The 25 Best Luxury Watch Brands of All Time

A good watch is a timeless investment. Here is our list of icons.

Some predicted that the wristwatch would become outdated, just like the pocket watch, with the emergence of smartphones and the digital age. When the Apple watch was released, the same discussion was had once more. However, it’s possible that many who have pondered what will happen to the conventional watch have been missing the big picture. Although phones have made it incredibly easy for us to keep track of the time, has the allure of a watch—especially a high-end one—ever truly rested on functionality?In addition to being a great investment, as auction records consistently show, it is also a prestige and taste marker. Naturally, though, not everyone is made equally. There is a reason why there are heritage watch brands, and many of them have been crafting fine watches for generations. So where do you even begin? Watch merchant and Graal founder Zoe Abelson told T&C recently that collecting watches is a journey. “For your first watch, figure out a budget and what you want out of it.”We are available to assist. When you start your hunt for the ideal heirloom, take this list of the best luxury watch companies as a starting point. Would you like to be more precise? Look through our rankings of the top luxury watch brands for men and women. We have even prepared a few pronunciation lessons for you to review before making that purchase, once you have narrowed down your options.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Established in 1906 | Cost: $7,750 – $489,00 | Produced in France

Since its creation in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra theme has been sought-after as a status symbol. This watch combines the greatest features of both worlds, serving as both a gorgeous piece of jewelry and an exquisite clock.

Montblanc

Established in 1858 | Cost: $1,270 to $44,000 | Produced in Switzerland

Every Montblanc watch is built with exquisite, cutting-edge craftsmanship, but this is particularly true of the Montblanc 1858 line,

which is a reimagining of the Minerva watches from the 1920s and 1930s that were used for military expeditions.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Established in 1833 | Cost: $7,00–$60,000+ | Produced in Switzerland

Known for its ingenious designs, Jaeger-LeCoultre was founded in the Swiss Jura Mountains in 1833. The Reverso, one of its most well-known and sought-after designs,

has a face that flips over to reveal a personalized monogram design on the opposite side while protecting itself inside the watch shell.

Audemars Piguet

Established in 1875 | Cost: $45,000 – $300,000+ | Produced in: Switzerland

Established in 1875 by childhood friends Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet,

Audemars Piguet is primarily known for its Royal Oak series, which has been a mandatory status symbol for every A-lister, from professional athletes to hip-hop legends, since its launch in 1972

. It now faces some competition: The brand debuted Code 11.59, a new collection, in 2019.

Frédérique Constant

Established in 1988 | Cost: $795 – $27,995 | Produced in Switzerland

The goal of Frédérique Constant, which was founded in 1988 by the Dutch couple Peter Stas and Aletta Stas-Bax

, is to create exquisite luxury timepieces utilizing Swiss methods that are offered for a reasonably reasonable price.

Piaget

Established in 1874 | Price: $12,900 – $87,500 | Designed in Switzerland

In 1874, Georges-Édouard Piaget opened his first workshop on his family farm in the Swiss alpine village of La Côte-aux-Fées

. This marked the beginning of the company that is today well-known for producing the world’s thinnest automatic watch.

Cartier

Established in 1847 | Cost: $3,050-$300,000+ | Produced in France

In 1847, Louis-François Cartier established the jewelry company in Paris. His grandson Louis Cartier created the renowned Tank Watch

, fashioned after a military tank, seventy years later. Since then, a number of classic watch models—like this Baignoire Allongée—have been released.

Harry Winston

Established in 1932 | Price: $2,560-$258,000 | Produced in France

Compared to other European watch brands that have been around for a longer time, Harry Winston is a relatively new player in the watch industry

. However, the brand’s watches are inspired by the same inventive energy that propels its exotic stones. Consider this cutting-edge design, one of just 300 produced, which is the newest addition to the Project Z collection.

Blancpain

Established in 1735 | Cost: between $9,000 and $30,000 | Produced in Switzerland

Blancpain holds the prestigious title of being the world’s oldest watch brand, having been established in 1735.

It debuted the Fifty Fathoms diving timepieces in the 1950s; these were developed in association with combat swimmers in the French Navy and quickly became the US Navy SEAL standard issue.

Longines

Established in 1832 | Price: $825 – $18,625 | Manufactured in Switzerland

Auguste Agassiz and two partners established Longines in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, in 1832. The company’s headquarters are still located there

. The oldest emblem of its sort still in use in its original form is its famous winged hourglass design.

Zenith

Founded in: 1865 | Price Range: $7,200-$166,000 | 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.

Tudor

Established in 1926 | Cost: $1,875–$32,100 | Produced in Switzerland

If you think Tudor watches seem like Rolex watches, you’re not seeing things since Tudor is a division of the world’s largest luxury watch company,

and its watches are ideal for people who desire a Rolex feel and appearance without having to pay the high

Omega

Established in 1848 | Cost: $2,900 – $525,900 | Produced in Switzerland

Since Buzz Aldrin wore the Speedmaster throughout his historic mission to the moon, Omega has the undisputed distinction of being the first watch to land on the moo

Perhaps its most well-known feature nowadays is that it is the go-to watch for James Bond, England’s most lethal weapon.

Rolex

Established in 1905 | Price: $5,500 – $75,000 | Produced in Switzerland

Arguably the most well-known watch brand, Rolex has achieved several firsts in the history of timepieces

. The Oyster, which was developed in 1926, was the first waterproof watch ever.

Patek Philippe

Established in 1839 | Cost: $21,000 – $485,00 | Produced in: Switzerland

Patek Philippe is a prestige symbol unlike any other, routinely ranking at the top of lists of the world’s best watch brands. Established in 1839, the Swiss enterprise stands as the final privately held, independent watchmaker in Geneva.