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Women's Watches

The first watch of any kind, which evolved from portable spring driven clocks, appeared in 15th-century Europe. Nuremberg clockmaker Peter Henlein is often credited as the inventor of the watch and he was one of the first German craftsmen who made "clock-watches," ornamental timepieces worn as pendants.

The first chronicled wristwatch was in fact designed for a woman and it was then called a “wristlet.” It is credited to Abraham-Louis Breguet, who made the watch for Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples in 1810. Although it was the first timekeeping device to be designed specifically for use on the wrist, it was intended primarily as a piece of decorative jewelry rather than for anything as practical as keeping the time.

For the next 100-120 years, wristwatches were perceived as women’s items; men would carry pocket watches in their waistcoat. It was not until the Boer War that the notion of wristwatch for men began to take hold. World War I soldiers also wore wristwatches, but the trend for men during was carrying pocket watches. Louis Cartier is credited for making the first men’s wristwatch in 1904 for his friend Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont, who was was one of the early aviation pioneers and needed a timepiece for his flights.

Women’s wristwatches prevailed through the late 1920s; wristwatches did not see widespread use for both sexes until the next decade. Rolex’s 1930 product line still featured 79 women’s wristwatches and only 37 for men. Rolex capitalized on its 1920s “Prince” model for men with a women’s model known as the “Princess.”

Recommended Items at Auction

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CARTIER SANTOS 18K YELLOW GOLD STAINLESS 14.70CTTW DIAMOND AUTOMATIC WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
CARTIER SANTOS 18K YELLOW GOLD STAINLESS 14.70CTTW DIAMOND AUTOMATIC WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$3,10027 Bids
Women's TAG HEUER Link Professional WT1313 Quartz Stainless Steel Wrist Watch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Women's TAG HEUER Link Professional WT1313 Quartz Stainless Steel Wrist Watch
by Hannosh's
Est: $500- $750
$10519 Bids
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ROLEX DATEJUST STAINLESS STEEL DIAMOND CHAMPAGNE DIAL AUTOMATIC LADIES WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
ROLEX DATEJUST STAINLESS STEEL DIAMOND CHAMPAGNE DIAL AUTOMATIC LADIES WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$1,25016 Bids
Vintage Hamilton 14kt White Gold Diamond Dial Manual Wind Wrist Watch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Vintage Hamilton 14kt White Gold Diamond Dial Manual Wind Wrist Watch
by Hannosh's
Est: $2,000- $3,500
$23012 Bids
LADY'S ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE WRISTWATCH
Dec 04, 6:00 PM PST
LADY'S ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE WRISTWATCH
by O'Gallerie
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$3,25012 Bids
Vintage Rolex Bubble Back 3131 14kt Rose Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Vintage Rolex Bubble Back 3131 14kt Rose Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
by Hannosh's
Est: $8,000- $10,000
$3,50010 Bids
Chopard Happy Floating Diamonds Reference 3957 G 18kt Yellow Gold Quartz Wristwatch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Chopard Happy Floating Diamonds Reference 3957 G 18kt Yellow Gold Quartz Wristwatch
by Hannosh's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$5009 Bids
Antique Longines Platinum Art Deco Diamond & Sapphire Hooded Lugs Manual Wind Wrist Watch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Antique Longines Platinum Art Deco Diamond & Sapphire Hooded Lugs Manual Wind Wrist Watch
by Hannosh's
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$6009 Bids
Franck Muller 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond "Master Banker" Wristwatch
Dec 06, 10:00 AM PST
Franck Muller 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond "Master Banker" Wristwatch
by Abell Auction
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$3,7509 Bids
14KY CZ Omar Shariff Watch
Dec 10, 6:00 PM EST
14KY CZ Omar Shariff Watch
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$508 Bids
Cartier Must Trinity Vermeil 2735 Quartz Argent Plaque Wrist Watch
Dec 09, 3:00 PM EST
Cartier Must Trinity Vermeil 2735 Quartz Argent Plaque Wrist Watch
by Hannosh's
Est: $2,000- $3,500
$9008 Bids
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BULOVA 14K YELLOW GOLD LADIES QUARTZ WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
BULOVA 14K YELLOW GOLD LADIES QUARTZ WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$557 Bids
Concord Ladies Diamond Sapphire Watch 14K Yellow. 6" L Dial 18mm wt. 37.9 grams
Dec 05, 5:00 PM EST
Concord Ladies Diamond Sapphire Watch 14K Yellow. 6" L Dial 18mm wt. 37.9 grams
by Bill Hood & Sons Arts & Antiques Auctions
Est: $500- $1,000
$5007 Bids
Cartier 18k gold ''Panthere'' ladies' wrist watch
Dec 06, 11:00 AM EST
Cartier 18k gold ''Panthere'' ladies' wrist watch
by South Bay Auctions Inc
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2,0007 Bids
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HAMILTON 14K WHITE GOLD 1.55CTTW DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
HAMILTON 14K WHITE GOLD 1.55CTTW DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$2606 Bids
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CARTIER Tortue
Dec 06, 5:00 PM CET
CARTIER Tortue
by Piasa
Est: €3,000- €5,000
€3,8006 Bids
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ANTIQUE SUIZO PLATINUM STAINLESS STEEL 2.32CTTW DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
ANTIQUE SUIZO PLATINUM STAINLESS STEEL 2.32CTTW DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$356 Bids
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MAURICE LACROIX 18K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
Dec 17, 9:00 AM MST
MAURICE LACROIX 18K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND LADIES WATCH
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$2605 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Women's Watches


Papps Family Liquidation.com

Papps Family Liquidation.com

Henry's Auktionshaus

Henry's Auktionshaus

Venduehuis Dickhaut Maastricht

Venduehuis Dickhaut Maastricht

Cadmore Auctions

Cadmore Auctions