Most typically, you’ll come across a round watch, but did you know there are rectangular women’s watches out there, too? The traditional round shape was used to design early timepieces because it was the most practical to use. Round ones were found to be much more efficient than rectangular ones. However, as materials have changed and technology has been introduced, watches have changed significantly.
One of the first rectangular watches to reach the market was the Cartier Santos. Rumour has it, Cartier designed it specifically for his friend, a daredevil pilot by the name of Alberto Santos-Dumont, back in 1904. So we already know rectangular watches are not for the faint-hearted. And since then, the brand kept its title as King of the rectangular watch, and today the Cartier Tank is undeniably the most famous of all.
We’re going to take you through a list of 14 rectangular women’s watches, catering to all kinds of budget.
Cartier
Tank
And so we start at the beginning. The Cartier Tank has certainly been worn by some of the most famous people throughout history, from Kings and Queens to icons like Andy Warhol and Princess Diana. So if you want something iconic in your collection, it’s hard to ignore the simple elegance this timeless design offers.
It is available in various sizes and materials, from stainless steel to silver and gold, with metal and leather bands to suit your style. You’ll find the case measures 29.8 by 39.2 mm.
What might come as a shock is that, for the money, the Tank doesn’t offer any water resistance or a particularly good movement inside. It’s a genuinely decorative piece rather than performance.
Therefore, if you’re looking for something iconic and you have around $2,500, you can be like the celebrities, too.
Tank Americaine
Secondly, we wanted to cover the Tank Americaine quickly as it’s the more modern Cartier Tank version. The Tank Americaine showcases the rich history of all the famous rectangular women’s watches from Cartier before it.
Offering Roman numerals, tread lines, a date window at the 6 position and blue steel hands on a silver dial.
You can get the Tank Americaine in 18k white gold or gold with a matching bracelet with a folding buckle. Furthermore, this newer version improves on its predecessors by offering a Swiss automatic movement and water-resistance up to 30m, keeping it safe against splashes, light rain, and the shower. But if you’re spending $4,000 and up on a watch, we suggest you look after it like it was your child.
Baume & Mercier
Hampton
The Hampton has a black dial with Arabic numerals and a date window at the 3 position. It’s purposely simple to not distract from the 20 diamonds either side of the stainless steel case. Furthermore, you can take peace of mind from the fact it’s protected by sapphire crystal, the most scratch-resistant material on the market. What’s more, the watch itself is water-resistant to 50m.
Above all, the really luxurious thing about this version is the black satin band.
Inside is a battery-operated Quartz movement.
You can get your hands on this unique piece for around $2,200.
Learn more about Baume & Mercier, here.
Longines
Dolce Vita
Sticking with luxury momentarily, this Longines is certainly a great starter for a luxury collection.
The Dolce Vita is likened to the Baume & Mercier Hampton.
It has a stainless steel case and bracelet, complete with a white dial. You get the brand logo at the 12 position, a sub-dial for seconds at 6, hour indices. Furthermore, there are two diamonds on either side of the dial. As you should expect, there’s a sapphire crystal protective dial. You can get this watch a little wet, but not too much, as it’s only water-resistant to 30m.
Inside, you’ll find a Quartz movement.
Without diamonds, the Dolce Vita is around $960. However, with diamonds, the price hikes up to $3,600.
Citizen
Women’s Eco-Drive Japanese-Quartz Stainless-Steel Strap
This is an Eco-Drive model from Citizen, meaning it gets its power from any kind of light. Opposed to solar-powered watches needing direct sunlight for the best charge.
Inside the 15mm stainless steel case is a Japanese Quartz movement, which does require a battery. The bracelet is matching in stainless steel.
The dial is minimalist in style, offering an analogue display with only a minute and hour hand with a jewel at the 12 position.
You can find this simple timepiece for under $225.
Bulova
Women’s 96L138
Not only does this offering have a unique shaped case, but the thin bangle bracelet is pretty special, too!
Both the case and stunning bracelet are built-in stainless steel. The black dial is another minimalist beauty, with a Japanese Quartz powering a simple analog display. There are hour markers at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions with sword-shaped hour and minute hands. The watch itself is water-resistant to 30m.
This is a reasonably-priced offering at around $130.
Check out more Bulova watches for women, here.
Michael Kors
Lake Rose Gold-Tone Watch
Michael Kors is famous for its offerings for women, and this is one of those rectangular women’s watches that you certainly won’t forget.
This 32mm by 8mm rose gold watch has a Quartz movement inside, powering an analog display. There’s also a crown at the 3 position. You’ll notice the outer face is square, which houses around inner face with a CD finish. The dial has subtle indentations for the 3, 6, 9, and 12-hour markers. Otherwise, you have rose gold hour, minute, and second hands.
This is very reasonably-priced at just under $190.
We reviewed more Michael Kors watches for women in this article, here.
Emporio Armani
Women’s Dress Watch
Sticking with the rose gold look for a moment, we thought this would make a great follow up option on this list of the best rectangular women’s watches. Though, if we’re honest, it’s more hexagonal.
The AR11147 offers a 36mm by 14mm case and bracelet in stainless steel. The dial is mother of pearl and protected by a mineral crystal and a water-resistance rating of 30m. At the 12 position, you see the iconic Emporio Armani logo. Finally, the crown sits at the three position.
You’ll find this fashion statement of a timepiece for just over $200.
Tissot
T-Trend Generosi
Another fascinating look. Tissot is a famous brand for offering top quality watches.
The Generosi has a black and grey mother of pearl dial, protected by sapphire crystal (which is a surprise material, given the cost. See why in our article, here).
The face itself offers Roman numerals at 6 and 12, otherwise simple round hour markers. Also, there’s a subtle date window at the 3 position.
Inside is a Japanese Quartz movement, encased in a 24mm stainless steel case. Finally, you’ll get 30m water-resistance for peace of mind on rainy days.
All for under $360.
Movado
Women’s Eliro (604133)
If you like the look of the Tissot but have a far bigger budget, we recommend the Movado Eliro (604133).
This is a stylish iteration of the brand’s signature Museum dial watch. It features a black dial with silver hands and a single dot marker just above the recognisable Movado logo and silver minute and hour hands. All protected by a sapphire crystal dome. For extra protection, it also offers 30m of water-resistance.
The case and bezel are stainless steel, with a matching bracelet with angled links and a double-lock clasp. The crown sits at the 3 position.
A little pricey at nearly $1,600.
Kate Spade
New York Women’s Carousel Pink Watch
We thought we’d bring you something pure fun next. The Kate Spade New York Women’s Carousel is a light-hearted, bubbly timepiece that is perfectly placed for brunch!
Kate Spade is known for making women’s accessories and clothing but eventually branched out into watches.
As the name suggests, the inspiration comes from the famous carousel in the heart of Central Park in Manhattan.
The slight 16mm by 8mm stainless steel case offers gold and pink accents and a white dial. Upon which, you’ll see the signature spade icon at the 12 position and hour markers at the 3, 6 and 9 positions. The crown sits at the 3 position.
Inside is a Japanese Quartz movement and the watch is water-resistant to 30m.
All for around $200.
Hamilton
Boulton (Unisex)
From New York to Pennsylvania for our second American brand on the list of rectangular women’s watches. Well, technically, this one is unisex.
The Hamilton Boulton has a 27.3mm silver-tone stainless steel case that is water-resistant to 50m. It houses a Japanese Quartz movement and a white dial with oversized Roman numerals (again, similar to the Tank – the OG of rectangular watches). It has striking blue second and minute hands. Finally, there’s a sundial at the 6 position for seconds, again with a blue hand.
The case comes with a dark brown 18mm calfskin leather, alligator-textured band with buckle clasp.
A real piece of class for just over $575.
Check out the lowdown on Hamilton watches in our article, here.
Rado
Integral Jubile
Rado is a lesser-known Swiss brand, despite being founded in 1917.
This stainless steel, two-tone silver 27mm watch is square, more than rectangular. The white dial offers two extra-large Roman numerals at 12 and 6, with jewels at 3 and 9, finished with silver second, minute and hour hands. Handily, this is protected by a sapphire crystal, scratch-resistant dome and offers 30m water-resistance.
At the right angle, you would be forgiven for mistaking this for a Cartier Tank. Though at nearly $890, you’re probably classy enough to appreciate this Rado for precisely what it is.
Oris
Rectangular
This watch from Oris is another silver and black design with a striking bracelet to take the look from classic to fashion.
The face offers Roman numerals, a date window at the 6 position and minute markers between the numbers. There are luminous hands, too. All in silver, including the crown at the 3 position. These silver accents give a stark contrast to the black dial. Protected by sapphire crystal and offering 50m of water resistance.
The case and bracelet are both stainless steel, but the coolest part is the exhibition back so that you can see parts of the self-winding automatic movement on the inside.
All this class comes at a price of around $1320.
Timex
Women’s T2P378 Elevated Classics Rectangle
This watch from Timex is something you would expect to see Audrey Hepburn wearing to an elegant ball. The best part is this jewel-covered stunner comes at the most affordable price. Hello $60.00!
It’s a beautiful rectangular watch with a plain white dial showing silver numbers for the time. Though it doesn’t overcrowd the dial by only having 12, 3, 6, and 9, showcasing while the other hours are marked by tickers.
It’s a white and leather metallic bracelet to compliment the beautiful silver casing. This watch screams class and elegance for an affordable price.
Ann Klein
Women’s 104899SVTT Two-Tone Dress
If you thought the last watch pretty for a bargain wait till you check out the Women’s 104899SVTT Two-Tone Dress by Anne Klien. This rectangular women’s watch is both simple and a statement.
The gold and silver play off each other quite nicely which is not always the case. This is due to the soft coloring and the geometrical design of the watch keeping things fun yet not too bust. The bracelet alternates links between gold and silver.
With an off-white silvering dial, the entire watch is encased in a simple gold frame and gold lettering. The Ann Klien logo is plated right on the front of the dial-in with simple gold lettering.
All of this beautiful watch for just $26.99 though it was originally $55.00.
Lola Rose
Women’s Champagne Gold Watch with Black Leather Strap
Lola Rose has some of the best feminine and elegant designs but when it comes to their Women’s Champagne Gold Watch it’s truly a girl’s dream. It has a sophisticated black leather strap that contrasts beautifully with the Champagne Gold Casing.
With touches of pink underlying the watch, it’s slightly so feminine without making it appear to be too Barbie. It’s the kind of watch you can wear every day or to professional and more dressed-up events.
The dial features gold lettering displaying Lola Jones London and two roman numerals representing 12 and 6 o’clock. With three hands you’ll know exactly what time it is to the very second.
This watch prices at $169.00 making it a steal for a luxury watch.
Nine West
Women’s Strap Watch, NW/2116Whil
While a little tougher to decipher whether it is a rectangular or square watch this watch resembles something close to the Lola Rose watch with subtle differences. The champagne gold is a bit more strong in it’s casing and is instead paired with a brown leather watch to bring a whole new color scheme into play.
Coincidently it also has two roman numerals one at the 12 and 6 with just tickers to represent all other hours of the day. The dial however is a tinted blush pink that could easily be mistaken for a feminine brown.
The taupe strap and its beautiful gold encasing is not water-resistant at all which is somewhat of a miss compared to the other watches. Having said that the watch is incredibly affordable coming in at $29.93 from originally $56.00.
Casio
Casio Collection Women’s Watch LQ-400D-7AEF
Not all women want to wear a pretty pink watch and call it day. Some women love more unisex styles or even something a little more masculine which is why this simple all-grey watch from Casio may be for you. Its silver titanium look may make you feel like you are somewhat of a transformer but the all-over single color is great.
Where we see a hunt for change is not in the dial (that’s great too) is where we see the numbers and hands. This brings in a bold gold but since there are no numbers it doesn’t attract too much attention.
Upon a closer look, the watch has a unique design element. Little gold dots represent the numbers except for 12 and 6 which are not represented by numbers themselves either. They could easily be mistaken as the number 11 or a pause sign for the placeholders.
In the smallest lettering, you can see the Casio Quarts lettering with Water Resistant also marked on the dial.
This watch can be bought for $39.06.
Guess
Women’s Black and Gold-Tone Rectangle Watch
GUESS is still a major player when it comes to women’s fashion which is why this watch is a fan favorite at no surprise. It’s bold and screams New York with a thick gold casing and a black sequined bracelet.
The inside of the dial is also black that sparkles on its own and is accompanied by beautiful gold printing. It’s somewhat like looking into a starry night and telling the time may be a little more difficult since you’ll only know when it’s exactly 12, 3, 6, or 9.
There is no marketing for the rest of the numbers and there are only roman numerals for 12 and 6. 3 and 9 are represented by two gold dots so it doesn’t take away from the background.
This watch prices on sale at $63.99
Conclusion
There we have it! The 14 rectangular women’s watches you should check out in 2021, from more budget-friendly to budget-busting.
If you’re in the market for a rectangular watch for him, check out the Best Men’s Rectangular Watches for 2021, here.
Last Updated on November 17, 2021
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