Well-Timed: The Best New Chic Watches to Give for Mother’s Day, From Cartier, Chanel and More

When seeking a Mother’s Day gift that’s sure to be appreciated, consider that a watch checks multiple boxes — the seemingly endless variety of models ensures a gift that perfectly expresses the personal style of every wife or mom, who will wear it while being reminded daily of the giver’s thoughtfulness. No matter whether your favorite mom prefers iconic elegance from Cartier, high fashion from Chanel or the status of a Patek Philippe, these and other watchmakers offer a bounty of coveted choices.

Women’s timepieces are also enjoying a moment in the Swiss watch industry, which has recognized — albeit somewhat belatedly — that female consumers desire the same level of features and handcraft in mechanical designs as their male counterparts. It’s undeniably a thrilling time to be a woman who is a timepiece aficionado, as the ability to develop a watch wardrobe that’s multilayered and decidedly personal is easier than ever.

With that in mind, this roundup of eight timepieces puts a spotlight on the newest releases, which combine technical craft with stunning design that also highlights the latest trends, from unisex pieces to pink dials and 1970s influences. Each is sure to inspire a smile on Sunday, May 12.

Alpina Alpiner Extreme Quartz

Pink dials were trending at April’s Watches & Wonders fair in Geneva, and among the loveliest — and most affordable — was this style from Alpina, the Alpiner Extreme Quartz. The triangle-patterned pink dial is housed in a 34 x 35.2mm steel case, with hours, minutes, seconds and date functions courtesy of a quartz movement, all on a steel bracelet. $1,295, at Feldmar Watch Company, Los Angeles, and alpinawatches.com. More Alpina styles available at macys.com.

Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Four Seasons

In the past, Bulgari has collaborated with Japanese architect Tadao Ando on pieces like the legendary Octo Finissimo, and for 2024 the partnership focuses on the Serpenti Tubogas, the famed women’s style that wraps sensuously around the wrist. Ando created four unique dial statements to coincide with the seasons, and for summer that’s an artful mosaic of the malachite seen here. Watch aficionados can purchase the pieces separately or as a grouping of four seasons, which includes dials crafted in tiger’s eye and white or pink mother of pearl; price upon request, at Bulgari, Beverly Hills. More Serpenti Tubogas styles available at bulgari.com and saksfifthavenue.com.

Cartier Santos de Cartier

The unisex Santos de Cartier blends a chic square case with the house’s timeless iconography; this new medium-sized model showcases a chocolate sunray-brushed dial in a 35.1mm steel case, which comes with both a steel bracelet and a strap in chocolate leather; $7,050, at Cartier, Beverly Hills, and cartier.com. More Cartier styles available at net-a-porter.com.

Chanel Boy•Friend Skeleton Pink Edition

So much within the house of Chanel calls back to its origins, which is why the “Boy” in “Boy•Friend” conjures thoughts of Arthur “Boy” Capel, the polo player who was perhaps the best-known of Coco Chanel’s famed paramours. Limited to 55 pieces, the latest Boy•Friend skeleton watch showcases a skeleton dial within a case of 18-karat beige gold embellished 38 baguette-cut pink sapphires and placed on a quilted pink calfskin strap; price upon request, at Chanel Fine Jewelry, Beverly Hills. More styles of the Chanel Boy•Friend watch available at chanel.com.

Chopard Happy Sport

Limited to 250 pieces, the latest Happy Sport, known for its diamonds that dance independently across the dial within the case, features round brilliant diamonds both within the 33mm steel case and on its bezel, while its guillochéd silver dial highlights Roman numerals and hour markers in a light blue that matches the glossy strap; $16,900, at Chopard, South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa and at chopard.com. More Chopard Happy Sport watch styles available at neimanmarcus.com.

Piaget Swinging Sautoir

At Watches & Wonders, Piaget put a spotlight on updated concepts of legendary designs from the 1970s. That included a trio, each dubbed a “Swinging Sautoir,” lengthy necklaces that converted to be worn multiple ways. This piece highlighted the beauty of turquoise and malachite on a pendant that could be detached from the necklace to surround a watch with a turquoise dial, surrounded by diamonds on a yellow gold bezel, all on an emerald green strap; price upon request, at Piaget, Beverly Hills. More info available at piaget.com.

Patek Philippe 4910/1201R – Twenty~4

The coveted watch brand debuted its Twenty~4 collection in 1999 as a tribute to modern professional women who desired a watch perfect for every occasion. For the 25th anniversary of this sought-after model, Patek Philippe has released this edition, which features a purple lacquered dial in a 25.1mm x 30mm case with a bracelet, both crafted in 18-karat rose gold. The case is framed by 34 diamonds totaling .63 carats; $47,610, at Patek Philippe, Beverly Hills. More info at patek.com.

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Eternity Watch

Inspired by Tiffany & Co. advertisements active during the 1960s and ‘70s, this Tiffany Eternity watch boasts a variety of iconic elements, from the cushion-shaped lacquered dial in Tiffany Blue to the 12 diamonds, each in a different cut, that form the hour markers, all within a 28mm case of 18-karat white gold. Round brilliant diamonds adorn the bezel, while the crown is likewise a round brilliant diamond positioned in the jewelry house’s signature six-prong engagement ring setting; $34,000, at Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, and tiffany.com.