From Rolex to Patek Philippe, discover the most popular luxury watch brands and their iconic collections
Some of the most popular luxury watch brands have contributed to their high reputation by promising exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Unrelenting material innovation, an unbiased attention to aesthetics, and cutting-edge production techniques are some of the factors that make up the unique characteristics that define a high-end luxury watch brand. Whether you're a collector or just getting into the world of luxury watches, this article will provide you with valuable information as we delve into the world of popular luxury watch brands and explore their most famous collections.
Popular luxury watch brands and their most famous collectibles
Step into the world of popular luxury watch brands and discover their well-known collections:
Rolex
Founded in 1905, Rolex is a Swiss watch designer and manufacturer headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Rolex watches are a symbol of prestige and sophistication, offering some of the most expensive watch collections. Rolex divers have a striking range of dive watches, while Rolex Daytona is known for its connection to racing, which requires highly accurate timekeeping. Rolex Diver, Second Master , and Date are just some of the other famous Rolex watches that are highly sought after by Rolex enthusiasts and collectors.
Founded: 1905
Based in: Geneva, Switzerland
Affiliation: Hans Wilsdorf Foundation
Popular Collectibles: Daytona, Divers, Captains, and Dating
For reference: The combination of Rolex Daytona and racing legend Paul Newman made it a popular model, resulting in the "Paul Newman Daytona" becoming one of the most popular and valuable vintage watches in the world.
Patek Philippe
Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is a Swiss luxury watchmaker. The Natirus Collection is Patek Philip's most recognizable collection, out of respect for its hatch structure and octagonal borders. Its Aquat collection offers the best sports watches, while the Calatrava collection offers some of the best clothing watches of all time. Patek Philip's The Great Complication Collection is also home to an intricate collection of famous timers, including a wide variety of complications such as the phases of the moon, a minute-second timer with a permanent calendar, and a one-minute transponder.
Founded: 1839
Based in: Geneva, Switzerland
Affiliation: Stern Family
Popular Collectibles: Marine Creatures, Marine Creatures, Marine Creatures, and Big Complications
FYI: At the only watch auction in Geneva in 2019, a Pictet watch sold for $31.9 million, the most expensive watch ever auctioned.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a Swiss ultra-luxury watch manufacturer founded in 1875 and located in Le Bras, Switzerland. The company became Audemars Piguet in 1881 and was accompanied by the Royal Oak by Gérard Géner. RO's stainless steel case and integrated bracelet, as well as the iconic octagonal bezel, set a new standard for luxury sports watches. While the Royal Oak Shores collection includes a more powerful and sporty version of the Royal Oak, the Code 11.59 collection is more about cutting-edge technology and pioneering new materials and designs.
Founded: 1875
Based in: Le Blas, Switzerland
Affiliation: Odmas Piguet Holding Company
Popular Collectibles: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Shore, Code 11.59
For reference: Oldems Pigay established the category of luxury stainless steel sports watches, designed by Gerald Gna and launched in 1972 by Royal Oak, becoming the world's first luxury sports watch made of stainless steel.
Vacheron Constantin
Founded in 1755, the Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer Vinchelon Constantin has been a subsidiary of the Richemont Group since 1996. Heritage, Overseas, Tradition, and Egri are some of the brand's popular collectibles. The focus of the legacy remains on circulation, offering some of the finest minimalist watches. Traditional collectibles range from complex intricacies to simple creations. The overseas collection prides itself on its casual elegance, enhanced by interchangeable belts or bracelet systems. Konstantin also includes the "Egeeri" collection designed specifically for women, which is a striking blend of haute couture and haute magic.
Founded: 1755
Based in: Geneva, Switzerland
Affiliation: Ricoh Flora
Popular Collections: Heritage, Overseas, Tradition, and Egri
For reference: Vacheron Constantin developed the world's first world timewatch in 1932 with 31 time zones and one of the most complex watches invented in 1935 for King Farouk of Egypt.
omega
Founded in 1903, Omega is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Bean, Switzerland. Omega's association with space exploration and NASA is a popular collector's item among watch enthusiasts. In 1969, the fourth generation of high-speed drivers became the first watch to be worn on the moon. While the Umbrella collection has some of the best dive watches out there, the Constellation collection is all things style and sophistication. The Deville series is also popular for its classic design and intricate movements, featuring the "Lady" series. The first launch took place in 1955 and was one of the first spin timers, created especially for women.
Founded: 1848
Based in: Pian, Switzerland
Affiliation: Observation Group
Popular collectibles: Racers, Sea Boats, Constellations, and Deville
FYI: Since 1995, Omega has been known as the timer of James Bond's choice, featured on the wrists of both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Richemont Group, Jergel Le Coot (JLC) is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer founded in 1895 and headquartered in Lestier, Switzerland. Available in a variety of iterations, the Revoso collection is truly timeless, with its slim profile and reversible case that can conceal and protect dials. In its diverse catalog, JLC has the Polaris series, offering a variety of complications, including dates, world time, alarms and timers. On the other hand, the collection of master watches is a model of wine, a testament to JLC's watchmaking heritage. JLC also offers women's watches in diamonds and small diameters.
Founded: 1833
Based on: Lesdiere, Switzerland
Affiliation: Ricoh Flora
Popular Collectibles: Predators, Polaris, Master Control, and Redz Foss
FYI: Inspired by British officers stationed in India in 1931, the Revoso were designed to be able to endure the rigors of a polo game while meeting military needs.
Cartier
Founded in 1847, Cartier is a French luxury brand specializing in the craft of jewelry, leather goods, and watches. Designed by Louis Cartier in 1916, the original Cartier tank was inspired by the Renault tanks that fought on the Western Front in World War I. This collection showcases a permanent icon, a rectangular box and Roman numerals, making the watch instantly recognizable. … Santos' collection, designed to help pilots keep precise times in flight, is distinguished by its geometric dials, elegantly curved corners, and signature exposed screws. Pansel Cartier is another Cartier collection of jewelry watches decorated with gold, diamonds and delicate gemstones. Another popular Cartier series, the Pasard Cartier has a unique lineup of watch sets with diamonds and interchangeable straps.
Founded: 1847
Based in: Paris, France
Affiliation: Ricoh Flora
Popular collectibles: Tanks, Santos, Pansel Katier, and Pasha de Katier
For reference: Cartier watches have resonated with many iconic figures, from Kate Middleton who adores her Barenblou to Princess Diana in a Cartier tank, or Andy Warhol – a fan of Louis Cartier tanks.
Breitling
Founded in 1884 in Saint-Ymir, Switzerland, Breitling has been creating exquisite Swiss luxury watches for more than a century. The "Navigation Timer" series offers a typical pilot's watch, equipped with a circular slide rule, where the pilot can make all the necessary flight calculations, while the "Super Ocean" series offers technology and durable sporty marine watches full of modern features and bright colors. Breitling The product consists mainly of mechanical timers, but this series of full-featured watches is also available in triple watches and Greenwich time models. The racing timer from the Top Time Collection also maintains a strong characteristic, which is a tribute to motorcycles, classic cars and open-road adventures.
Founded: 1884
Based on: Swiss Roentgenium
Affiliation: Partner Group
Popular Collectibles: Voyager, Ocean, Meteorology, Top Time
For reference: Astronaut Scott Carpenter, one of the first seven American astronauts to go into space, wore the Breitling Lynn Navigator Cosmos during his Mercury mission.
Pilots of all nations
Founded in 1868, the company is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. The Portuguese collection of the International Council of Women is one of its most iconic and enduring collections, known for its impressive scale, neat Arabic numerals, slender hands, and distinctive railway track chapter rings. Designed as a professional instrument for divers, the IWC Diver's Collection watch can be set to rotate the bezel, which is particularly safe when diving at depth, as well as the IWC bracelet quick-change system. On the other hand, the pilot's watch collection shows the appearance of an airplane instrument. Loved by pilots and watch enthusiasts, this collection boasts technical features such as magnetic and shock resistance, as well as a high-tech ceramic case.
Founded: 1868
Based in: Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Affiliation: Ricoh Flora
Popular collectibles: Portuguese, water bottles and pilot's watches
FYI: Mercedes-American Oil F1 Team drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are both associated with IWC and are brand ambassadors.