When technology began supplanting products and trends a little over a decade ago, some folks thought the best luxury watch brands would go out of style. Those folks thought wrong, very wrong. The price of luxury watches has skyrocketed in the last two years – and we’re not just talking about the latest and greatest Rolex here – we’re talking about the best timepieces from Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Luxury watches are as exciting now as ever before, pushing themselves with both quality and aesthetics.
Table of contents
- The Best Luxury Watch Brands
- 1. A. Lange & Söhne
- 2. Arnold & Son
- 3. Audemars Piguet
- 4. Baume et Mercier
- 5. Bell & Ross
- 6. Breguet
- 7. Breitling
- 8. Bremont
- 9. Cartier
- 10. Chopard
- 11. Corum
- 12. Frederique Constant
- 13. Girard Perregaux
- 14. Glashütte Original
- 15. Hublot
- 16. IWC Schaffhausen
- 17. Jaeger-LeCoultre
- 18. Maurice Lacroix
- 19. Montblanc
- 20. Omega
- 21. Panerai
- 22. Patek Philippe & Co.
- 23. Piaget
- 24. Richard Mille
- 25. Roger Dubuis
- 26. Rolex
- 27. TAG Heuer
- 28. Tudor
- 29. Ulysse Nardin
- 30. Vacheron Constantin
- 31. Zenith
- General FAQ
While you’re here, why not check out our lists of the best watch brands from all around the world?
- Best British Watch Brands
- Best Japanese Watch Brands
- Best Russian Watch Brands
- Best American Watch Brands
- Best Australian Watch Brands
- Best German Watch Brands
The Best Luxury Watch Brands
The best luxury watches continue to say far more about the person wearing them than any tech ever could. Each luxury wristwatch for men listed below is a personal representation of taste, identity, sportiness, class, and sophistication, sometimes all at once. That’s not to mention how the most expensive and most popular watches weave proverbial symphonies out of premium materials, glorious designs, and complex micro-mechanics. We’ve done the heavy lifting and listed them in alphabetical order to make life easier.
1. A. Lange & Söhne
A. Lange & Söhne has been cleaning the clocks on the competition since the mid-1800s. As such, its stellar timepieces remain the quintessence of technical achievement. Barring a few limited edition pieces, each A. Lange & Söhne watch runs on a large mechanical movement that’s developed and assembled in-house. The cases are frequently made of platinum or varying shades of gold while the faces retain a highly Teutonic aesthetic. Meanwhile, entries like the Lange 1 redefine the chronograph to absolutely brilliant effect. In the world of watchmaking, the Swiss might take the lion’s share of credit, but A. Lange & Söhne stands tall as a pillar of German craft and engineering with a price tag to show for it.
Related: To stay up to date on all A. Lange & Söhne news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1845, 1990 (re-launched)
Founder: Ferdinand Adolph Lange
Country: Germany
2. Arnold & Son
The “Arnold” in Arnold & Son is John Arnold, a legendary British watchmaker who’s credited with releasing the first official ‘chronometer’ (aka a timepiece of exceptional accuracy). The company itself has exchanged owners a few times since John’s day, however a remarkable standard of innovation and precision remains. Numerous releases include complicated features like double escapement and double tourbillon, which pair with immaculate designs to become some of the best luxury watches you can own. Check out the TB88 to have your mind blown at first sight.
Related: To stay up to date on all Arnold & Son news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1764
Founder: John Roger Arnold
Country: United Kingdom
3. Audemars Piguet
Precious few names are more synonymous with luxury watchmaking than Audemars Piguet. This luxurious Swiss watch manufacturer has origins going all the way back to the 1700s and has time and again created the stuff of horology legend. Among its achievements is the world’s first jumping second hand, the thinnest watch, and the skeleton watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks Watch is a must-have among those who can afford one.
Related: To stay up to date on all Audemars Piguet news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1875
Founder: Jules Louis Audemars, Edward Auguste Piguet
Country: Switzerland
4. Baume et Mercier
Not every top luxury watch has to cost as much as a small house. Consider Baume et Mercier. Backed by almost 200 years of expertise and a healthy amount of (male and female) celebrity endorsement, these watches combine the best of sport and style and traditionally sell for between $2000 and $5000. That makes them far more affordable than some alternative high-end watches, while visually no less stunning. This brand is an excellent choice for those seeking a prime and elegant mid-range luxury watch.
Related: To stay up to date on all Baume et Mercier news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1830
Founder: Louis-Victor and Célestin Baume
Country: Switzerland
5. Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross launched in 1992 and has been slaying it ever since. One reason for the ongoing success is that it’s mastered niche markets like the diver’s watch. In essence, Bell & Ross makes profoundly resilient timepieces that normally target a specific demographic or profession. That said, the watches can still be worn and appreciated by anyone of good taste.
Related: To stay up to date on all Bell & Ross news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1992
Founder: Bruno Belamich, Carlos A. Rosillo
Country: France
6. Breguet
Founded in 1775, Breguet is one of the world’s oldest and best watch brands for men. Among its slew of trailblazing technological achievements was the invention of the tourbillon and the production of the first wristwatch. Now owned by Swatch Group, Breguet continues to exude distinction and brilliance by way of coin-edge cases, architectural dials, and unmistakable blue hands.
Related: To stay up to date on all Breguet news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1775
Founder: Abraham-Louis Breguet
Country: France
7. Breitling
Breitling made a name for itself by crafting aviation and diver’s watches of exceptional quality. Each timepiece is made by way of the finest Swiss craftsmanship and features either a calibre B01 or calibre B04 movement. Other common features include a highly readable face and a strictly mechanical winding mechanism. The 2009 Breitling Chronomat was the company’s first watch to be created entirely in-house, and it remains a mid-range masterpiece to this day. CVC Capital Partners recently acquired Breitling for a whopping $870 million, so it’s safe to say this top watch brand has been doing something right.
Related: To stay up to date on all Breitling news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1884
Founder: Léon Breitling
Country: Switzerland
8. Bremont
Bremont is a relative newcomer that’s perfected the art of aviation horology among other things. Accordingly, the brand boasts a strong following among military types. In fact, many of Bremont’s special edition releases are available exclusively to those who served on the same aircraft or warship that the watch is commemorating.
Related: To stay up to date on all Bremont news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 2002
Founder: Nick English, Giles English
Country: United Kingdom
9. Cartier
Known for prestigious jewellery and watches alike, Cartier and royalty practically go hand in hand. That’s both a reference to the distinguished designs and also the fact that the company’s output is quite literally favourited by kings, queens, princes and princesses. In fact, Cartier was once dubbed “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers” by the King Edward VII of England himself. This isn’t just one of the best watch brands – this is luxury, period.
Related: To stay up to date on all Cartier news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1847
Founder: Louis-François Cartier
Country: France
10. Chopard
As an official partner of both the Cannes Film Festival and the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, Swiss watchmaker Chopard covers a lot of distinguished ground. Some of its watches and jewels represent the top shelf of glitz and glamour, while others pair refinement and functionality with superb precision. Adding some ethical awareness to the brand’s legendary success is a commitment to using sustainable gold when possible.
Related: To stay up to date on all Chopard news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1860
Founder: Louis-Ulysse Chopard
Country: Switzerland
11. Corum
Also known as Montres Corum Sàrl, luxury watch company Corum has absolutely conquered the art of bold design and trusty mechanics. Its Admiral’s Cup and Bubble watch series along with other limited edition timepieces are basically what the competition aspires to. Most of Corum’s prices are in the mid-range, but every now and then it’ll release a timepiece for top dollar collectors only. The Swiss watch brand’s currently owned by a Chinese company, but the watches themselves remain striking examples of the best luxury watches in fearless Swiss engineering.
Founded: 1955
Founder: Gaston Ries, René Bannwart
Country: Switzerland
12. Frederique Constant
In a relatively short time, luxury watch company Frederique Constant has jumped to the head of the luxury pack. That meteoric success comes by way of manageable prices, painstaking attention to detail, undeniable appeal and tireless innovation. Among the Swiss watch brand’s many accomplishments are the productions of its own award-winning Heart Beat movement and silicon escapement wheel. To keep those creative juices flowing, Frederique Constant recently forayed into luxury smartwatch territory. The results are brilliant in every sense of the word.
Related: To stay up to date on all Frederique Constant news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1988
Founder: Aletta Stas, Peter Stas
Country: Switzerland
13. Girard Perregaux
With about 80 patents and over 200 years of business under its belt, luxury watchmaker Girard Perregaux remains a titan and pioneer before which others kneel in respect. The brand’s history is littered with so many achievements that it practically reads like the history of Swiss watchmaking itself. Naturally, its products are top of the line and frequently used as benchmarks of superior craft and design. Young, ambitious companies could definitely learn a thing or two from this old school giant.
Related: To stay up to date on all Girard Perregaux news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1791, 1852 (Girard & Cie)
Founder: Jean-François Bautte, Constant Girard
Country: Switzerland
14. Glashütte Original
Hailing from a prestigious watchmaking town of the same name, German watch brand Glashütte Original effectively combines timeless technique with cutting edge innovation. The company stakes a claim on up to 10 proprietary movements, and inside each watch is a calibre that takes up to 300 hours to produce.
Related: To stay up to date on all Glashütte Original news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1845
Founder: Ferdinand Adolph Lange
Country: Germany
15. Hublot
Hublot is one of the top watch brands for men, it has come such a great distance in so little time you’d be forgiven in assuming the name has been around for centuries. Following the release of its Big Bang Red Gold watch and subsequent ubiquity among world-class athletes, Hublot rose in the ranks to become one of the best luxury watch brands for men. Its award-winning collections are symphonies of resilience, masculinity and prestige.
Related: To stay up to date on all Hublot news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1980
Founder: Carlo Crocco
Country: Switzerland
16. IWC Schaffhausen
Founded in 1868 by an American watchmaker in Switzerland, IWC (aka International Watch Company) has yielded a strong following and heaps of acclaim over the years. To this day it operates under the motto of “good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen” and remains the only major Swiss factory in eastern Switzerland, lending an extra air of distinction. Quality and technical prowess are IWC mainstays and its titanium dive watches and pilot’s watches are the stuff of legend. This is the epitome of classic horology.
Related: To stay up to date on all IWC news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1868
Founder: Florentine Ariosto Jones
Country: Switzerland
17. Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre is almost like the MIT of watchmaking given how many movement innovations have come out of its labs. Since its beginnings in 1833, the Vallee de Joux-based luxury watch label has produced no less than a thousand movements. Among them are the world’s smallest calibre and the world’s flattest movement. The brand’s Reverso Tourbillon–which touts an iconic flip-over rectangle case–consistently retains its status as a pure statement of elegance and power.
Related: To stay up to date on all Jaeger-LeCoultre news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1833
Founder: Antoine LeCoultre
Country: Switzerland
18. Maurice Lacroix
Maurice Lacroix landed in 1975 but reached the luxury watch stratosphere in the 90s. That’s when it released the Les Mécaniques line, now known as the Masterpiece Collection. That palpable leverage would eventually allow the Swiss watch brand to develop its own manufacturing unit. It’s that sense of balance between traditional Swiss craftsmanship and prime in-house manufacturing that maintains the unmistakable appeal. Some of the brand’s limited edition units are highly sought after by the industry’s foremost collectors.
Related: To stay up to date on all Maurice Lacroix news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1975
Country: Switzerland
19. Montblanc
Sure, you might picture the world’s fanciest writing utensils when you hear the name Montblanc, but the luxury brand is no slouch in the horology department. Furthermore, it turned heads in 2015 when introducing the e-strap, i.e. a mini electronic display that links to the wristband of your otherwise traditional timepiece. When it comes to the actual watches, just look for the white snowflake and you’ll find yourself in good hands.
Related: To stay up to date on all Montblanc news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1997 (watches)
Country: Germany
20. Omega
You might know Omega watches from the James Bond films, or maybe the Olympics, or maybe because your scuba diving friend won’t shut up about them. Whatever the source, you most definitely know this luxury brand. Such prominence didn’t come by chance. The luxury watchmaker produces beautiful and durable stunners that simply emanate with the three ps: precision, power and passion. Omega has sporty luxury down to an absolute science.
Related: To stay up to date on all Omega news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1848
Founder: Louis Brandt
Country: Switzerland
21. Panerai
Headquartered in Florence, Panerai pairs refined Italian taste with prime Swiss manufacturing and then throws in some truly intelligent features. The brand’s diver’s watches come equipped with Radiomir, which glows underwater or in the dark to allow for maximum legibility. Currently owned by Richemont, Panerai continues to represent the apex of mid to high range horology. Driving home themes of sleek and sporty luxury is an ongoing partnership with Ferrari.
Related: To stay up to date on all Panerai news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1860 (Italy)
Founder: Giovanni Panerai
Country: Switzerland
22. Patek Philippe & Co.
Say ask the question “what are the best luxury watch brands?” to three people and at least one of them will reflexively issue the response: “Patek Philippe.” That’s because this expensive watch brand is at the tippy top of luxury watchmaking and with good reason. These guys are absolute geniuses. At this very moment, there’s a team of competing brands trying to reverse engineer Patek Philippe’s complicated mechanics (good luck). Those mechanics are almost two centuries in the making and backed by the utmost level of sophistication, expertise, opulence and innovation. Naturally, many of these models fetch the prettiest of pennies.
Related: To stay up to date on all Patek Philippe news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1839 (Patek, Czapek & Cie.), 1845 (Patek & Cie.), 1851 (Patek, Philippe & Cie.)
Founder: Antoni Patek, Franciszek Czapek, Adrien Philippe
Country: Switzerland
23. Piaget
There’s only one reason you know how to pronounce the word “Piaget” and that’s because of this luxurious and expensive watch brand. It started as a manufacturer of movements in 1874 and later moved on to dropping its own collections. As one might expect, the background in manufacturing gave the brand a solid leg up, which it’s maintained ever since. Both its watches and jewellery commonly feature ultra-thin designs and go for supremely high prices.
Related: To stay up to date on all Piaget news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1874
Founder: Georges Edouard Piaget
Country: Switzerland
24. Richard Mille
It takes some serious chops to enter the game in 1999 and dominate, yet that’s exactly what luxury watch brand Richard Mille did. Of course, one look at those stunning and unconventional designs and you’ll know why. Famous models include the Tourbillon RM 008, which hosts so many advanced features that enthusiasts are still wrapping their heads around it. This is esteemed craftsmanship at its boldest, and also one of the most expensive watch brands ever.
Related: To stay up to date on all Richard Mille news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 2001
Founder: Richard Mille, Dominique Guenat
Country: Switzerland
25. Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis was a genius watchmaker who found his hook in 1995 by combining avant-garde design with complex Swiss mechanics. The world of Haute Horlogerie was never quite the same thereafter. Signature collections like Hommage don’t just bridge the past and future, they shatter the present in the process.
Related: To stay up to date on all Roger Dubuis news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1995
Founder: Roger Dubuis, Carlos Dias
Country: Switzerland
26. Rolex
Rolex is essentially the luxury watch brand, so much so that for a long time you might have thought it was the only luxury watch brand. One could even argue that Rolex keeps luxury watches in style through the power of name recognition alone. Throw in the slew of knock-offs and casual references and this popular brand transcends its own status to encapsulate the entire luxury arena. The fact that it makes exceptional timepieces practically feels like an afterthought. That said, Rolex makes exceptional timepieces!
Related: To stay up to date on all Rolex news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1905 (Wilsdorf and Davis in London, United Kingdom), 1915 (Rolex Watch Co. Ltd), 1920 (Montres Rolex S.A.)
Founder: Hans Wilsdorf, Alfred Davis
Country: Switzerland
27. TAG Heuer
The TAG in TAG Heuer stands for “Techniques d’Avant Garde,” which might be more applicable to when the Swiss brand first started in 1860. Nowadays, TAG Heuer watches aren’t so much avant-garde as they are reliably innovative. Ultimately, TAG Heuer excels at crafting approachable, functional, wildly popular luxury watches that you fall in love with and basically never take off your wrist. Their perennial association with sporting events has only expanded desirability as opposed to diminishing it. This is a brand that basically everyone agrees on and without a doubt one of the best luxury watch brands on the planet.
Related: To stay up to date on all TAG Heuer news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1860
Founder: Edouard Heuer
Country: Switzerland
28. Tudor
For those who can’t yet afford a Rolex, consider a mid-range offering from its subsidiary brand Tudor. And while these watches might spare you some cash, they definitely don’t short you on elegant aesthetics or intelligent designs. Furthermore, that lack of stuffy expectation gives the brand a little more room to breathe. Put simply, Tudor covers a ton of ground and delivers a timepiece for virtually any style or occasion.
Related: To stay up to date on all Tudor news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1926
Founder: Hans Wilsdorf
Country: Switzerland
29. Ulysse Nardin
An initial specialisation in marine chronometers has given luxury watch brand Ulysse Nardin a backbone upon which to build its legacy of top-shelf performance. In the 1800s it was supplying watches to over fifty navies around the globe and now it’s doing the same for wealthy collectors and tastemakers. Ulysse Nardin’s mechanics are beyond reproach, which helps explain the heaping amount of awards and patents in its possession. Meanwhile, a nautical theme persists to brilliant effect. Scope the new Marine Tourbillon to get a taste of the brand’s high standards, or something like the Jade “Lionfish” for some outside-the-box aesthetics.
Related: To stay up to date on all Ulysse Nardin news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1846
Founder: Ulysse Nardin
Country: Switzerland
30. Vacheron Constantin
Founded in 1755, Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin is a true OG that somehow hasn’t lost one iota of brilliance after all this time. When not setting or raising the bar, this brand was duly sustaining it, and its timepieces have graced the wrists of everyone from Napoleon to Harry Truman. Now owned by the Richemont group, Vacheron Constantin continues to soar past the competition on an annual basis. The 2012 Métiers d’Art ‘Les Univers Infinis’ collection and its interlocking shapes was a pure stroke of design genius. However that just an appetiser. In 2015 (the brand’s 260th anniversary), Vacheron Constantin released the Reference 57260, a 57-complication watch that took eight years and three watchmakers to create. Dubbed the world’s most complicated mechanical watch, Reference 57260 sold for somewhere between 8 million and 20 million dollars, making it one of the most expensive watch brands on the planet. It doesn’t get much more luxurious than that.
Related: To stay up to date on all Vacheron Constantin news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1755
Founder: Jean-Marc Vacheron
Country: Switzerland
31. Zenith
Swiss watchmaker Zenith was founded in 1865, but it was one hundred years later that the brand really took off. That was when it released El Primero, an automatic chronograph of remarkable precision, which some still point to as a gold standard. Now owned by LVMH, Zenith still manufacturers its movements in-house, and updates its groundbreaking El Primero chronograph when necessary. Zenith is one of the finest, expensive watch brands on the market.
Related: To stay up to date on all Zenith news, click here for more articles.
Founded: 1865
Founder: Georges Favre-Jacot
Country: Switzerland
General FAQ
A. Lange & Söhne, and Patek Philippe & Co. are some of the best luxury watch brands.
Baume et Mercier are one of the more affordable luxury watch brands.
While many are now using their phones to tell the time, watches remain a staple in fashion and technology, as shown by the popularity of smart watches.