Dainty, decorative, and not taken seriously as proper watches: the typical cliché of the women's timepiece has had its day. Sporty women's chronographs are the perfect example of how confident and functional luxury can look on a feminine wrist. We help you make your decision and present five of the most attractive models available in 2021.
Breitling Endurance Pro
Our first women's chronograph is sporty down to the last detail: the Breitling Endurance Pro (Ref. X82310A71B1S1). Described by the manufacturer itself as the "perfect athleisure watch," it is optimized to bridge the gap between sporty leisure time and everyday business. A first glance at the spec sheet delivers an immediate shock: a 44-millimeter diameter on a women's chronograph? Not quite. The Endurance is a unisex model that manages to offset its substantial dimensions with an ultra-light construction. The latter comes courtesy of the patented material Breitlight, which combines extreme scratch resistance with antimagnetic and hypoallergenic properties, plus a warmer feel than metal. Speaking of metal: Breitlight is 5.8 times lighter than stainless steel.
The overall functional package is convincing: 100 meters of water resistance, an ultra-modern dial with good legibility, and the remarkable precision of the SuperQuartz caliber 82 speak for themselves. The chronograph relies on a classic tri-compax layout, but cleverly stands out from the crowd with a pulsometer scale and a bidirectional rotating compass bezel (whose usefulness is debatable). A date is included. Although colorful rubber straps are a hallmark of the Endurance, we prefer the brilliant white version on a feminine wrist.
Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph
We stay in the lighter color spectrum and turn to an elegant luxury model from Geneva. The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph (Ref. 168588-3001) shows how to design a women's chronograph that is sporty and refined at the same time.
[box type="success" align="" class="" width=""]This is achieved by the fully polished finish, which lends the 39-millimeter stainless steel case an exclusive touch and pairs perfectly with the silver-colored dial.[/box]The dial reveals the unisex model's motorsport connection in two details: first, through the vintage-inspired font of the Arabic numerals, and second, with a red Mille Miglia logo at the center. From 1927 to 1957, the Mille Miglia was a legendary 1,000-mile race on Italy's public roads; since 1977 it has been held as a classic car rally, with Chopard among its current sponsors.
Inside this upscale women's chronograph ticks a classic automatic movement whose fine decoration can be admired through a sapphire caseback. A 42-hour power reserve provides plenty of power for everyday wear, while COSC certification confirms its high precision. Like the Breitling, the Mille Miglia sits on the wrist on a white rubber strap whose tire-tread pattern is one of our favorite details. Price: €4,930. With a diamond-set bezel (Ref. 178588-3001), it will cost you €12,800.
Omega Speedmaster 38 Co-Axial Chronograph 38 mm
The Speedmaster 38 is one of the watches that appears most often in our top lists. That has nothing to do with a lack of imagination and everything to do with the unbeatable overall package of this compact series. Designed for women and men, it comes in a diameter of 38 millimeters, often described as perfect, and in various color combinations.
Our favorite is the stainless steel model with an ice-blue dial and diamond-set aluminum bezel (Ref. 324.38.38.50.03.001). The sunburst finish: magical! The contrast with the dark blue tachymeter scale: gorgeous! The dark blue leather strap is also perfectly matched, emphasizing the luxurious and slightly exotic character of the Omega Speedmaster 38 Co-Axial Chronograph 38 mm.
[box type="info" align="" class="" width=""]What makes this women's chronograph sporty is the robust case design with a solid caseback and engraved seahorse medallion.[/box]The latter underscores its kinship with the full-size Speedmaster, which is also evident in the curved lugs and the tri-compax layout identical to that of the Moonwatch. A signature feature of the 38: the oval surrounds of the subdials. Inside this women's chronograph ticks the automatic caliber 3330 with chronometer certification, a silicon balance spring, and a 52-hour power reserve. Water resistance is 100 meters. To become the owner of this blue beauty, you'll need to transfer €7,800 to Biel, Switzerland.
Chanel J12 Chronograph
Big names raise big expectations, and in the case of the Chanel J12 Chronograph, they are not disappointed. Enthusiasts can choose between a white (Ref. H2009) and a black version (Ref. H2009), each measuring 41 millimeters and shining with a high-tech ceramic case. Since the debut of the first J12 in 2000, this scratch-resistant, extremely durable material has been one of Chanel's great watchmaking achievements. Unlike other fashion houses that simply print their names on cheap timepieces from the Far East, the Parisian global brand relies on Swiss quality craftsmanship down to the last detail. That starts with the bracelet, whose ceramic construction is as unusual as it is comfortable and includes a platinum triple-folding clasp.
Add to that a screw-down crown which, like the chronograph pushers, is set with a ceramic cabochon and enables 200 meters of water resistance. The dial of the white edition is crowned by nine diamond indexes, paired with lacquer in the case color and a classic layout including a date.
[box type="note" align="" class="" width=""]If you want to combine total whiteness (or blackness) with fine materials and excellent functionality, the unisex Chanel is the right choice.[/box]Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, it costs €9,700 (white) or €8,900 (black).
Tissot T-Classic PR 100 Sport Chic Chronograph
The question is: do you really need to spend a fortune to put a good sporty women's chronograph on your wrist? Our answer: no. The proof is the Tissot T-Classic PR 100 Sport Chic Chronograph (Ref. T101.917.11.046.00), the only model in our top list designed exclusively for women. We like how subtly this women's chronograph expresses its feminine character: a slim 38-millimeter diameter and small diamond indexes are the only hints of its female focus.
Every other detail reveals the grown-up character of the T-Classic: an elegant dark blue dial, a respectable 100 meters of water resistance, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal are all included in the manufacturer's price of €540, as is a practical rotating bezel. Inside beats a quartz-powered heart with, as expected, excellent precision. Mounted on a solid stainless steel bracelet, this women's chronograph is an ideal all-rounder for business, sports, and leisure. By the way: if you like things a bit more opulent, the PR 100 Sport Chic is also available in gold-plated versions.
