Are you currently in the market for a mid-range women’s watch? Ladies’ watches within this price range deliver on timekeeping reliability, excellent craftsmanship, and impeccable design. The watches we have compiled comprise all these aspects and more. As a gift or as the final piece of your attire, these watches will help carry the wearer with confidence and grace.
We’ve included classy and elegant dress timepieces and some unique modern designs for the more daring. A couple of sporty watches also made the list for our more athletic women audience.
Quick Picks
Let’s begin our rundown of some of the best women’s watches that are all under $500.
(Please note: All prices were checked at the time of publishing, and all watches were selling online for $500 or less. However, prices may have fluctuated since then, possibly pushing them over the original budget).
Table of Contents
Best Women’s Watches Under $500
Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive Leather Strap Watch
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This Citizen Eco-Drive Leather Strap watch shows that you don’t need to provide numerous fancy inclusions in a design to make it eye-catching. Sometimes all you need is a clear goal and impeccably delivering on that.
This women’s timepiece features a pretty traditional and straightforward design. However, the black and gold aesthetic enhanced its appearance significantly. The black dial and three-hand gold-finished watch complement each other quite well visually.
As with all Citizen watches, this timepiece uses a top-notch Japanese quartz movement, and it also has a date display located at the three o’clock position.
Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick Watch
Victorinox is known for having some of the best-looking accessories around. While still reasonably practical and functional, their modern minimalist approach to their aesthetic is a sweet spot that not all manufacturers can find. The Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick is an excellent example of this blend of simplicity and functionality.
Let’s go over the exterior first. The Ladies Maverick Watch features a unidirectional bezel and a counter scale. The case measures 34mm in diameter and uses hypoallergenic stainless-steel material. The polished silver also partners with the striking blue dial, a popular color combination with most timepieces.
It is suitable for both everyday use and formal gatherings as well. The triple-coated anti-reflective glass allows for excellent legibility even when outdoors—also, the sapphire crystal is resistant to scratches.
Overall, while the appearance of the Victorinox Maverick is similar to other timepiece designs, it is undoubtedly one of the most durable and dependable in the market.
Solios – The Solar White
This modern, minimalist solar watch for women made by the Canadian brand Solios is made of 316L hypoallergenic Stainless steel and comes in a wide variety of case finishes including black, silver, and rose gold.
There are plenty of strap options available also in both metal mesh and various colors of Eco-Vegan Leather. The watch is available in 36mm and 40mm sizes and a “Mini” for petite wrists. Solios is a Montreal-based watch brand whose goal is to create sustainable and innovative watches that reduce the harm done to the environment.
As the name indicates, the watch is solar-powered as are all of the watches that Solios produces. Just two hours of sun can power the watch for up to six months and the battery will last a lifetime.
Bulova Women’s 98P121 Highbridge Watch
Bulova is known for producing timepieces steep in both elegance and tradition, two elements that the 98P121 Women’s Highbridge watch delivers with confidence. With a shiny stainless-steel case, bracelet, and bezel appearance, the Highbridge certainly exudes that certain panache of elegance that makes it a pretty dazzling accessory.
Also, it features a ceramic top that pushes it past most of its competition within its price range.
The mother of pearl dial features some of the most refined design choices on this side of women’s watches. With a total of eight diamond embedded markers and silver-toned luminous hands, the Bulova Highbridge certainly captures that extravagant quality in spades.
Some of the additional features of note include a date display that is located over at the three o’clock position. It also comes with a decent 90-feet water resistance construction and an always-reliable Japanese quartz movement within its modest 30mm case diameter for excellent timekeeping.
Garmin Lily – Small GPS Smartwatch
The Garmin Lily is one of the most elegant-looking smartwatches on the market today. Its sleek and slim stainless-steel case and smaller case size make it a perfect smartwatch for smaller wrists.
The Garmin Lily has effectively done away with the stereotypical chunky sports watches for which they are so well known.
At 34.5mm diameter, slim 14mm band, and ultra-thin 10.15 mm case thickness make the Lily thinner than the Apple Series 6 and slender enough to be worn under the cuffs of long-sleeved shirts.
Apart from standard smartwatch functions like notifications and essential health and fitness features, the Lily is designed for women.
The Lily even helps track the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, energy levels, hydration, all-day stress, sleep, and monitoring your respiration Pulse OX. Pairing it with a compatible smartphone, you’ll get smart notifications for calls and text and calendar reminders.
You can track your yoga or Pilates workouts and cardio sync to your phone’s GPS to track outdoor walks or runs.
Fossil Women’s Virginia Watch
Fossil always has blended fashion with functionality quite nicely.
The Fossil Virginia continues this tradition with a refined timepiece that blends chic, smart looks with elegant flair. This crystal-studded timepiece takes advantage of every watch facet in creating a truly majestic appearance.
With a dial diameter of 30mm, the Virginia watch is relatively small and perfect for petite wrists. The dial and bezel are all crystal-studded, and the dial feature eight crystalized markers and four Roman numerals. The band uses the clap closure, and the watch itself is made to provide water resistance for up to 165 feet.
The watch also uses Japanese quartz movement with an analog display. This traditional watch emphasizes a glamorous appeal that makes it perfect for red carpet-type events.
Victorinox Swiss Army Women’s Alliance Sports Watch
The Victorinox Swiss Army Ladies Alliance delivers a more “rough and tumble” timepiece than the other entries in this list. This one is slightly bulkier; however, it still offers quite a comfortable fit.
The robust appearance isn’t just for the show as well. This watch is designed to last, and it features a durable stainless-steel case and bezel with sapphire crystal, which significantly enhances its durability and scratch-resistance.
A Japanese quartz movement and analog display are within the case, which delivers excellent precision and accuracy. The build quality of the watch has 330-feet of water resistance for women looking for a watch that can match up with their male counterparts in terms of robust design. The Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance offers just the right balance between masculine and feminine.
Citizen Women’s World Time A-T Eco-Drive
One can say that the Citizen Women’s World Time A-T watch embodies the modern woman. Not only is the timepiece quite feminine, but it also features top-notch functionality and reliability. It comes with a design likened to most executive-style watches for men.
In terms of functionality, this timepiece comes with the signature Citizen Eco-Drive. Longevity is not an issue with its ability to recharge its batteries using natural and artificial lighting. It also features A-T timekeeping which allows it to stay updated with time zones via radio signals.
The attractive design of World Time is just as impressive as its features, and it also uses a mother of pearl dial. With the golden visage in tow, this Citizen watch showcases a confident, no-nonsense approach to its aesthetics while maintaining a feminine look.
Orient Fashionable Butterfly Automatic Watch
Orient is another well-respected Japan-based watchmaker company. While often not in the same breath as Citizen or Seiko, Orient is still a highly recommended brand that comes with its own unique set of qualities.
The Orient Butterfly Watch features an open-heart design that is always a striking feature in a timepiece. However, this time around, Orient saw fit to craft the open-heart aesthetic into a butterfly-shaped opening.
Again, the mother of pearl aesthetic is showcased in the Butterfly Automatic watch. It is quite a safe approach as the mother of pearl dials are quite visually charming. The open-heart feature also benefits significantly from the Japanese automatic movement inside. This elegant and classy timepiece for women also packs that distinctive skeleton design.
Michael Kors MK5145 Chronograph Watch
Women’s watches are not just for show, though. Nowadays, looking pretty can only take you so far. That is why women’s watches have also been adapted and leaned on over to improve functionality. That is not to say that style is being pushed over the backburner. Far from it, like the Michael Kors MK5145 Chronograph watch displays.
With its combination of pristine white and gold accents, the Michael Kors MK5145 chronograph watch is an excellent choice for women who want style and functionality. It has a slightly smaller case at only 38mm in diameter, and the silicone band is quite durable and comfortable on the skin.
It comes with standard three analog sub-dials that track hours, minutes, and seconds. It also utilizes the Japanese quartz movement with an analog display. It certainly delivers that luxury aesthetics and offers wearers added functionality.
This genuinely attention-grabbing timepiece will fit with most attires from everyday use to formal occasions. This women’s chronograph watch is well-worth your money and time, pun intended.
Skagen Connected Signatur T-Bar Smartwatch
The Skagen T-Bar Smartwatch is an excellent option for ladies looking for a stylish timepiece with modern features in tow. At first glance, it is easy to label the T-Bar as just another classy-looking dress watch. But underneath its alluring traditional design is an advanced smartwatch.
As you would expect from a smartwatch, the Skagen T-Bar is a feature-rich timepiece. It comes with all the basic smartwatch functionalities such as smartphone connectivity and notification. Also, it sports activity tracking capabilities, a sleep quality monitor, and automatic time zone updates.
We welcome its subtle approach with its notification alerts. The Skagen T-Bar generates a gentle vibration whenever you have a new message or incoming call from your smartphone. Battery life is always a factor to consider with smartphones, and Fortunately, the T-Bar delivers a substantial number in this area. The watch has a 4-month battery life on a single charge.
Overall, this is a solid smartwatch that can easily pass as a traditional dress watch. It comes at a sleek 36mm diameter case and is water-resistant for up to 30m. The watch is compatible with Android OS 5.0 and iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Fossil Women’s ES3588 Stella Multifunction Stainless Steel Watch
Fossil gets another entry in this list with their Stella Multifunction watch. This time around, Fossil delivers a women’s chronograph watch and does so in impressive fashion. Chronograph watches are not commonly associated with the word elegant, but the Stella watch delivered that regard.
For a chronograph watch, this certainly looks like it will easily fit right in a formal gathering with its crystal-studded bezel. Its polished silver stainless steel appearance also gives it that premium appeal. This is a chronograph watch, and it comes with the standard three sub-dials.
To make sure it delivers in terms of timekeeping accuracy, the Stella utilizes quartz movement with an analog display. It also has a decent 50m water resistance rating for added reliability.
Seiko Women’s SUT068 Watch
When it comes to Seiko watches, you can expect them to deliver and this holds with the Seiko SUT068 with its stylish design and excellent feature that we will be pointing out in this quick little overview.
With its petite construction, the SUT068 is among the most comfortable women’s timepieces around. It is lightweight and does not chaff on the wrist. Not surprisingly, Seiko decided on giving the SUT068 a mother of pearl dial design. The spotless white dial is perfectly partnered up with the gold markers and gold outlined hands.
It features an analog display powered by a Japanese quartz movement, and it also has a date display over at the three o’clock position. The dial is also protected by the highly durable Hardlex glass window, which adequately protects from impacts and scratches.
Also, the Seiko SUT068 comes equipped with solar power technology. The batter cell within this beautiful decorous timepiece can charge using both natural and artificial light. Visually stunning and functional, just what you expect from Seiko.
Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive Watch EW1544-53A
Time to start bringing out the ‘Big Guns’ of the industry. We’ve already showcased one watch model from Seiko; it’s time to give Citizen the spotlight next. The Citizen Eco-Drive EW1544-53A certainly takes a lot of cues from other popular models regarding its design.
This Citizen Eco-Drive crafts quite a remarkable looking timepiece with silver and gold-toned design. It still manages to stay grounded and craft a conservative design. This is good news for those who prefer something visually pleasing but is still somewhat low-key.
The stainless-steel case measures 26mm in diameter, which is a good number for women’s watches. The gold bezel helps accentuate the overall look of the case. The bracelet features two gold line segments that break the monotony of the silver.
This timepiece uses Japanese quartz movement with an analog display, and a durable mineral crystal window also protects the dial. Additional noteworthy features include a calendar window located over at the three o’clock position. It also utilizes Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology gives it the ability to charge via sunlight.
Tissot Trend Pinky Silver Dial Watch
Tissot delivers a casual dress women’s watch that is tougher than it looks. Utilizing ETA F03.111 Swiss quartz movement with an analog display, you can expect the Tissot Trend Pinky to deliver excellent precision. It uses a looping band that gives it the appearance of a bracelet. Loosened enough, and it pretty much is.
It features a 28mm stainless steel case with a brown leather band. The sleek case fits perfectly with its moniker, Trend Pinky. The white is merged with gray hands and markers to give this preppy timepiece a subtle sense of maturity.
Michael Kors Parker Glitz Watch
Michael Kors makes another appearance on this list. This time, with their Parker Glitz watch. As you would expect from the name of this watch model, it features quite a feminine design. The Parker Glitz earns the “glitz” in its moniker with its multitude of crystal studs. However, this is not just a stylish women’s watch, and it is also a chronograph as well.
The Michael Kors Parker Glitz manages to deliver a bold statement with its brilliant crystal-studded design. The chronograph sub-dials provide added functionality that is not common in women’s watches with this type of aesthetics.
With its sparkling crystal-infused bezel and bracelet, the Parker Glitz offers an excellent blend of style and substance.
Swarovski Crystalline Oval Rose Gold Bracelet Watch
Swarovski is a well-known manufacturer of accessories and pieces of jewelry; it is only natural for them to have one of the most stunning women’s watches as well.
The Swarovski Crystalline provides quite a visually unique take on timepieces. It has an oval-shaped case and gold accents on the eggshell white band and case.
One impressive aspect of this particular women’s watch is that it utilizes around 1,700 crystals to complete its look. It also has a unique two-ring case design, with the outer ring providing the oval-shaped appearance, while the second ring is more of a traditional round case.
It features an analog quartz movement contained within its 37mm diameter case. The case has a gentle curvature that bends around the wrist for improved comfort. It also comes with a somewhat surprising water resistance of up to 100-feet. With its stunning design, water resistance isn’t exactly a feature you would expect.
Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive Corso EW2290-54L
Let’s start this list with one from Citizen watches. The Eco-Drive EW2290-54L features a pretty robust design with its sold stainless-steel case. However, it is a much sleeker version at only 28mm in diameter. It comes with a bracelet with a fold-over clasp, making it quite easy to wear and remove while maintaining security and comfort.
The ever-reliable Japanese quartz movement is inside the small frame. The metallic blue dial delivers that premium appeal, while the chrome silver markers and hands offer excellent legibility. This timepiece also features a date display positioned over at three o’clock.
The hour and minute hands are also coated with a luminous finish for enhanced visibility in low-light environments. This watch also comes with a solid 100m water resistance rating, making it suitable for swimming and other light water activities.
Overall, the Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive EW2290-54L is an excellent choice for women looking for an executive-style watch. It exudes a professional and sophisticated aesthetic that perfectly compliments the modern working woman.
Seiko SUP284 Tressia Watch
The Seiko Tressia is a petite and feminine timepiece that will go well with your red-carpet attire. With its mother of pearl dial further enhancing the luxury aesthetic, this is one timepiece designed to turn heads.
The Tressia features a sleek and small case that measures only 22mm in diameter. While it may have a delicate appearance, it is well-made and durable. A Hardlex crystal window protects the mother of pearl dial. The outer rim of the watch is also infused with crystals for that added exquisite beauty.
The material used in the construction of Tressia is titanium which gives it that added overall durability. Within this timepiece is a Japanese quartz movement with an analog display. It also comes with water resistance for up to 99-feet, and this allows it to withstand the occasional splash of water and drops of rain.
The Seiko Ladies Tressia may appear fragile, but it is surprisingly robust. Just like your everyday Disney princess.
Bulova Women’s Marine Star Diamond Bracelet Watch
The Bulova Marine Star brings a dash of class with its diamond-studded design. The timepiece utilizes the always practical two-tone approach of combining silver and gold, which exudes an air of elegance and sophistication. However, the Marine Star takes it a step further with its addition of 23 diamonds embedded around the bezel.
There are six separate diamond-studded sections around the bezel, and each segment is divided by a gold-toned divider.
The Marine Star Diamond features a sleek 32mm diameter stainless steel case. It also features a sturdy stainless steel bracelet with a rose gold accent. To further highlight its feminine focus in design, the inner dial is made from mother of pearl material.
As for the inner workings of this watch, it features an analog quartz movement. The dial is encased in a sturdy yet elegant sapphire crystal window. It is also constructed to provide 100m water resistance. Quite simply, the Marine Star Diamond radiates with confidence and femininity.
Fossil Women’s Jacqueline Watch
Fossil is known for its versatile watch options ranging from luxury to casual timepieces. The Jacqueline is part of the latter and is quite an excellent casual everyday watch that maintains a premium appeal. Fossil has always been a fashion-centric brand, which makes it a safe choice for those who are merely looking for a visually striking watch to wear for specific occasions.
The Fossil Jacqueline comes with a sturdy leather calfskin band with traditional buckle closure. The case is where it placed all its marbles in terms of design. The stainless-steel 36mm case comes with a gold finish with silver accents.
The dial incorporates a pristine yet straightforward white finish, while the sleek hands and markers are coated with polished gold. The markers utilize Roman numerals for that subtle, refined aesthetic. It also comes with a date window situated at the six o’clock position. The dial is encased in mineral crystal glass which is not the most hardened window material.
Overall, this is a more conservative women’s watch that appeals to those who prefer something a little more low-key.
Tissot Women’s Le Locle Silver Dial Automatic Watch
Tissot is among the brands known for its impeccable quality in both design and functionality. Le Locle continues this tradition with its traditional high-end construction. The timepiece features a complete stainless-steel metallic design. The case and bracelet are made from high-grade stainless steel, so expected excellent durability with this timepiece.
Le Locle does not offer much in terms of features, but that is quite fine. Especially since this timepiece delivers on Tissot’s signature qualities, it also comes with a self-winding automatic movement that provides excellent precision.
The dial delivers a flair of gracefulness with its design. The addition of a date display located on the three o’clock position is also a welcome inclusion. The beautiful dial is encased in sturdy sapphire crystal, which is highly resistant to scratch damage. Tissot is an excellent brand to start your search if you enjoy a traditional timepiece.
Bulova Women’s 98L157 Two-Tone Bracelet Watch
The Bulova 98L157 features a delightful fusion of retro and modern aesthetics. The rectangular case (which measures a petite 21.5mm in diameter) is an excellent choice for smaller hands. A mother of pearl dial within the clear mineral crystal window that augments its overall luxury appeal.
This is a stainless-steel case and bracelet with gold accents, which is a pretty typical design choice nowadays. I’m not complaining, as this is quite a visually attractive design. When it comes to functionality, the Bulova 90L157 uses quartz movement with an analog display. Also, it has a 30m water resistance rating which allows it to withstand splashes of water and a bit of rain.
Seiko Women’s SUT213 Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Watch
Whenever you hear the name Seiko, you automatically expect a high-quality timepiece. The SUT213 certainly fits that bill with its sleek design and top-notch functionality. The Seiko SUT213 offers a robust-looking watch for women in terms of design.
It comes in a 30mm stainless steel case with a Hardlex window which provides adequate protection for its mother of pearl dial. The dial features chrome-coated hands and Roman numeral markers, and it accentuates the overall design of the SUT213, which is a sleek mechanical timepiece.
Feature-wise, this watch is an impressive piece as well. It features a quartz movement with an analog display and uses Seiko’s solar-powered technology, which pushes its longevity above and beyond. It also holds a water resistance rating of up to 100m.
Victorinox Women’s Alliance Quartz Stainless Steel Watch
Victorinox once again showcases their unique style when it comes to their watches with the Alliance Quartz. This one features a more grounded and casual look with its leather black leather strap. If that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t fret! The Alliance comes in a wide variety of variations that are sure to satiate every female watch enthusiast’s style.
The case diameter is slightly larger at 35mm in diameter but will still fit quite well with the average women’s wrist size.
The dial uses sapphire crystal glass which is the industry standard for reliable and durable watch windows. The lens here is also coated with an anti-reflective finish. As a bonus, the steel case with screw-in back case construction provides the Alliance watch with 100m water resistance.
Casio Baby-G Watch
If you’re looking for something for the female outdoor and sports enthusiast out there. You can never go wrong with Casio’s G-Shock watch series if you are looking for durability. The Baby-G series features a smaller and more compact design, making this G watch line the right choice for women.
The G-Baby comes with a 38.4mm stainless steel case. This is slightly larger, but it is also miles away more durable than the other entries in this list. In terms of functionality, the G-Baby is no slouch. It features both analog and digital displays and is equipped with solar-powered batteries.
It also has LED lighting and is water-resistant for up to 100m. As for other features, it has a stopwatch, countdown timer, battery level indicator, auto calendar, and pre-programmed time zones for 48 cities worldwide. ‘
For ladies who are looking for an outdoor watch, I highly recommend you check out the Casio Baby-G series; check out other recommended ladies’ G-Shock models here.
Michael Kors Chronograph Watch Dial
Michael Kors watches always deliver in regards to style. Fortunately, MK watches are not just sizzled without steak. The MK Chronograph watch is two-toned gold and a black timepiece with a lean over traditional aesthetics.
As this is a chronograph watch, expect it to have your standard three sub-dials. The stainless steel rose gold case is a bit on the broader side and has a 39mm diameter. The window is made from mineral glass which is a step below the sapphire glass window.
This watch uses quartz movement with an analog display and uses silicone straps for added comfort on the wrist. The watch is also water-resistant for up to 100m. Overall, this is an excellent sleek-looking lightweight chronograph for the ladies who prefer something that provides a somewhat casual-business approach to their watch design.
Zeppelin Princess of the Sky Automatik
Let’s start strong with one of the most attention-grabbing timepiece aesthetics, the skeletal watch design. Zeppelin is still a relatively new and lesser-known brand in the watch market. However, based on this watch alone, I think it is safe to say that we should pay closer attention to this watchmaker.
Zeppelin is a German-based watchmaker who, not typecasting here, should give you an idea of the level of craftsmanship to expect. The open-heart design of the Princess of the Sky is not the only element this watch has under its non-existent sleeves.
Its main selling point is that it can be worn on your wrist and as a necklace. This gives the watch more versatility in regards to how it accentuates your attire for the evening. Within the Princess of the Sky’s sleek 35mm diameter case is a Miyota 8N24 automatic caliber movement. This movement also features around 40 hours of power reserve.
Swatch New Gent SUOW127 Multicolor Swiss Quartz Watch
Here is something with a little more pep and an ideal watch for those with a perky attitude. This particular timepiece from Swatch is a colorful and durable watch perfect for everyday and casual use.
The white floral silicone design gives it a more playful characteristic. It uses a silicone band with a matte finish. The dial is slightly larger than expected at 41mm. The dial features a full pink face with white hands in the foreground, giving it heightened legibility when checking the time.
The Swatch New Gent is also quite affordable and should be an excellent gift for younger ladies. It also comes with a 30m water resistance, which adds toughness for a reasonably feminine watch. With its superb and straightforward construction, you can expect this watch to last for quite a long time with proper care.
Movado Harmony Bracelet Watch
You can never go wrong with a bracelet watch for formal gala events. The Movado Harmony Bracelet watch delivers the perfect balance of fashion and function with this sleek timepiece. With its 24mm case diameter, this watch can be easily mistaken as a silver bangle. That being said, within its small frame lies an excellently crafted watch.
The combination of stainless-steel case and bracelet with diamonds infuses the Harmony bracelet watch with a sense of confidence and sophistication. These are two notable aspects that encapsulate the modern woman.
It features the signature minimalist Movado Museum design as well. The black dial highlights the Museum dot at the top and two silver hands that fit perfectly with the pure black backdrop. Inside this diminutive case is the ever-reliable Japanese quartz movement. See other top Women’s Movado Watches Here.
The watch is also designed to offer up to 30m of water resistance. While it is not recommended for swimming and diving, it offers enough protection from the occasional splash of water from the rain.
Thanks for reading!
These are the current cream of the crop regarding women’s watches that are under $500. There are still more splendid women’s timepieces out there. But those are reserved for another day. For now, these are the women’s watches that take the spotlight and are rightfully earned as well.
