From the classic TAG Heuers and Omegas to one-of-a-kind diamond Cartiers, the most luxurious watch brands produce timepieces that make their owners feel part of an exclusive club.
A huge perk of a luxury watch is that its aesthetic never seems to age. Being of the utmost highest quality means that it can last a lifetime if properly cared for.
What are the Best Luxury Watch Brands?
In the watch industry, there is a huge difference between expensive watch brands and standard models. The history of the watch also plays a significant impact on the watch’s value and appreciation.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or as a gift for a 60th, retirement or wedding, it’s important to know the difference before purchasing one of these high end watches. With this ultimate guide to luxury watches, you’ll find the perfect gem that steals the hearts of those with taste and class.
14 Top Luxury Watch Brands
The best luxury watches are more than just a way to tell time. They’re also symbols of status and style, which is why choosing the perfect watch can be such an overwhelming task. However, you can’t go wrong with one of these famous watch brands.
Now is the perfect time to pair the most expensive clothing with a stylish and classic watch.
1. Patek Philippe
Since 1839, Patek Phillippe has been synonymous with elegance and classic refinement. According to Guinness World Records, the first wristwatch ever made was by Patek Philippe in 1868 for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary.
More than a century later, these watches hold the essence of their original designs featuring immaculate finishings and incredible calibers.
This luxurious Swiss brand regularly release covetable limited edition watches. A Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 is the most expensive watch sold at auction. It was sold for 21.19 million US dollars (31,000,000 CHF) on November 9, 2019 by Christie’s Geneva.
2. Vacheron Constantin
Established in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has been titled the oldest operating watchmaker – allowing each luxury piece to be produced with outstanding quality and a timeless aesthetic.
The level of exclusivity comes with the fact that there are only a limited number of Vacheron Constantin’s produced each year. This mechanical masterpiece demands a high level of care and appreciation.
The Historiques Collection has some of the most stylish Vacheron Constantin watches. The Historiques American 1921 is a unique diagonal watch originally designed for a car loving customer.
One of the top luxury watch brands, Vacheron Constantin also offers hand-made to order timepieces.
3. Rolex
The Swiss watchmakers who crave perfection have, as always, delivered. The glare of sunlight glinting off the polished metal and the never-ending beauty of Rolex watches will ensure an unmatched appreciation for flawless precision. These are exceptional timepieces that hold their value extremely well over time.
Different models offer a range of functions to give you the features that suit your specific preferences. The Rolex Submariner is an iconic dive watch, first released in 1953. Worn by Sean Connery in the James Bond movie Dr No, and owned by Robert Redford and Steve McQueen, the Submariner is still extremely popular.
If you’re growing your luxurious collection, a watch box is a great way to display your timeless pieces.
4. Ulysse Nardin
A Ulysse Nardin watch is a cherished piece that has been making moves since 1846. As time progressed, these watches have remained true to their authentic craftsmanship while also keeping up with futuristic designs and functionality.
The Swiss luxury watchmaker has accumulated 4,300 distinctions and 18 gold medals, and even a world record for its Astrolabium Galileo Galilei watch being the most functional watch on earth. This unique timepiece boasts 21 different functions.
The Skeleton X Sparkling watch comes in white titanium and mother of pearl or pink gold and brass. Both models are set with 149 diamonds and have a skeleton structure, enabling you to see the inner workings.
5. Jaeger-LeCoultre
One of the most famous Swiss watch brands, Jaeger-LeCoultre is renowned for its innovation and luxuriousness. The individual calibers and tiny mechanical movements allow these watches to last for years.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is an iconic luxury timepiece. This elegant and refined Art Deco design appeals to both men and women. Before any watch is sold, it undergoes 1,000 hours worth of testing to ensure that it is of the highest quality.
6. Maurice Lacroix
The Maurice Lacroix timepiece is a sophisticated piece of Swiss engineering and craftsmanship. With its exceptionally refined automatic movement, their intricate designs blend between tradition and innovation like no other.
Having only been around for 40 years and already viewed as a high-end brand, it shows how the company’s passion for perfection and innovation beats many other brands.
7. Omega
Inspired by the world’s first mathematically produced timepiece, a pendulum clock, this luxurious wristwatch features impeccable detail and aesthetics.
The Omega is an exquisite Swiss watch, perfect for any occasion from casual to formal, and with high-quality materials, it’s designed to last a lifetime.
Their most famous timepiece is the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. The first watch to be worn on the moon, it was present for all six moon landings.
Another famous Omega watch is the Omega Seamaster, as worn by James Bond.
8. Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is one of the world’s most prestigious watch brands. Known for their stainless steel watches, these Swiss timepieces are manufactured by craftsmen with unparalleled attention to detail and will become iconic heirlooms to the next generation.
Founded by Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules-Louis Audemars in 1875 in the village of Le Brassus, the luxury brand has gone from strength to strength. The Royal Oak is a popular model, with a distinctive octagonal bezel and hexagonal screws.
You can keep your latest investment shining away on a watch stand kept next to your other cherished belongings.
9. Cartier
While Cartier conjures up images of glistening diamonds, the company has its roots in exclusive watchmaking. Cartier designs stand out from the crowd with their distinct gold granulation, high-end mechanical calibers, and grisaille enamel.
The Cartier collection watches pay homage to a number of watch enthusiasts. The timepieces come in an exquisite array of styles and shapes to please your unique style, from those looking for some bling to others looking for a lifelong investment.
10. TAG Heuer
The TAG Heuer is an exceptional piece renowned worldwide for its beauty and excellent craftsmanship. One of the best luxury sports watch brands, TAG Heuer has an ability to traverse across different styles and budgets.
With its trusted endorsers being celebrities and style icons, TAG Heuer is a watch that appeals to the young and stylish while retaining an element of elegance and sophistication.
Founded by Edouard Heuer in 1860, the brand quickly became known for their chronographs. President Harry Truman had a gold Heuer chronograph in his watch collection.
11. Roger Dubuis
A watch is more than just an accessory. It speaks to who you are and how you want the world to see you.
With their impeccable design, perfect precision, and incomparable attention to detail, Roger Dubuis watches allow for expressing one’s individual style.
This Swiss watch manufacturer is known in the world of horology for its innovative design. Elegant finishings, like a beveled diamond-studded bezel, allow their designer timepieces to shine in the world of luxury watches.
12. Breguet
The epitome of class and sophistication, this timepiece embodies everything that you want in a statement piece. French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was among the famous wearers, together with Queen Victoria, Ettore Bugatti and Sir Winston Churchill.
Swiss horologist Abraham-Louis Breguet was known for his technical innovations including the first perpetually self-winding watch. Queen Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI of France bought several of these innovative timepieces.
The Breguet history and expertise in watchmaking are reflected in each handcrafted delight while still remaining current and relevant to today’s style trends.
The luxurious collection of Breguet watches comprises Classique designs, heritage pieces, or watch-faces featuring expensive diamonds. Watch collectors will cherish these conversation pieces for a lifetime. They make great Mother’s Day gifts too!
13. Glashütte Original
The Glashütte Original watch is a German designer timepiece that has been manufactured since 1845. It uses the most high-end movement components available, with gold or platinum treatments for maximum elegance.
Available in several different styles, from timeless to playful, the Glashütte Original line offers something for every occasion and wearer.
The Julius Assman 4 by Glasshütte Original is a limited edition of 20 timepieces. This rare watch has a flying tourbillon and can be converted from a wristwatch to a pocket watch.
14. Franck Muller
Franck Muller is a Swiss watchmaking company building luxury watches for the world’s most distinguished wearers since 1993. They create extravagant, whimsical timepieces that are as rooted in art and culture as they are technologically sophisticated.
In fact, The Aeternitas Mega is known as the most complicated wristwatch in the world. Featuring 1,483 components and 36 complications and a perpetual calendar, this status symbol has a price tag of $2.7 million.
Final Thoughts on the Most Luxurious Watch Brands
When it comes to investing in a watch, quality beats price any day. Rather than holding back on price to get a piece that suits an outfit, think of a luxury watch as a lifetime investment with a timeless design.
These luxurious watches are so much more than just a mechanism to tell the time. The exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful designs of top watch brands suit the most elegant beings, conveying personal style, class, and exclusivity.
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