Armani Exchange Women’s 36mm Watch (AX7112M)

A 36mm steel case, a silver sunray dial and a mesh bracelet — and then rose gold markers with a clear crystal set between each pair, which is the whole reason this watch has any warmth to it. Take the rose gold out and it would be a plain steel watch; leave it in and it reads as jewellery. \n\n Case and Wrist Presence \n The case is polished stainless steel, 36mm across, and unusually thin through the side. The bezel is a narrow polished ring, so the dial takes up almost the whole face. Thirty-six millimetres is a middle size: large enough to read comfortably, small enough to sit inside the width of most wrists rather than overhanging. \n\n Dial and Legibility \n Silver, finished with a fine sunray brushing that catches the light in a band as you turn it. Twelve slim rose gold batons mark the hours, with small crystals set at the outer edge between them, and ARMANI EXCHANGE is printed in small capitals in the upper half. Hour, minute and seconds hands are all rose gold. The warm markers against the cool dial give better contrast than an all-silver face would, though a bright silver dial in direct sun will always wash out for a moment before your eye adjusts. \n\n Movement \n Quartz, so it is battery powered and needs no winding or setting between wears. \n\n Bracelet and Fit \n Steel Milanese mesh, woven fine and soft enough to sit flat. Mesh is the friendliest metal bracelet for a smaller wrist because there are no rigid link edges to dig in behind the wrist bone, and it adjusts continuously rather than in fixed steps. The weave does collect hand cream and dust; rinse it under warm water now and then and dry it properly before storing. \n\n Who This Watch Suits \n Someone who wants a slightly larger women’s watch than the usual 28 to 32mm, without going to a men’s size. It works with silver and rose gold jewellery equally, and the plain dial means it goes with everything from a work outfit to a weekend one. \n\n Care and Maintenance \n Keep perfume and hairspray off the mesh, since both leave a film that dulls the weave. No water rating is printed on the dial, so treat it as a dry-wear watch. Store it flat rather than coiled so the mesh keeps its shape. \n\n Buying With Confidence \n A 24-month international manufacturer warranty covers the movement, excluding battery and normal wear. It arrives new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, ships nationwide with tracking, and the Consumer Protection Act right of return applies to an unworn watch in its original packaging. The crystals are tiny — you will not see them across a room, only when you look down at your own wrist.