More women in watches could be win/win for all

Is gender equality in positions of power within the watch industry a piped dream or a realistic and beneficial next step?

This is one of the questions posed by watch and jewellery writer Rachael Taylor, in her forthcoming piece for Watch Insider about the role of women in watches.

In it, she highlights the effect that the hiring of Ilaria Resta as Audemars Piguet’s CEO could have on the ambition and career pathway of women who work in the trade.

“Seeing women in senior roles makes those paths feel visible, attainable, and legitimate, not theoretical,” notes Carolina Navarro, deputy director at the Horological Society of New York. “Role models help shorten the learning curve, normalise ambition, and counter the idea that success in watchmaking or leadership requires fitting a single, traditional mould. Representation doesn’t just inspire, it actively shapes who stays, who advances, and who believes they belong in the industry long term.”

Rachael’s article also posits that the greater the role of women, the more strength for brands seeking to better connect with a growing female watch market. “Increasing the number of women in leadership roles would broaden perspectives at the decision-making level, which naturally influences how products are designed, how stories are told, and who the industry imagines as its audience,” expands Navarro.

“Whoever decided that women like small pink watches with gemstones never spoke to the women collectors I know. I envision women leaders as being more likely to recognise female consumers, engaging women as serious collectors, experts, and cultural contributors – something that ultimately makes the industry richer and more relevant for everyone.”

The full article will be published in the January 2026 edition of Watch Insider.