’t all that humble in terms of price or style.
Whether you want a timeless and understated look or you want to make a statement, there are plenty of watches to choose from — and that’s where the challenge arises.
There is an overwhelming number of women’s watches to choose from in terms of both style and brand. We realize time is of the essence (both literally and figuratively) so we’ve scoured the reviews and done the research for you to find five different watches that look good, but won’t have you maxing out your credit card.
All our picks for this guide come in at $150 or less, but even though they are budget-friendly, you won’t be sacrificing quality with these watches.
Read on in the slides below to learn why we love the Fossil Jacqueline watch and why we're also fans of the Kate Spade New York Metro watch, the Wristology Scalloped Boyfriend watch, the Mondaine Classic watch, the Fossil Virginia Stainless Steel Watch, and the MVMT Hermosa Watch.
The best watch overall
Why you'll love it: The Fossil Jacqueline watch is a classic go-to for everyday wear that can be dressed up or down.
The Fossil Jacqueline watch has a classic Roman numeral watch face, a simple yet comfortable leather band, and a variety of neutral color combos to choose from making it the best watch for everyday wear. The dial of the watch face is subtly textured and keeps time with three hands and Roman numerals. A small window on the bottom of the dial will also tell you what day of the month it is.
The medium case measures 36mm, but the slim band keeps it from looking overly bulky, so it's an ideal watch no matter your wrist size. It also comes in a wide range of colors, including silver and black, rose gold and navy, silver with pink, silver with brown, or rose gold with pink, so you can match it to the type of jewelry you wear and the colors you like best.
Though this watch is described as having a classic style, in this case, the word “classic” shouldn’t be misunderstood as “old-fashioned.” The Jacqueline has been designed with a modern aesthetic kept in mind. If you want a watch that you can wear almost daily because it is versatile enough to be dressed up or down, this watch won’t fail you.
I personally own this watch and find myself reaching for it often — especially when I want to pull together an outfit. It stands out just enough to get a compliment here and there, but it isn’t trying to win any trend-setting awards. While there’s certainly a place for fashion-forward accessories, it’s also nice to have the daily wardrobe staples. Think of this watch as the little black dress of your accessory collection. It’s a classic piece that won’t be going out of style anytime soon, and it's almost always guaranteed to look good.
Durability and comfort are especially important in the watch you wear every day. Fossil is known for producing affordable, high-quality watches and other accessories, so have no fear about this watch's durability. It keeps time accurately with a quartz movement. The leather strap is comfortable, and it's compatible with any other 14 mm strap from Fossil if you want to switch it out.
It’s also rated at 3 ATM for water resistance, so it will withstand splashes and brief submersion in water. It gave me some peace of mind that if I were to accidentally splash water on it while washing my hands, it wouldn’t mean the end of this timepiece.
Overall, the Jacqueline has received positive reviews from buyers. Many dubbed it the “perfect every day watch” and say that “it looks elegant without being bulky” thanks to the slim band that accompanies the larger face.
Some buyers with smaller wrists (including myself) did notice that the watch has a tendency to slip around. A slightly shorter band option for this would be ideal, but I found that when I have the strap adjusted to its smallest circumference, it minimizes most of the slippage. For me, this wasn’t inconvenient enough to take away from the many positives the Jacqueline has to offer. Its classic look and modern charm make it an accessory piece you’ll be able to count on, even as style trends come and go.
Pros: Versatile enough to dress up and down, comfortable band, durable construction, comes in multiple color options, displays the day of the month
Cons: Tends to slip around on smaller wrists
Buy the Fossil Women’s Jacqueline Watch on Amazon for $54.99 - $115
Shop all Fossil Watches on Amazon
The best fashion statement watch
Why you'll love it: The cute details of the Kate Spade New York 5 O’Clock Metro watch will add a touch of whimsy to any outfit.
Fashion watches come in all sorts of styles, but Kate Spade has mastered the art of creating a watch that makes just enough of a fashion statement without being too over the top. The thoughtful little details present in the 5 O'clock Metro watch are a perfect example of that design aesthetic.
The watch takes inspiration from New York City because Kate Spade has its roots in the city that never sleeps. Whether you’re the type who looks forward to happy hour with your friends and co-workers, or you prefer to unwind with your pajama pants and a glass of wine, you’ll still be able to appreciate the “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere” sentiment of this watch.
The charming details of the 5 O’Clock Metro watch make it a great accessory if you’re looking for a little something extra to add to your outfit. The face has “somewhere…” in script across the top, and a martini glass is cleverly placed at the 5 o’clock mark. The spade symbol, which is synonymous with the Kate Spade brand, is at the 12 o’clock mark. As a final touch, the second hand is covered with a striped design.
It may be cute, but this watch is still functional and durable, featuring a leather band. The rest of the dial is marked with Arabic numerals and is easy to read, and the time stays accurate thanks to the quartz movement. This watch is water resistant to withstand splashes and brief submersion, but you won’t want to swim or bathe with it.
Along with the whimsical details on the watch face, the thoughtful design continues with different color themes to choose from, including gold with white, gold with beige, gold with navy, gold with black, so you can find one that best suits your personal style and your wardrobe. The case measures 34mm across, putting it in the medium-sized category.
Overall, buyers love the whimsical details and were happy with both the quality and the functionality. Some reviewers did complain that the leather strap felt a bit rough and stiff at first but loved everything else about the watch. Though this watch may not be as versatile as some, it makes just enough of a fashion statement and will add some fun to your everyday ensemble at a far more affordable price than most luxury fashion watches. Cheers to that!
Pros: Fun details, accurate timekeeping, durable design, water resistant
Cons: Some reviewers thought the band was too stiff
Buy the Kate Spade New York 5 O’clock Metro watch on Amazon for $94.50 - $114.95
Shop all Kate Spade Watches on Amazon
The best boyfriend style watch
Why you'll love it: Wristology adds feminine appeal to a boyfriend watch that can be dressed up or down and offers style and functionality for an extremely affordable price.
The Olivia Rose Gold Scalloped Boyfriend watch is all about style. While some boyfriend watches go the tomboy route with bulky features and a sportier look, the Olivia does the opposite. It features scalloped detailing on the outside of a watch face that has no numbers or indices which give it a sleek, modern appeal.
Unlike many fashion watches, this watch also comes in under $50 — an affordable price for a watch that looks more expensive than it is thanks to the thoughtful design. Versatility is another winning point here that will allow you to make the most of an already affordable timepiece. This is the type of watch that can be dressed up or down, going from casual weekend wear to the office or a night out.
It should be noted that if you have an especially petite wrist, you may find the 38mm case a little on the large side. However, if you want an accessory that will make a statement, and you want your watch to be one of the main focuses of your outfit, you won’t be disappointed with the Olivia.
Since the dial of the watch doesn’t feature any time indicators, some may find it a little trickier to quickly read this watch. The scalloped pattern does correspond with where the numbers would be to make it possible to still read the time, which is kept with quartz movement for accuracy.
The Olivia doesn’t skimp on durability either, which is a plus since this is meant to be a watch you can wear daily. The watch band is made of leather (some styles come with a patent leather band) for added durability, and the band can also be easily switched out for any other Wristology 18mm band, adding to its versatile nature. The Olivia also comes in multiple color options to go along with the rose gold case, including rose gold and gray, rose gold with black, rose gold with wine.
It’s rated at 3 ATM for water resistance, meaning it can withstand splashes and brief submersion in water. However, like the other watches on this list, it isn’t meant to be worn while swimming or bathing. If anything does happen to your watch, it comes with a two-year warranty.
Most buyers were happy with their purchase of this watch, but some did note that the ticking was louder than they’d prefer, and some buyers with petite wrists wished the band were smaller. Otherwise, most loved its versatility, the clean and simple design, and its reasonable price.
If you want to add a stylish accessory to your collection without going over budget, or you plan on having more than one watch in your collection, this is an affordable way to give yourself options. The Olivia makes a fashion statement, but won’t make you cringe the next time you look at your bank statement. You can also check out Wristology's other watches.
Pros: Feminine design, durable construction, can be dressed up or down, interchangeable watch band, water resistant, affordable
Cons: Lack of indices or numbers could make it harder to tell the time, some with petite wrists may find it too bulky, some reviewers thought the ticking was too loud
Buy the Wristology Olivia Scalloped Boyfriend Watch on Amazon for $39.99
Shop all Wristology Watches on Amazon
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