While an office dress code no longer means a suit, shirt, and tie for men, it now means something different for women, too. Depending on the job, women have more choices these days when it comes to selecting a business outfit and matching accessories. But remember a few basic rules when it comes to choosing the right jewelry. We’re presenting a selection of great business watches for women to complement your outfit and make you stand out in the office.
The perfect ladies’ watch for the office: How many accessories are allowed?
While men in conservative professions usually have stricter rules about wearing jewelry, etiquette allows women a little more freedom. Style guidelines generally allow men a maximum of two rings (their wedding ring and, say, a signet ring) and one wristwatch, while women can wear all kinds of accessories – bracelets, rings (including a wedding ring, of course), necklaces, earrings, and wristwatches. All of these options are fine, even in conservative professions like finance. Keep it simple, of course, and don’t overdo it. As a general rule of thumb, accessories should be appropriate for the occasion and should go well together. Another guideline is the “less-is-more” principle. Too much glitter and sparkle can quickly distract from business interactions. To help you choose the right business ladies’ watch for the office, we’ve put together some recommendations for casual, business casual and business formal dress codes.
Dress Code: Casual
This dress code stands for casual wear, offering all kinds freedom in terms of style and choice of clothing. Whether it’s an elegant blouse combined with chinos and laced-up shoes, or a loose sweatshirt with jeans and sneakers, there are no limits to a casual wardrobe. You can also let your imagination run wild when it comes to jewelry. Set some great accents with eye-catching pieces.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date
With a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date on your wrist, you’ll be sure to shine and turn the head of a colleague or two. This epitome of a luxurious everyday watch comes in a sporty 34-mm diameter, with a practical date complication at 3 o’clock. Available in stainless steel, gold or a combination of materials, with dials in black, white, blue, or pink, an Oyster Perpetual Date is the perfect complement to any office outfit.
Cartier Tank Française
Radiate elegance and confidence with a Cartier Tank Française on your wrist. The distinctive design of this classic watch is inspired by the British tanks of World War II, yet it remains delicate and elegant. These 19-mm to 28-mm quartz watches sit discreetly on the wrist. Their moderate diameter makes them ideal for narrow wrists. Added to this is their large selection of case and strap options, making it easy to find the perfect Tank Française model.
TAG Heuer Carrera Ladies
A TAG Heuer Carrera Ladies gives you the perfect balance of sportiness and elegance. The Carrera is also available in a variety of designs and, depending on the model, will complement any outfit, from casual to elegant.
Dress Code: Business Casual
Business casual stands for feminine, classic shapes and effortless elegance, while still offering a certain freedom of cut, fabric, and color. It lets you add an individual touch to any outfit. However, this style requires a certain amount of finesse, as it needs to strike just the right balance between elegant and casual. For the office, it should therefore combine a casual touch with professional elegance. When it comes to jewelry and watches, make sure your outfit suits the occasion. Here’s a selection of women’s watches for the perfect business casual look.
Cartier Baignoire
If you like wearing gold, then a Cartier Baignoire could be the perfect companion for you. The 24.5-mm oval case in yellow gold is attached to a comfortable crocodile leather strap, and makes a statement on your wrist without being too flashy.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night & Day
If your heart beats for the fine art of watchmaking, and you’d like to have a few diamonds or a touch of color on your wrist, then why not select a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch from the Rendez-Vous Night & Day collection? Masterpieces of precision engineering, these watches exude brilliance and grace with their elegant design and sparkling diamond bezels.
Omega Constellation Ladies
If you prefer a more conservative approach, rather than colorful dials or flamboyant shapes, take a look at the Omega Constellation Ladies. Elegant and understated, its classic design is the perfect complement to business casual attire. If you want your business watch to be a little more eye-catching, the Constellation Ladies collection also offers a shimmering mother-of-pearl dial, as well as a two-tone model.
Longines DolceVita
If you’re looking for a luxurious-looking business watch in the more affordable price range, but don’t want to compromise on quality and prestige, Longines could be the brand for you. With its DolceVita, the watchmaker offers an extremely slim wristwatch with a rectangular case in various versions.
Dress Code: Business Formal
If your job requires business attire, that means elegant suits, understated jewelry, and a more dignified choice of colors. So keep your accessories to a minimum and choose your watch with care.
Rolex Lady-Datejust
We first and foremost recommend the Rolex Lady-Datejust. Whether in steel, gold, or Rolesor, with a white, black, color, or mother-of-pearl dial, or on an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet – this collection offers an incredible variety of models and makes it easy for the wearer to complement her outfit with a beautiful wristwatch.
Cartier Ballon Bleu
You can also show off your sense of style with a stunning creation from the Parisian maison Cartier. With a high-end model like the Ballon Bleu, the designers and engineers of the luxury manufacturer have created a style icon that is also favored by some of the biggest names in politics. The series offers a wide range of material and color combinations, providing a model to suit every taste.
Chanel Première
Small is beautiful: the Chanel Première. The delicate, octagonal case is inspired by the prestigious Place Vendôme in Paris, and houses a precision quartz movement. With its refined bracelets, the Première sits so elegantly and discreetly on the wrist that it is probably more of a piece of jewelry adornment than a wristwatch. Perfect for rounding off a professional business formal look.
Summary
As you can see, the world of haute horlogerie is wide open to women when it comes to finding the right watch for work, where the art lies in combining a great wristwatch with all your accessories. By the way, if you’re a woman, don’t be put off by the term “men’s watch.” This is nothing more than a recommendation from the watch manufacturers. With the right combination, a striking men’s model like the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” can look great on a woman’s wrist.
