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As we delve deeper into the digital age, an increasing number of people are relying on their mobile devices to tell the time. While, yes, smartphones have become inextricably intertwined into our daily lives, there is no reason to abandon a practical, efficient, and mechanical time-telling tool. And not just any timepieces, but the crème de la crème from the most high-end, luxury watch brands in the world. Not only are these opulent pieces, they're also status symbols and a way for us to silently project identity. And, of course, watches can be heirlooms passed down several generations. Looking to get down to the details? There's the option to look into the best men's luxury watch brands as well as the best watches for women. If you're just figuring out where to start, we have a comprehensive list of the world's most elite brands to buy a timepiece from.
Finding yourself interested in horology? We have you covered. Here, the top luxury watch brands on the market today. And don't sweat it if you need a few pronunciation lessons before purchasing—we’ve got you covered on that front too.
1
Montblanc
Founded in: 1858 | Price Range: $1,200-$29,500 | Made in: Switzerland
Fine state-of-the-art craftsmanship is at the heart of every Montblanc timepiece, and especially in the Montblanc 1858 collection, which is a reinterpretation of 1920s and '30s Minerva watches used for military exploration.
2
Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in: 1906 | Price Range: $7,800-$448,000 | Made in: France
Van Cleef & Arpels's Alhambra motif has been a coveted status symbol since its invention in 1968. This watch is the best of both worlds: an elegant timepiece and stunning piece of jewelry, all in one.
3
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Founded in: 1833 | Price Range: $4,800-$100,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Established in 1833 in the Swiss Jura Mountains, Jaeger-LeCoultre is known for its clever designs. One of its most notable—and coveted—styles, the Reverso, features a face that flips over to protect itself within the watch casing.
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4
Audemars Piguet
Founded in: 1875 | Price Range: $25,000-$300,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded by childhood friends Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in 1875, Audemars Piguet is perhaps most famous for its Royal Oak collection, which since its debut in 1972, has become an obligatory status symbol for every A-lister from hip hop legends to elite athletes. Now it has some competition: In 2019, the brand released a new collection, Code 11.59.
5
Frédérique Constant
Founded in: 1875 | Price Range: $750-$18,995 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1988 by Dutch couple Peter Stas and Aletta Stas-Bax, Frédérique Constant's mission statement is to craft fine luxury watches using Swiss techniques but sold at a relatively accessible price point.
6
Piaget
Founded in: 1874 | Price Range: $5,050-$88,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Georges-Édouard Piaget set up his first workshop on his family farm in the village of La Côte-aux-Fées in the Swiss mountains in 1874, launching the brand that is now famous for offering the thinnest automatic watch in the world.
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7
Cartier
Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France
Louis-François Cartier founded the jewelry brand in Paris in 1847. Seventy years later, his grandson Louis Cartier invented the famous Tank Watch, which was modeled after a military tank. Several iconic watch models have followed since, including this Baignoire Allongée.
8
Harry Winston
Founded in: 1847 | Price Range: $2,560-$258,000 | Made in: France
Jeweler Harry Winston is relatively new to the watch game compared to other longer established brands out of Europe. Nevertheless, the same spirit of innovation that drives the brand's fantastical gems also applies to its timepieces. Take this avant-garde creation, the latest to join the Project Z collection—only 300 of them were made.
9
Blancpain
Founded in: 1735 | Price Range: $9,000-$30,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1735, Blancpain enjoys the esteemed distinction of being the oldest watch brand in the world. In the 1950s, it introduced the Fifty Fathoms diving watches, which were crafted in collaboration with the French Navy's combat swimmers and soon became the standard issue of the US Navy SEALs.
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10
Longines
Founded in: 1832 | Price Range: $800-$12,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Longines was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz and two partners in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where the company is still headquartered. Its iconic winged hourglass logo is the oldest logo of its kind still being used in its original form.
11
Zenith
Founded in: 1865 | Price Range: $6,000-$145,200 | 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.
12
Tudor
Founded in: 1926 | Price Range: $1,750-$7,425 | Made in: Switzerland
If you think Tudor watches look like Rolexes, you're not seeing things: the brand is a subsidiary of the luxury watch giant and its timepieces are especially perfect for those who want the look and feel of a Rolex—without the high price tag.
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13
Omega
Founded in: 1848 | Price Range: $2,550-$725,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1848, Omega holds the unparalleled title of being the first watch on the moon thanks to Buzz Aldrin, who wore the Speedmaster for his history-making feat. Today it may be most famous as the preferred timepiece of England's deadliest weapon: James Bond.
14
Rolex
Founded in: 1905 | Price Range: $5,800-$75,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Arguably the most well-known watch brand, Rolex has many firsts under its belt, among them the first-ever waterproof watch, appropriately called the Oyster, which was created in 1926.
15
Patek Philippe
Founded in: 1839 | Price Range: $21,000-$485,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Patek Philippe consistently tops the list of best watch brands in the world and is a status symbol like no other. Founded in 1839, the Swiss company is the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva.
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16
Vacheron Constantin
Founded in: 1755 | Price Range: $12,300-$131,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Vacheron Constantin is among the oldest luxury watch manufacturers in the world, founded in Geneva by Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755. The watches, which are known for their extensive complications, have been worn on the wrists of famous figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Harry Truman.
17
Tag Heuer
Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $1,400-$53,800 | Made in: Switzerland
"Techniques d'Avant Garde" is what the TAG in TAG Heuer has stood for since Edouard Heuer launched the Swiss brand in 1860. In 1962, John Glenn wore a Heuer stopwatch on the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight, giving the Swiss watchmaker the distinction of being the first in space. Now well-known for their sporty silhouettes, TAG Heuer has an illustrious list of celebrity ambassadors, both official and not, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady.
18
Panerai
Founded in: 1860 | Price Range: $4,700-$180,000 | Made in: Italy
Founded as Officine Panerai in Florence in 1860, this Italian watchmaker has become known for its bold, sporty cases. From its former role as the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy to its partnership with Ferrari, Panerai's timepieces guarantee the finest Italian craftsmanship.
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19
Hublot
Founded in: 1980 | Price Range: $5,800-$222,000 | Made in: Switzerland
The first luxury watch to tout a rubber strap, Hublot is also known for its bold cases. Fun fact: the brand's name is French for "porthole"—it's easy to see where the inspiration comes from.
20
Breitling
Founded in: 1884 | Price Range: $3,300-$67,000 | Made in: Switzerland
Founded in 1884, Breitling is especially well-known as a particular favorite of aviators—the brand even teamed up with Scott and Mark Kelly, the only twins to have traveled in space, and employs a team of pilots who travel around the world doing acrobatic display flights in fighter jets.
Dania Lucero Ortiz
Fashion and Accessories Director at Town & Country
Dania Lucero Ortiz is Town & Country’s Fashion and Accessories Director, where she writes about style and jewelry.
Cassandra Hogan
Fashion Assistant at Town & Country
Cassandra Hogan is the Fashion Assistant at Town & Country where she handles all things fashion and jewelry for both print and digital.
Leena Kim
Editor
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of luxury watches, I can confidently navigate the intricate world of horology, understanding the nuances of craftsmanship, design, and historical significance associated with each timepiece. My depth of knowledge extends beyond the surface, as I appreciate the intricate movements, the heritage of renowned watchmakers, and the evolution of iconic designs over time.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the top luxury watch brands:
1. Montblanc
- Founded in: 1858
- Price Range: $1,200-$29,500
- Made in: Switzerland
- Noteworthy: The Montblanc 1858 collection is a fine example of state-of-the-art craftsmanship, particularly a reinterpretation of 1920s and '30s Minerva watches used for military exploration.
2. Van Cleef & Arpels
- Founded in: 1906
- Price Range: $7,800-$448,000
- Made in: France
- Noteworthy: The Alhambra motif by Van Cleef & Arpels, invented in 1968, serves as a coveted status symbol, seamlessly blending elegant timekeeping with stunning jewelry.
3. Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Founded in: 1833
- Price Range: $4,800-$100,000
- Made in: Switzerland
- Noteworthy: Known for clever designs, Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso, featuring a face that flips over to protect itself within the watch casing, is a coveted style.
4. Audemars Piguet
- Founded in: 1875
- Price Range: $25,000-$300,000
- Made in: Switzerland
- Noteworthy: Famous for the Royal Oak collection since 1972, Audemars Piguet's watches, especially the Code 11.59 released in 2019, have become status symbols for celebrities.
5. Frédérique Constant
- Founded in: 1988
- Price Range: $750-$18,995
- Made in: Switzerland
- Noteworthy: Frédérique Constant aims to craft fine luxury watches using Swiss techniques at a relatively accessible price point.
6. Piaget
- Founded in: 1874
- Price Range: $5,050-$88,000
- Made in: Switzerland
- Noteworthy: Piaget, established in 1874, is famous for offering the thinnest automatic watch in the world, showcasing innovation in watchmaking.
This breakdown provides a glimpse into the diverse world of luxury watches, with each brand offering a unique blend of history, craftsmanship, and design philosophy.
