Michael Kors MK5955: review and full test of the two-tone Lexington

Our review and complete test of the Michael Kors MK5955 Lexington two-tone, one of the brand's best-selling women's watches, frequently offered at clearance, promotion and sale prices on specialist retailers. 38 mm two-tone case with a feminine Rolex Datejust style, three chronograph subdials, signed stainless steel bracelet: here's what we think after a week on the wrist, what we love, what we love less, and who this model really suits.

The Lexington MK5955 at a glance

Before going into detail, here are the complete technical specifications of this watch. All this information comes from the official Michael Kors datasheet and confirmed on the piece in hand, including the actual weight rarely communicated by the brand.

This grid places the MK5955 in the category of versatile women's chronographs: technically serious enough not to be a mere piece of jewellery (100 m water resistance, double deployment clasp, functional chronograph), feminine enough in its proportions not to put off those who dislike oversized watches. It's exactly this intermediate positioning that has made it a best-seller since its launch.

The visual codes it borrows

The MK5955 doesn't hide its inspiration: it takes the stylistic grammar of two-tone sport-chic watches popularised by the Rolex Datejust in Steel & Yellow Gold version. Round case, structured bezel, bracelet with alternating steel-gold links, clear readable dial: all the codes of the sport-chic style established by the Datejust in the 1960s. The segments are not comparable (the Datejust is an automatic mechanical movement manufactured in Switzerland), but the visual grammar is the same, and it's this heritage that makes the MK5955 work on the wrist: it declines a proven classic.

First impressions on the wrist: size, weight, feel

My wrist circumference is 16 cm, average for women. When worn, the MK5955 finds its balance: present without overwhelming, readable at first glance, elegant under a shirt sleeve as well as when coming out from under a winter coat. The 110 grammes give the reassuring density of a real steel watch, far from the bulky feel of an oversized men's model, with that slight tactile pleasure you get every time you take it off. And the 10 mm thickness is precious: many women's chronographs tip over at 12 or 13 mm because of the counting modules and become visually masculine, whereas here the profile remains controlled.

The Lexington finish up close

From a distance, you see the silhouette. Up close, you see the finish, and that's where the MK5955 pleasantly surprises.

The silver dial has a fine satin texture, perceptible in oblique light, and the three subdials (at 12, 6 and 9 o'clock) are recessed into the case with a polished bezel that distinguishes them clearly. The applied indices in relief, gold finish matching the bracelet, create a visual coherence rare in this range. The crown and the two chronograph pushers are perfectly integrated into the right flank, without excessive protrusion.

The two-tone bracelet makes the difference with other Lexington models. The silver and gold links are different sizes (the gold ones finer, in the central row), and their alternation creates a graphic pattern that catches the light depending on the angle. On the wrist, the watch does not go unnoticed but does not shout either: the contrast remains measured.

The deployant clasp deserves a mention. On a watch in this range, you would expect a basic pin buckle. Here, you have a true double deployant clasp with side pushers and Michael Kors signature engraved inside. It is a detail invisible in daily wear but which changes the feel: putting on the watch is done without manipulation, and the closure is crisp and secure.

The quartz chronograph in daily wear

Let's be honest: the majority will never start the chronograph to time anything. The true value of this complication is visual, it is what separates a Lexington that looks like a chronograph from a simple three-hand watch. For those who like their watch to tell a story on the dial, these three subdials make all the difference at purchase.

MK5955 versus MK5735: which one to choose

If you are torn between the MK5955 and its cousin MK5735, here is an honest comparison, based on real use.

In one sentence: the MK5955 is the balanced version, the MK5735 is the assertive version. If it is your first Michael Kors, the MK5955 is my default recommendation, because its two-tone nature will go with all your wardrobe (silver jewellery as well as gold, light clothing as well as dark). Save the MK5735 for when you know you wear gold and want a watch in the same tone.

How to tell if the MK5955 is genuine (authentic or counterfeit)

The Michael Kors counterfeit market is active, especially on non-specialised marketplaces. To find out if your Michael Kors watch is genuine, here are the four checks to do upon receipt, whether it is new or bought second-hand.

1. The case back engraving. The back of the case must bear the mention "Michael Kors" and the reference "MK5955" laser-engraved, straight, deep, without burrs. On a fake Michael Kors, the engraving is often blurry, of irregular depth or with poorly aligned characters.
2. The dial logo. The "MICHAEL KORS" printed under the 12 o'clock index must be perfectly sharp and symmetrical. The typography must match exactly that of other pieces from the original brand (fine capitals, regular spacing).
3. The crown. It bears a small "MK" logo engraved at the top. On entry-level counterfeits, this detail is often omitted or replaced by a crude logo.
4. The deployant clasp. Inside the closing mechanism, the mention "Michael Kors" must be engraved. It is a detail invisible once worn, but it is also the one that counterfeiters most often neglect: the ultimate test to distinguish a genuine from a fake.

Maintenance, water resistance, strap adjustment

The MK5955 is designed for daily use without excessive precautions. Water resistance: the 10 ATM (100 metres) covers showers, swimming in pools or the sea, short sports immersions. Sauna or steam room vapour is forbidden, as with any watch: vapour passes through micro-passages that liquid water would not penetrate. Battery: 24 to 36 months on average, to be changed at a watchmaker equipped for water resistance testing after opening (essential to avoid compromising water resistance). Strap adjustment: the two-tone stainless steel bracelet is adjusted by removing links with the dedicated tool, a five-minute operation at any watchmaker or Michael Kors after-sales service. Keep the removed links.

What you need to know before buying (the honest limitations)

No watch is perfect. The four limitations that follow are not hidden defects or arguments for disparagement: they are brand positioning choices, which are better known before ordering to avoid disappointment on unboxing.

To these factual limitations is added a more general remark on Michael Kors finishing: the pieces are assembled under licence by the Fossil group, in the same workshops as other fashion brands (Diesel, Emporio Armani, DKNY). The quality of execution is consistent and in line with the price paid, but it remains light years away from a genuine Swiss manufacture. This is consistent with the positioning, namely, and should be factored in if you compare with brands in a higher segment.

What we like, what we like less

Who is the MK5955 made for?

Our final opinion on the MK5955

Our verdict after a week on the wrist is nuanced but clear: the MK5955 is probably the most versatile Michael Kors women's watch in the current range, and one of the best references in the fashion women's chronograph segment at outlet price. It ticks the boxes of a daily watch (readability, 100 m water resistance, durability), those of a style watch (intelligent two-tone bracelet, Rolex Datejust visual codes, finish superior to its direct competitors in the Fossil, DKNY, Armani Exchange segment), and avoids the pitfalls of overly specialised models.

Its defining quality comes down to one word: versatility. It's the watch you slip on without thinking, which goes with a suit on Tuesday, a linen jumper on Saturday, a black dress in the evening. Its limitation also comes down to one word: nature. It's not a watchmaking timepiece, it's a premium fashion accessory with the visual grammar to match. If this distinction matters to you, look instead at a mechanical Tissot or Hamilton. Otherwise, the MK5955 does the job better than most of its direct rivals.

Our Montres Outlet selection

To help you move from advice to purchase, here are the 2 watches we particularly highlight on this subject, all in stock at Montres Outlet and suited to the profiles described in this article.

Frequently asked questions about the MK5955

In conclusion: why buy the MK5955

Our final verdict: the Michael Kors MK5955 Lexington two-tone stainless steel bracelet watch is the best compromise between versatility, style and durability in the current Michael Kors women's catalogue. The 38 mm case is designed for the majority of women's wrists, superior finish compared to competitors in the same segment, decent water resistance, 2-year international warranty, proven Lexington design that does not go out of fashion, Rolex Datejust-style visual codes at an accessible price. This is the watch we recommend without hesitation for a first Michael Kors women's purchase or a safe feminine gift.

To learn more, consult our complete Michael Kors women's guide or explore our other articles in the advice and guides section.