Luxury watch brands are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, design, and prestige. Here we will take an in-depth look at some well-known luxury watch brands known for their quality and heritage. Ranging from Swiss, British, German and other watchmakers, each time piece is reliable, luxurious and breathtaking.
Rolex
Rolex was originally known as Wilsdorf and Davis. While it is among today’s most famous Swiss watch brands, it got its start in London, in 1905. Rolex’s success began with the invention of the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster, in 1926. The Oyster was designed to withstand the elements and keep its wearer’s wrist dry. Rolex has always been associated with luxury and prestige. In 1945, Rolex became the first watch brand to be awarded the Royal Warrant by Britain’s King George VI.
In 2008, Forbes magazine named Rolex the world’s most powerful brand. This was based on factors such as financial strength, global reach, customer loyalty, and impact on fashion trends. Today, Rolex is one of the most well-known luxury watch brands in the world, and their watches are synonymous with style and sophistication.
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe is synonymous with exquisite Swiss watchmaking. Established in 1839, it is named after two of its founders, Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. They create some of the most complicated and collectible watches in the world, including the Nautilus and Calatrava.
Omega
In 1848, a young watchmaker named Louis Brandt opened a small workshop in the small Swiss village of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The success of the Omega brand led La Generale Watch Co to spin off Omega as its own company, and the Omega Watch Co was officially founded in 1903.
The James Bond character has been wearing Omega watches in spy movies since 1995, and NASA astronauts wore Omega watches during the 1969 trip to the moon.
TAG Heuer
The company began as Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland. The company was purchased by TAG Group in 1985, and then taken over in a friendly buyout by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. The name TAG Heuer combines the initials of “Techniques d’Avant Garde” and the founder’s surname. On November 9, 2015, TAG Heuer announced the launch of their first smartwatch which they named Tag Heuer Connected.
Van Cleef & Arpels
In 1906, with their love for gemstones and passion for jewelry making, Alfred and his brothers-in-law opened the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in the center of Paris, 22 Place Vendome. In the 1920s, Van Cleef & Arpels began making jewelry in the art deco style. This style consists of geometric designs with the use of diamonds, gemstones, and platinum. In 1922, the Maison was inspired by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and created many designs.
Many designs by Van Cleef & Arpels, also referred to as VCA, similarly were inspired by other cultures including Japan, China, and India, creating masterpieces in all aesthetics.
Cartier
Cartier was established in Paris in 1847 when its founder, Louis-Francois Cartier, took over his master’s workshop. Despite immense uncertainty and unrest during the ongoing French Revolution, Cartier continued to see success and growth over the next decade, opening the first Cartier boutique in 1859. Today Cartier continues to push boundaries and challenge perceptions with its Concept ID collection.
Chopard
This luxury Swiss brand was founded in 1860 by artisan watchmaker Louis-Ulysse Chopard and was first passed on to his son Paul in 1937 and later, in 1943, to his grandson Paul Andre. Chopard is also known for its fine jewelry, which may explain some of the exquisite models produced over the decades.
As of July 2018, Chopard commits to using 100% ethical gold for the production of all its watches and jewelry.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
In 1833, at the heart of a remote valley, a brilliant inventor named Antoine LeCoultre set up a small workshop handcrafting exceptional luxury Swiss watches and clocks imbued with a strong spirit of innovation. His workshop would go on to become Jaeger-LeCoultre. Beautiful sparkling jewels, and reversible cases are just some of the features you’ll find when you take a closer look at these marvelous timepieces.
Breitling
Breitling was founded in 1884 in St. Imier, Switzerland by Léon Breitling. The company has a long history of creating chronographs for use in science, sports and industry. All Breitling watch models contain certified chronometers, and many feature automatic winding mechanisms.
Hublot
Hublot history begins with its’ creator – Carlo Crocco, a visionary Italian who first acquired his sense of beauty as a child from a family of watchmakers. He designed his first watch in 1967., and in 1980., he set up he set up the Hublot company, launching the Hublot brand into the stratosphere. Hublot luxury watches are a mixture of unconventional designs, forged with absolute precision and quality.
These luxury watch brands offer a wide range of styles, from classic and elegant to modern and sporty. Prices vary significantly depending on the brand, model, and materials used, but they all share a commitment to craftsmanship and excellence.
