Collectors and watch enthusiasts love to show off their knowledge about the luxury watches they have come across. However, not all are equal. What are the best watch brands? This is a list of top watch brands that you can discuss.
Here are some amazing pictures and a list of the best-selling brands. This list includes the top watch brands also known as the “holy trio”, which is composed of Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet & Vacheron Constantin, as well as other luxury watchmakers like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, Ulysse Nardin Rolex, Jaquet Droz and many more. This is a comprehensive list. However, it is not in any particular order. We may also harp about the holy trinity watches for obvious reasons. If you are looking to start a collection, or just for curiosity, every watchmaker mentioned is worth your consideration. Which watch brand is number one?
Patek Philippe Patek
Philippe & Co is a watchmaker who invented the first wristwatch. It is also one of the most highly sought-after brands in the world. It would be a disservice not to include this watchmaker in a top 10 list. Patek Philippe is among the three Holy Trinity Watchmakers. The Nautilus and Aquanaut are some of their most well-known models. Patek Philippe created some of the most complex watches in the world for high-profile people like Henry Graves and James Ward Packard. One of the rarest watches ever made, the Graves Supercomplication, sold at an auction in New York for USD 11,000,000. It featured 24 complications that required 8 years to develop and research. They are considered the most prestigious watch brand in the world, and they were why we listed them first in our Top 10 Luxury Watch Brands.
Vacheron Constantin
The oldest continually operating watchmaker in the universe is next on our list of famous watch brands. This brand brings with it hundreds of years worth of watchmaking history. Vacheron Constantin, another Holy Trinity Watch brand, has made some of the most innovative and creative horological masterpieces since 1755. Their mechanical genius is best displayed in the Vacheron Konstantin reference #57260, released recently and called the “world’s most complex watch” with an incredible 57 complications. Forbes estimates that it costs $8,000,000. They were a luxury watchmaker before this feat.
Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet, another member of the prestigious watchmaking “holy trinity”, has been making some of the most stunning watches since its inception in 1875. Most people consider them among the world’s top 10 watch companies. Their most well-known collection is the AP Royal Oak series. This iconic watch collection was a game-changer for Audemars Piguet. It was the first time a non-precious metal was used in a sports watch design. They also charge luxurious prices. Audemars Piguet produced the Royal Oak Offshore underwater version of this iconic watch. It became one of the most loved diving watches ever made. AP is highly respected as one of the three trinities.
Blancpain
Blancpain, which was founded in 1735, is slightly older than Vacheron-Constan but didn’t operate under the Blancpain name from its inception. They contributed greatly to the advancement in watchmaking techniques and made watches with some of the most complex movements. Blancpain was the first to create diving watches using their Fifty Fathoms timepiece. This is the first-ever diver’s watch in the world. Blancpain has produced many fine collections, including Le Brassus, Villeret, Novelties, Specialties, Sport, and Le Man. They are a top 10 watch brand worldwide and deserve much praise.
Ulysse Nardin
A Ulysse Nardin founded its manufacturing company in 1846. It was a simple watch stand then, but it soon became a major player in the watchmaking industry. They create everything from the classic San Marco Classico series with its minimalist design to the complex Hour Striker, Sonata and El Toro GMT +/– Perpetual Calendar collections. The Quadrato Dual Time and Dual Time Perpetual are two other modern collections. Ulysse Nardin is well-known for its marine timepieces, such as the Maxi Marine Chronometer or their Marine Chronograph. With their marine watches, Ulysse Nardin holds a niche in timekeeping where they shine brighter than even the North Star.
