Telling time in an exquisite fashion is what these watches were made for. They tell a tale as old as time through their impressive craftsmanship that’s coupled with an aura of tradition and finished in impeccable designs.
Majority of the brands hail from the luxury watch capital of the world and the watches come engraved with the Geneva seal which was effected as a law to protect the reputation of these watches from counterfeits wanting to be affiliated with their excellence.
Many world class luxury watches originate from Switzerland with a majority of them having their glamorous traditions etched there.
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe holds a coveted status with illustrious traditional Genevan watchmaking artistry since 1839. Its heritage has positioned it to designing, developing, and crafting watches that connoisseurs worldwide consider as the finest.
The brand nurtures innovation which has made it to be crowned by over one hundred patents. The Patek Philippe’s caliber 89 which was made to celebrate its 150th anniversary is one the most complicated watch in the world, it has 33 complications, weighs 1.1 kg, exhibits 24 hands and has 1,728 components in total.
Vacheron Constantin
It’s the one of the world’s oldest watch manufacturer which has been in continuous operation since 1755. For over 260 years Vacheron Constantin has been dedicated in Haute Horlogerie which loosely translates to ‘the high-art of watchmaking’ to the uninitiated.
Its expertise are evidently reflected in its timepieces which are exceptionally refined and timeless. Its Métiers d’Art collection celebrates the decorative techniques applied in watchmaking and jewelry, with the watches finding their inspiration from art, history, and culture.
Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet embodies the very foundations of watchmaking, merging technical skills with excellence coupled with a finely-tuned sense of detail which is pushed to its very limits. Audemar’s artistic life is breathed into a timepiece to make it a truly exceptional and unique work of art.
Its avant garde approach to be artistry and engineering has won the hearts of luxury watch aficionados with models such as the Royal Oak, Royal Oak offshore, code 11.59, and the millenary.
Chopard
Founded in 1860 in Sonvilier, Switzerland by Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the eponymous watch brand is known for its meticulous craftsmanship and great attention to detail.
Its creativity and level of lateral integration has enabled it to run jewelry and watches simultaneously. Chopard has become one of the leading names in the fine watch and jewelry industry by meeting the aspirations of the contemporary ladies and gentlemen. Their L.U.C Métiers d’art watches are exquisite works of art.
Ulysse Nardin
After being an apprentice to the leading Swiss watchmakers back in 1846, young visionary Ulysse Nardin ventured out on his own to make precision marine chronometers. Ulysse was a man ahead of his time as in 1862 at the international exhibition in London he was awarded the prize medal for the complicated watches and pocket chronometers.
The prize was the highest distinction for watchmaking in the UK.
Hublot
Despite being founded in 1980 by young Carlo Crocco who comes from a family of watchmakers behind the Breil watches and jewelry brand. He ventured out to start his own business and named it Hublot which translates to porthole in French.
It has however been a smooth ride without any portholes for the Hublot brand which has risen to become one of the most prestigious names in the industry with award-winning collections.
Hublot was an instant hit amassing $2 million profit on the first as buyers were attracted to its modern style and innovative strap which took 3 years to develop. Fast forward, the Hublot brand has hundreds of models under its big brand and classic fusion collections.
Its best known for partnering with celebrities such as Jay Z, Usain Bolt, Diego Maradona, Floyd Mayweather, Pele, Kobe Bryant and recently Kylian Mbappe just to name a few.
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
Founded by Antoine LeCoultre in 1833 and is based in Le Sentier, Switzerland, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been known for its sophisticated and extraordinary luxury timepieces.
An exquisite illustration is the Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel which features a blue enamel guilloché dial boasting three of the most emblematic complications; a Gyrotourbillon, a minute repeater with a Westminster chime that reproduces four melodies on the wrist, and a perpetual calendar that adjusts itself in both directions.
Blancpain.
Blancpain is proud of its history dating back to 1735, making it the world’s oldest luxury watch brand.
Through constant innovation and complete control over the manufacturing process, Blancpain has been able to stand the test of time through the manual assembly of each refined watch at the same time being respectful of the Swiss watchmaking tradition.
This philosophy has reflected models such as the classic Villeret pieces, the emblematic Fifty Fathoms diving watches, the elegant Women models or the exceptional Métiers d’Art watches.
Wondering why Rolex isn’t on the list, it isn’t primitively Swiss however the list hasn’t been exhausted, part two coming soon.
