Demand for genderless sizes is on the rise. Watch and jewelry journalist Aki Nogami's picks for the top 5 watches released in 2023

This project asks prominent journalists from Japan and around the world to choose their top five watches released in 2023. This time, Aki Nogami, a watch and jewelry journalist, has selected five models with "genderless sizes" that can be worn practically by both men and women.

1st Place: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic

　This 36mm model joins the Tonda collection. Its two-hand design without a date display preserves the distinctive beauty of Tonda, including the iconic guilloched dial and the delicately engraved bezel. It exudes elegance and elegance, creating a sophisticated dress watch. In addition to the applied index pattern, there are also versions with baguette-cut indices, and the diamonds create a subtle sparkle and excellent balance.

2nd Place: Audemars Piguet "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Automatic"

　The 38mm diameter of the signature "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet" is perhaps a model that truly illustrates the genderless trend in women's watches in recent years. The beautifully intricately designed dials are adorned with exquisite colors such as purple and ivory, and their stylish appearance is appropriate for the current era.

3rd place: Longines "Longines Master Collection"

　This small second model from the series, known for its distinctive engraved Arabic numerals, features a smaller diameter of 38.5mm. It comes in three colors: silver, salmon, and anthracite, and each color has a different dial finish, which is a wonderful touch. The excellent value for money, including the movement, is also not to be missed.

4th Place: Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 44GS Hand-Wound Mechanical (SBGW299)

　The 44GS Modern Design is an evolution of Grand Seiko's iconic 44GS. The collection's smallest, measuring 36.5mm in diameter, is now available in the blue dial pictured in 2023. Its striking blue hue and exquisite design allow you to fully appreciate its elegant brilliance even without jewelry. Discovering the 44GS, a slim, compact watch perfectly suited to a woman's wrist, has given me great joy.

5. Breitling Navitimer Automatic 36

　I was a little hesitant about my fifth pick, but I decided on the new 36mm Navitimer for women. The 35mm version was released in 2020, and this time, a 32mm version has been added, making it even more colorful. Like its predecessor, it is not a chronograph, but a simple three-hand model that is easy to use in everyday life. While retaining the Navitimer's iconic circular slide rule, each detail has been revised for a more feminine look, resulting in a cleaner, slender design. The genderless size, which has seen a rise in demand recently, and its approach to women are intriguing.

General comment

　The variety of women's watches has expanded dramatically in recent years. The trend toward jeweled watches that rival the jewelry worn on the body is already well established, and looking back at 2023, it seems that, in addition to the glamorous jewelry watches, there has also been a significant increase in genderless sizes that can be worn by both men and women. So, although this top five includes women's models, I have chosen several watches that are practical, with smaller diameters for men and sizes that are comfortable and make a statement on the wrist for women, as a theme that sums up the past year. These models also point to the fact that women's watches are heading towards a new stage.

Selector Profile

Aki Nogami

Watch and jewelry journalist. Edits and writes for a wide range of publications, including Chronos Japan and Chronos Femme, as well as specialist, women's, and lifestyle magazines. Has a deep knowledge of not only jewelry and women's watches, but also men's watches.