Watches are not just an accessory, they are a legacy, an identity, and of course, they also serve to show the time. This is why they have been one of the most essential accessories throughout history. Are you interested in horology? Here are some of the luxury watch brands on the market to be recognized today. Oh, and don't sweat if you need some pronunciation lessons before you do, we've got you covered.
1. Jaeger-LeCoultre
Created in 1833 in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Jaeger-LeCoultre is recognized for its smart designs. A conspicuous style features a face that rolls to protect itself inside the watch case.
2. A. Lange & Söhne
Lange & Söhne was created by Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Germany and originally known for pocket watches before it became a name in watches. Last year, she released her first new part in ten years, which was definitely worth the wait.3. Audemars Piguet
Debuting in 1972, the Royal Oak design by Audemars Piguet changed the luxury watch industry by offering a more substantial layer than the delicate gold watches previously available. Created by childhood friends Edward-Auguste Piguet and Jules-Louis Audemars, in 1875 the brand continues to strive to offer consumers more than a standard wristwatch.
4. Piaget
Georges-Edouard Piaget set up his first workshop on his family farm in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées in the Swiss mountains in 1874, starting the watch brand that is now recognized for providing the world’s finest automatic watch.
5. Cartier
Louis-François Cartier created the classical jewelry brand in Paris in 1847. 70 years later, his nephew, Louis Cartier, created the famous Tank Watch, which was modeled on a military tank. Today the familiar silhouette is sought after all over the globe and referred to as a family heritage.
6. Harry Winston
Jeweler Harry Winston is almost new to the watch game compared to other more established brands outside of Europe. However, Winston provided customers with watches truly rooted in the world of brilliant jewelry when he was at the helm. Newer pieces from the Kaleidoscope collection offer patterns and colors found just inside the lenses of a kaleidoscope and fall back into Winston's original philosophy of letting stones speak for themselves.
7. Benson
Founded by the experienced magic of Marcel Benson when he got his first watch at the age of seven, the Benson Watch Company offers sleek and modern designs centered on the true love of watches.
8. Longines
Now part of the Swatch Group, Longines was originally created in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz and two partners in Switzerland. Beinshtë has been based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland since its inception, and its sandy logo is the oldest logo of its kind still used in its original form. If it works, it works.
9. IWC Schaffhausen
Fun fact: IWC stands for International Watch Company. The brand was created by the American Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868 when he was only 27 years old. IWC Schaffhausen is widely known for its dives and pilot hours.
10. Parmigiani Fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier is among the newest brands of high-end watches. Michel Parmigiani founded a Swiss watchmaker in Fleurier, Switzerland in 1996. Prince Charles is among many who warn the brand as a favorite, even wearing a watch for Harry and Meghan's wedding.
11. Tudor
If you think Tudor watches look like Rolexes, you are not seeing things; Tudor is a subsidiary of the luxury watch giant. His watches are perfect for people who want the look and feel of a Rolex without a high price tag.
12. Omega
Another royal favorite, this time by Prince William, Omega was founded in 1848, also in Switzerland. The brand holds the unparalleled title of the first hour on the moon, worn by Buzz Aldrin, and as James Bond's favorite watch. Catch the new model in No Time to Die released sometime in 2021.
13. Rolex
Rolex, arguably the most popular watch name, has a lot of money under the belt. The long list starts but does not end with its creation of the first waterproof watch, aptly called the oyster, in 1926. The newest interpretation presented here comes in a range of colored faces, including an icy pink.
14. Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe & Co. is usually mentioned as one of the best watch brands in the world. While a Rolex is a status symbol for the masses, a Patek Philippe is a status symbol for those who know. The Swiss brand was founded in 1839 and is the last independent manufacturer of family-owned watches today in Geneva.
15. Vacheron Constantine
Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest luxury watchmakers in the world, having been founded in Geneva by Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755. The watches, which are known for their extensive intricacies, are worn on the wrists of famous figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Harry Truman.
16. TAG Heuer
The "Techniques d'Avant Garde" is what TAG at TAG Heuer has stood for since Edouard Heuer created the Swiss watchmaker in 1860. In 1962, John Glenn wore a Heuer chronometer on the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight, giving the watch to the Swiss manufacturer. the difference of being the first in space. Now well known for their sporty silhouettes TAG Heuer offers a range of interesting non-standard shapes that we all know and love.
17. Panerai
Founded as the Officine Panerai in Florence, Italy in 1860, this watchmaker is known for its bold, sporty occasions. In 2006 it launched a series of watches in partnership with one of the most sporty car manufacturers of all time - Ferrari.
18. Hublot
The first luxury watch that swings a rubber strap, the Hublot is also known for bold occasions. Fun fact: Hublot is French for "porthole" and we can imagine where the inspiration comes from.
19. Breitling
Founded in 1884, Breitling is best known as a favorite of aviators (the brand even teamed up with Scott and Mark Kelly, the only twins to travel in space, and hires a team of pilots to travel the world doing acrobatic airplane shows fighters).
20. Chopard
Swiss watch manufacturer Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded Chopard in 1860 and in the early days the company was known for pocket watches and stopwatches. Today, the brand’s prestigious watches and jewelry are usually seen on the red carpet at events like the Cannes Film Festival (an official Chopard partner). This piece combines the two worlds of timekeeping and fine jewelry.