Hunting for a luxury watch isn't like hunting for new running shoes or fashion gear. These are watches whose price is rarely below 1,000 euros. So how do you buy a watch worth more than your three salaries combined? One of the best ways is to first find a brand that you like or are interested in and then browse through the range. Of course, this is not as simple as it sounds. There are many excellent brands out there, in fact there are so many that it is difficult to actually know what each one has to offer. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a list where you can find the best luxury watch brands.
The best luxury watch brands:
A. Lange & Sohne
The A. Lange & Sohne brand is one of the oldest. The German watchmaker has been on the market since 1845. While they have produced an enviable number of wristwatches (including aviation watches for German aviators in World War II), they are perhaps best known for the Lange 1 watches.
alange-soehne.com
Audemars Piguet
The couture watchmaker has been producing high-end timepieces since 1875. Founders Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars were experts in watchmaking, pushing the boundaries of perfection and fine craftsmanship. The most famous line today is Royal Oak.
audemarspiguet.com
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Baume & Mercier
The Swiss luxury brand Baume & Mercier was founded in 1830, and they ventured into international waters at the beginning of the 20s of the last century. Today, the brand produces 6 models that are somewhat more accessible on the luxury watch market (between 2,000 and 5,000 euros).
baume-et-mercier.com
Bell & Ross
Compared to others on this list, Bell & Ross is practically a baby. The brand, founded in 1992, first produced reissues of old Sinn models, and in 2002 they began producing their own models. The brand has become known for its square cases that draw inspiration from aviation equipment.
bellross.com
Girard-Perregaux
Swiss watchmakers used to be separated by their specialties. One group produced certain parts for watches, while another supplemented it. The first brand to depart from this model was Girard-Perregaux. The company, founded in 1791, made everything itself. The most famous luxury watch is probably the Vintage 1945.
girard-perregaux.com
Hamilton
At one time, Hamilton produced watches in the USA, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where the brand was born. First they made pocket watches, then wristwatches and military watches for the needs of the First and Second World Wars. In 1969, they moved to Switzerland, where they are still found today.
hamiltonwatch.com
Hublot
Hublot is a relative newcomer to the world of luxury watches. The brand was founded in 1980 and is known for its large, ostentatious timepieces with complex and expensive mechanics, usually visible through a transparent dial. Although they have no shortage of great watches, they are probably best known for the Big Bang.
hublot.com
IWC Schaffhausen
The brand was founded in Switzerland in 1868 by an American. Before founding one of the world's most respected watchmakers, Florentine Ariosto Jones worked as a director of a Boston watchmaking firm.
iwc.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre
The Swiss luxury watchmaker is known for much more than just great watches. Founded in 1833, it has produced more than a thousand watches, but is best known for its Deep Sea chronograph watch and Memovox models.
jaeger-lecoultre.com
Longines
The Longines company, founded in Switzerland in 1832, is one of the leaders in the manufacture of high-quality mechanical watches. Some of the most recognizable models are Hertiage, La Grande classic and Hydroconquest.
longines.com
Nomos Glashutte
Most of the newer luxury watch brands established in the second half of the 20th century are going for a slightly more bulky and bulky look (as are Hublot and Bell & Rose, for example). Nomos is an exception. Here, they preferred to produce interesting and attractive dials with first-class mechanisms.
nomos-glashuette.com
Officine Panerai
Not many Italian luxury watch brands are on the market, and even fewer have been around as long as Officina Panerai (mid-19th century). The brand had its breakthrough when it produced watches for divers with the help of Rolex SA during the Second World War. Today, they are one of the most sought-after models of this brand.
panerai.com
Omega
Bond has worn the Omega since 1995, it was also worn by members of the British Royal Air Corps, John F. Kennedy and the first astronauts to walk on the moon. The iconic luxury watch brand has been around since 1903 and is undoubtedly best known today for the Speedmaster watch.
omegawatches.com
Outline
The outline may not be as well known as its Swiss 'colleagues' from the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, for more than 100 years, they have been producing capable and attractive watches, from pilot to ordinary watches. They are best known for their diving watches.
outline.ch
Patek Philippe
When someone mentions 'luxury watch', you probably think of the Patek Philippe brand. Founded in 1851 in Switzerland, the brand is a pioneer of keyless watch winding. This was followed by making watches for some of the richest people in the world – American bankers, European royalty and Hollywood actors. Their most recognizable watch is probably the Nautilus.
patek.com
Piaget
Founded in 1874, Piaget was originally dedicated to making parts for other watchmakers. However, when more and more luxury brands started making everything 'in-house', Piaget also followed suit. In the end, they impressed the world public with their extremely thin watches.
piaget.com
Ressence
Without a doubt, Ressence is one of the most innovative luxury watch brands. The Belgian manufacturer, founded in 2010, has broken with tradition with its stunning and unique designs. Instead of only the hands moving, the Ressence's entire dial moves. Their most exciting watch is the Dive 5 diver's watch.
essencewatches.com
Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis probably did not realize 112 years ago that their brand would be one of the most prestigious in the world. Rolex was the first to make a waterproof watch, the first to include an automatic date bezel, and the first to make a GMT watch. Despite these achievements, they are still best known for their Submariner watch.
rolex.com
Seiko Credor
Seiko Quartz watches are among the most widespread on the market, but few people know that the Japanese brand also has a line of luxury watches produced under the name Credor. Founded in 2006, it produces high-end Swiss-style watches that cost hundreds of thousands of euros.
seikousa.com
Tag Heuer
The Swiss brand, founded in 1860, has a long history associated with aircraft and cars. The Time of Trip function was first developed and used by Luftwaffe pilots. Tag Heuer is still respected in the racing world, but has also entered the smartwatch market with its connected modular model.
tagheuer.com
Tissot
Tissot has been based in Le Locle, Switzerland since its inception in 1853. Today, more than 100 years later, the brand still produces high-end timepieces that fall somewhere between mid-range and luxury.
tissotwatches.com
Tudor
In the world of luxury watches, Tudur is something of a teenager. A subsidiary of Rolex was introduced to the world in 1954. The first watch was a diver's watch, today, more than 60 years later, they are still known for producing attractive and powerful diver's watches such as the Black Bay.
tudorwatch.com
Vacheron Constantin
The fact that it has been worn by kings, popes, conquerors and American presidents says a lot about the luxury watch brand. This can tell you a great deal about the pedigree and heritage of a Swiss watchmaker.
vacheron-constantin.com
Weiss Watches
American watches are not common. Of course, there are some brands that buy their watch parts right here in America, but the heart of the watch is always made abroad, in Switzerland. But not at Weiss Watches. A smaller watch manufacturer does everything 'in-house'. The company has been on the market since 2013, and everything shows that a bright future awaits them.
weisswatchcompany.com
Zenith
The beginnings of the Zenith brand date back to 1865, and they claim to be the first to bring the concept of complete production 'home', i.e. to manufacture all watch parts under one roof. Since then, they have been making fantastic watches with stunning dials and surprisingly consistent movements.
zenith-watches.com
