A selection of stylish and quality nickel free and hypoallergenic watches for women as well as everything you need to know in order to buy watches that won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Do most watches irritate your skin? Then you need women’s hypoallergenic and nickel free watches. However, finding a watch that won’t irritate skin or cause an allergic reaction is easier said than done. I recently had a really hard time shopping for watch gift for my mom who has a nickel allergy.
I discovered how time consuming the process can be. From finding out what materials don’t irritate skin to researching the different brands and evaluating the plethora of watches available. I ended up getting her a Citizen Super Titanium watch.
This experience inspired me to conduct thorough research and create a guide to make it easier for anyone looking for hypoallergenic watches for women or girls to find one without too much struggle. And of course, compile a list of the best hypoallergenic watches for ladies that are made of nickel free and non-allergenic materials such as titanium and ceramic.
What is the Best Ladies Watch for Skin Allergies?
Hypoallergenic Titanium Ladies Watches
Kuluze Titanium Women’s Watch
- Hypoallergenic titanium build
- Swiss Ronda 708 Swiss quartz movement
- Costs well under $100, amazing value
- Shimmering pearl dial with moon phase aperture
Made of titanium and powered by a Swiss quartz movement, the Kuluze titanium women’s watch is a fantastic deal at its below 100 price range. It features a shimmering pearl seashell face that’s accented by a moon phase and date sub-dials.
Citizen Eco-Drive Titanium Women’s Watch
- Versatile elegant yet sporty design
- Features a hypoallergenic super titanium case and bracelet band
- Rose gold PVD plated bezel
- Powered by any light source, you never have to replace the battery
- Easy to read face with luminous hands
- Robust yet lightweight titanium construction
- Scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass
- Water resistant to 100m or 10 bars
Citizen EW2616-83A is a stylish and attractive nickel free super titanium ladies watch that goes with both formal and sporty outfits. Powered by Citizen Eco-Drive technology, you never have to go through the hassle of battery replacement as the watch is recharged by any light source. Quality is robust and the sapphire glass window resists scratches.
Citizen Titanium Ladies Watch
- Clear blue dial with luminous hands and indices make time easy to tell
- 34mm face diameter is neither too small nor too large
- Displays the date as well which is very convenient
- Made of non-allergenic titanium case and band
- Very good build quality with a sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance
- Eco-Drive quartz movement is powered by light
The Citizen EW2210-53A ladies watch is all titanium from the case to the dial, making it comfortably hypoallergenic yet lightweight but with excellent build quality. It comes with another benefit being an Eco-Drive watch: you won’t have to replace the battery every few years or so as the watch is powered by all types of light.
Boccia B3170-01 Leather Women’s Watch
- Elegant simplicity, lightweight, and very comfy for daily wear
- Very easy to read time and date display
- Made of nickel Free titanium and leather
- All metal parts including the buckle are titanium
- Feminine 28mm case size
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
The Boccia B3170-01 titanium and leather band watch isn’t just a lovely classic, it’s incredibly comfortable to wear all day even though your skin is sensitive. Titanium and leather are skin-friendly and the watch has the added bonus of being very lightweight and comfortable on the wrist.
Hypoallergenic Ceramic Women’s Watches
Bering Ceramic and Surgical Steel Women’s Watch
- Elegant white ceramic watch with glossy IP coated accents
- Constructed with hypoallergenic ceramic and medical grade stainless steel
- Swarovski crystals on the dial add a tasteful luxurious touch
- 35mm face and 6-inch band, great for small wrists
The Bering Ceramic and Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Watch is one of the most beautiful and elegant nickel safe watch you will come across. It’s actually a compliments magnet. It’s also light in weight, thus very comfortable. Concerned about the metal parts? Don’t be. They are made of surgical grade (316L) stainless steel, which is considered nickel safe.
Ladies Boccia Titanium and Ceramic Women’s Watch
- Made of solid titanium and ceramic, which are both hypoallergenic
- Elegant rectangular face
- Swiss quartz movement
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
- 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee
The Boccia Titanium and Ceramic Watch combines two anti-allergenic materials: titanium and ceramic with a stunning effect. It’s sure to add impact to your looks. The choice of materials makes it unbelievably light yet incredibly durable. Plus it bears 50 meters water resistance.
Rado True Round Automatic Diamond Ceramic Watch
- Made of high tech ceramic and PVD titanium hypoallergenic materials
- Swiss quartz movement delivers the ultimate precision
- Four diamonds on a cherry red dial
- Can withstand water pressure up to 50m/165ft
- Swiss made quality featuring a sapphire crystal
Made of high tech ceramic, the Rado True Black ceramic watch is beautiful, high quality, comfortable, and most importantly safe for sensitive skin. The four sparkly hour markers add a touch of feminine sparkle rounding up the feminine 30mm face watch.
Rado True Round Thinline x Great Gardens of the World Ladies Ceramic Watch
- Constructed with non allergenic watch materials
- Both the case and band are made of high tech ceramic while the clasp is made of titanium
- Sleek black watch with rose gold accents on the indices, hands, and crown
Rado is renowned for its innovation when it comes to watch materials. They used skin friendly ceramic and titanium to construct the Rado True Round Thinline making it one of the best hypoallergenic watches for women.
Women’s Watches with No Metal Touching Skin
Timex Weekender Unisex Watch
- Case is made of brass, which is typically safe for allergy-prone skin
- The nylon slip-through strap covers the underside of the skin minimizing metal contact with the skin
- Excellent readability thanks to the Arabic numerals against a white background and Indiglo night-light
- Has 12 and 24 hours time display and a red second hand
- Plenty of strap colors and floral patterns to choose from
- Two size options—the small 31mm case or the full-size 38mm case
In this age of smartwatches and bling, it’s pretty hard to find a nice basic wristwatch that excels at telling time. If you’re looking for this kind of watch, the Timex Weekender watch is perfect. The use of brass for the case and a NATO strap design that places a barrier between the metal case back and the skin makes it a good choice for keeping rashes at bay. Plus it’s lightweight and comfortable and the price is unbeatable.
Fossil Original Boyfriend Women’s Watch
- Bold, statement-making watch with a 38mm face, chronograph sub-dials, and date display
- The leather underside prevents the metal case back from touching the skin
- Beautiful rose gold-tone goes very well against the blue strap
- The genuine leather strap feels luxurious and soft against the skin
- Water-resistant to 50m or 165ft
Some people with metal allergies have reported a good experience with Fossil watches. Besides that, the Fossil Original Boyfriend watch features leather on the underside ensuring the metal case back doesn’t come into contact with your skin.
The watch is absolutely beautiful on the wrist and a known compliments magnet. The thin strap offsets the large 38mm face making the watch look feminine. The leather band is very soft and makes the watch pleasant to wear.
Fossil Women’s Georgia Women’s Watch
- The leather strap ensures the case back doesn’t come into contact
- The soft leather feels comfortable against the skin
- Solid build quality with a genuine leather band and 50m water resistance
- The face is simple and easy to read and the hands are luminous
If you love the Fossil boyfriend watch above but would prefer a smaller face, the Fossil Georgia women’s watch comes with a smaller 32mm face. It’s modern with vintage-inspired details. The leather covers the underside of the watch and is very soft and comfortable against the skin.
PVD Coated and Surgical Stainless Steel Women’s Watches
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Women’s Watch
- Rugged watch for everyday wear and outdoor adventures
- Waterproof up to 200m, making it suitable for even recreational scuba diving
- Quality Swiss made watch powered by a precise Swiss quartz movement
- Crafted with hypoallergenic rubber or paracord strap, nickel safe stainless steel, and a sapphire crystal
- The dial is clean, easy to read, and has luminous hands and indices, military time, and end-of-life indicator
Whether you go hiking or love water sports, the Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. is a tough companion. It has endured 130 durability tests and comes with a removable protective bumper. It’s very comfortable too with the braided strap wrapping comfortably against the skin and the hypoallergenic stainless steel case is friendly against the skin.
Mondaine Classic Leather Band Women’s Watch
- One of the top rated women’s watches for skin-friendly properties
- Iconic design based on the Swiss railway station clock
- Easy to read watch with a big face, white dial, and a red seconds hand
- Powered by a precise Swiss quartz movement
- Comfortable genuine leather strap with a red underside
- Driven by a high-quality Swiss quartz movement
The Mondaine classic leather watch is a minimalistic watch that looks elegant and classy yet fashionable and modern. The design is based on the Swiss railway station clock. The leather band is of excellent quality and feels soft and comfortable on the skin.
Bertucci M-1S Women’s Field Watch
- Titanium strap and strap that shields against contact with the stainless steel case
- High contrast and the luminescent display is easy to read in all conditions
- Brushed stainless steel and box stitched two-ply nylon strap are extremely durable in the field
- Japanese quartz movement tells time and date precisely
- Crown positioned at 4 o’clock position for easy reach
- Water-resistant to 100 M with a screw-down case back and crown
Bertucci watches are among the preferred watches for people with metal allergies. The Bertucci M-1S field watch features a titanium bezel and uses a comfortable strap that goes underneath the stainless steel case preventing skin and metal contact. Ruggedly designed, this is a great fit for demanding work environments and fieldwork.
Non Metal Watches for Women
Bewell Wooden Handmade Watch
- Light-weight, unique and stylish with a beautiful wood grain
- Precise Japanese quartz movement with a three years battery life
- Made of 100%.Non-toxic and hypo-allergenic natural olive wood
The olive wood used in the construction of the Bewell wooden ladies watch is natural and devoid of chemicals and paint. This makes it a safe choice for anyone with metal allergies. Even the back of the watch is wooden. You’re not sacrificing precision here as the watch runs on a Japanese quartz movement.
Hypoallergenic Watch Brands
Knowing what watch brands make watches using hypoallergenic materials also makes the buying process easier. So what brand watches are hypoallergenic? Are popular brand watches such as Apple, Fossil, Citizen, Tissot, Casio, and Timex nickel free?
The following brands offer watches made of hypoallergenic or nickle-safe materials and are rated positively by people with sensitive skin. They are the go to brands for people with skin allergies.)
- Boccia watches are made of 99% pure titanium, which is Hypoallergenic. As the largest manufacturer of titanium watches (they make watches for the German air force), they are able to offer titanium timepieces at accessible price points.
- Swatch Nickel Free Watches: Swatch has some cool and stylish non-metal watches made in all plastic so there is no metal in contact with the skin. These watches are constructed with non-metal materials such as resin, plastic, silicone, and rubber.
- Timex watches with fast-wrap nylon/velcro bands where the band is one-piece and forms a barrier between the back of the watch and your wrist so there is no metal-skin contact.
- Rado pioneered the use of high-tech ceramic in watch making. If you’re ready to invest in a hypoallergenic ladies luxury watch, Rado’s ceramic and titanium watches have timeless style and won’t cause rashes and itching.
- Tissot offers titanium watches and PVD coated watches. Moreover, their stainless steel timepieces use EU compliant stainless steel (316L) in category 1.4404.
- WeWood Watches are made from 100% natural and chemical free wood. Their watch backs are wood and the clasps are made from nickel-free metals that comply with nickel safety standards.
- Maui Kool wood watches are made of 100% natural wood without paint or chemicals, making them hypo-allergenic and suitable for people with sensitive skin.
- UK and EU watch brands: Watch brands in the UK and EU countries are a safe bet for sensitive skin. They have to abide by a strict legislation regarding nickel content and release in watches: EU Directive 94/27/EC and safety standard EN1811:2011. However, compliant watches don’t have to be 100% nickel-free and can still irritate skin that’s hyper sensitive to nickel.
What About Hypoallergenic Smart Watches for Ladies? Is the Apple Watch Nickel Free?
Apple does a great job of ensuring their smartwatch is safe to wear for as many people as possible, including those allergic to nickel. The amount of care and research they undertake is evident in the kinds of materials they use. They utilize hypoallergenic materials such as Titanium and ceramic.
Here is a summary of the materials the Apple watches are made of:
Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Series 9 (Stainless Steel): stainless steel case, ceramic back
- Apple Watch Series 9 (Aluminum) : aluminum case, Ion-X glass, ceramic back
- Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 (Titanium): titanium case, ceramic back
Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 8 (Stainless Steel): stainless steel case, ceramic back
- Apple Watch Series 8 (Aluminum): aluminum case, ceramic back
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) (Aluminum): aluminum case, nylon composite back
Do Apple Watches Contain Nickel and other Irritants?
According to Apple, the stainless steel and aluminum models, the stainless steel band release buttons, metallic band portions, and the magnets on the Apple watch contain some nickel.
However, their nickel content and release falls below the nickel restrictions set by the European REACH regulation. This means that the Apple watch is safe to wear for most people. However, you can still experience an allergic reaction if you have a high sensitivity to nickel.
Potential Irritants in the Apple Watch Bands
Apple watch bands are made of Fluoroelastomer, polyester, nylon, Leather, Polyamide, or silicone. The metallic band portions can be titanium, stainless steel, ceramic, 18-karat gold, or aluminum.
The Apple Watch case, loops, and buckles of their bands have trace amounts of acrylates and methacrylates from adhesives. Some people are sensitive to these. On the positive side, Apple Watch and its bands are designed so that parts containing these acrylates and methacrylates are not in direct contact with your skin.
Visit this page on the Apple website for more information on what their watches and bands are made of
Guide to Women’s Hypoallergenic Watches
Shopping for a watch when you experience allergic reactions to wrist watches is a very involving process. You have to know what materials to steer clear of and pay close attention to the make up of each watch. Here’s some information to help you avoid watches that cause rashes.
What is a Hypoallergenic Watch?
Watches made of pure, non reactive, or allergen free materials that don’t irritate skin and cause an allergic reaction are referred to as hypoallergenic watches.
Hypoallergenic means that a watch has an extremely low or below-average likelihood of causing an allergic reaction or a rash. Such watches are generally safe for most people.
What Causes Watch Allergies?
First of all, it’s important to know what kind of watch materials irritate your skin and trigger allergic reactions so you know what to avoid when buying watches. This is the best way to prevent watch allergies.
Different people have different skin chemistries and react to different allergens or irritants. What causes an allergic reaction on one person may not be irritating to your skin. Here is a list of potential allergens in watches.
Watch Materials That Can Irritate The Skin – What to Avoid
1. Nickel
Nickel is the most common form of metal allergy. If you’re nickel allergic and wear a watch made of a metal containing nickel, sweat causes nickel salts/ions to release and get absorbed into skin. The skin breaks out in a rash or eczema accompanied by redness, itching, and swelling. This is referred to as Nickel Allergic Contact Dermatitis (NACD). You may experience a reaction after a short duration or over time, after repeated or extended exposure to nickel. Learn more about nickel allergy on the Nickel Institute website
2. Base Metals and Alloys
Metal alloys such as bronze and brass can contain irritants that bother the skin. Other potential metal allergens and irritants include cobalt, lead, cadmium, and chrome.
3. Some Stainless Steel Alloys
Can I be allergic to stainless steel watch? This is a valid question given that stainless steel is the most prevalent watch material.
Stainless steel alloys contain chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. The nickel content makes stainless steel a potential irritant.
But although stainless steel contains nickel, it’s hypoallergenic for most people.
Some stainless steel alloys do not release sufficient amounts of nickel to cause a nickel allergy. However, you should steer clear of stainless steel if you’re hyper sensitive to nickel.
4. Non Metal Watch Materials Can also Cause Contact Dermatitis
Not all non-metal watches are skin-friendly and safe either. About 2% of the general population is allergic to wood dust and some compounds found in wood. Some people also develop an allergic reaction to the chemicals and metal derivatives used in the treatment of leather, rubber, silicone, and wooden watch bands. Then there are allergies to plastic or related materials such as latex.
What Women’s Watches are Best for Metal Allergies?
So what are the alternative watch materials that are safe and gentle on sensitive skin? Here are the kind of women’s watches that don’t cause allergies.
1. Titanium Ladies Watches
These are the safest watches for allergy prone skin. Titanium is pure, nickel free, and non-reactive and doesn’t cause any allergic reaction, skin irritation or discoloration. It’s even used inside the body in medical implants. Watches constructed with pure titanium or grade 5 and up Titanium alloys are hypoallergenic. Titanium watches are also incredible strong and durable yet lightweight and comfortable to wear. Some great brands for ladies titanium watches include Citizen Super Titanium, Certina, Tissot, Momentum, Boccia Titanium, Festina, Bering among others.
2. Ceramic Women’s Watches
Ceramic is another awesome watch material for sensitive skin. It’s high-tech, non-metallic, and best of all, hypoallergenic. Ceramic watches are also very stylish and comfortable to wear. Brands that make titanium watches include Rado, Movado, and Chanel among others. The ceramic titanium Chanel J12 watch is a great example of the use of hypoallergenic materials.
3. Surgical Stainless Steel Women’s Watches
Although stainless steel contains nickel, it’s generally hypoallergenic for most people. (Unless you have a high sensitivity to nickel). Stainless steel alloys that contain a higher percentage of chromium and a small amount of nickel don’t release enough nickel ions to trigger an allergic reaction. Though surgical steel contains some nickel, the bond in the metal is so tight that the nickel doesn’t leak out into skin.
4. Aluminum Wrist Watches
Aluminum is a non-reactive metal that doesn’t contain irritants like lead and nickel. It’s even used in medical implants along with titanium. It doesn’t react to perspiration, which makes it a very good material for watch making. Even Apple has an aluminum smartwatch model. Aluminum is also lightweight for all day comfort and comfortable. However, it can penetrate the skin in small amounts and infrequently cause an allergic reaction. Learn more about Aluminum allergy on the AAD and the CDC websites.
5. Luxury Watches Made of Precious Metals: Platinum, Palladium, Sterling Silver, 18k and 24K Yellow Gold and Rose Gold
Precious metals such as platinum, palladium, sterling silver, and high purity 24K and 18K yellow gold and rose gold are hypoallergenic. (White gold isn’t nickel free.) If you can afford a luxury watch made of these metals, you won’t have to worry about sensitive skin.
6. PVD Plated Stainless Steel Ladies Watches
The next best thing to a hypoallergenic watch made of solid yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum is a stainless steel watch coated via Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). This coating forms a barrier that prevents nickel from coming into contact with your skin. However, this protection ends if the coating wears off. You don’t have to worry though as a high-quality PVD watch coating can remain intact for more than 10 years.
7. Other Gentle Metals and Alloys
Nobium and copper don’t contain nickel. (Copper is prone to tarnishing and can turn your skin green but this isn’t an allergic reaction).
Potentially safe alloys include brass an alloy of copper and zinc, bronze an alloy of copper and tin, and zinc alloy which contains zinc and aluminum or copper. However, some brass, zinc, and bronze alloys can contain nickel.
8. Non Metal Women’s Watches
If you have metal allergies, non-metal watches such as plastic watches, resin watches, acetate watches, wood watches, silicone and rubber straps, and nylon fabric watch straps are safe alternatives you can try. As long as these haven’t been treated with toxic dyes, chemicals, alcohol, or metal derivatives they won’t cause dermatitis on sensitive skin.
9. Women’s Watches with No Metal Touching Skin
Some watches are designed in such a way that minimal or zero metal come into contact with your skin. Cuff, NATO and Zulu style ladies watches have one-piece fabric or leather straps that go under the watch case so no metal is in contact with the skin. The non-metal strap covers the caseback. Any part that touches the skin such as the buckle should be made of a gentle material.
Wrapping Up!
Have you recently shopped for wrist watches? What watches haven’t irritated your skin? Please share your experience and tips below.
