Top 10 Luxury Watch Brands You Should Own Today: Finding The One

What you wear on your wrist says something about you. After all, you are what you wear, right? Whether you want to make an impression during a business meeting, a job interview, a date, or a meet-the-family setup, the brand of your watch will add to the aura you project.

Let’s face it, owning a timepiece is not only for the sake of instant time checking, but is also a portrayal of one’s social status. This is why finding the right watch for you seems like a struggle. Some even term it as a “quest” that when you’ve finally found the one, you know you can already settle with the brand. But really, how do you even know it’s your right fit? Well, a timepiece is fit for your wrist when it also fits your lifestyle. A sophisticated life calls for an upscale brand. In short, what you wear should do the talking for you – including the watch brand you tote on your wrist.

While there are various watch manufacturers in the market today, high-end horological masterpieces are still discernible. For a brand to be considered upmarket, it has to have an inimitable detailing, precisely constructed complications, history of masterful creations, and an unmistakable class. It does not matter if the design is minimalistic or sophisticated as long as the timepiece on your wrist exudes perfection and artistry. Thus, I rounded up a list of the top ten luxury watch brands that spell elegance and sophistication for your wrist. Who knows, your quest to finding the one for your wrist ends today.

Audemars Piguet

For you who are definitely high-end patrons, Audemars Piguet (fondly called AP) is one of the top choices. AP has been making watches since 1875 and is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world. Being a part of the ‘holy trinity’ or the Big Three in watchmaking, Audemars Piguet is a world-famous watch brand producing about 36,000 watches annually. Its name was from its founders, Swiss childhood friends Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet.

AP has already made its mark in the watchmaking industry being the first in various innovations: first in crafting the oversized watch (Royal Oak offshore), first to charge luxury prices on watches with non-precious metal, thus highlighting the brand’s value, first to produce an underwater version of its oversized watch, and first to market the first luxury sports watch (Royal Oak). With all its firsts, it is not even a surprise that personalities such as Lebron James, Tom Cruise, and Usher are loyal users of this brand.

If you think the AP design and history fits your lifestyle, it’s high time to check out what they offer. How about getting your first as well? After all, ‘first is a state of mind’ with AP’s $7,000-$850,000 watches. Choose from these AP collections today:

• Royal Oak
• Royal Oak Concept
• Royal Oak Offshore
• Millenary
• Jules Audemars
• Haute Joaillerie
• Classique

Vacheron Constantin

“Crafting eternity since 1755”, Vacheron Constantin is also a part of the ‘holy trinity’ and one of the oldest and most popular watchmakers in the world. A Swiss brand member of the Richemont Group, Vacheron Constantin boasts of its remarkable technical hitches and precision in detailing. In fact, it is known to manufacture the world’s most complicated watch – the Vacheron Constantin Reference #57260 – estimated to have a value of $8 million because of its 57 complications, besting Patek Philippe Calibre 89 with but 33 complications. It is also not a surprise that with the intricacy of Vacheron Constantin, famous personalities, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Harry Truman, Pope Pius IX, Rick Ross, and Donald Trump, patronize this luxury brand.

If you are a lover of game-changing innovations and technical complexities, Vacheron Constantin may be the one fit to for your wrist. Choose your timepiece now from the various popular collections of Vacheron Constantin ranging from $18,000 to $6 million:

• Patrimony
• Traditionnelle
• Overseas
• Malte
• 1972
• Quai de I’ile
• Harmony
• Metiers d’Art
• Historiques
• Heures Creatives

Patek Philippe

Now you’ve probably saw an advertisement of this brand in a fashion or lifestyle magazine you’ve subscribed to. Another of the Big Three/Holy Trinity in watchmaking, Patek Philippe has been crafting stylish timepieces since 1851. Presently, it is one of the most popular watch brands worn by the elite society.

Known to be the first to market the first wristwatch in history, Patek Philippe has also been commissioned to manufacture timepieces worn by personalities such as Henry Graves (with 24 complications completed in almost 8 years, and known to sold for $11 million in a New York auction in 1999). Through time, the brand has made its mark and is worn today by royalties such as Queen Victoria, and personalities like Ellen DeGeneres, John Mayer, and Robert Downey, Jr.

You can easily distinguish a Patek Philipp with its distinctly simple dial, although it keeps highly meticulous complications including star charts, moon phases, and perpetual calendars. With your $15,000 to about $1 million, you can “find your timepiece” with Patek Philippe and its collections:

• Grand Complications
• Complications
• Calatrava
• Gondolo
• Golden Ellipse
• Nautilus
• Aquanaut
• Twenty~4

Rolex

This is another luxury brand that we all know everyone knows about. A popular name in watchmaking, Rolex is the most famous brand within the mainstream culture. Boasting of “performance and prestige”, the brand is worn by Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, David Beckham, and Elvis Presley. Rolex is also known for its large production of watches – making about 2,000 watches daily, with most watches having a Superlative Chronometer designation or an accuracy of +2/-2 seconds per day (other watches normally have +6/-6 accuracy). Moreover, Rolex prides its in-house manufacture of the components used in watchmaking.

You want to join the popular culture, get a Rolex – a brand and a personality in itself with the following famous watch collections ranging from $5,000 to $650,000:

• Day-Date
• Datejust
• Pearlmaster
• Oyster Perpetual
• Air-King
• Submariner
• Cosmograph Daytona
• Sea-Dweller
• GMT Master II
• Yacht-Master
• Explorer
• Milgauss
• Sky-Dweller
• Cellini

Blancpain

Now here comes the interesting part. If you are a diver or an aqua enthusiast, you just got your options narrowed. Blancpain is a world-renowned luxury brand offering diving watches. Another of the oldest manufacturers of watches, Blancpain is most famous for being the pioneer in offering a diver’s watch: the Fifty Fathoms. Since then, the brand stood up to this aquatic expertise. In fact, the brand champions its Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment parallel to its Fifty Fathoms popularity. The brand’s commitment extends to providing support for oceanic explorations in line with it being a pioneer in diving watch production. Operating on the principle that “people can only respect and protect what they love, and can only love what they know”, Blancpain strives to let people know the ocean better.

Ranging from $7,500 to $1 million, Blancpain creates both minimalistic designs and elaborate timepiece designs. It is also the brand which was first to introduce the flying tourbillon for wristwatches. Promoting exclusivity, Blancpain creates a maximum of 30 timepieces a day. Vladimir Putin is said to have owned a Blancpain.

If you are for an exclusive touch, let Blancpain adorn your wrist. Choose your Blancpain from its most famous collections:

• Le Brassus
• Fifty Fathoms
• Geneva
• L-Evolution
• Women
• Leman
• Villeret

Blancpain also boasts of its various horological complications such as the following:

• Carousel Minute Repeater
• Flying Carousel A Minute
• Traditional Chinese Calendar
• Splitback Flyback Chronograph
• Alarm Clock
• Annual Calendar
• Big Date
• Complete Calendar
• Moon Phases
• Dual Time Zone

Ulysse Nardin

Another brand for the marine lovers is Ulysse Nardin. You’ve probably heard of the brand if you’re fond of marine watches as this brand is famous for its marine chronometers. In fact, its Maxi Marine Chronometer and Marine Chronograph are among its best sellers. Ulysse Nardin, besides manufacturing luxury wristwatches, also crafts writing instruments and accessories. It has a wide range of designs from minimalist to complicated.

Usually, a Ulysse Nardin timepiece is priced at $2,300-285,000, and is sported by personalities such as Michael Jordan and Larry King. If you think Ulysse Nardin is for you, check out its watch collections:

• Marine
• Diver
• Classic
• Executive
• Freak
• Jade

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Another horological masterpiece that might just blow your mind away is Jaeger-LeCoultre or JLC as it is fondly called by owners. If you are into intricate designs, Jaeger-LeCoultre is the timepiece for you.

Found in 1833, JLC is famous for creating the world’s smallest watch caliber. It is also a well-respected brand within the watchmaking industry as it is one of the manufacturers that produce its own components. And because of this uniqueness, JLC was able to craft and popularize timepieces with exceptional detailing and distinguishable features such as the AMVOX3 Tourbillon, Master Control, JLC Geophysic, Master Compressor, Master Ultra-thin Collection (one of which was even featured in the movie Dr. Strange for its creative and innovative feature), Reverso (a square watch that has the ability to protect its face due to its flip-over feature), Atmos (high-end torsion pendulum clocks that only need atmospheric pressure and temperature for movement), and a keyless watch.

A hundred and eighty-five years in the watchmaking industry, Jaeger-LeCoultre also promotes environmental awareness as it has been trying to spearhead ecological protection. In fact, it has been using electric company cars as a symbol of its commitment to help protect the environment.

JLC is reported to be the timepiece of choice of Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Damon. You could acquire your own JLC for $5,000-$2 million from these watch collections:

• Reverso
• Atmos
• Rendez-Vous
• Master
• Jaeger-Lecoultre Polaris
• Geophysic
• Duometre
• Master Extreme
• Hybris Mechanica
• Hybris Artistica

Cartier

If you’ve heard of Rolex, you probably have also heard of Cartier. Started in 1847, Cartier has found its way into the mainstream and celebrity culture with famous personalities like Angelina Jolie and John F. Kennedy wearing the brand. Well, this popularity with celebrities does not entirely come as a surprise as Cartier boasts of using nothing but high-end materials in their craftsmanship. Its distinct feature, however, is its use of the typical roman numerals for its face.

If you are a risk-taker and a rule-breaker, a Cartier timepiece is for you. Priced at $2,300-2.5 million, the Cartier watch collections wait for you to check ‘em out:

• Drive de Cartier
• Tank
• Ballon Bleu de Cartier
• Santos de Cartier
• Calibre de Cartier
• Cle de Cartier
• Ronde de Cartier
• Tortue
• Panthere de Cartier
• Cle de Cartier
• Baignoire
• Hypnose
• Crash

Omega

While not exclusively a high-end watch brand, Omega has started to enter the upscale watch market. It is a Swatch company also famous for its breathtaking jewellery designs.

Omega is popular in the army as it is known to be the made as the official timekeepers of the Britain’s Royal Flying Corps combat units in 1917. Shortly after such, the American army embraced the brand as their timepiece as well. The wearers of Omega also pride the brand for being the first timepiece to be worn on the surface of the moon as it was reported that Buzz Aldrin was wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional when he walked on the moon in 1969.

If you have a low-key upscale lifestyle with an adventurous touch, perhaps Omega is the one for you. You could own an Omega watch for $2,000 to $700,000 from these collections:

• Baselworld 2018
• Constellation
• Seamaster
• Speedmaster
• De Ville
• Specialties

Chopard

An underestimated luxury watch brand, Chopard is a Swiss brand found in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. More than being a watchmaker, the brand is also famous for its jewellery. Chopard has started by selling ladies’ watches, and only entered a wider market some time later. Since 2013, its marketing strategy has been focusing on the promotion of its timepieces that use ethically sustainable gold – another movement in line with environmental awareness in the 21^st century. It has wearers such as Kate Winslet, Simon Cowell, and Colin Firth.

A Chopard, though with a classic design, has great detailing. It is priced at $5,000-60,000. If you are a fan of archetypal but chic designs, Chopard could be your timepiece of choice. Check out their collections:

• Grand Complications
• Metiers D’Art
• L.U.C.
• Classic Racing
• Happy Sport
• Happy Diamonds
• Imperiale
• Classic
• La Strada

Owning a timepiece is a lifetime investment. More so, finding the right watch brand for your lifestyle and taste is like getting the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It becomes your statement. It becomes your signature. I hope this article helped you narrow down your choices in finding the one timepiece for your wrist.

Articles related to “Finding The One: Top 10 Luxury Watch Brands You Should Own Today”

For a more intricate look at the top ten watch brands and their collections, I listed their websites here. You may also click on the links to look for their boutiques and retailers nearest your location:

• Audemars Piguet (www.audemarspiguet.com)
• Vacheron Constantin (www.vacheron-constantin.com)
• Patek Philippe (www.patek.com)
• Rolex (www.rolex.com)
• Blancpain (www.blancpain.com)
• Ulysse Nardin (www.ulysse-nardin.com)
• Jaeger Le-Coultre (www.jaeger-lecoultre.com)
• Cartier (www.cartier.com)
• Omega (www.omegawatches.com)
• Chopard (www.chopard.com)