The number of trademarks under which wrist watches are produced is growing every year. Some offer mechanisms in the budget price segment, while others focus on the high class of consumers and cost thousands of dollars. It is noteworthy that some brands die as quickly as they are born. While real leaders continue to occupy serious positions in world rankings and surprise consumers with unusual novelties.
Quite often, in an attempt to please one or another “master” of the industry, watch experts and specialists simply close to them offer their “most objective ratings” of the best wristwatches. These can be ratings of the best brands or individual watches for men or women. But are they fair? What are the criteria for judging the best watch brands?
- By overall popularity in the world,
2. By the market value of the brand itself,
3. By the number of watches produced per year,
4. By annual turnover and trading activity in general,
5. According to the total assessment of hourly experts,
6. According to the individual aesthetic beauty of the models,
7. On the progressiveness of technologies and development prospects, etc.
Our rating of the best wristwatches includes those manufacturers who have been on everyone’s lips for decades. All brands from the list are active participants in the annual Baselworld watch show, which means they are true leaders of the world watch industry. They received their recognition for the highest quality and the ability to surprise consumers with unusual novelties. You just have to decide which luxury watches are better to buy.
Vacheron Constantin – the oldest standard of Swiss craftsmen.
As a rule, Vacheron Constantin watches are selected for the classic style of clothing. Focused on significant meetings with business partners, evening receptions, theater visits, and similar events. The status of the accessory is emphasized by the expensive case material (gold, platinum) and a largely conservative image.
Breguet – the art of luxury watch brands.
During the French Revolution, Breguet moved to Switzerland, where he founded his own production. Famous personalities such as Louis XVI, Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, and Winston Churchill have become fans and clients of the brand.
The brand uniqueness of all models of wristwatches is an individual number, a guilloche dial, a secret signature, a peculiar style of Arabic numerals on the screen, and an unusual shape of the hands. In addition to its own production of luxury watches. The company develops high-precision movements that are subsequently used by other brands of the parent company, The Swatch Group.
Rolex – legendary watches.
The manufacturer of luxurious creations, which from year to year confidently occupy their positions in the world rankings of the best brands. At one time, the company was a pioneer more than once, creating the first waterproof wrist models with an “oyster shell” design, releasing samples that automatically changed the days of the week and the date, and continued to improve with each new stage of its development. It is worth noting that all the mechanisms on the basis of which Rolex works are created are personalized and made within the walls of the company.
One of the brand’s most famous ladies’ models is the Oyster Perpetual Datejust, featuring a magnifying glass over the date, gold case, and bracelet, and the company’s invention of the Triplock screw-on crown with the triple sealing system.
Patek Philippe – the luxury of kings and the status of presidents.
The brand’s iconic historical pride can be called the first Swiss wristwatch – a gold watch created in 1868 by special order for the Hungarian Countess Kossovich. Over time, such dignitaries as Pope Pius IX, Queen Victoria, and even the Austrian emperor became fans of the already famous manufacture. Each new Patek Philippe model is becoming a modern classic at unbelievable speed.
Cartier – a world of innovation and luxury.
An example of watch classics is the legendary Tank model, which was released by Cartier in 1917. A discreet design inspired by the realities of the First World War, with an unusual strap attachment, is still in demand today. This iconic dress watch is one of the world’s most famous elegant wristwatches for men and women.
Cartier is associated with luxury and jewelry, and the watch itself is more often decoration on the wrist than a device for counting the time. Therefore, they choose such accessories for the appropriate image.
Omega – the representative of the Olympic Games, space, and the deep sea
Nowadays, the Swiss brand Omega is not only technical excellence, an inimitable design, and high status. But also an active sponsor and participant in various world events. Since 1932, the famous manufacturer has already served as Official Timekeeper at the Olympic Games 28 times, regularly updating the absolute record of the most titled watch brand in sports.
Among the Omega collections, the central ones of which are Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation and De Ville have already acquired the status of watchmaking classics, today you can buy luxury watches for any occasion. Choose from sportswear designed for extreme activities to elegant wrist accessories in a classic style.
TAG Heuer – super precision worthy of super speed.
In 1860, the talented watchmaker Edouard Hoer created his own workshop on the territory of the small Swiss commune of Saint-Imier. The main goal of the ambitious specialist was to create an ultra-precise mechanism. And over time, he really succeeded. Then many craftsmen in Switzerland were already producing perfect models. But the founder of the TAG Heuer brand, and later his heirs, achieved the uniqueness of their watches. The time was measured with an accuracy of 1/10, 1/100, 1/1000, and 1/10000 of a second.
Special attention should be paid to the limited edition Monaco Grand Prix, created especially on the occasion of Tag Heuer’s collaboration with the Automobile Club of Monaco. The model of the Carrera series – CV2A1F stands out especially.
Zenith – from sophisticated classics to extreme challenges.
This Swiss company has always strived and strives to create the most accurate and reliable watches for its contemporaries. Such achievements are confirmed by professional recognition – over a century and a half of its activity, the company has received more than 2000 various awards for quality and accuracy.
Today Zenith watches are presented both in a classic style with a strict design. In original interpretations, inlaid with precious stones and other delights. All these can be selected among the collections of El Primero, Pilot, Captain, Chronomaster, Defy, Elite.
Hublot – watch in the porthole.
The talented Italian Carlo Crocco has been researching the properties of rubber since 1975. Including its effect on human skin and the ability to recover from daily contact. This activity later turned out to be the basis for the creation of a Swiss company.
The watch of the original brand will be an excellent addition to the image of a lover of innovations. An active lifestyle. And just an energetic person who values his own and other people’s time.
Summing up, it remains to be hoped that this article will help you navigate the world of watch brands. And form certain criteria that will help you decide which wristwatch is better to buy.
And all these conditional “ratings”, lists of “top watches” and definitions of “best manufacturers”. Are rather abstract indicators that have nothing to do with absolute objectivity. That is why it is still more logical to determine the priorities in favor of the brand whose watches have attracted your attention the most.
