This could be why, for the most part, ladies' watches over the years have developed into clean, simple designs that focus on the elegance that a watch can possess as it sits on a wrist. While men's watches developed variations and additions to chronograph functions, the features of a ladies watch remained much the same. Changes were instead made to the shape of the dial and case, and to colours for the wrist strap and dial itself.

Ladies' fashion watches come in two types. There are the delicate watches produced by fashion houses themselves, which often have quartz mechanisms to allow for the small dials that they usually have. Expensive case materials and luxurious straps accent diamonds placed in the dial and the case itself. Fashion houses such as Gucci and Christian Dior sell watches like this to accompany bags, clothing, and even perfume.

The other type of ladies' fashion watch is that made by a watch house, which contains a mechanical movement. These watches are usually slightly smaller than the men's ranges to account for women's more delicate wrist. Size is dictated to a certain degree by the movement placed inside the watch, and so the biggest difference between a men's watch and a ladies watch will often be the materials and dial.

For example, Rolex's ladies' watches often have diamonds embedded in the case surrounding the dial, which can turn an ordinary-looking watch into something fit to be worn at the most prestigious of occasions. Cartier watches have a fine balance between simplicity and extravagance. Although diamonds are often seen as the symbol of luxury, many Cartier watches have few or no diamonds at all. Instead, the square dial in a gold or white gold case shows tasteful refinement, and is instantly recognisable as the brand it is.

Jewellery watches, as may be gathered from the name, are like a bracelet that can tell the time; something to be proudly displayed at parties. They are usually encrusted with diamonds, a dress watch to be worn on special occasions only. Jewellery watches are now often described as 'bling' watches, as their great cost makes them a statement of wealth as much as taste.

Making a ladies' watch has often been considered a challenge, but as watch movements have developed and become smaller over time, this challenge has eased somewhat. It is now possible to buy a ladies' watch from all major watch houses that will flatter the wrist and complement an evening outfit.

Watchfinder.co.uk specialise in selling new and pre-owned watches of exceptional quality, from brands such as Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Breitling, IWC, Raymond Weil, Jaeger LeCoultre, Chanel, TW Steel, Longines, Panerai and many others. For more information, please visit http://www.watchfinder.co.uk. Jemma Hill is an author with a passion for both mechanical and quartz luxury watches.

Author: Jemma Hill

Author Bio: Jemma Hill is an author with a passion for mechnaical and quartz (but mainly mechanical) watches. She writes articles on this subject for Watchfinder.co.uk, a long established online retailler for luxury watches of exceptional quality. The articles she writes reflect her passion for the outstanding luxury watches produced by horological experts, and promote the idea that second-hand is not second-rate. In her spare time she busies herself writing a series of children's novels, and spends ... [More]