Swiss watch brands- These are always expensive models that are of high quality, elegance and style. They, as a rule, testify to the status of a person, indicate his high position in society. Those who can afford to buy such a watch can safely be called lucky. Therefore, in this article we will tell you about the most famous brands of Swiss watches, and also talk about their rating. By the way, if you were thinking about buying such watches, you can pay attention to their copies. We have a separate article on this subject here. And we'll talk about the original watch. We continue ...
What is special about watches from Switzerland?
This is one of those rare cases where the price matches the quality. Thus, Swiss watch brands have long been famous for their original design, which is based on a combination of ancient traditions and modern style, high quality of skillfully selected materials and a guarantee of durability.
Based on the features of Swiss watches, we highlight their main advantages:
No problems with showing inaccurate time;
Extremely rare need for repair, mostly due to careless handling;
Application modern technologies in production;
Individual style, prestige and elegance;
High quality natural materials.
famous swiss watch brands
We rightfully give the place of one of the most expensive and prestigious brands to Vacheron Conctantin. Some products of this brand cannot be purchased in the store. So, the most expensive models are made to order. During production, all the wishes of the client are taken into account.
By the way, this is one of those companies that does not produce cheap models. If, for example, you like any Vacheron Conctantin watch, be prepared to pay a considerable amount for it (from 9 thousand dollars). All models of this oldest brand also have a distinctive feature - a cross on the end face of the crown and dial.
Burett models can rightly be called elegant and sporty. The materials produced by the brand are waterproof and have a high level of durability. The sporty style of Burett watches is exemplified by strong bracelets, durable dials and robust watch movements. At the same time, all models are equipped with elements that belong to the Luxury class. Models embody the universal trend direction - Sport de Luxe. All Burett watches have a three-year international guarantee and manufactured in Switzerland.
Speaking of Swiss premium watches, it is impossible not to pay attention to the Breguet brand. Throughout its history, the company has not only improved, but also created many technologies that are currently actively used in the manufacture of watches. Models of this brand are characterized by a high level of quality and a variety of style solutions.
Among the most expensive and luxurious watches we give Patek Philippe Minute Repeater. They are not cheap. In addition, to become the owner of such a watch, you need to wait about two years. The fact is that only a gold chronometer and a dial studded with diamonds are made for several months. This is meticulous manual labor.
Of course, don't forget the Zenith brand. It is the first watch to break the sound barrier at the edge of outer space as part of the Stratos project. The list of popular brands should also include Ulusse Nardin, Franck Muller, Rolex, Philippe Charriol and others.
watch brand rating
Quality watches are produced by many companies. Among them are those that occupy the leading places in the list. And there are those who are a little inferior to their positions.
Anyway, compose swiss watch rating very hard. First of all, it is envy from the territorial distribution of models. So, for example, in the USA they often buy the well-known Rolex, while in Italy they value Vacheron Constantin. Usually watches of the same technical level from different manufacturers are compared. We are ready to offer you an approximate scale of popularity of famous Swiss, German and other brands.
| Super Premium | Suite | 1st class | 2nd class | Fashion Premium | Fashion |
| A.LANGE & SOHNE Girard-Perregaux JAEGER-LE COULTRE VACHERON |
ARNOLD & SON Carl F. Bucherer Glashutte Original Officine Panerai |
Armand Nicole Frederique Constant |
Aerowatch swiss military hanova |
Chanel | AnneKlein |
- Category Super premium class (the cost of watches in this group starts from 120 thousand dollars per model).
- Watches of the Luxury group are less expensive, but they can hardly be called cheap (some brands start at $50,000).
- The cost of first class watches is ~ 1.7 thousand dollars.
- The cost of second-class models is ~ 15 thousand rubles.
Is an expensive Swiss watch worth it?
For many of us, a watch is not only a device that shows the time, but also a status accessory. Firstly, the watch itself, namely: the brand, case material, and most importantly the price - demonstrate your taste, status and financial condition. Secondly, beautiful men's watches give men solidity, and women's watches give elegance to women. Agree, if you have a Maurice Lacroix watch on your hand, then the first impression of you will be built by the person itself and quite good. In this article, we will try to give you helpful tips about how to choose a watch.
Next, we will consider the following questions:
How to choose the right watch
In order to choose the right watch, you need to focus not only on the watch company, but also on their price. Yes, no doubt, an expensive watch cannot be a wrong choice, but, nevertheless, the watch has a lot of technical features that you need to pay attention to when choosing a model so that it not only emphasizes the status, but also suits you according to its main characteristics. .So, let's go directly to the watch parameters that you need to consider when buying.
Mechanism
The first thing you need to start your choice with is the type of watch mechanism. Watches are mechanical and quartz. Let's look at their features in more detail.
Mechanical watches
A mechanical watch is a watch that has a very complex movement mechanism, which was invented many centuries ago, but is still in great demand. The design of a mechanical watch consists of springs and wheel gears, which, when interacting with each other, produce the movement of the watch. The service life of high-quality mechanical watches is about 20 years. Mechanical watches work without a power source, which is very convenient - you only need to wind them up every 3-4 days. However, they do have their drawbacks.
Probably, the most important disadvantage of mechanical watches is their rate error, which is from 10 seconds per day. The accuracy of the movement is affected not only by the serviceability of the mechanism, but also by the position of the watch and the ambient temperature. Mechanical watches require more complex repairs, which can affect the price.
Quartz watch
Quartz watches are based on a quartz oscillator, due to which electrical vibrations are created, which ensure the movement of the watch. Such a mechanism provides a more accurate clock, the error of which is no more than 20 seconds per month. Quartz watches do not need to be wound periodically, which will be very convenient for many. Thanks to this design, quartz watches can include other additional features, which we will discuss below.
Time display
To date, there are 3 ways to display time: pointer, electronic and combined.
Strelochny
Arrow way of displaying time - when time is displayed using arrows. Depending on the model, the arrow can be either two - hour and minute, or three - hour, minute and second. The second hand can be placed both on the main dial and on a separate one. The pointer way of displaying time is the only way to display time on a mechanical watch, and as one of the display options on quartz ones.
Electronic
Electronic way of displaying time - when time is displayed using numbers. For some, this way of displaying time is more convenient. This method of displaying time is used only in quartz watches. Thanks to this, in addition to displaying the time, informers of other watch functions can be placed on the dial.
Combined
As you may have guessed from the name, the combined time display uses both arrow and digital time display methods. This time display is used exclusively in quartz watches.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the existence new system time display "Twelv", which displays each hour in a separate color, and minutes - a kind of space filling, something similar to the moon. But there are very few models of such watches and they have not gained such wide popularity, maybe because they were recently created, or maybe because of their unusualness or inconvenience.
Digit type
If you prefer the arrow display of time on the clock, then determine for yourself what type of numbers on the dial you would like. The numbers on the dial can be either Roman or Arabic. Each of the options has its own advantages, which we will talk about when giving advice on choosing a watch.
Also, it is necessary to determine the number of digits on the dial. The dial can be: 12 hours, 4 hours and 24 hours. Most often you can find watch models with a 12-hour time format, this type is called classic. That is, the display shows numbers from 1 to 12, which is actually very convenient and familiar. In order to unload the watch display, the creators sometimes place 4 digits on the dial: 12, 3, 6 and 9. Such watches are convenient for their minimalism, but as they say, for an amateur. In addition, very rarely, but you can also find watch models with 24 digits on the dial, but not everyone will be comfortable with such an arrangement of numbers. It is also worth mentioning those watches, the dial of which does not have numbers at all, but consists of 12 divisions - for lovers of minimalism.
Time Format
The time format is how the time is displayed on the digital display. There are three time display formats: 12-hour, 24-hour and combined.
With a 12-hour time format, the day is divided into 2 intervals of 12 hours: before noon and after noon, denoted by "AM" and "PM", respectively. This is very convenient, since we are used to perceiving time according to such a system, for example: “three in the morning” or “two in the afternoon”.
The 24-hour format displays the time of day in normal mode, starting at 0000 hours and ending at 23 hours 59 minutes. This format is most common in European countries.
The most convenient are watches with a combined time format, when the user can independently choose in which format the clock displays the time.
Second hand
As a rule, the vast majority of wristwatches have a second hand on the main dial. But there are also watch models in which this hand can be transferred to a separate dial, or even absent altogether. The presence of a second hand in the watch is determined based on its need.
Energy source
Clock power sources may vary.
As mentioned above, in a mechanical watch, the source of energy is a spring mechanism, which, due to its pressure, drives the entire watch mechanism. When the winding of the spring weakens, the watch stops and must be wound again, or to prevent this from happening, rewind. One plant is usually enough for 48 hours. In addition, there are models of mechanical watches with automatic winding. Thanks to the self-winding feature, the watch will automatically wind up without you having to worry about it. Automatic winding occurs through vibrations when a person moves, so if your activity exceeds 8 hours a day, then automatic winding will be effective for you.
The power source in a quartz watch is a battery, its charge lasts for several years. This option is convenient for those who forget to wind their mechanical watch or who need additional functions in the watch.
Another source of power for the watch is a solar battery. That is, the rays of the sun falling on the watch pass through the translucent dial and fall on the photocell, which converts them into energy and accumulates, which actually feeds the watch mechanism. But such a source of energy is very inefficient, since it is necessary that the sun's rays periodically fall on the clock, and this is difficult if you work in a room where there is no sunlight and in winter, when solar activity is very low.
Clock shape
Hours come in the following forms:
- Barrel-shaped;
- Square;
- round;
- oval;
- Rectangular;
- Rhombic;
- Non-standard form.
Watch type
There are four types of watches:
- Baby;
- Women's;
- Men's;
- Unisex.
Housing material
There are a lot of materials from which the cases are made. It makes no sense to list them all, so we will list only those that, in our opinion, are the best and are very popular.
Gold
Of course, the very first thing to note is the watch cases made of gold. The gold case is one of the most prestigious and beautiful. Despite the softness of this metal and the very high price, it is still one of the best.
Platinum
The most expensive metal for a watch case is platinum. Compared to gold, platinum is a harder metal, but also heavy. As a rule, platinum watch cases are made to order.
Palladium
Palladium is also often used as a material for watch cases. Surely you know about this metal, it is often called "white gold". Palladium looks similar to platinum, but is lighter. The metal itself is very good, as it does not oxidize and there are no signs of corrosion on it, and most importantly, its surface lends itself perfectly to polishing.
Titanium
Titanium is a good material for a watch case: it is quite light, very durable, and also quite beautiful in appearance. Such watches, as a rule, have a fairly reasonable price compared to previous materials.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel watch cases are quite common. The body of this metal is very strong and durable. The disadvantage is that scratches form on the surface of the case, which can later be removed by polishing. Ideal value for money.
Plastic
The most budget watch case material is plastic. Its only advantages are practicality and cheapness.
Bracelet or strap
Wristwatches are fixed on the hand with a strap or bracelet.
Straps are: leather, textile, plastic and silicone. As for leather straps, they are more comfortable due to their softness and look very nice on the hand. Textile straps are an alternative to leather straps, they are cheaper, but naturally not as durable and strong. Straps made of plastic and silicone are used in cheap and children's watch models.
As for bracelets, they are made from various metals: gold, stainless steel, titanium and other materials. The watch bracelet is also an indicator of its price and your status. Sometimes the bracelet plays an important role in the beauty of the watch, no less than their case. If you choose a watch for status, then this is a watch with a gold bracelet, but if you want something simpler, then this is a stainless steel bracelet.
Skeleton
Skeleton is a watch with a transparent case through which the clockwork can be seen. Such a watch is very beautiful, just imagine that you can constantly see this wonderful mechanism, consisting of constantly moving gears, springs and wheel gears.
Glass
The last parameter that you need to focus on when buying a watch is the type of glass that covers the dial. There are 4 types of glasses to protect the dial:
- plastic glass;
- Mineral glass;
- Sapphire crystal;
- Combined glass.
How to choose a men's watch
First of all, men's watches must be chosen based on what their purpose is. If their goal is to show time, then these are watches made of steel or titanium. If you want your watch to emphasize your status, then this is a watch, the case of which is made of: palladium, gold, and in the best case, platinum. If you prefer a watch with a strap, then give preference, of course, to a leather strap. Regarding the bracelet, the best option for status is a watch with a gold bracelet, and more practical ones with a stainless steel bracelet. For status, it is better to choose a watch with an arrow time display and a 12-hour dial with Roman numerals.Also, in addition to time, watches can include: a calendar, an alarm clock, a chronometer, a chronograph, a compass, a stopwatch, a backlight, the time of several time zones, etc.
It is worth mentioning such useful features of the watch as shock resistance and water resistance. If the watch is shockproof, then the mechanism will be protected, but please note that this does not protect the case and protective glass from damage. A waterproof watch prevents moisture from getting inside, so depending on the watch's water resistance rating, you can shower or dive to a specified depth.
How to choose a women's watch
For the fair sex, the analog clock is best suited. Watch case material: stainless steel or gold. As for the numbers on the dial, it is best to give preference to minimalism. For status, it is better to give preference to a watch with a bracelet, a more practical watch with a leather strap.Women's watches, as a rule, do not include such wide additional features as men's, and they are actually useless. The only thing we can note is: shockproof and calendar.
Which watch brand to choose
The most popular watch brands are:- Appella;
- Casio;
- Citizen;
- essence;
- Fossil;
- haas;
- Jacques Lemans;
- Jowissa;
- ORIENT;
- Romanson;
- Skagen;
- timex.
From Swiss watches, we recommend choosing the following brands: Appella, Patek Philippe, Jaguar, Nina Ricci, Philip Laurence.
Which gold watch to choose
If you want to buy watches made of gold, we recommend brands: Romanson, Dolce & Gabbana, Appella, Breguet, Jaguar and OMAX.
This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
There is no single rating of Swiss watches. It is updated annually, brand names change depending on new products, fashion trends and the audience. Before buying a Swiss watch, you should decide not only on the price category and design, but also on the brand.
How to choose the best watch
Not all watch models can be attributed to Swiss. As a rule, these are products in which the most precise Swiss movement is installed, and assembly and testing were carried out in Switzerland. You can distinguish a fake by the following features:
too low price;
lack of a branded printed passport;
the presence of the inscription Geneva or Geneve.
Choosing a Swiss watch is advised on the following criteria:
The status of a person. Among people of a certain circle, executive class watches are in demand. Influential, rich and famous choose gold, platinum models with expensive jewelry.
Financial opportunities. The price of a Swiss watch starts from 10 thousand rubles and sometimes reaches several million rubles.
Lifestyle. Models for sports and business people are very different.
Design preferences. Usually men choose classic black or white. Women love gold and silver items with stones and decorative elements.
functionality needs. Among the popular functions of recent years are a repeater, a chronograph, a dynamometer, a calendar, and a heart rate monitor.
Anyone who is thinking about buying a watch should first decide how much he is willing to spend on it. There are many models with different price tags, which depend on the popularity of the brand, the complexity and accuracy of the mechanism, as well as the presence of precious metals and stones. Some of them only periodically release affordable collections, while others supply models annually at a reasonable cost.
Rating of brands of the best swiss watches
| Nomination | place | Name of product | Peculiarity |
| The best Swiss watches under 30,000 rubles | 1 | synonymous with precision, experience and knowledge | |
| 2 | Swiss precision and graceful forms | ||
| 3 | unmistakable style and durability | ||
| 4 | timeless design | ||
| The best Swiss watches - budget up to 100,000 rubles | 1 | age-old tradition and high technology | |
| 2 | watchmaking revolutionary | ||
| 3 | perfect value for money | ||
| 4 | unique design and recognizable style | ||
| 5 | a fail-safe mechanism developed over the centuries | ||
| 6 | centuries of experience and functionality | ||
| The best Swiss watches - a budget of 150,000 rubles | 1 | luxury and quality brand | |
| 2 | world renowned quality standard | ||
| 3 | experience of brilliant predecessors | ||
| 4 | the highest quality according to unchanging traditions | ||
| 5 | combination of watchmaking and tradition | ||
| 6 | worthy alternative Rolex |
The best Swiss watches under 30,000 rubles
Some brands offer Swiss watches at quite affordable prices (10-30 thousand rubles). The cost of the product is usually reduced by the use of mineral glass instead of sapphire, as well as the use of simple mechanisms.
The Swiss brand Tissot began its production in 1853. Today it supplies high quality products to more than 150 countries worldwide. Since its foundation, the brand has received several awards at various exhibitions, including a gold medal in Geneva, a big prize of the watch industry in Paris.
The most popular Tissot collections include:
T-Sport - models that are dedicated to certain sports;
T-Classic - products with a classic design;
Touch Collection - the latest developments with many functions.
Today, you can easily buy brand watches at a price of 20 thousand rubles. Such models have a steel case and strap, a quartz movement and an arrow dial. Customers note the convenient lock of the bracelet, which does not unfasten itself, and the universal design allows you to wear them under any clothes.
Designs of Raymond models have national features and are very diverse. They are the result of the work of a true Swiss who has devoted many years to his work for the benefit of all who appreciate quality and aesthetics. With his strong character, Raymond Vell revived the watch industry when it was failing.
Each Raymond collection has its own individual qualities and Swiss style, so the brand has already become part of the image of many successful and famous people. For 25-30 thousand you can buy a quartz watch with a gold-plated steel case and a leather strap.
The third place in the ranking is occupied by a brand founded in 1883. Its founder was Gottlieb Huaser, head of the watchmaker corporation in Switzerland. For several decades, the brand has been producing sports watches, and today it continues to produce similar models, but with the addition of classic elements.
Alpina Swiss watches combine 4 basic qualities:
steel stainless case;
shock resistance;
antimagnetism;
waterproof.
The company's specialists took care of the originality of each model and incomparable accuracy. Among the presented models there are both high-tech smart products and classic options. Women's watches are usually made in light colors, and decorated with iridescent rhinestones and delicate patterns. Men's models are equipped with a quartz movement and are made in dark colors. Customers appreciate that the brand never departs from its traditions, but at the same time it is constantly developing and improving.
MIDO
MIDO G. Schären & Co was founded by the famous watchmaker George Schären in 1918. Today, this brand is deservedly considered one of the leading brands in the watch industry. This is due to the creation of high quality models. MIDO is a partner of the International Union of Architects, and therefore dedicates its models to various architectural structures. The real breakthrough was the introduction of electronic clocks in 1970. In the 90s, the brand released products that act as a personal bodyguard and give an alarm if necessary.
Since 1985, MIDO has belonged to the Swatch Group, which employs more than 20,000 specialists. The brand uses ETA mechanisms, provides the best standards of precision and quality. After assembly, each product undergoes a thorough check. Low prices have made the brand especially popular. The brand has more than 2 thousand dealers in 70 countries.
The best Swiss watches - budget up to 100,000 rubles
Anyone who has a thousand euros at his disposal can discover the world of quality Swiss watches. You should start with popular models of famous brands.
This category opens with Maurice Lacroix, which has received worldwide fame for its unsurpassed quality. Watches of this brand can only be purchased from the official distributor, their offices are located around the world. Product development is rigorously tested and the latest science is used in the use of parts. Experience and skill were passed down by watchmakers from generation to generation.
Each year, the company produces more than 150,000 high-quality watch masterpieces. She owns the project of the first watch with mechanical memory. Recently, the firm has been actively cooperating with famous people such as Justin Rose, Bob Geldof, as well as Jimmy Wales. In 2014, the brand signed a sponsorship contract with Barcelona Football Club.
TAG
Every year, the TAG Heuer brand captures the imagination of customers around the world. The company is part of a large concern for the production of luxury goods, and its name came from the name of the founder, Eduard Hoyer. A lot of new products constantly appear in the model range of the company. Particularly popular:
inexpensive watches at affordable prices Formula-1;
reliable Link products;
sports models Aquaracer and Professional Sport.
TAG is one of the top four sellers along with other members of our ranking: Omega, Rolex and Cartier. For about 85 thousand rubles, you can buy a women's watch made of stainless steel, with sapphire crystal, which is equipped with an anti-reflective coating. Stylish models of the brand have a date display, a screw-down crown, a ceramic bezel.
The company begins its history back in 1832, but the trademark was registered only half a century later. In 1905, Longines began mass production of wristwatches, completely rebuilding the factory and changing the form of government. In 1960, the brand introduced the world's thinnest quartz watch, measuring just 1.98 mm thick. Today, the brand's products are the most accurate and reliable in the history of Longines. Famous watch owners of this brand were Albert Einstein, Mikhail Gorbachev, Coco Chanel.
It is profitable to buy brand products through an authorized dealer. The price range allows you to purchase products up to 100 thousand rubles. A classic women's watch with a mother-of-pearl dial adorned with 12 diamonds with a total weight of 0.048 carats will cost the buyer 95,000 rubles.
RADO
In 1957, Schlup & Co launched the first watch collection called RADO. Five years later, improved scratch-resistant products went on sale. In 2009, the Rado True collection received a design award.
The principle of this Swiss brand is to be different from others. That is why in the production of watches special materials and non-standard design are used, original functions are introduced. For the manufacture of its collections, the company uses a rare earth metal - lanthanum, which has found its application in the aviation industry. The latest models for women are adorned with diamonds and feature custom designs. Lovers of rectangular shapes choose the Integral series, barrel-shaped ones - the Sintra line.
Oris
Oris is a famous Swiss company that has been producing watches for over a century. All brand products are divided into the following categories:
-
classic;
-
motorsport.
The crisis did not stop the production of the company, on the contrary, the company improved its products and reached the peak of popularity. Oris uses precious stones and metals to manufacture its products. Bracelets are usually made of leather or titanium. Some sports models are made of high quality rubber or plastic. Customers appreciate the original design of Oris and choose the brand for its exceptional watch accuracy. Despite the rather high prices, such a purchase will be justified by the quality.
The history of this Swiss brand dates back to the 16th century. Invariance to traditions, maintaining an impeccable reputation and regular improvement of technologies have made the company's products an exemplary luxury product. There are many awards on the trophy shelf of the company.
The brand's collections include models with world time, a triple dial, and chronographs. Products of the Classima series are especially popular. The body material is made of steel. The watch has a sapphire glass. Depending on the color of the dial and the strap, you can choose the model you like for no more than 95 thousand rubles. The brand also offers other collections for women and men:
In 2015, the company launched a new sports style watch and became a partner of the American racing car manufacturer Carroll Shelby International.
The best Swiss watches - a budget of 150,000 rubles
Anyone who has a decent amount of money and is ready to spend it on watches of the most popular Swiss brands should refer to the rating of manufacturers, including such famous companies as Omega and Rolex.
Omega
The Swiss wrist watches of the Omega brand are amazing products, ideally made not only in design, but also in the technical field. The company was founded in 1848 and supplied products for the British and American armies at the beginning of the 20th century. For most buyers, this brand is associated with the world-famous movie character James Bond.
At a price of 400-500 thousand rubles, you can buy men's watches from the Speedmaster line. They are made of stainless steel, equipped with automatic winding, co-axial escapement, tachymeter scale. Such products withstand magnetic fields up to 15,000 Gauss. This product has been certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology Metas.
Rolex
Rolex is a world-famous men's watch company, which is rightfully considered the standard of quality. The trademark was registered in 1905 and offers models of classic and professional watches with high precision.
The price of branded products is quite high, not everyone can afford the legendary Rolex chronometers. Some models of the brand are sold for fabulous money, because they were worn by celebrities. So, for Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" at auction they gave more than 17 million dollars. This is the highest cost of a wrist watch, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records. This watch was worn by actor Paul Newman. You can buy original Rolex products through an authorized distributor. They guarantee the absolute authenticity of the product.
Breitling produces luxury watches in the Jura. It got its name from the name of the founder, Leon Breitling. In 1884, he opened a small watchmaking workshop and laid the foundation for an internationally popular brand that is today a leader in the aviation industry. Modern Breitling products are sold in several fashion series:
All series offer a huge selection of models with original designs. The unchanged features remain the appearance, which imitates the cockpit, contrasting trim, as well as a large body.
The brand was founded in 1846 in Switzerland. Initially, the company was known as a manufacturer of marine chronometers, now the brand is engaged in the production of wristwatches.
The mechanical products of this company are part of a whole culture. This is confirmed by 18 gold medals that were awarded to the brand at the International Watch Exhibitions, as well as 4,000 timekeeping awards. The modern owners of the company maintain the exclusivity of the brand, preserve the traditions and the invariable excellent quality that the brilliant predecessors achieved.
Our rating would be incomplete without the well-known brand Hublot, founded at the end of the 20th century by Karl Krokk. The company was the first to produce a gold watch with a natural rubber strap. Today it supplies titanium, magnet, ceramic, gold and tantalum products. The brand's collections have received awards such as the 2005 Design Prize and the Best Sports Watch Prize.
Mraka became the official timekeeper of the Euro Football Championship in Switzerland and Austria in 2008. Hublot conquers women with gold models adorned with amethysts. Successful men prefer branded products with perfectly matched straps and bracelets. Today there are more than 30 branded salons of the brand and more than 600 points of sale.
Tudor
The brand name is dedicated to the English Tudor family. The history of the brand begins in 1946. Tudor is a Rolex product. Hans Wildorf wanted to benefit from the recycling of technical advances in the field of case production. In terms of quality and design, Tudor is close to the world brand Rolex. This is a great alternative for someone who is unable to purchase a famous brand watch.
The company produces men's and women's collections, which are known mainly only in Europe. Models of the brand stand out for their versatility and unusual color schemes. These qualities are achieved thanks to the experience of specialists and high technology.
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We are often asked - what is more prestigious? Baume & Mercier or Longines? Omega or Tag Heuer? Brand X or brand Y? It is quite difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Well if we are talking about completely different price categories. And if the prices are approximately equal - how to determine a more prestigious brand? By hype? By the complexity of the mechanisms used? By its name? It is clear that Omega is much higher in the rankings than Tissot, but what about competing brands? Now almost all brands belong to watch groups. Within these groups, one can see a clear subordination of brands. But what about approximately the same brands belonging to different watch groups? |
Many believe that there is a clear gradation of Swiss manufacturers, a hundred of the best, a prestige rating ... but this is the same myth as a lifetime guarantee for all Swiss watches or a strong opinion that all Swiss watches are made entirely by hand. All watches are really assembled by hand, but most of the watch mechanisms themselves are made by automatic machines. A fully hand-assembled movement is a rarity these days. But this is a topic for a separate article.
There are many independent ratings showing the position of the brand, built, as a rule, by the brand itself or by watch magazines. And all these ratings are different - there is no and cannot be a certain scheme by which one can judge the superiority of a particular brand. The manufacturer, as a rule, positions his position
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relative to competitors. Its competitors do exactly the same, but, as you know, each brand has its own position. Other brands are not included in these corporate ratings at all. Journalists write about brands that are interesting to their target audience. The list of the best according to a European magazine can be very different from the ranking compiled by their American counterparts. Yes, and magazine ratings are no longer related to the brand itself as such, but to the novelties and mechanisms presented by it this year. On many watch forums, their ratings and disputes about their correctness do not subside. Forum users break spears. Each brings their own arguments. But the general rating that suits everyone, as it was not and is not.
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Then everything is simple - we take the best-selling brand and it will be at the very top of the ranking. Again, not that - budgetary producers will come forward. And if we take the least sold models, then it turns out incorrectly - why are they sold so little? Perhaps they really are the coolest and most expensive. Maybe they are made by a small company with small production volumes. Or maybe they just don't care?
Almost all manufacturers have in their line simple models and models with complications. You can make a rating based on the number of complex mechanisms in the line of a particular brand, but then all fashion brands immediately fall out of this rating. Nina Ricci, Gucci, Calvin Klein, etc. They do not rely on mechanisms, but on the appearance of watches. Watches are a fashionable and expensive accessory. Design is the main thing, the mechanism is secondary.Perhaps you need to build on history? Since there is information about when which brand was created, it would seem something simpler. The older, the cooler! But then the rating will be unfair to young brands. For example, Maurice Lacroix is a fairly young brand. But in his piggy bank he already has many prestigious awards for complex mechanisms and design. And at the moment this company is a leader in the production of complex watches with retrograde mechanisms.
As a result, it turns out that it is really impossible to make an overall rating. We have long come to the conclusion that each society has its own rating. Mechanisms are important to someone, design is valued somewhere. It is important for someone to be richer. In some Omega company, this is cool and that's it. No explanation. And there are brands that stand apart and have their own fans - Officine Panerai, for example. They don't need any ratings at all. They have a stable army of fans who do not need to explain the position of the brand relative to competitors.
Finally - a table of prestige brands by category. When compiling it, not only popularity among buyers was taken into account, but also the company's turnover, distribution network, the number of watches produced and much more. In the table below, we have tried to collect the most popular brands in our opinion on the Russian market and divided them into several categories. Within the categories there is no gradation by place, because any brand represented by one or more criteria is worthy to take first place. In separate categories, we have identified fashion brands that are gaining popularity, primarily because of the original design. Dividing them also into two categories.
But within the categories, we will not compile any ratings.
|
Haute Horlogerie |
Suite |
Premium |
PREMIUM FASHION |
FASHION |
|
|
A.LANGE & SOHNE |
OMEGA |
longines |
Aerowatch |
Chanel |
Anne Klein |
|
AUDEMARS PIGUET |
BREITLING |
Baume & Mercier |
Alpina |
Chaumet Dior |
Armani |
|
BREGUET |
ROLEX |
Tag Heuer |
August Reymond |
Hermes |
Calvin Klein |
|
BLANCPAIN |
CARTIER |
Rado |
Balmain |
Louis Viutton |
Cerruti 1881 |
|
JAEGER-LE COULTRE |
ULYSSE NARDIN |
Maurice lacroix |
Tissot |
Versace |
Dolce&Gabbana |
|
PATEK PHILIPPE |
CHOPARD |
Oris |
candino |
G.F. Ferre |
|
|
VACHERON CONSTANTIN |
PIAGET |
Perrelet |
Certina |
Givenchy |
|
|
Eberhard & Co |
Frederique Constant |
Victorinox |
Gucci |
||
|
Glashutte Original |
Raymond Weil |
swiss military hanova |
Guess |
||
|
ZENITH |
Movado |
Luminox |
Hugo Boss |
||
|
hublot |
Moschino |
||||
|
IWC |
Mido |
Nina Ricci |
|||
|
JAQUET DROZ |
Paco Rabanne |
||||
|
Montblanc |
Pierre Cardin |
||||
|
Officine Panerai |
Roberto Cavalli |
||||
|
Rocco Barocco |
|||||
|
Rochas |
|||||
|
saint-honor |
|||||
|
| |||||
|
|
Currently, the world annually produces more than a billion watches - mechanical, quartz, electronic, digital. This means that many of us have multiple copies. And if for women a watch is one of the many and often optional accessories, then men treat them with reverence. They closely monitor the assortment of their favorite firms, try to buy a model better than it was, and thereby voluntarily or involuntarily demonstrate their social growth. Well, if it's time to update your collection or give a gift to your loved one, check out our rating of the best watch brands - it includes manufacturers of both inexpensive but high-quality movements, as well as brands for very wealthy people.
Best Inexpensive Watch Brands for Men
3 Q&Qs
Best price
Country: Japan
Average price: 3,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Compared to competing companies, Q&Q is less well-known, but it is she who is completely focused on the production of budget products. This is the case when a low cost gives rise to unintentional moderation, conservatism with a touch of classics or seasoned simplicity. Buying such watches will not be considered bad manners for people of “great prosperity”, since outwardly almost all of them look rich. A good example of this is the analog version of the Q&Q A436-401 watch with a dial and a bracelet made to look like gold and silver.
Q&Q also produces a series of rubberized watches designed for outdoor activities and sports: an example for this segment is the Q&Q DG04-001 model.
Advantages:
- the company is focused only on the production of budget products;
- moderate design solutions, often giving the watch high cost;
- the presence of a line of sports models.
Flaws:
- not detected.
2 Diesel
Abundance of original models
Country: Italy
Average price: 11,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The Italian firm puts a lot of emphasis on creativity. The model range of wristwatches from "Diesel" is a solid originality, which is expressed not only in the form of the dial or the materials used, but even in the banal color scheme or filling the space of the chronometer. Here you can find everything from classics on leather straps with a moderate analog dial (a good but expensive example: Diesel DZ1145), ending with very bold concepts like the budget Diesel DZ4310 or digital quartz DZ7187.
Along with creativity, the company also maintains the good quality of wristwatches. Users (mostly) respond positively to the experience of using their products, however, they note a certain satiation with the appearance that comes after a long time of use.
Advantages:
- a variety of models suitable for absolutely any style;
- sustained quality, corresponding to the status of the company;
- a large number of budget models.
Flaws:
- sometimes creativity is satiating.
The best watch manufacturers
List the best manufacturers wrist watches is very large, however, even from such a variety, the most colorful representatives can be distinguished.
Rolex. A Swiss company whose name is known even to small children. From time immemorial, it has been producing premium watches worth more than one thousand dollars. Every year, the watch models of this company diverge in the amount of approximately 500 thousand copies.
hublot. Quite a young watch brand from Switzerland, created specifically for the premium segment. It features a unique design of the dial, for which it has received worldwide fame. The overall style of products is defined as "fusion" - freedom of variation appearance, which combines many directions.
Casio. Japanese brand, the launch of which took place in 1946. In the manner inherent in the Japanese to adapt to technological trends, the company made a successful attempt to enter the market of mechanical (electronic) watches, where to this day it maintains a strong leading position in the middle and premium segments.
Citizen. Japanese watches of the middle price segment. They went into production in 1930. hallmark The company's products are a commitment to the old style combined with versatility.
Tissot. The Swiss grand watch manufacturer of medium and premium classes, which is an icon of good taste and status. If Rolex is aimed more at a frilly demonstration of wealth, then Tissot is focused on subtly emphasizing the importance of the owner.
1 Casio
The best quality of manufactured products
Country: Japan
Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Casio produces a variety of products aimed at consumers of all income levels. However, in one component they do not occupy: despite such a strong ranking of products by cost, they always achieve from wristwatches if not perfect, then close to it.
As for the lineup, diversity also prevails here: from classic analog watches like the Casio LIN-169-2A to the "space" Casio Edifice EFR-303D-1A, customized with an interesting dial in the form of a world map and combining the functions of an alarm clock and stopwatch. Today it is perhaps one of the most reliable manufacturers of inexpensive watches for men.
Advantages:
- an extensive range;
- coverage of several price segments at once;
- high quality products;
- a large number of interesting design solutions.
Flaws:
- not identified.
The best watches of the middle price segment
5 Swiss Military Hanowa
High popularity. Collections for every taste
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 11,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6
A non-trivial Swiss company, whose history is worthy of retelling and a considerable degree of admiration. Prior to the fundamental change in the concept, this company was called Hanowa, which was formed by a combination of the founder's name (Hans Noll) and the English word "watch". Having existed in this version until the early 90s, the brand managed to make a lot of noise - watches were produced in any way, up to visualization for clips, pendants and small pendants.
However, the lack of demand forced the company to drastically reconsider the concept of further development, and after a short pause, a new "classic" player appeared on the market - the Swiss Military Hanowa trademark. Produced by the order of the Swiss army, the watches of this company quickly overcame the "professional" barrier, becoming mega-popular among the mass consumer. The main advantages here are the average price level, the abundance of collections (both quartz and electronic), as well as a catchy, laconic design.
4 Emporio Armani
Product durability. Huge design variability
Country: Italy
Average price: 12,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Emporio Armani is another trend of the famous Italian designer's activity, which has absorbed the same originality, elegance and sophistication that pervades each new collection of the master's clothes. Initially, this brand had to accept the struggle imposed by electronic (at that time super-popular) wristwatches, the superiority of which could be reversed only by a non-trivial approach to their own production. Armani went in the right direction, choosing as a tactic relying on ancient traditions and the custom of skilled craftsmen who were not afraid to experiment and embody new combinations in miniature products.
The result of all this was a huge collection of men's watches for every taste - from strict, almost "commander" models to unpretentious and easy-to-perceive fashion designs. Users overwhelmingly approve of the brand's activities, noting in the reviews an acceptable price and a high degree of durability of the finished product.
3 Orient
The best line of classic wristwatches
Country: Japan
Average price: 20,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Japanese company founded in 1901. Unlike competitors within its own country, it specializes exclusively in the production of wristwatches, which naturally bears fruit. Production covers all price levels: the starting cost for the models is about five thousand rubles and reaches an impressive one hundred thousand (note: the ORIENT EL02003H model and identical ones). As for the conditional representatives of the middle class, here we can note, in general, a pleasant appearance - the company is much on bold decisions that not everyone likes, but the adherence to the classics in this case turned out to be unshakable. Visual representatives: analog ORIENT EL05002B and ORIENT DE00002W, made in basic steel color. As a result, we have another interesting brand that is popular with domestic users.
Advantages:
- coverage of almost all price levels;
- the predominant classic look of wristwatches.
Flaws:
- controversial decisions on the appearance of some model lines.
2 Citizens
The best combination of price and quality
Country: Japan
Average price: 30,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Another worthy representative of the Japanese side in the hard work of making watches. As in the case of the leader of the rating, Citizen are among the elite manufacturers of products of the highest quality, but also focused on the middle price segment. This includes models with a more classic look, not distinguished by versatility and bold decisions. A clear example of a representative of the middle segment can be considered Citizen AW1231-07E - a watch on a leather strap with an analog dial, powered by solar batteries. This is a discreet classic, moderately elegant, but very technological and practical. The complete opposite of it is the elite analog model Citizen AS4025-08E, saturated (or even oversaturated) with small chronometer elements. And even if the last example belongs to the premium class, all this objectively reflects the breadth of the model range.
Advantages:
- more than 1000 watch models in stock;
- adapted solar power system;
- a wide range of prices (from budget to expensive models).
Flaws:
- not identified.
1 Tissot
Extensive range. Choice of Experts
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 28,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0
Wristwatches from Tissot are positioned by many as representatives of the highest price segment, but this is only partly true. Despite more than a century and a half of the company's history, Tissot has always been distinguished by moderate demands in terms of price (compared to the same Rolex). In turn, users received almost indestructible watch models created to the highest quality standards. In this line you will not find pretentiousness and riot of creativity - everything here is designed in a conservative classical style and is not without a glimmer of luxury. As evidence, we can cite several opposite, but worthy models from an extensive line: a wristwatch on a leather bracelet Tissot T035.617.16.051.00, as well as steel and gold Tissot T031.410.22.033.00 made to match the color scheme.
Advantages:
- an interesting lineup with a predominance of calm (not pretentious) luxury and conservative design;
- compliance with the highest quality standards;
- virtually indestructible clockwork.
Flaws:
- not detected.
The best premium watches
4 Vacheron Constantin
The most titled brand. Unique jewelery finish
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 5,000,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6
At one time, the owners of products from Vacheron Constantin were Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, Alexander II and Princess Diana. The commitment of the royal nobility to this brand is easily explained: at the beginning of the 20th century, it was the first to use precious alloys - palladium, gold and bronze in the production of mechanisms, thereby increasing the accuracy of their movement. At the world's first competition from the Geneva Observatory, the Vacheron watch was recognized as the most accurate and received a gold medal. Soon the company received the right to apply the Hallmark of Geneva to its offspring as a symbol of their technical and aesthetic perfection.
The masters of the watch house spend from 3 to 6 thousand working hours to create luxury items, and jewelers require 20 thousand at all. There is nothing to say about the quantity and quality of premium materials: for example, for the Kalista watch, it took 140 g of 18k yellow gold and 118 white baguette diamonds of 130 kt. The copy was sold for 5 million dollars, but today it is worth almost 11. This is an example of how an expensive purchase is actually a long-term investment in the future.
3 Richard Mille
The most expensive serial watch in the world. The technical complexity of the mechanisms
Country: France
Average price: 11,000,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Among reputable firms with a long history, the young French brand, named after its owner Richard Mille, looks like a daring teenager at an aristocratic reception. He is only 20 years old, and the average cost of one Richard Mille chronometer is 170,000 euros. This is a lot even for the most eminent Swiss manufactories. And what is remarkable, at least 6,000 copies are manufactured and sold per year - even the fabulous price does not stop connoisseurs from buying them! What makes them take such a step, bypassing the recognized masters?
The uniqueness of watches from the French company lies in the use of avant-garde ideas, high-tech materials and the latest processing methods. In other words, Richard Mille does not go down the road by offering gold chronometers set with brilliant-cut diamonds - these models are just the most budgetary in its range. The most valuable options here are those in which it was required to use the maximum of human inspiration, attention to detail and professionalism. For the same reason, Richard Mille was the first to decide on the use of materials that were previously considered unsuitable for the watch industry: carbon nanotubes, hardened ceramics, elastomers. Add to this list crash-testing by the most eminent athletes (Rafael Nadal, Johan Blake, Jean Todt, etc.), and the presence of several zeros in the price tag becomes quite understandable.
2 Hublot
High quality of manufactured products
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 80,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Representative of an extensive Swiss family of watch manufacturers. Despite the relatively recent appearance on the world market, the popularity of the Hublot brand can be compared with the eminent "oldies". A distinctive feature of the brand is the combination of the incongruous - this is how you can characterize the style that all watch models without exception represent. In addition, the approach to creating the geometry of the dial is also interesting - Hublot presents many forms and variations, sometimes successful, sometimes not very good. But nevertheless, the fact of searching for a new, original and unhackneyed solution is worthy of praise. Yes, the watch is expensive, but those few of the Russian users who own it, and experts agree on the quality factor of the brand as a whole.
Advantages:
- constant search for non-standard solutions;
- a combination of the new with the already proven old;
- excellent product quality.
Flaws:
- missing.
1 Patek Philippe
Favorite brand of the world elite. High authority and eminence of the brand
Country: Switzerland
Average price: 500,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The legendary Swiss company Patek Philippe is the manufacturer of the most expensive watch movements: the cost of its initial Calatrava line starts at $11,000, and in 2016 a wrist model with its own label was auctioned for a record $11 million. The chronograph that made history was born in 1943 and became the first mass-produced device with a perpetual calendar function. It is noteworthy that a total of 281 copies were made, all were made of pink gold and only 4 of them received a metal case. One of them caused a sensation in the watch world.
The company, from its inception in 1839, initially focused on the luxury market. One of its founders, Jean Philippe, was engaged in the development of new models, and the other, Anthony Patek, attracted influential customers, including monarchs. Both of them did an excellent job: Patek Philippe owns hundreds of patents, and among its clients are the most eminent people in the world. So, in Russia, her watch was seen at Vladimir Putin, Yuri Luzhkov, from foreign celebrities they are worn by Nicolas Sarkozy, Paul McCartney, Bill Gates. Over the entire period of its existence, only 600 million serial movements were produced under the brand, so the possession of one of them allows you to join the elite caste.
The best sports watch
3 Luminox
The most comfortable sports watch ever. The presence of backlight
Country: USA
Average price: 14,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The American trademark Luminox was founded in 1989, when the company's permanent boss Barry Cohen received a patent for the right to use the Swiss LLT technology. Its essence was the ability to illuminate the watch dial - a very practical function for night voyages or deep-sea diving.
The first collection of Luminox watches went on sale in 1993 and made a great impression on diving enthusiasts and people close to military service. This was followed by large government orders to equip the US military with special versions, the development of new, very inexpensive collections and the long-awaited entry into the world market. Today, the Luminox brand is still one of the most sought after among athletes of any orientation. The main advantages of these watches are comfort, showiness and the absence of everything superfluous, which is reflected in the positive feedback from consumers.
2 U.S. Polo
Best price
A country: USA (made in China)
Average price: 4,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The manufacturer of classic quartz watches is also a very strong opponent in the fight for supremacy in the category of sports devices. It is worth recognizing that the sports series from this brand is not as popular as that of a direct competitor in the category, but in general it is in stable demand among the active population. The flagships of the line - U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Men "s US9061 and U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Men" s US9057 - are rubber watches with a wide and interesting dial that includes analog and digital displays for displaying time and additional indications (stopwatch and timer). Reliable mechanism, good lighting and overall design makes you think of the company in an exclusively positive way, which, in fact, is what happy users and many experts do.
Advantages:
- low price for models;
- interesting design decisions;
- high-quality Japanese movements (according to some reports, supplies are from Casio).
Flaws:
- not so popular brand.
1 Casio
The most popular line of sports watches
Country: Japan
Average price: 9,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Casio once again takes the lead in the category, this time for sports watches. There really is something to be proud of here: despite the almost flawless production of classic models, the Japanese did not stop there, but went further and relied on the development of special series for physical activity. What is worth mentioning is one line of G-Shock, which for more than five years of history has gained incredible popularity among sports fans from all over the world. Of course, there are other representatives in the company's lineup, but it was G-Shock that achieved more success. As for the rest, enough was said about Casio even in its first appearance in the rating and, obviously, it is not required to repeat.
Advantages:
- the punchy G-Shock line is the most popular series of sports watches in the world;
- great brand quality.
Flaws:
- not identified.
How to choose a good watch
A brief digression into the world of wrist watch brands does not give a clear certainty on the choice of a particular model. Therefore, we recommend that you pay attention to the following important characteristics:
- Form. It's no secret that each person has an individual body structure, including wrists and hands in general. If you have a wide wrist, then you should give preference to a watch with a narrower strap, which will visually reduce the size of your hand. However, if the wrist is narrow, then in this case a watch with a strap of any width will suit you.
- Style. In this matter, it is better to build on a more preferred appearance. For business style moderate classic models are suitable, while casual accepts watches of any direction.
- Color scheme. Everything is simple here - a bright personality requires a bright design. However, for men, it is better to pay attention to neutral watches in gray, black, steel, gold or a combination of colors. For women, there is no such restriction, but there is a chance of overdoing it in the presence of a decorating "husk".
- Mechanism type. At this stage, there are three types of clockwork: the ancient mechanical, the good old quartz and the innovative electronic. Which one to choose is up to you. However, the most common and, at the same time, reliable is precisely the quartz-type mechanism.
- Brand popularity. Not fatal, but a very important aspect on which the performance of purchased products may depend. Of course, the brands listed in the rating are not exhaustive (at least, Japanese Seiko or Swiss Certina can also be included here). But when choosing a watch from another company, require a mandatory certificate of quality.
- Price. A standard parameter for all products, which does not at all reflect the real state of affairs on the market. Even cheap watch models can last for decades. The main condition is proper maintenance and elementary accuracy when using.
