Life has never been faster, and what better way to keep track of time than with one of the greatest luxury watches in the world? High-quality timepieces will never go out of style. A mechanical watch is much more than an instrument of timekeeping. This is both an emotional commitment and a significant financial outlay for an item that will very probably become a cherished family treasure. On the other hand, a designer watch is a timeless, beautiful, and polished statement.
A high-end watch is in and of itself a work of art. It embodies centuries of history and technical expertise, and the world’s most renowned watchmakers create little pieces of art. Wearing an ostentatious watch also qualifies you as a member of an exclusive club. The following are four of the most well-known luxury watch brands due to their excellent craftsmanship, aesthetic sensibility, and willingness to push boundaries.
- Tissot
Tissot’s famous slogan is ‘innovators by tradition.’ This phrase sums up its outstanding timepieces, such as the Tissot Touch and Tissot PRX. While the tagline seems to be contradictory, it demonstrates how the brand appreciates both the history and tradition of watchmaking and cutting-edge contemporary horology. While Tissot honors and incorporates time-honored watchmaking techniques, it also strives to push limits and promote development.
Tissot places a premium on precision, having been appointed Official Timekeeper of the European Rugby Champions, NBA, and Tour de France. Each mechanical movement is composed of about 100 carefully made components. Its cutting-edge initiatives extend outside the realm of watchmaking as well. Tissot bestowed its name to the world’s first suspension bridge connecting two distinct peaks on Glacier 3000.
- Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe & Co., renowned for developing the world’s first timepiece, has grown into a leading watchmaker and one of the most sought-after brands in the world today. Everyone would concur that excluding this watchmaker from a list would be an injustice to the rest of society. Patek Philippe is among the three watch brands that make up the Holy Trinity. A few of their more prominent designs are the Nautilus, the Twenty-4, the Aquanaut, the Calatrava, and the World Time, among others. Apart from creating some of the most complex timepieces in the world for celebrities such as Henry Graves and James Ward Packard, Patek Philippe was also hired to produce some of the most intricate timepieces in the world for several high-profile persons. The Graves Supercomplication, one of the most unique timepieces ever created, was acquired for an incredible $11 million at a New York auction in the late 1990s. It included 24 complexities that took eight years to study and develop and was one of the most expensive watches ever sold. Many people believe it to be the greatest watch brand in the world, and they are right.
- Audemars Piguet
Since its founding in the 1870s, Audemars Piguet has created several of the most magnificent timepieces. They are unquestionably one of the top ten watch brands in the world today. The AP Royal Oak series is their most well-known collection. This is a famous watch line that ushered in a new era for Audemars Piguet by being the first to use a non-precious metal, stainless steel, into a modern sports watch design and charge premium pricing. Audemars Piguet then created the Royal Oak Offshore line, an underwater version of the classic watch that quickly became one of the most renowned diving watches in existence. As a member of the trinity, AP has regularly outperformed expectations throughout the years and is highly regarded.
With the advent of the Royal Oak watch, several luxury companies were able to price their watches according to their horological expertise rather than the precious metal used. While watches were formerly worth their weight in gold, many are now worth far more, regardless of the material used.
- Vacheron Constantin
The next renowned watch brand is one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning watchmakers. It is a brand that carries with it centuries of watchmaking tradition. Vacheron Constantin is another Holy Trinity Watch company that dates back to the 1750s and has been making some of the most amazingly unique and innovative horological marvels since then. The Vacheron Constantin reference #57260, commonly referred to as the world’s most complicated watch and estimated by Forbes to be worth $8 million, is the best demonstration of their mechanical genius.s. Even before this incredible achievement, they were regarded as a leading luxury watch company.
Vacheron Constantin is a leading Swiss watchmaker that was founded on the ideals of technical and artistic perfection, as evidenced by their numerous horological successes and inventions throughout the years. As a result, they have developed into one of the most renowned international watch brands. The Traditionnelle, the Patrimony, 1972, Quai de l’ile, the Overseas, Malte, Harmony, Les Historiques, and Metiers d’Art are just a few of their noteworthy collections.
- Blancpain
Blancpain was founded in the 1730s, making it somewhat older than Vacheron Constantin. However, Blancpain did not operate under the Blancpain name from the start. They made significant contributions to the improvement of watchmaking methods and created watches with some of the most complex mechanisms ever created. Blancpain invented diving timepieces with the famous Fifty Fathoms, the world’s first diver’s watch. Blancpain subsequently created several distinguished collections, including Villeret, Le Brassus, Novelties, Leman, Specialties, and Sport.
Among the most notable accomplishments that attest to the brand’s deserving regard are the advances made to the tourbillon complication. Blancpain invented the flying tourbillon, a departure from Breguet’s original tourbillon design over two centuries earlier. The updated version encased the complexity in a cage with a ball bearing, enabling the user to gaze at the tourbillon in operation.
Takeaway
When looking for a luxury watch, there are a few critical features to keep in mind. To guarantee you invest in the model that is most suited to your specific needs, there are a few factors to consider. As with the balance wheel, balance spring, bezel, caliber, chronograph, complication, escapement, GMT, and tourbillon, you should be familiar with these components. Additionally, you may want to consider the chronometer rating, water resistance, front window made of synthetic sapphire crystal, and strap.
