The best women’s watches for Christmas 2018

A watch that suits a night at the theatre may not necessarily serve you well 600 metres below the waves, and vice versa. But here are four watches that should cover all possible eventualities.

For the traditionalist

The Datejust is rightly a modern classic, with a graceful design that will be familiar to even the most casual watch owner. But rather than resting on its laurels, Rolex has, over the years, continued to innovate, renewing its watches both technically and stylistically. This year’s Datejust 31, with its updated case, new dial options and new generation movement, shows how watch updates should be done: respectful of their heritage, but with an eye on the future. The pick of the bunch might just be the 18kt white gold option with its white mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set bezel. A classic for a reason.

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Rolex Datejust 31, £34,400, rolex.com

For the diver

For years, watch brands have been marketing sports watches to men and dress watches to women, meaning there have been all too few pilots’ watches, racing watches and dive watches on the market for the active woman in need of a robust timepiece. Fortunately, Omega saw the gap and released a version of its popular Planet Ocean dive watch in a size better suited to slimmer wrists (which proved a hit with plenty of men too). Two years later and the 39.5mm watch, which offers all the features of its larger counterpart, is a certified hit – and the perfect gift for the dive enthusiast in your life who just happens to sport two X chromosomes rather than one.

Omega Planet Ocean 600m 39.5mm, £8,300, omegawatches.com

For the fashionista

One of IWC’s taglines is “engineered for men”, but the Swiss firm also offers a range of elegant watches for women. The Portofino Automatic 37 is based on the men’s model but, says Town and Country, “adding a few sparkling diamonds to the dial and bezel gives the watch just the right amount of femininity”. A silver-plated dial and dark brown alligator leather strap from Santoni shows that IWC is capable of more than just big, rugged pilot’s watches.

IWC Portofino Automatic 37, £10,950, iwc.com

For the romantic

It seems fitting that Cupid, the god of attraction, was the son of love goddess Venus and god of war Mars. The little blighter was even armed with heart-piercing arrows – an apt, if slightly literal, symbol of desire if ever there was one. Cupid’s weapon of choice is celebrated on the second hand of the striking Blancpain Ultraplate Saint-Valentin 2018, which displays the outline of an arrow piercing a red-lacquered heart. Love hurts, after all.

Blancpain Ultraplate Saint-Valentin 2018, £12,340, blancpain.com

For the budget conscious

In the mad world of luxury watches a price tag of three digits is considered reasonable, so at £670 the beautiful Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 is an absolute steal. The watch, named after the address of the company's Swiss headquarters, comes in a range of variants, but for ours the blue dial is the pick of the bunch. All versions feature the Powermatic 80 at their core, a chronometer-certified movement (i.e. very accurate indeed) with an impressive 80-hour power reserve. Top level design, materials and calibre but at a reasonable price – an easy recommendation.

Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80, £670, tissotwatches.com