1. Rolex
Rolex was founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf & Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London. They aimed to produce high-quality wristwatches. In 1915, Wilsdorf renamed the company “Rolex” and moved operations to Geneva, Switzerland, where it became the iconic brand we know today.
2. Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe was established in 1839 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek. In 1845, Patek joined forces with Jean Adrien Philippe, known for his invention of the keyless winding mechanism, forming Patek Philippe. The brand became famous for its craftsmanship and complicated movements.
3. Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland. They specialized in complicated movements and quickly became known for luxury timepieces, with the Royal Oak becoming one of their most iconic models.
4. Tag Heuer
TAG Heuer was founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland. The brand earned recognition for its precision chronographs and became synonymous with motorsports, particularly for creating timepieces designed for racing enthusiasts.
5. Omega
Omega was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt as “Louis Brandt & Fils” in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. The company later became Omega in 1894 and became famous for its role as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games and for being the first watch on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
6. Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin was founded by Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755 in Geneva. It is one of the oldest continuously operating watchmakers and is renowned for its precision and artistry in watchmaking.
7. Hublot
Hublot was founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco in Nyon, Switzerland. The brand became known for its bold designs and use of unusual materials, such as rubber straps and gold. Its “Big Bang” model, released in 2005, revolutionized the industry and cemented Hublot’s place in luxury watchmaking.
8. A. Lange & Söhne
A. Lange & Söhne was founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in Glashütte, Germany. The brand became famous for high-precision mechanical watches. After a hiatus due to World War II and the post-war division of Germany, the brand was revived in the 1990s and is now regarded as one of Germany’s finest watchmakers.
9. Panerai
Panerai was founded by Giovanni Panerai in 1860 as a watch and instrument shop in Florence. In the 1930s, they began producing military watches for the Italian Navy. Later acquired by Richemont Group, Panerai became globally recognized for its oversized, luminous timepieces.
10. Richard Mille
Richard Mille was founded in 2001 by Richard Mille in Les Breuleux, Switzerland. The brand quickly gained recognition for its high-end, innovative timepieces with futuristic designs and materials. Mille’s focus on durability and integrating aerospace technology into watches made it a standout in the luxury market.
