8 most expensive brands of men's watches
Wrist watches have long ceased to be just a necessary accessory, but have become a sign of prestige and wealth. Today it is not just chronographs, but designer jewelery, the cost of which sometimes exceeds several million dollars. They are made of platinum, white or pink gold, encrusted with diamonds, diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones. For many, a watch is the same proof of status and status as a cruise yacht or a vintage car.
For a long time masters work on creating unique designs. They produce real masterpieces, many of which are striking in their beauty and complexity of mechanisms and which later occupy worthy places in famous museums of the world.
Rating of the most expensive brands of men's watches
Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
TOP 8 most expensive brands of watches for men | 1 | Jaeger-lecoultre | the most accurate mechanisms |
2 | Audemars Piguet | best handmade watches | |
3 | Ulysse nardin | the best high-tech developments | |
4 | Patek philippe | most expensive models | |
5 | Rolex | the most legendary brand | |
6 | Omega | the most high-strength and durable models | |
7 | Panerai | best waterproof watches | |
8 | Tag heuer | top sports models |
TOP 8 most expensive brands of watches for men
Our experts have compiled a ranking of the most expensive brands, including in the TOP-8 the best manufacturers of luxury luxury watches. They are preferred by famous politicians, businessmen, stars of show business. Many companies publish single copies that are sold at world auctions. There are models, the price of which exceeds 20 million dollars, and they still have not found their owner. In any case, designer watches are a successful investment, their value never drops, and increases two or even three times over time.
Jaeger-lecoultre
Rating: 5.0
The oldest Swiss brand was founded in 1833 in the city of Le Santier, where a small watch factory was opened. The company in those days managed to create such a perfect mechanism that no measuring device could recognize the degree of their inaccuracy. And then the specialists of the brand created a million meter. It was he who served over half a century as a precision guide for all watch movements.
The brand develops the Duoplan caliber in 1925, which was later used to create the Cal.101 mechanism. Currently, it is considered the smallest caliber in the world; no other company has ever been able to make it smaller. The guide Jaeger-LeCoultre aims to develop a new concept of improved men's watches, which at the end of the last century creates innovative mechanisms with the functions of a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a minute repeater.
Since its foundation, the company adheres to the main principle: “Beauty, technical excellence and sophistication are inseparable from each other,” and produces complex mechanisms that become the benchmark of quality. What is their famous caliber Hybris Mechanica, which accurately reproduces the sound of the famous Big Ben watches?In its production has been used more than 1300 parts.
Audemars Piguet
Rating: 5.0
The next company in the rating was established in 1895 by two talented craftsmen. Subsequently, it got its name, thanks to the combination of two names of the great watchmakers: Audemars and Piguet. Their models have always been distinguished by precision and advanced mechanisms. Currently, no more than 15,000 thousand copies are produced annually, since they are all produced manually. The main difference between the brand's products is an ultra-flat mechanism, which not only has high manufacturability, but also allows you to create compact-sized men's watches.
The company has always strived to develop new advanced watches and constantly became an innovator, creating the thinnest pocket models in 1925, the thinnest men's wrist watches in 1946, and the thinnest self-winding mechanism in 1967. Special attention was paid to design. Brand first released watch, decorated with diamonds.
The form is mostly octahedral for all chronographs with a massive bracelet or strap. By production the most exclusive materials are used: if gold, then the highest test; if stainless steel, then only with improved durability and strength characteristics. Also used and not quite normal for male models of ceramics, carbon, platinum, carbon fiber.
Ulysse nardin
Rating: 5.0
The company began its history 170 years ago in the Swiss town of Le Locle, where it began to produce marine chronometers and astronomical clocks. She is still considered an innovator in watchmaking, developing unique men's luxury models. Independence, imagination and moving forward are the main inspirations of the brand, helping to reach unprecedented heights in such a complex matter as the creation of ultra-modern and accurate chronographs that fall into the collections of the powerful.
The brand's logo became the anchor in memory of the first successful inventions of its founder. The company's developments were highly appreciated by international experts, and more than once they became laureates of prestigious competitions. So the model Astrolabium Galileo Galilei entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1989 as the most sophisticated men's wrist watch in the world. The brand has the most patents for the development of mechanical parts.
In the production of materials used only premium: gold, platinum, precious stones. Keeping and following traditions, many dials are decorated with mother-of-pearl or enamel. All collections are limited. For example, the model Maxi Skeleton was presented in 50 copies.
Patek philippe
Rating: 4.9
The next representative of Switzerland, included in the rating, is the oldest watch company with a world name, whose unique products are known to all connoisseurs of luxury accessories. Its symbol was the cross of the Spanish Order of Calatrava. Constant research in the field of watchmaking has led to the fact that many of the created instances are considered the best samples ever made.
In 1925, the brand presents the first men's watch with a perpetual calendar, then chronographs are created with fractions of seconds and minute repeater. The most expensive model released by the company is considered to be the Henry Graves Supercomplication. The watch was sold at Sotheby's for $ 11 million. Their development and production lasted 5 years, they were made of white gold, the mechanism consisted of 900 parts and reproduced 24 functions. At the moment they are in the Swiss watch museum in Geneva.
Designers of the company adhere to the classics, but do not forget to bring something new and ultra-modern. The main direction is a discreet decor and an emphasis on luxurious materials. In the entire history, 600 models were produced, which were developed and created by the best masters of unique technologies, preserving the traditions of Swiss watchmakers, considered the best in the world.
Rolex
Rating: 4.9
The story of the world-famous Rolex begins in 1905 in London.Their creator Hans Wilsdorf forever turned the concept of "fashion", releasing the world's first men's wrist watches. Before that, only women wore them, but gentlemen preferred pocket models. In 1910, they were issued a certificate of chronometric accuracy, and subsequently were assigned class A. Today the logo of the brand in the form of a crown is known worldwide. The headquarters of the brand is located in Switzerland in Geneva, and the production itself - in the city of Biel.
It is worth noting that Rolex is one of the few firms that uses its own parts exclusively, without purchasing them from other companies. Today the brand is the most successful and recognized leader among manufacturers of luxury goods. His watches are the most forged in the world, which is another proof of his success. This product has its serial number labeled.
The most expensive men's watch of the company was sold at auction for 17.7 million dollars. It was the legendary Daytona of yellow gold with a diamond dial and bezel, emeralds on the tags, issued in 1968 and belonged to the famous actor Paul Newman.
Omega
Rating: 4.8
Again in the ranking of the company from Switzerland, founded in 1848 in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The first manufactured pocket watches from parts supplied by artisans were very popular with the locals, and gradually the rumor about them spread throughout Europe. Soon a factory opens, where both the production of parts and their assembly is carried out in one place.
The first caliber issued by the brand was called the last letter of the Greek alphabet Ω (Omega), and subsequently the company decided to call it that way. After all, it meant completeness, durability and superiority. Designers do not adhere to any one style - they represent classic, sporty and even avant-garde male models.
In 1965, the company’s watches, along with models of other brands, were tested in zero gravity conditions, under the influence of a magnetic field and temperatures from -18 to + 93 ° С. And only Omega Speedmaster was certified by NASA for space flight and selected for the Apollo program. Jacques-Yves Cousteau used the watch for his research at a depth of 500 m. Subsequently, a model with a water protection of 1000 meters was released. It is the watches of this brand that have become an unchanged attribute of James Bond since 1995.
Panerai
Rating: 4.8
Giovanni Panerai opens the first workshop in 1860 in Florence, where the first hours are created at the same time, then sold to the local population and where young masters are trained in complex work. Later, the company will become the official supplier of high precision instruments for the Italian Navy. Until 1993, the brand produces models for military submariners and watch officers. After this, a new era of the brand begins, which conquers the civilian watch market and becomes the leader along with the oldest Swiss companies.
A distinctive feature of the brand was the use of self-luminous paint, the composition of which was patented in 1915. This allowed the use of devices in total darkness. And now the developers have not abandoned this technology. Luminous hands - an indispensable attribute of all men's watches. Also, all men's watches differ in the characteristic shape of the pillow with a slightly convex glass.
Today, Panerai is a well-recognized brand whose watches are distinguished by their signature design, enhanced accuracy and water resistance. Half of the models are made by hand. Since 2014, a new manufactory has been opened in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), where the development, production, assembly and control of exclusive watches take place.
Tag heuer
Rating: 4.7
The Swiss company included in the rating begins its history from 1860 with the creation of a small watch workshop. But after 9 years, thanks to the talent, dedication and hard work of Edward Hoare, there was a real revolution that turned the idea of time. Instead of a key, a crown was used for the plant, which greatly facilitated the operation of the watch.
The brand is known for its meticulous control during the entire production process and for checking the finished products.The main direction of the company is sports models and luxury chronographs. The series are available for scuba diving, golf and auto racing Formula 1. A high degree of water resistance, bright hands, a well-read dial is the main difference between TAG Heuer watches.
Today, men's watches of the company are an indispensable attribute of many famous athletes and people who value functionality, practicality, style and quality. She is an innovator of many high-tech ideas that are implemented in life. In 2012, the brand was awarded the most prestigious award - the Grand Prix of fine watchmaking "Golden Arrow". But the company never stops on its achievements, creating exclusive chronographs with the maximum range of functions.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.