Top luxury watch brands will encompass not only high-quality construction materials but also first-rate design and most of all reliability. Below we go over the top 10 watchmaking companies that are continuing to make their mark in the luxury watch market.
1. Patek Philippe
Founded over 150 years ago in 1851, Swiss watchmaking brand Patek Philippe has set the standard for luxury timepieces for decades. Their timepieces are known for their craftsmanship, understated designs, and superior complications.
2. Audemars Piguet
Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet, whom were childhood friends in Switzerland, began creating and producing timepiece movements back in 1875. 6 years later, in 1881, after much success, Audemars and Piguet founded their company. Since its inception, Audemars Piguet has continually innovated, creating the first minute repeater wristwatch, the first jumping second hand watch, the world’s thinnest wristwatch, and more.
Audemars Piguet’s complex, technologically advanced movements have been used by brands such as Bulgari and Tiffany & Co.
3. Vacheron Constantin
One of the oldest on our list, Vacheron Constantin first began operating almost 300 years ago back in 1755 in Geneva. Then, 24-year-old master watchmaker Jean-marc Vacheron. Now, Vacheron Constantin is currently owned and operated by the Richemont group. Vacheron Constantin timepieces combine the best in design, craftsmanship, complications and heritage.
4. Lange & Sohne
First established in the year 1845 in Germany by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, A. Lange & Sohne became well known for tis prestigious pocket watches, often worn by European royalty. After decades of success, the brand was expropriated by the East German communist government in 1948 and the Lange family was forced to leave the business. In 1990, 145 years to the day since the founding of A. Lange & Sohne, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Lange brought the brand back to life. Since its resurrection, the company has been acquired by the Richemont group and has achieved great success.
5. Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are best-known for their captivating complications and intricate, yet innovative movements. Since its inception in 1833, Jaeger-LeCoultre has supplied movements to some of the most prestigious timepiece brands, such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and even Vacheron Constantin.
6. Rolex
The youngest watchmaking company on our list and also the most well-renowned one as well, Rolex was established by 24-year-old Hans Wildorf in 1905. Since its inception Rolex has become a household name. Beyond their identity in modern culture as a status symbol, Rolex watches are prized for their craftsmanship and reliability. Some of the most iconic figures in history have been known to sport Rolex timepieces.
7. Breguet & Fils
Abraham-Louis Breguet, a budding watchmaker, founded his company in Paris back in the year 1775. Breguet aimed to combine beautiful designs with innovative technologies. Since then, Breguet has invented the first wristwatch, the first self-winding watch, the first pare-chute shock-absorption system, the first minute repeater’s gong spring, the first tourbillon, and more.
8. Girard-Perregaux
In Switzerland back in 1791, Girard-Perregaux first opened its doors, when Jean-Francois Bautte began creating luxury timepieces. In 1852, watchmaker Constant Girard founded Girard-Perregaux, and in 1905 he merged with Bautte’s workshop to create the Girard-Perregaux company well known today. Some of Girard-Perregaux’s most popular watches include the 1966 collection, the Hawk, the 1945, and the recently-reintroduced Laureato.
9. Blancpain
The oldest Swiss watchmaking company on our list. Blancpain was founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in Villeret, Switzerland. Blancpain is famous for its exclusivity. Today, only about 30 timepieces are made per day. Blancpain has never produced a single quartz watch and vows to never produce watches with digital displays. The company’s commitment to producing only the highest quality timepieces are what keeps its items so popular today.
10. Cartier
Cartier, widely recognized for its jewelry and wristwatches, was first founded in Paris in the year 1847. It is one of the first brands to make wristwatches fashionable. Today, Cartier is owned by the Richemont group and continues to make a name for itself in the luxury timepiece world. In the beginning of 2017, Cartier announced it would be bringing back their famed Panthere timepiece, adding to their already existing array of timepieces that are available.
About Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry
Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry has been providing quality products and professional services to the metropolitan Denver, CO area since 1951. The very first watch repair and service facility ever opened in Colorado. Dan Matheu, watchmaker, pioneered watch repair and services in Colorado. Today, Scott Matheu is at the helm steering Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry. With his vision, Scott opened a watch store in Highland Ranch and has made Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry not only one of the largest watch stores to provide watch repair in Castle Rock, CO but also the entire state.
Whether you need watch repair in Castle Rock, CO, watch engraving, or even if you have an antique watch that you would like appraised, you can count on Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry to provide you with superior service each and every single time. All of our watchmakers are factory trained and we have CW21 Certified by the American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) on site. This certification has the most stringent standards for watchmakers performing repair, restoration, and service work on watches. With one of the largest service centers in the metropolitan Denver, CO we are not only able to provide watch repair in Castle Rock, CO but to the entire 50 states as well.
Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry is also a factory authorized service center for Cartier, Tag Heuer, Philip Stein, Swiss Army and many more brands. When you use Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry for your watch repair in Castle Rock, CO, you can rest assured knowing that you will receive our (3) three-year warranty on major watch repairs that we provide. If you are looking for the best watch repair service center throughout the United States, you cannot go wrong when you choose Matheu’s Fine Watches & Jewelry. With certifications from not only AWCI but SAWTA too, we not only stand out from the pact; we lead it.”
