The evolution of women's watches

The watch industry hasn't stopped evolving over time, and more recently, concerning women's watches. Historically wristwatches, women's watches are constantly diversifying and becoming more complex to satisfy a new female clientele. Women's automatic watches are serenely entering the women's watch market alongside quartz watches. Today, Team Charlie Paris is pleased to present the evolution of the women's watch as well as its four collections honoring the beauty of women.

1. The beginnings of women's watches

• 19th century: French engineer, physicist and watchmaker, Abraham Breguet designs in 1812 the first wristwatch. Women consider the watch as a simple jewel belonging to an ornament and an object mainly dedicated to men. The women's watch itself took advantage of the quartz crisis of the 1970s and early 1980s to take a real leap forward in the watch industry.
• 20th and 21st century: At the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, women became more emancipated and left the family home to work on their own. As a result, the purchasing power of women increased significantly and offered a real opportunity for the development of women's watches. One question remains: should women's watches identify with men's watches on the watch market or should they keep a feminized, refined look, straight out of jewellery designers? A strategy that aims both to feed an underserved market and to create new demand.

2. The rise of women's watchmaking 

The women's watch has taken a long time to develop a real identity. Indeed, women's watches were similar to small jewellery pieces, or to watch models initially intended for men. Women accessorized their outfits considerably. Whether during the day with colorful dresses or in the evening with very well cut dresses, the woman was equipped with incredible ornaments composed of necklaces, bracelets, earrings but also head jewels. On the other hand, men had to be satisfied with watches, certainly, with a very large choice proposed. The men's watchmaking industry has continued to progress by offering more and more varied models: three-hand watches, watches with complications, sports watches or very urban watches.

The rise in women's purchasing power in the early 2000s contributed to the opening of watches designed specifically for women. Male models with symbolic value, often too large, are replaced by feminized watches, with refined lines and proportionate size, such as the Sully collection by Charlie Paris, which embodies elegance and refinement par excellence.

During the first ten years of the 21st century, the woman's watch was perfected, and above all, became significantly more complex. Women were no longer satisfied with the simple aesthetic aspect of the watch, but wanted to be able to turn to technically interesting models. Women's watches are incorporating more and more complications, such as date, day, chronograph, or moon phase.

The quartz watch is slowly giving way to the automatic watch; the battery is gradually losing a battle to the mechanical gearing. The technique also becomes apparent through the skeletonization of the dial, as you can see on the Initial 36 ajourée from Charlie Paris. More creativity, more complexity, offering a perfect mix between aesthetics and technique, this is the challenge of the 21st century. Women's watches will soon have some very nice surprises in store for us...

3. Women's watches in the spotlight at Charlie Paris 

At Charlie Paris, women's watches are in the spotlight with no less than four women's collections within the Parisian brand. Waterproof, rose gold, steel, leather, Milanese mesh and blue or black watches are classified in two distinct categories: automatic and quartz watches. Women have a wide choice where all their desires can be satisfied.

Quartz watches : 

Sully collection  : A true concentrate of elegance and femininity, the Sully watch imposes its finesse and dresses your wrist on a daily basis thanks to its interchangeable straps that adapt to your outfit as well as your mood. Available in pink gold and steel, the Sully is a completely timeless model.

Solar collection : The Solar watch works with the energy of the sun. Thanks to its invisible solar panel placed under the dial, its autonomy is unlimited. The Solaire is a new classic, respectful of the environment, offering a variety of different styles thanks to its interchangeable strap.

Aurore  quartz collection : Designed and manufactured in France, the Aurore was conceived to accompany you throughout the year. With its five colors, its steel bracelet and its feminine lines, this waterproof French watch adapts to all daily situations.

Automatic watches :

Initial 36 collection : The feminine star of the automatic. With this collection, Charlie Paris conveys its passion for mechanical watchmaking. Equipped with a Citizen Miyota automatic movement, a 36mm case, an ultra-resistant sapphire crystal and an 18mm interchangeable strap, the Initial 36 fully meets the needs of a constantly evolving female clientele. Available in four models, the Initial 36 emphasizes technicality and proposes a new era for women's watches.

Aurore automatic collection : This is our summer 2022 novelty! Designed and manufactured in France, water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters underwater), in an automatic version, the Aurore has been designed to accompany you for as long as you desire. With its steel case and strap, its luminous dial, available in several colors, the Aurore presents a sophisticated silhouette, with dynamic lines and meticulous details. We love it!