Best luxury watch brands

The brand Tudor, founded in 1926, is the fruit of the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, also founder of Rolex. His ambition was to create a watch that would offer the reliability and quality of Rolex, but at a more affordable price. So, from the start, Tudor positions itself as a manufacturer of quality watches at more accessible prices than those of the Rolex brand. This extremely clear DNA allows Tudor to position itself on innovation illustrated by its brand signature: “Born To Dare”.

Pequignet is a French watch brand founded in 1973 in Morteau by Émile Péquignet; after an early chapter shaped by jewelry-inflected design (the Moorea bracelet), the company set up a Haute Horlogerie lab in the 2000s, from which came French-made movements — Calibre Royal (2011), Calibre Royal Manuel (2018), Calibre Initial (2021) and, more recently, a tourbillon — that now underpin contemporary collections combining useful complications, clarity and a distinctly national identity.

The Rolex brand was created in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. It is today based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading manufacturers of luxury watches. Rolex, often called the “Crown brand”, is synonymous with prestige, innovation and unparalleled reliability in the watchmaking world.

ZRC is a watch brand founded in 1904 in Geneva, Switzerland, by Edmond Zuccolo and Joseph Rochet. Born in the field of pocket-watch chains and later expandable metal bracelets, the brand now caters to enthusiasts of iconic tool divers, made famous by its Grands Fonds developed for the French Navy from the 1960s onward.

Mido is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1918 in Biel/Bienne by Georges G. Schaeren; now part of Swatch Group and based in Le Locle, it built a reputation on practical, durable watchmaking (water-resistance, shock and magnetic protection) established as early as the interwar years, then on staple lines—Multifort, Commander, Ocean Star and Baroncelli—that still anchor the contemporary range.

Founded in 1848, Omega is one of the oldest and most respected brand in the industry. The story of Omega is punctuated by innovations, technological achievements and a constant quest for precision. Steeped in exploration and adventure and closely associated with the conquest of the Moon, the brand has left an indelible mark on global watchmaking.

The brand Nomos Glashütte was founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner in Glashütte, Germany. Photographer and computer enthusiast, the founder created this brand between modernity and tradition two months after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His vision was to design timepieces that combine traditional mechanical watchmaking with modern design inspired by Bauhaus watches from the 1930s.

Vacheron Constantin, founded in 1755 in Geneva, is the oldest watch manufacture in the world with uninterrupted production. Since its creation, the house has been able to combine tradition and innovation, producing watches of exceptional quality. Vacheron Constantin is recognized for its watchmaking know-how but also in all artisan craftsmanship enabling watchmaking precision to be sublimated.

The Breitling brand, an emblematic figure in Swiss watchmaking, became known for her pioneering role in the field of chronographs. Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling, the brand Breitling quickly gained a reputation for its precision instruments, designed specifically for aviators and motorsports enthusiasts.

The Zenith brand was created in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot in Le Locle, Switzerland. A pioneer in Swiss watchmaking in the creation of a true vertically integrated manufacture, Zenith aimed to create the most precise watch of its time at the best price. Over the years, it has established itself as a benchmark for precision and expertise in many fields.

The Girard-Perregaux brand is renowned for its rich history dating back to its founding in 1791. Since its beginnings, the brand has stood out for its exceptional craftsmanship, precision and sophisticated aesthetic. This summary traces the history of Girard-Perregaux from its beginnings to the present day, with a focus on its most iconic watch models after 1940.

The Sinn brand was created in 1961 by the visionary pilot and watchmaker Helmut Sinn in Frankfurt, Germany. Helmut Sinn was a World War II fighter pilot and survived several plane crashes. He used this experience to design shock and vibration resistant watches for German Air Force pilots and soldiers. 

The IWC brand was created in 1868 by the American Florentine Ariosto Jones in northeastern Switzerland. He founded a watch factory in Switzerland to supply the American market with quality movements and benefit from the know-how of the Swiss workforce. He settled in the town of Schaffhausen following his meeting with Johann Heinrich Moser, watchmaker and industrialist.

The Patek Philippe brand was created in 1839 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek in Geneva, Switzerland. Historic brand of Haute Horlogerie, Patek Philippe is part of the very closed circle of the oldest manufacturers still in operation. It is notably at the origin of the caliber 89, the first pocket caliber with 33 complications. Since its creation, it has had real know-how in artisanal know-how and a strong capacity to innovate. In fact, since 1845, it has been the source of more than 70 patents.

The Alpina brand was created in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser in Winterthur, Switzerland. Originally known as the Corporation of Swiss Watchmakers, it brought together several companies in the sector (manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers) with a simple objective: to consolidate purchases and reduce costs to develop new movements. The concept met great success and the Corporation quickly developed its own calibers.

Longines is a watchmaking house founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, by Auguste Agassiz. Now part of Swatch Group, the brand serves a broad audience—from first “classic” buys to enthusiasts drawn to its heritage—through clear, elegant, and consistent design.

The Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer is the result of the merger in 1985 between the company Heuer, founded in 1860, and the group TAG (Avant Garde Techniques). This union marked the beginning of a new era for the brand, characterized by a combination of technological innovations and a rich watchmaking heritage.

Founded in 1888 in Grenchen, Switzerland, by Adolf and Alfred Kurth, Certina is a renowned Swiss watch brand, appreciated for its quality watches, precision and sporty style. Certina has quickly become a benchmark in the watch industry thanks to its commitment to quality and sustainability.

The Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre has been synonymous with elegance, innovation and exceptional craftsmanship since its inception in 1833. Founded by Antoine LeCoultre, the brand has become a benchmark in the Swiss watch industry, combining traditional know-how and innovative techniques. The story of Jaeger-LeCoultre is marked by key moments, revolutionary inventions and a series of iconic models that have helped to forge its worldwide reputation.

The Hamilton brand is an icon in the world of watchmaking which brilliantly combines American know-how and the finesse of Swiss watchmaking tradition. Founded in 1892 by Webster Clay Ball in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the brand Hamilton quickly acquired a reputation for quality, precision and reliability, notably thanks to its pocket watches used by railway workers to avoid accidents on American railways.

The brand Cartier, recognized worldwide as a symbol of prestige and luxury, has a rich history spanning more than a century and a half. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, it has since been associated with royalty and the worldly elite. During the post-war period in the 1950s, Cartier began to consolidate its position as a leader in the field of fine watchmaking. Innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship have led to global brand recognition.

The Oris brand was created in 1904 by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian in Hölstein in Switzerland. From its beginnings, the brand has set itself the objective of producing watches of exceptional quality, combining traditional watchmaking know-how and technical innovation. Oris is renowned for its high-precision mechanical movements, which are developed and assembled in-house. The brand places great importance on the precision and reliability of its watches, ensuring that each timepiece meets the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking.

Panerai is an Italian watch brand that combines technical ingenuity and daring design. Founded in 1860 in Florence by Giovanni Panerai, it was originally a small watchmaker, but it quickly gained international fame thanks to its collaboration with the Italian Royal Navy. During the Second World War, Panerai supplied diving watches and precision instruments to the Italian Navy. Panerai watches of this era, such as the Radiomir and Luminor, were known for their large size, exceptional readability and robustness.

The brand Bell & Ross was created in 1992 by two watchmaking enthusiast friends, Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo, in Paris, France. They founded the brand with a clear motto: the essential never leaves room for the superfluous. Bell & Ross offers high quality tool watches intended for extreme professionals, inspired by aeronautical instruments and military life.

The Tissot brand was created in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Emile in Le Locle in Switzerland. Since its creation, the brand has distinguished itself by offering a pocket watch indicating two time zones. As it developed, Tissot had to structure the house to focus on the export market and more particularly in Russia. Tissot is known for its innovation. She created the first antimagnetic watch in 1930 and the first automatic wristwatch displaying 24 time zones without manipulation in 1951.

Baume & Mercier is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1830 by brothers Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume in Les Bois, in the Swiss Jura. Since its creation, the brand has been committed to producing watches of excellence, combining traditional know-how, innovation and timeless design. The Baume brothers began their watchmaking adventure by creating pocket watches with high-quality complications and movements. Their success was immediate, and in a few years, they acquired a solid reputation for the precision and reliability of their watches. In 1851, Baume & Mercier won its first gold medal at the World's Fair in London, marking the start of a string of prestigious awards for the brand.