There are plenty of expensive watch brands around the world. In top 10 rankings, the order changes depending on the comparison criterion. However, the top ranks are often occupied by the same manufacturers with many similarities: They love visionary ideas as much as traditional watchmaking craftsmanship and are mostly based in Switzerland.

Rolex – popular status symbol

When it comes to prestigious luxury, Rolex is intuitively accorded the top position in the list of watch brands. This is true even for people who neither know nor can identify with exclusive timepieces. This unparalleled popularity is based on the mix of tasteful aesthetics and practical added value to which the Geneva-based luxury brand has been committed since its entry in the commercial register in 1913.

Sometimes it took a Rolex newcomer to win hearts – for example, the stainless steel Daytona chronograph. It aroused little enthusiasm when it debuted in 1963 and was sold rather cheaply. Nowadays, it is among the models of the top 10 watch brands that are enormously popular. This was helped by an original by Paul Newman, which they auctioned off for around 16 million euros in 2017.

Avant-garde bestsellers from Le Brassus – Audemars Piguet

Soon after its foundation in 1875, Audemars Piguet was among the best watch brands, appreciated for masterpieces with precious decorations made of precious metals and stones. But the breakthrough came with the opposite: in 1972, the Royal Oak was among the first luxury watches with a decidedly sporty design: as revolutionary as the stainless steel manufacturing was the octagonal bezel with the same number of screws saucily seeking the limelight.

When it comes to expensive watch brands, Audemars Piguet is represented in the top 10 because the casual Royal Oak made design history. The company founded by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward August Piguet is one of those watch labels whose luxury character is not obvious to many laymen. It is precisely this underlying exclusivity that appeals to many watch lovers.

Omega – the heavenly star among the top 10 watch labels

When adventurous people are asked to name expensive watch brands for the top 10 ranking, Omega lands far in front. Since the registration of the brand name in 1894, the timepieces have been appreciated for their technical sophistication. Early on, the manufacturer impressed with records related to precision. These advances gave the Masterpieces starring roles in expeditions that do not forgive any inaccuracies or material weaknesses.

For the Speedmaster Professional alone, selected by NASA for the first lunar expeditions, Omega has earned a regular place among the top 10 watch brands. Although other brand collections are just as noteworthy, the Moonwatch’s fan base is particularly large.

First choice of the French Emperor – Breguet

Napoleon Bonaparte treated himself to three pocket watches from the repertoire of the Breguet manufacture. Other expensive watch brands in the top 10 charts are green with envy at this vita. More significant than the celebrity clientele for watch lovers are the groundbreaking ideas with which Abraham Louis Breguet paved the way to the first functional wristwatch between 1780 and 1810.

Breguet hairspring, pare-chute shock protection or filigree hand with a circle at the tip: the inventions of the talented watchmaker still characterize handmade masterpieces from Breguet and other luxury brands. The sympathetic philosophy of the watch manufacture: it wants to preserve the time and be ahead of it – for example, with the Tradition collection, which invites the study of the movement on both sides.

Zenith – Top 10 timepieces with pioneering movements

If the focus is on the incessant pursuit of innovation, Zenith has to be counted among the top 10 watch brands. Ultra-flat, high-frequency, or accurate to a hundredth of a second: the timepieces from Le Locle contain movements that amaze experts.

Zenith achieved an international breakthrough in 1969 with a world first: the first automatic chronograph movement. In the meantime, high-frequency movements are a matter of course at the Swiss chronograph professional, which generally ranks among the best watch labels.

Top 10 jewelry watch design company – Chopard

Expensive watch brands in the top 10 league with jewelry aesthetics to fall in love with: If that’s what you’re looking for, Chopard is the place to go. Founded in 1860, the brand offers high-quality men’s watches, but is on top form when it comes to creating enchanting women’s watches.

The Happy Diamonds collection lives up to its name: from discreet to expressive, sparkling diamonds characterize the playfully designed timepieces. Chopard is one of the watch brands that interpret luxury in a passionate and diverse way. Necklaces or rings to match the cocktail watch? The noble brand fulfills such wishes with its multifaceted jewelry assortment.

Blancpain – underestimated top ten pioneer

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the manufacture should actually be one of the universally known top 10 watch brands. First self-winding wristwatch (1926), diving watch pioneer Fifty Fathoms (1953) or the smallest automatic movement for ladies’ dress watches Ladybird (1956): Often, the ambitious manufacturer passed the finish line at the same time or just ahead of its competitors in terms of groundbreaking innovations. Thus, when it comes to major watch labels, Blancpain cannot be missing from the list. This was the view not only of oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, but also of Marilyn Monroe.

Horological extravaganza from Lake Geneva – Hublot

If you prefer fancy accessories and expensive watch brands, a top 10 rank is reserved for Hublot. Since its debut in 1980, the bold mix of materials has characterized the brand’s signature design, as has the watch shape, which resembles a porthole. In 2005, the manufacturer debuted the Big Bang chronograph, whose look pops – literally. That goes for the material contrast richness and the extroverted decor, which sometimes seems a touch over the top. Does your heart beat for purist timepieces? Then Hublot is probably not one of your personal top watch brands.

Breitling – high-flyer from the Bernese Jura

Léon Breitling was interested in measuring instruments that performed professional tasks in scientific, sporting and industrial scenarios. His manufacture, founded in 1884, served up swift advances in watchmaking technology that impressed a major pilots’ association. It recommended the Navitimer as a pilot’s watch. On land, underwater, or in the air, Breitling is among the top 10 watch brands valued for brilliant engineering and sophisticated functionality.

Patek Philippe – masterfully complicated or simply beautiful

Patek Philippe’s passion for complicated timepieces ensures that it regularly takes first place in top watch brand rankings. Handcrafted decorations, refined reversible cases and 20 complications, some of which can be enjoyed acoustically: One look at the watchmaking sensation, auctioned in 2019 for more than 30 million Swiss francs, is enough to understand its reputation. In the meantime, the Grandmaster Chime ennobles the brand assortment in a strictly limited edition.

As desirable as the complicated watches are uncomplicated evergreens – for example, the ultra-flat Ellipse. The elegant evening watches only display hours and minutes, because more information seems superfluous in the evening savoir-vivre. Since its founding in 1839, the manufacture has created fewer watches than other luxury brands market each year. That’s why Patek Philippe is irresistibly beautiful, but hard to come by.

Der Beitrag Top 10 watch brands erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Ever since the construction of precise marine chronometers for determining longitude was first achieved in the 18th century, seafaring has been inextricably linked with advanced timekeeping. From Breguet to MÜHLE Glashütte, many watch brands look back on a rich history in shipping and let the heritage live on into their collections today. Let’s set sail and explore some of the most spectacular marine watches in 2022 – without spinning yarns, promise!

What features must a marine watch have?

First designed for mass use in 1759 by John Harrison, mechanical marine chronometers had to meet the highest precision standards of their time and were of elementary importance for navigation on the high seas. Today’s marine watches for the wrist are not systematically different from other timepieces, but rather distance themselves from other types of watches through their history. Breguet, for example, can base its marine collection on the proud function of the company’s founder as French Minister of the Navy, while Mühle Glashütte maintains its own department for the production of nautical instruments – nautics is even mentioned in the manufacturer’s logo. The extent to which the technology of the timepiece is optimized for ocean use, in addition to its appearance and marketing, depends on the manufacturer. Sinn, for example, builds marine watches for the special maritime units of the GSG 9, which requires extensive adaptation for use on the high seas.

MÜHLE Glashütte Seebataillon GMT

Designed as an operational watch for the German Navy’s maritime battalion, this marine watch (Ref. M1-28-62-KB) brings not only 300-meter water resistance but also a second time zone to the hanging wrist of soldiers frequently deployed abroad. In the dial, double indices and a split triangle marking day and night ensure outstanding legibility, which is further enhanced by the hefty case diameter of 45 millimeters. Nevertheless, to ensure good ergonomics, the body is made of lightweight titanium and features an offset crown at four o’clock to prevent pressing into the back of the hand. Despite all its professionalism, the MÜHLE Glashütte Seebataillon GMT does not let itself be deprived of emotional details: A visible case back, for example, which allows unobstructed views into the automatic SW 330-1 (Mühle version). No question: this marine watch has earned its title.

Sinn UX S GSG 9

The 44-millimeter Sinn UX S GSG 9 (Ref. 403.062) also strives for maximum professionalism, which begins with the special case hardening (TEGIMENT technology) with subsequent PVD coating and continues inside, where HYDRO technology ensures absolutely mirror-free reading of the marine watches by means of an oil filling. The case’s water-resistance makes for open mouths: made of German submarine steel, it can withstand a whopping 12,000 meters of depth (1,200 bar of pressure), putting it in the shade of the entire diving watch market. Still, things are likely to get uncomfortable at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, because the special quartz movement of the marine watch can “only” handle a water depth of 5,000 meters. Still an unrivaled value, which makes the Sinn UX the official service watch of the maritime GSG-9 special forces. Extensive testing procedures in accordance with European diving equipment standards ensure that every UX keeps its promises during missions that can mean the difference between life and death.

Breguet Marine Automatic

Pure luxury brings the Breguet Marine Automatic (Ref. 5517BB/Y2/5ZU) to the wrist: crafted in 18-karat white gold, the 40-millimeter instrument catches the eye with the beautiful blue hue of its dial, the center of which is crowned by an elaborate wave pattern. Somewhat surprising for a handmade piece of royalty is the sporty rubber strap, but it suits the Marine excellently and is rounded off by a folding clasp in the prestigious case material. Whether we would really use the luxurious, clearly five-digit priced work of art in tough marine use, we dare to doubt. We’d rather admire the automatic manufacture movement 777A, let the bold Roman numerals take their effect on us, and relax in the certainty that the marine can withstand 100-meter water depths – but we’d rather not test it out.

MIDO Ocean Star Chronograph

The MIDO Ocean Star Chronograph (Ref. M026.627.37.051.00), with its 44-millimeter diameter and black-coated stainless steel case, can be taken to its limits with less pain. A particular highlight is the nautical tachymeter scale for calculating speed in nautical miles, but the Ocean Star’s history also speaks for itself: first introduced in 1944, it was one of the world’s first water-resistant watches, with its stainless steel monocoque case and specially developed cork gasket. The model shown here can dive down to 200 meters and, with its automatic chronograph, has a function that not every marine watch can boast. Our opinion: An outstanding overall package at a fair price.

Fortis Marinemaster

Inspired by cool mountain water, the new Serenity Blue hue in the Fortis Marinemaster (Ref. F8120004) is intended to bring peace of mind and relaxation to the wearer. Given the special sustainability, no problem: the 40-millimeter case of the marine watches is made of recycled steel, withstands 200 meters of water resistance and has been equipped with a technical innovation. The so-called Gear Bezel is a bezel made of black stainless steel that is optimized for maximum grip. The time indicator is just as unlikely to get lost from your eyes as it is from your hand, because the high-end luminous material Superluminova X1 ensures a particularly bright glow in the dark. Our tip: If you order the Marinemaster on the “Horizon Strap,” a chic rubber strap, a perfect color match between the dial and bracelet is guaranteed.

U-Boat Classico 45 Bronzo A BR

Marine watches through and through are the extravagant creations of U-Boat – after all, the entire history of the manufacturer is built on construction plans developed by the grandfather of today’s owner and design fanatic Italo Fontana for the Italian naval fleet during World War II. The U-Boat Classico 45 Bronzo A BR (Ref. 8103) is one of the most striking creations in today’s product portfolio – not because of its 45 millimeter diameter, but because of its bronze case with left-hand crown and safety bar. In typical U-Boat fashion, the dial features huge numerals at 4, 8 and 12 o’clock.

U-Boat Classico 38 Pink Mother of Pearl

The same layout also characterizes the dial of the U-Boat Classico 38 Pink Mother of Pearl (Ref. 8480), which combines the concept of a marine watch from the pink mother-of-pearl dial to diamond-set numerals with feminine accents. The left-sided crown with safety latch is something the ladies’ watch inherits from its big brothers, but not the dimensions – 38 millimeters is a well-proportioned measurement. From a functional point of view, 50 meters of water resistance do not make the Classico a high-performance marine watch, but who cares? Ladies with a penchant for exotic and self-confident wrist accents should definitely get to know this piece of jewelry.

Der Beitrag Modern naval watches erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.