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Gift shopping is often a challenge. Some gifts are relatively easy to purchase because it is obvious that the gift suits the recipient. Ladies' watches are one type of gift, however, that shoppers typically have difficulty selecting. Choosing the right watch requires the gift giver to know a few things about the recipient. Consumers should be aware of the settings in which the woman in question plans to wear the watch, and they should also have an idea of the colors that the woman typically wears.

Ultimately, knowing the recipient is just one aspect of buying the right ladies' watch as a gift. Shoppers should also follow a handful of other tips in order to choose a timepiece that is sure to make the recipient happy. eBay has a broad selection of ladies' watches for sale, as do brick and mortar jewelry stores, and consumers should be able to come away with the right one as long as they follow eight tips for buying a ladies' watch as a gift.


Tips for Buying a Ladies' Watch as a Gift

Watch shopping for another person may be challenging, but following the tips below should help consumers to be successful in their search. Some knowledge of the recipient's preferences should also help consumers to select the right ladies' watch as a gift.

1. Match the Watch's Style to the Setting

A watch should match the wearer's lifestyle, so if the lady in question is active outdoors, a sport watch for running and hiking may make sense. The table below describes features that are common to different styles of watches and lists the settings for which wearing the style is appropriate.


Style

Features

Settings

Casual

Large watchcase (face) that is easy to read

Usually without jewels

Band often leather, but may be metal

Everyday wear

Offices with casual dress code

Dress

Often has gemstones to stand out

Usually a metal band, but may also be fine leather

Formal events

Offices with formal dress code

Fashion

Gemstones

Watchcase integrated into bracelet rather than watchband

Formal events

Everyday wear with fashionable attire

Sport

Rubber band

Digital interface

Timer

Stopwatch

GPS

Altimeter

Running

Hiking

Skiing

Water sports


Consumers can choose the right ladies' watch as a gift if they consider the occasions for which the lady in question needs a watch. Using this as a starting point, consumers can further narrow the possibilities by considering the below factors.

2. Match Watch Colors to Physical Characteristics and Wardrobe

Those shopping for a sport watch should focus solely on functionality when deciding whether the watch is right for the lady receiving it as a gift, as the watch's look matters less than how the lady can use the watch. Casual, dress, and fashion watches, on the other hand, should look good on the wearer. Consumers should therefore try to match a watch's color to the gift recipient's physical characteristics and wardrobe.

A white watch, for example, may look better on a woman with a fair skin-complexion or on one who often wears light-colored clothing. Black watches complement darker colors and bolder physical features, while a neutral tone (such as silver) goes well with a variety colors and physical characteristics. These tones, however, do tend to be subtler than extreme tones such as black and white and colorful tones such as red.

3. Choose a Proportional Watch

Proportionality also influences how a watch looks on a woman. Consumers purchasing a ladies' watch as a gift should consider larger watchcases and wider bands for taller women. The gift-giver can also look at men's watches for women with these characteristics. Conversely, smaller watchcases and thinner bands complement petite women.

4. Buy a Fob Watch for Ladies Who Cannot Wear a Wristwatch

If the lady for whom a buyer is purchasing a watch cannot wear a wristwatch, consider buying a fob watch instead. These watches clip onto clothing to give the wearer easy access to the time. Some people also refer to fob watches as nurse watches because the necessity for sanitary working conditions prohibits many nurses from wearing a wristwatch. Fob watches come in a wide variety of styles, though consumers may want to lean toward a casual fob watch if the lady wears it to work.

5. Interchangeable Bands Provide Versatility

Consumers that are looking for a ladies' watch that offers style and versatility should choose a model with an interchangeable watch band.. Many ladies' watches have a watchcase that can fit with different types of bands for different occasions. For instance, a leather band can give the watch a more casual look, while a metal band makes the same watch appear dressier. Consumers who are unsure whether to purchase acasual watch or a dress watch can buy a model with an interchangeable band so that the lady can wear the watch in both types of settings.

6. Err on the Side of a Larger Metal Wristband

It may be difficult to get the wrist circumference of the lady for whom the watch is a gift. If it is, consumers should err on the side of a larger wristband when shopping for a ladies watch with a metal band.. Metal bands usually do not have a series of holes like leather and rubber wristbands do. Instead, they have links and fit closed only at one circumference. If a watch with metal links for the band is too big for a lady, a jeweler can remove a link or two for a relatively low service fee. Buying and installing extra links for band that is too small often costs more, however.

7. Research Brands

The watch industry has numerous manufacturers who are famous for producing high-quality timepieces. Some brands, such as Rolex and Breitling,, serve the luxury segment of the market. Other brands, such as Seiko,, produce practical watches that are also accurate and durable, while an athlete may appreciate the high functionality of a Suunto sports watch. Whichever type of ladies' watch consumers shop for, they should research which brands produce quality products in that segment of the market.

8. Consider Adding a Watch Box

Many ladies' watches come with their own watch box. Even so, adding a separate watch box to the gift is a thoughtful touch. Many watch boxes feature multiple compartments for holding watches and other jewelry, so they make for an especially practical gift idea if the recipient has multiple watches but no single box in which to put them. A watch box is also a sensible way to protect the gift watch to maintain it for many years.