Some of the most popular luxury watch brands promise exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, contributing to their high reputation. Relentless material innovation, undeviating focus on aesthetics, and cutting-edge production techniques are some factors that make up for the unique characteristics that define high-end luxury watch brands. Whether you are a collector or you have just entered the world of luxury watches, this article will offer you valuable information as we delve into the world of popular luxury watch brands and explore their most celebrated collections.
Popular Luxury Watch Brands And Their Most Famous Collections
Step into the world of popular luxury watch brands and explore their renowned collections:
Rolex
Founded in 1905, Rolex is a Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. A symbol of prestige and precision, Rolex offers some of the most expensive watch collections. While the Rolex Submariner has a spectacular range of diving watches, the Rolex Daytona is known for its association with motor racing which requires extreme precision in timekeeping. The Rolex Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Datejust are some other famous Rolex watches that are highly sought after by Rolex enthusiasts and collectors.
Founded: 1905
Based In: Geneva, Switzerland
Owned By: Hans Wilsdorf Foundation
Popular Collections: Daytona, Submariner, GMT-Master, and Datejust
FYI: The Rolex Daytona’s association with racing legend Paul Newman made it a popular model, leading to the ‘Paul Newman Daytona’ becoming one of the most sought-after and valuable vintage watches in the world.
Patek Philippe
Founded: 1839
Based In: Geneva, Switzerland
Owned By: Stern Family
Popular Collections: Nautilus, Aquanaut, Calatrava, and Grand Complications
FYI: The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010, sold for US$31.19 million at the 2019 Only Watch Auction in Geneva, is the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
Audemars Piguet
Founded: 1875
Based In: Le Brassus, Switzerland
Owned By: Audemars Piguet Holdings SA
Popular Collections: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, and Code 11.59
FYI: Audemars Piguet established the category of luxury stainless-steel sports watches, with the Royal Oak, designed by Gerald Genta and introduced in 1972, becoming the world’s first luxury sports watch made of stainless steel.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin, a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer founded in 1755, has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group since 1996. The Patrimony, Overseas, Traditionnelle, and Égérie are some of the brand’s popular collections. The Patrimony’s focus remains on circularity, delivering some of the best minimalist watches. The Traditionnelle collection houses both sophisticated complications and simple creations. The Overseas collection takes pride in its casual elegance, enhanced by an interchangeable strap or bracelet system. Vacheron Constantin‘s lineup also includes the Égérie collection dedicated to women, which is a breathtaking blend of haute couture and haute horlogerie.
Founded: 1755
Based In: Geneva, Switzerland
Owned By: Richemont Group
Popular Collections: Patrimony, Overseas, Traditionnelle, and Égérie
FYI: Vacheron Constantin developed the world’s first world time watch with 31 time zones in 1932 and also made one of the most complicated watches ever created in 1935 for the King Farouk of Egypt.
Omega
Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1903, Omega is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Bienne, Switzerland. Known for its association with space exploration and NASA, Omega’s Speedmaster collection is a hot favourite amongst watch enthusiasts. In 1969, the fourth generation of the Speedmaster became the first watch to be worn on the moon. While the Seamaster collection features some of the best dive watches out there, the Constellation collection is all things style and sophistication. The De Ville collection is also popular for its classic designs and intricate movements, featuring the Ladymatic series. First launched in 1955, the Ladymatic was among the first self-winding timepieces created especially for women.
Founded: 1848
Based In: Bienne, Switzerland
Owned By: Swatch Group
Popular Collections: Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville
FYI: Since 1995, Omega has held the distinguished title of being James Bond’s chosen timepiece, featuring on the wrists of both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Breitling
Founded in 1884 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Breitling has been creating exquisite Swiss luxury watches for over a century. The Navitimer collection offers quintessential pilot’s watches that come equipped with a circular slide rule that allows pilots to perform all necessary flight calculations, whereas the Superocean collection brings out technical and durable sporty sea watches full of modern features and a bright colour palette. Breitling‘s Chronomat collection mainly consists of mechanical chronographs, but this range of all-purpose watches also offers three-hands and GMT models. The racing chronographs from the Top Time collection also maintain a strong character, which pays tribute to the motorbikes, classic cars, and open road adventures.
Founded: 1884
Based In: Grenchen, Switzerland
Owned By: Partners Group Holding AG
Popular Collections: Navitimer, Superocean, Chronomat, and Top Time
FYI: Astronaut Scott Carpenter, one of America’s first seven astronauts to go into space, wore the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute during his Mercury mission.
