Ever wondered who is the oldest watchmaker? What are the oldest watch brands in the world? Which vintage watch brands are worth the money? We conducted the research and uncovered some fascinating information to share!
Watchmaking has a long history dating back to the 14th century when talented artisans operated in tiny workshops. Today, luxury watches continue to carry forward their legacy. Switzerland is famous for its expertise and accuracy in watchmaking and has some of the oldest luxury watch brands worldwide. For instance, a Swiss watch brand has existed since 1735. Despite their long history, Swiss watches remain popular for their technical sophistication and beauty. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the fascinating stories behind the world’s oldest watch brands.
Swiss Watchmaking Tradition
Switzerland has a rich tradition in watchmaking and is responsible for producing over half of all high-end watches globally. More than 95% of watches priced over $1,000 are Swiss watches. The Swiss watch industry employs 60,000 people and generates around CHF 25 billion in sales, which equates to 4% of GDP.
Swiss watchmakers have a history committed to meticulous attention to detail in creating functional and elegant timepieces since the 16th century. Swiss brands such as Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Patek Philippe, etc, have dominated the industry throughout history.
The Swiss watchmaking industry has earned an unrivaled reputation for unparalleled precision, exceptional quality, and meticulous craftsmanship, making them highly sought after by discerning buyers worldwide. These oldest Swiss luxury watch brands often become cherished family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation, symbolizing Swiss excellence in craftsmanship.
Introduction of wristwatches
The introduction of wristwatches marks a significant milestone in the history of timekeeping. Before wristwatches, people relied on pocket watches or clocks to keep track of time. Abraham-Louis Breguet created the first wristwatch for the Queen of Naples in 1810. It wasn’t until World War I that wristwatches became popular among men.
Wristwatches have since evolved into a stylish accessory and a fashion statement, with various features such as alarms, timers, and GPS tracking. Today, wristwatches are ubiquitous items worn by people worldwide. Wristwatches serve as a convenient tool for timekeeping and a reflection of personal style. However, the journey has not been without its challenges.
Quartz crisis and resurgence of mechanical watches
In the 1970s, the watch industry underwent significant changes, known as the Quartz Crisis or Quartz Revolution. The crisis came when quartz watches – powered by batteries- threatened traditional mechanical watches’ dominance.
The Japanese watchmaker Seiko, played a significant role in the revolution by releasing the first battery-powered quartz wristwatch, the Astron, on Christmas Day in 1969. Quartz watches were more affordable, accurate, and required less maintenance than mechanical watches counterparts, leading to a decline in the popularity of mechanical watches.
The crisis caused almost two-thirds of employees in the industry to lose their jobs and raised concerns about the survival of traditional watchmaking. The industry started producing high-end luxury watches emphasizing craftsmanship, history, and exclusivity to recover from the crisis.
Today, there is a healthy balance between quartz and mechanical watches, each offering unique benefits and serving different purposes in the world of horology.
Revival of Heritage Brands: The Four Oldest Watch Brands Worth Collecting
There are numerous iconic watch brands in history, although the old wrist watch brands remain uncertain. Below are some of the oldest iconic watch brands in history.
Blancpain: Innovations in horology
Blancpain is the oldest Swiss watch brand, founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques. He started by making exclusive luxury pocket watches in workshops that he set up on the upper floor of his farmhouse. The demand for his watches rapidly grew, and within a year, he had to take on several apprentices and move to larger business premises.
The grandson Frédéric-Louis took over the company, revived the escapement design, and designed Blancpain’s first ultra-flat watches. The fourth generation of the Blancpain family took over the company, led by Frédéric-Emile Blancpain. He then renamed the company after himself and started the largest manufacturer in Villeret. The company was led for another 100 years by the Blancpain family.
Blancpain’s early well-known customer was King Louis XVI of France, who ordered a special Blancpain pocket watch in the late 18th century. However, Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms collection is their most famous watch. The Fifty Fathoms was the first true diving watch created in 1953 by Jean-Jacques Fiechter CEO of Blancpain.
The most expensive Blancpain timepiece is the ladies’ Blancpain Specialities Tourbillon Diamonds, priced at £1 million, featuring a 20-carat diamond. Today, Blancpain’s watches remain a testament to the brand’s commitment to heritage and superb craftsmanship.
Jaeger-LeCoultre: Reviving classic designs
Favre-Leuba is a renowned watch brand with a rich history dating back to 1737. While Blancpain and Vacheron Constantin are more well-known watch brands, Favre-Leuba – Switzerland’s second-oldest watchmaker – is a lesser-known Swiss watch brand. Established by Abraham Fabre a watchmaker’s apprentice known for its watchmaking expertise in Le Locle, Switzerland.
Like most origin stories, Favre-Leuba started as a small workshop dedicated to watchmaking. As the Favre family took over, the business grew and peaked in the early 1960s. However, it encountered challenges soon after and could not survive the impact of the quartz crisis.
In 1969, the Favre family sold the company as the crisis ruined many similar brands and threatened their existence. The Tata Group, owner of Titan Company Limited, later acquired the company in 2011.
Favre-Leuba has a relatively small but impressive range of timepieces but still values endurance, authenticity, and ingenuity. They have two main collections: Raider and Chief.
The Raider series has a rugged and sporty design with a 48mm case, while the Chief series offers a more classic and refined look. Embodied in each of these Favre-Leuba watches are high-quality materials and advanced technology, ensuring precision and attention to detail.
Whether you’re an adventurer seeking a watch that can keep up with your active lifestyle or a connoisseur looking for a sophisticated timepiece, Favre-Leuba has something to offer. Prices for their watches are relatively affordable, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
Vacheron Constantin: Over two centuries of craftsmanship
Vacheron Constantin is a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer whose history spans over 260 years. Founded in 1755 by 24-year-old Jean-Marc Vacheron when most craftsmen specialized in making components for other master watchmakers. However, the Swiss horologist decided to complete the whole watch himself instead.
His ambition paid off, and his Saint-Gervais workshop survived multiple wars, economic crises, and technological advancements and remained a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship.
Vacheron Constantin is well-known for its careful attention to detail in creating innovative designs using materials such as gold, platinum, and diamonds, while still using traditional techniques.
The brand introduced several innovations, including a groundbreaking new-style pocket watch design in 1824 featuring a Jumping Hour mechanism and mechanical telescoping hands in 1839. This allowed the hands to move seamlessly along the oval watch face, regardless of their position on the dial.
Vacheron Constantin also created the Kalista in 1979. An extraordinary wristwatch adorned with 118 emerald-cut diamonds. The timepiece gained worldwide fame priced at $11 million, 6,000 hours, plus 20 months for encrusting and completing the Kalista. The Guinness Book of Records lists it as the most expensive watch in the world.
Vacheron Constantin boasts of nine different collections, such as Patrimony, Historiques, and Overseas. If you are planning to purchase a Vacheron Constantin timepiece, be ready to spend a significant amount as their models range from around $22,000 to over $200,000.
These watches command astronomical prices and sought by collectors and enthusiasts due to their exclusivity, innovative designs, and flawless craftsmanship. The watches from Vacheron Constantin truly reflect their heritage keeping them as one of the most respected and oldest watch brands worldwide.
Patek Philippe: A legacy of excellence
The world of luxury watches is home to several iconic brands with a rich history of exquisite craftsmanship and precision engineering. Patek Philippe stands out for its legacy of complex mechanisms among these legendary oldest watch brands. The company started by Polish immigrants Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek in Geneva in 1839, Switzerland.
Patek Philippe watches are famous for their high-quality movement, case, and dial. Patek Philippe become popular among collectors and watch enthusiasts worldwide for their exceptional craftsmanship and durability.
Whether you prefer a classic dress watch or a high-end sports watch, Patek Philippe offers a wide range of options to match every style and taste. From the iconic Calatrava to the porthole-inspired sporty Nautilus, each Patek Philippe watch is a masterpiece of design and engineering that reflects the brand’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Like other old watch companies still in business in this article, Patek Philippe watches are a highly profitable investment because of their exceptional capability to maintain and appreciate over the years. One of their most unique creations is a pocket watch. It’s the most complex mechanism ever, made for American banker Henry Graves in 1933.
The 18-carat gold Supercomplication sold out a world record price of $24 million at a Sotheby’s auction 2014. In 2001, Patek Philippe launched the Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 5002, the world’s most expensive watch series, selling for just under £597,000.
Legendary Oldest Luxury Watch Brands in the World Worth Collecting
Legendary wristwatches have achieved iconic status due to their exceptional craftsmanship, historical significance, or association with influential figures or events. The present Rolex wristwatch, Audemars Piguet, and Omega watch embody the essence of timeless elegance sought after by collectors and enthusiasts due to their unique design, superior quality, and appeal. Here are the three old luxury watch brands worth collecting
Rolex: From humble beginnings to global icon
Rolex is a luxury watch brand that has become a global icon. Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf and Davis in Geneva, Switzerland. The brand registered as Rolex in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915.
The commitment and visionary spirit of Rolex’s success lies behind the power of a strong brand identity, a commitment to excellence, and a willingness to innovate. The company only uses the highest quality materials including 904L stainless steel and tested to ensure they can withstand extreme conditions.
Over the years, Rolex has introduced several iconic models for some of the most influential people in history, including world leaders, athletes, and celebrities. The brand has become synonymous with Submariner, Daytona, and Datejust. Rolex has also been at the forefront of technological advancements, introducing features such as the first waterproof watch and the first watch with a date display.
Today, Rolex is one of the most prestigious watch brands in the world and continues to be a leader in the luxury watch industry.
Audemars Piguet: Crafting exceptional timepieces since 1875
Audemars Piguet is an old luxury watch brand that has created exceptional timepieces since 1875. known for incorporating new materials and technologies into their designs, such as ceramic and carbon fiber while maintaining the traditional craftsmanship that has made them one of the most respected names in the industry.
The brand has produced many iconic timepieces over the years including the Royal Oak, which revolutionized the watchmaking industry with its innovative design and use of stainless steel. As a result, the brand has become a driving force in the luxury watch industry and a favorite among watch enthusiasts and collectors, thanks to its commitment to innovation and quality.
Omega: Pioneering innovations in watchmaking
Omega is a world-renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker at the forefront of pioneering innovations in the industry for over a century. With a rich heritage since 1848, Omega is one of the most prestigious and respected oldest Swiss watch brands worldwide.
Over the years, Omega has been responsible for numerous breakthroughs in watch technology. They made history by creating the first watch worn on the moon in 1969, the Omega Speedmaster. Followed by the Seamaster Professional 600, the first watch that could withstand a diving depth of 600 meters.
Omega’s dedication to precision and innovation has made it a favorite among watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. Most of its watches feature innovative materials and technology that set them apart from other luxury watches.
Whether you’re looking for a classic timepiece that exudes elegance and sophistication or a cutting-edge watch that combines style with functionality, Omega has something to offer. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Omega continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in luxury watches.
