All too often ladies watches are relegated to scaled down variations on their larger brethren, perhaps with a diamond added here or there for some extra bling. At Analog:Shift, we take pride in curating a selection of ladies pieces that have their own distinct personality and qualities. Today, we are taking a look at a small cross section of the ladies watches we have available for our customers. Let’s get into it.
Cartier Baignoire
Cartier Baignoire - SHOP NOW
The Cartier Baingoire is one of the first places we look for quality design and personality. The Baignoire (translated “bathtub”), has a beautiful oblong elliptical shape that thickens at the extremes to create an eccentric 3-dimensional appeal. The Baignoire is an entire family of lovely watches deserving of collecting (and we stock a hearty supply of them for that reason), but this particular Baingoire is a cut above the rest. Its integrated bracelet, fashioned from matching yellow gold, plays on the case motif, with the same shape for each link continuing around the bracelet. Part jewelry, part horology, part just plain frickin' cool, this is a really excellent option for an everyday offering or as an addition to a well established collection. This is not a piece you are likely to find on anyone else’s wrist, but you are sure to receive admiring glances from friends, family, and onlookers.
Zenith Ladies Cocktail Watch
Zenith Ladies Cocktail Watch - SHOP NOW
Here’s something you likely haven’t seen! Measuring a quaint 22mm, this piece is fashioned from white gold, and is a great demonstration of what brands simply can’t make today, but that make great vintage buys. The exceptional white gold integrated bracelet features a unique weaving pattern that integrates directly into the body of the case. The bezel is decorated with round cut diamonds set to frame the placid silver dial which is decorated only on its major indexes with black line settings. The result is a watch that’s simultaneously minimalist and substantive. The difficulty of crafting bracelets like this one makes designs like these all but extinct from new brands, but on the vintage market, you get a precious metal timepiece with 60s charm to the moon and back for under 5k. Value at its best!
Seiko Ladies’ Chorus 2118-0310
Seiko Ladies Chorus - SHOP NOW
We’ve opened with two beautifully elegant ladies pieces, so our next example comes from the tool watch end of the spectrum. A manually wound sports watch, this Seiko from the 70s is set in a cushion case with a unique bracelet design that conforms well to the wrist. 28mm in diameter with a softly domed acrylic crystal, this piece follows the mold of Seiko dive watches from the era, but due to the smaller case, it loses the dive bezel. The result is a watch that visually reads less polarizing in spite of its capable spec. For a lady looking for a capable piece with everyday wearing capability, this is definitely one to keep on the short list.
Ladies Royal Oak Pink ‘MOP’
Ladies Royal Oak Pink 'MOP' - SHOP NOW
Next bridging between dress and sport, we have a stunning rare iteration of the Royal Oak. Measuring 25mm in diameter with a quartz movement within, this piece features a pink MOP dial with a date window cut at 3 o’clock. Inbound, the watch flaunts a diamond-set octagon framed in gold, applique Roman cardinal indexes with diamond 5 minute markers. The bezel is diamond-set around the core screws of the Royal Oak design motif. A thin case is accommodated by the quartz power supply, and the full yellow gold bracelet gives it a rare solidity, that in tandem with the case proportions provides such a strong sense of quality construction. The combination of winning design and natural materials/ stone settings makes this a rare standout priced really well for what it brings to the table.
Patek Philippe Ref. 4968G-010
Patek Philippe Ref.4968G-010 - SHOP NOW
Continuing with mother of pearl dials and diamond settings, our next offering is a hardcore piece of high horology. Packing a moonphase coaxial with the subsidiary seconds register, this piece features one of the most unique diamond-set bezel layouts, with a graduated sized diamond setting snailing around the bezel and case flanks to mimic the engraved motif on the dial. The dial itself is tremendously three-dimensional, and crafted from a blue mother of pearl topped off with applique Breguet numerals. Perhaps the greatest detail on this piece is that it is manually wound, which just adds so much cool to the slender dress watch. Once again, the theme here is truly elevated design and execution. This watch could have had a simple silver dial with moonphase, but instead it’s elevated in so many ways to something truly unique. Well done PP.
Omega ‘Secret’ Bracelet Watch by Gilbert Albert
Omega 'Secret' Bracelet Watch by Gilbert Albert - SHOP NOW
What happens when one of the greatest designers of the previous era teams up with a great watch brand? Well it looks something like this Omega by Gilbert Albert. Born in the 30s, Gilbert Albert was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated Swiss jewelry designers. Gilbert Albert collaborated with many watch houses, including Patek Philippe watches that trade for astronomical prices. What we have here is one of his cooler pieces, available at a much more accessible price and made with Omega! With a hinge on the front pivoting a door to obscure the minimalist dial head, this piece can register as a bracelet on the wrist, or be used as a watch on demand. The bracelet itself is inspired by the texture and forms of lava, creating a flowing aesthetic unlike anything else available on the market. This bracelet is a work of art, and whoever gets this piece will automatically be the coolest person in the room.
Piaget Polo Two Tone Diamonds (AS11822)
Piaget Polo Two Tone Diamonds - SHOP NOW
No ladies watch guide is complete without Piaget, and we have a hearty stock of Piaget models available on the site, from falcon eye dials to tigers eye, pave, opal, onyx, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl and more. The particular piece we’ve selected here is one of the canonical models in the Piaget collections: a Polo. But this isn’t just any Polo, it features a two-tone case construction in yellow and white gold, with the white gold portions receiving diamond application and even carrying the motif straight through the dial. This piece is simply killer through and through. If you like the Piaget aesthetic, be sure to check out our full selection, but this piece was a stand-out representation of what makes Piaget Piaget. ‘Nough said.
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5077P-087
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref.5077P-087 - SHOP NOW
I had to tie this to a close with a high end piece, and this Patek was screaming for a feature. Fashioned from platinum, this reference 5077 features a cloisonne enamel dial named ‘Iris and Night Fireflies’ for its motif. Outside the dial, this piece is a relatively traditional Calatrava, sized 38mm with a simple dauphine handset. But when you flip the watch over, Patek has upgraded this piece’s movement to a 240 micro rotor base. For the lover of fine horology that wants to subtly flex the watchmaking, letting dial art take center stage, this watch is a really rare offering from Patek, and combines mechanical sophistication with aesthetic refinement.
Conclusion
Ladies watches at Analog:Shift come in all shapes and sizes. With a diversity of material, metal, form, and function, our goal at A:S is to provide truly compelling offerings for clients of all kinds. From Piaget integrated bracelets to Gilbert Albert design statements and Patek complications, there’s something for everyone! Be sure to check out our full range of ladies watches at Analog Shift!
