Top 5 timeless luxury watch brands to try
Today, you can choose from a number of different brands to get sophisticated luxury watches. These timepieces are more than just accessories, as they can completely elevate your outfit. However, a few brands are timeless and are yet to be replaced by new players. Customers associate style and elegance with these watchmakers and are willing to pay for the quality the brands promise. So, here are a few timeless luxury watch brands:
Rolex
Founded as Wilsdorf in 1905, Rolex cannot be skipped while listing luxury brands. The brand has excellent recognition around the world, and its name is synonymous with luxury for many. Even the vintage pieces of this Swiss brand are more expensive than many other famous watch brands. However, its popularity is not merely because of the company’s rich history. The timepieces made by Rolex are extremely well-made, incredibly long-lasting, and come with an elegant finish. Further, the brand is famous for its craftsmanship. Besides, the brand prioritizes quantity along with quality as they are known to produce approximately 2,000 watches a day. Some of the most well-received collections of Rolex are Daytona, Sky-Dweller, Submariner, Datejust, Day-Date, GMT Master II, Yacht-Master, and Yacht-master II.
Audemars Piguet
Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet is not only one of the earliest players in the luxury watchmaking industry but continues to be at the top of its game. The collection that brought them into the limelight was the AP Royal Oak series. It was launched in 1972 and soon gave a new direction to the history of watchmaking. This series was so unconventional at that time because it could offer premium prices even after using a non-precious metal like stainless steel. This series proved that you do not need gold to make luxurious watches; expertise and the use of the latest technology can equal the cost of any precious material. Besides its sophisticated technology, Audemars Piguet is notable for its state-of-the-art designs. Diamond Fury and Diamond Punk watch for women are examples of such watches. Also, many limited editions, like Jules Audemars by AP, are mainly known for their complicated technology.
Patek Philippe
Listing the top 5 timeless luxury watch brands and not including the name of the first wristwatch makers would be a disservice to this company. Founded in 1835, Patek Philippe & Co is one of the world’s earliest and most complicated watchmakers. The watches manufactured by this Swiss company have such intricate and sophisticated designs that their resale value is incredibly high. In fact, in 1999, one of its most intricately designed watches called the Graves Supercomplication was sold at an auction for a whopping $11,000,000. The watch had 24 complications that were researched and created over a period of eight years. The brand had been commissioned by many high-profile individuals to make such expensive and complicated timepieces. Some of the most popular Patek Philippe models are the Aquanaut, Nautilus, Calatrava, Twenty-4, and World Time.
TAG Heuer
Founded by Edouard Heuer in 1860, TAG or Techniques d’Avant Garde is another old but strong player in the luxury watchmaking market. Even though it got its much-deserved limelight after being acquired by fashion conglomerate LVMH, it has a rich history of innovation. Besides being famous for making some of the most stylish and sleek luxury watches, TAG Heuer is known for manufacturing the first Swiss watch to be used in space. In 1962, John Glenn wore the brand’s stopwatch on the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight that orbited Earth. Additionally, many Hollywood stars have worn the watchmaker’s evocative square-shaped Monaco watches in several notable films. Further, the company offers those luxurious watches that are more reasonably priced than other luxury brands, making TAG Heuer timepieces perfect for first-time buyers.
Vacheron Constantin
This list will remain incomplete without the name of one of the world’s oldest and best watchmakers. Founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin has been worn by some of the most prominent personalities of history, including Pope Pius IX, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Harry Truman. Besides the rich history, Vacheron Constantin is also known for its incredibly creative and unique yet complicated horological masterpieces. The best example of such craftsmanship would be Vacheron Constantin’s pocket watch Reference 57260—a mechanical masterpiece that has approximately 57 complications. It is regarded as the world’s most complicated watch and is priced at $8 million. Some other examples of Vacheron Constantin’s mechanical genius include its collections like Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Overseas, Quai de l’ile, Harmony, Metiers d’Art, and Les Historiques.
People can consider luxury watches an essential piece of jewelry, which can also be a viable investment given their high resale value. Furthermore, the choice of the watch says a lot about one’s personality and tastes. They reflect not only the owner’s eye for design but also their brand knowledge, given that most luxury watch brands come with an interesting history and relevance. Your ideal brand depends on your requirements, price, and the design you find appealing. However, when it comes to the brands mentioned above, the fact that they have been popular and trusted by customers for such a long time indicates how reliable they are.