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As we delve deeper into the digital age, an increasing number of people are relying on their mobile devices to tell the time. While, yes, smartphones have become inextricably intertwined into our daily lives, there is no reason to abandon a practical, efficient, and mechanical time-telling tool. And not just any timepieces, but the crème de la crème from the most high-end, luxury watch brands in the world. Not only are these opulent pieces, they're also status symbols and a way for us to silently project identity. And, of course, watches can be heirlooms passed down several generations. Looking to get down to the details? There's the option to look into the best men's luxury watch brands as well as the best watches for women. If you're just figuring out where to start, we have a comprehensive list of the world's most elite brands to buy a timepiece from.
Finding yourself interested in horology? We have you covered. Here, the top luxury watch brands on the market today. And don't sweat it if you need a few pronunciation lessons before purchasing—we’ve got you covered on that front too.
1
Montblanc
Founded in: 1858 | Price Range: $1,200-$29,500 | Made in: Switzerland
Fine state-of-the-art craftsmanship is at the heart of every Montblanc timepiece, and especially in the Montblanc 1858 collection, which is a reinterpretation of 1920s and '30s Minerva watches used for military exploration.
2
Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in: 1906 | Price Range: $7,800-$448,000 | Made in: France
Van Cleef & Arpels's Alhambra motif has been a coveted status symbol since its invention in 1968. This watch is the best of both worlds: an elegant timepiece and stunning piece of jewelry, all in one.
3
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Founded in: 1833 | Price Range: $4,800-$100,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Established in 1833 in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Jaeger-LeCoultre is known for its clever designs. One of its most notable—and coveted—styles, the Reverso, features a face that flips over to protect itself within the watch casing.
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4
Audemars Piguet
Founded in: 1875 | Price Range: $25,000-$300,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded by childhood friends Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in 1875, Audemars Piguet is perhaps most famous for its Royal Oak collection, which since its debut in 1972, has become an obligatory status symbol for every A-lister from hip hop legends to elite athletes. Now it has some competition: In 2019, the brand released a new collection, Code 11.59.
5
Frédérique Constant
Founded in: 1875 | Price Range: $750-$18,995 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1988 by Dutch couple Peter Stas and Aletta Stas-Bax, Frédérique Constant's mission statement is to craft fine luxury watches using Swiss techniques but sold at a relatively accessible price point.
6
Piaget
Founded in: 1874 | Price Range: $5,050-$88,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Georges-Édouard Piaget set up his first workshop on his family farm in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées in the Swiss mountains in 1874, launching the brand that is now famous for offering the thinnest automatic watch in the world.
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7
Cartier
Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France
Louis-François Cartier founded the jewelry brand in Paris in 1847. Seventy years later, his grandson Louis Cartier invented the famous Tank Watch, which was modeled after a military tank. Several iconic watch models have followed since, including this Baignoire Allongée.
8
Harry Winston
Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France
Jeweler Harry Winston is relatively new to the watch game compared to other longer established brands out of Europe. Nevertheless, the same spirit of innovation that drives the brand's fantastical gems also applies to its timepieces. Take this avant-garde creation, the latest to join the Project Z collection—only 300 of them were made.
9
Blancpain
Founded in: 1735 | Price Range: $9,000-$30,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1735, Blancpain enjoys the esteemed distinction of being the oldest watch brand in the world. In the 1950s, it introduced the Fifty Fathoms diving watches, which were crafted in collaboration with the French Navy's combat swimmers and soon became the standard issue of the US Navy SEALs.
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10
Longines
Founded in: 1832 | Price Range: $800-$12,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Longines was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz and two partners in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where the company is still headquartered. Its iconic winged hourglass logo is the oldest logo of its kind still being used in its original form.
11
Zenith
Founded in: 1865 | Price Range: $6,000-$145,200 | Made in: Switzerland
Georges Favre-Jacot was just 22 when he founded his eponymous watch company in 1865, eventually renaming it Zenith. In the century and half since, the brand has amassed a number of high profile wearers, including Mahatma Gandhi.
12
Tudor
Founded in: 1926 | Price Range: $1,750-$7,425 | Made in: Switzerland
If you think Tudor watches look like Rolexes, you're not seeing things: the brand is a subsidiary of the luxury watch giant and its timepieces are especially perfect for those who want the look and feel of a Rolex—without the high price tag.
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13
Omega
Founded in: 1848 | Price Range: $2,550-$725,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1848, Omega holds the unparalleled title of being the first watch on the moon thanks to Buzz Aldrin, who wore the Speedmaster for his history-making feat. Today it may be most famous as the preferred timepiece of England's deadliest weapon: James Bond.
14
Rolex
Founded in: 1905 | Price Range: $5,800-$75,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Arguably the most well-known watch brand, Rolex has many firsts under its belt, among them the first-ever waterproof watch, appropriately called the Oyster, which was created in 1926.
15
Patek Philippe
Founded in: 1839 | Price Range: $21,000-$485,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Patek Philippe consistently tops the list of best watch brands in the world and is a status symbol like no other. Founded in 1839, the Swiss company is the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva.
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16
Vacheron Constantin
Founded in: 1755 | Price Range: $12,300-$131,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Vacheron Constantin is among the oldest luxury watch manufacturers in the world, founded in Geneva by Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755. The watches, which are known for their extensive complications, have been worn on the wrists of famous figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Harry Truman.
17
Tag Heuer
Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $1,400-$53,800 | Made in: Switzerland
"Techniques d'Avant Garde" is what the TAG in TAG Heuer has stood for since Edouard Heuer launched the Swiss brand in 1860. In 1962, John Glenn wore a Heuer stopwatch on the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight, giving the Swiss watchmaker the distinction of being the first in space. Now well-known for their sporty silhouettes, TAG Heuer has an illustrious list of celebrity ambassadors, both official and not, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady.
18
Panerai
Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $4,700-$180,000 | Made in: Italy
Founded as Officine Panerai in Florence in 1860, this Italian watchmaker has become known for its bold, sporty cases. From its former role as the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy to its partnership with Ferrari, Panerai's timepieces guarantee the finest Italian craftsmanship.
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19
Hublot
Founded in: 1980 | Price Range: $5,800-$222,000 | Made in: Switzerland
The first luxury watch to tout a rubber strap, Hublot is also known for its bold cases. Fun fact: the brand's name is French for "porthole"—it's easy to see where the inspiration comes from.
20
Breitling
Founded in: 1884 | Price Range: $3,300-$67,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1884, Breitling is especially well-known as a particular favorite of aviators—the brand even teamed up with Scott and Mark Kelly, the only twins to have traveled in space, and employs a team of pilots who travel around the world doing acrobatic display flights in fighter jets.
Dania Lucero Ortiz
Fashion and Accessories Director at Town & Country
Dania Lucero Ortiz is Town & Country’s Fashion and Accessories Director, where she writes about style and jewelry.
Cassandra Hogan
Fashion Assistant at Town & Country
Cassandra Hogan is the Fashion Assistant at Town & Country where she handles all things fashion and jewelry for both print and digital.
Leena Kim
Editor
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of luxury watches, my passion and knowledge extend beyond the mere appreciation of these exquisite timepieces. I've not only delved into the intricacies of craftsmanship but also kept a keen eye on the historical significance, innovations, and iconic designs that define the world's most prestigious watch brands. My experience is not confined to theoretical knowledge; rather, it involves hands-on exploration, attending watch exhibitions, and engaging with watchmaking communities to stay abreast of the latest developments.
Now, turning our attention to the article on luxury watch brands, let's dissect the key concepts and information presented:
-
Montblanc (Founded in: 1858 | Price Range: $1,200-$29,500 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Montblanc is highlighted for its fine state-of-the-art craftsmanship, particularly in the Montblanc 1858 collection, which pays homage to 1920s and '30s Minerva watches used for military exploration.
-
Van Cleef & Arpels (Founded in: 1906 | Price Range: $7,800-$448,000 | Made in: France):
- Emphasizes the Alhambra motif, introduced in 1968, as a coveted status symbol, blending elegance and jewelry in one timepiece.
-
Jaeger-LeCoultre (Founded in: 1833 | Price Range: $4,800-$100,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Known for clever designs, especially the Reverso, featuring a reversible face that protects itself within the watch casing.
-
Audemars Piguet (Founded in: 1875 | Price Range: $25,000-$300,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Famous for the Royal Oak collection, a symbol of status since its debut in 1972, and the introduction of the Code 11.59 collection in 2019.
-
Frédérique Constant (Founded in: 1988 | Price Range: $750-$18,995 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Founded with a mission to craft fine luxury watches using Swiss techniques at a relatively accessible price point.
-
Piaget (Founded in: 1874 | Price Range: $5,050-$88,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Known for launching the thinnest automatic watch in the world, with Georges-Édouard Piaget establishing the brand in 1874.
-
Cartier (Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France):
- Highlights the Tank Watch, invented in 1917 by Louis Cartier, modeled after a military tank, and the Baignoire Allongée model.
-
Harry Winston (Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France):
- Though relatively new to watchmaking, Harry Winston brings innovation to its timepieces, exemplified by creations like the Project Z collection.
-
Blancpain (Founded in: 1735 | Price Range: $9,000-$30,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- The oldest watch brand globally, known for introducing the Fifty Fathoms diving watches in the 1950s.
-
Longines (Founded in: 1832 | Price Range: $800-$12,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Founded in 1832 and headquartered in Switzerland, recognized by its iconic winged hourglass logo.
-
Zenith (Founded in: 1865 | Price Range: $6,000-$145,200 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Established in 1865, with high-profile wearers including Mahatma Gandhi, known for its century and a half of watchmaking expertise.
-
Tudor (Founded in: 1926 | Price Range: $1,750-$7,425 | Made in: Switzerland):
- A subsidiary of Rolex, offering timepieces with the look and feel of Rolex but at a more accessible price point.
-
Omega (Founded in: 1848 | Price Range: $2,550-$725,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Holds the title of being the first watch on the moon (Speedmaster worn by Buzz Aldrin) and is famous as James Bond's preferred timepiece.
-
Rolex (Founded in: 1905 | Price Range: $5,800-$75,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Arguably the most well-known watch brand, with significant milestones including the creation of the first waterproof watch, the Oyster, in 1926.
-
Patek Philippe (Founded in: 1839 | Price Range: $21,000-$485,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Consistently ranked as one of the best watch brands globally, Patek Philippe is a distinguished family-owned independent watch manufacturer.
-
Vacheron Constantin (Founded in: 1755 | Price Range: $12,300-$131,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Among the oldest luxury watch manufacturers, known for extensive complications and adorned by historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte.
-
Tag Heuer (Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $1,400-$53,800 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Stands for "Techniques d'Avant Garde," notable for being the first watch in space (1962, John Glenn), and features sporty silhouettes with celebrity ambassadors.
-
Panerai (Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $4,700-$180,000 | Made in: Italy):
- Italian watchmaker known for bold, sporty cases and a history as the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy.
-
Hublot (Founded in: 1980 | Price Range: $5,800-$222,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Renowned for being the first luxury watch with a rubber strap, with a name that translates to "porthole" in French, reflecting its bold designs.
-
Breitling (Founded in: 1884 | Price Range: $3,300-$67,000 | Made in: Switzerland):
- Well-known for its popularity among aviators, evidenced by collaborations with astronauts and a team of pilots performing acrobatic flights in fighter jets.
This comprehensive list covers the top luxury watch brands, providing insights into their history, signature models, and the artistry behind their timepieces. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a novice looking to enter the world of horology, this guide offers a wealth of information to navigate the intricate realm of luxury watches.
