Time is relative, as Einstein put it, but what of timekeeping? Horology has always been a fascinating topic for me, the impeccable precision and the intricate mechanism that operates our wristwatch is amazing if you think about it. Within that small frame lies a complex maze of cogs and wheels that helps us keep track of time. If you want a romanticized version of it, we basically follow what the clock tells us to do – from lunchtime, dinner, and bedtime – we are all in the palm and indebted to Father Time.
Some of the oldest watch brands.
In the industry of horology, time is also relative to certain watchmakers. While some faded away into the annals of watch history, others proved their mettle in this craft and managed to withstand the test of time either by adapting to the ever-changing flow or by mastering their craft to its fullest potential.
In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the oldest watch brands in the world.
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Oldest Watch Brands
Blancpain (1735)
The current titleholder and the watch company that is generally considered the oldest watchmaker today is Blancpain. Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the company is the epitome of humble beginnings. The very first Blancpain workshop opened in the founder’s own home in Villeret, Switzerland. Blancpain was not always in operations though as it had its fair share of lulls and financial problems throughout the centuries. The company also found itself to be the official supplier of the French navy which allowed them to sharpen their horological knowledge and skills in crafting reliable and robust dive watches.
Favre-Leuba (1737)
Here, we have another obscure watch brand that has been developing and manufacturing timepieces since the early 1700s. Let that sink in for a bit. The company was started by Abraham Favre in Le Locle, Switzerland. Their current headquarter was moved to Solothurn, Switzerland. While some may say the company has lost some of its luster, they are still crafting some highly unique timepieces that make it a worthwhile investment for watch collectors to get a hold of their timepieces.
Initially known as Favre, it wasn’t until 1815 when Auguste Leuba joined the company, was the company was rebranded as Favre-Leuba. The company, as with most Swiss watchmakers, suffered financially during the Quartz revolution in the 70s. In fact, Favre-Leuba was forced to close in the 80s because of this. Fortunately, the company was revived in 2011, they are now known for developing innovative and highly advanced timepieces for pilots.
Jaquet Droz (1738)
Jaquet Droz is another Swiss watchmaker brand that has been in the game for a considerably and impressively long time. This watch company was founded by one, Pierre Jaquet Droz in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. One particular aspect about Jaquet Droz watches that you will immediately notice is their impeccable and stunning aesthetics.
The brand’s outstanding aesthetics is not surprising as the company was built upon the ideals of Haute horology watchmaking. This means that the focus of Jaquet Droz watches leans over the style and artistic merit, more so than its inner workings. You can appreciate their unique style in watch designs with their Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde SW models.
Ferdinand Berthoud (1753)
One of the more obscure watch brands that is also among the oldest in the industry is Ferdinand Berthoud. This brand is known for its unique timepiece designs such as with their Ferdinand Berthoud FB 1.3 Chronometer. The company was founded by its namesake, Ferdinand Berthoud in Paris, France, and its current headquarters can be found in Fleurier, Switzerland. The founder, Ferdinand Berthoud, was a watchmaker and scientist who worked with the French navy. During the time, Berthoud was among the inventors of the marine chronometer, as such, you can expect Ferdinand Berthoud watches to deliver top-tier diving capabilities.
Vacheron Constantin (1755)
One of the oldest watch companies functioning till today, Vacheron Constantin set up its shop in 1755. Based in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin has garnered a name for designing and manufacturing complex, complicated watches. One such is Reference 57260 with 57 complications and 2,826 components. This brand also holds the record for one of the most expensive watches sold at an auction at $2.7 million USD.
Embodying their 266 years of watchmaking history and expertise, Vacheron Constantin strives for bold design with unique aesthetics. All watches come carefully hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen, giving them a superior finishing like no other. If you are looking for a Vacheron Constantin with their in-build complications, the Overseas Collection has plenty to offer. The Historique Collection, on the other hand, celebrates the brand’s legacy and heritage. And, finally, the Patrimony Collection showcases elegance and sophistication.
Vacheron Constantin along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are considered by many to be the top three watch brands and are known among horologists as the “Holy Trinity of Watchmakers”.
Longines (1832)
Longines is another famous Swiss watch brand that planted its roots in St. Imier, Switzerland back in 1832 –its headquarters are still there to this day. Founded by Auguste Agassiz, Longines is now part of the Swatch Group of companies and is available all over the world. One particular aspect about Longines watches is that the company has an archive of all the serial numbers of virtually every timepiece they have developed and manufactured – and seeing as they have been around for over a century, that is a pretty impressive list.
This will also allow Longines to provide you with a Certificate of Authenticity and other important documents about your particular watch model. Which is of great help for collectors and repairs. All Longines timepieces are made in Switzerland, so you can rest assured that all their watch models go through the strict Swiss quality assurance process. Currently, Longines is considered one of the more prestigious luxury watches that are more affordable alternatives to Rolex.
Patek Philippe (1839)
Originally launched in 1839, this watch company took the name Patek Philippe only in 1851. The founders’ illustrious background in watchmaking enabled the brand to set out to develop high-quality luxury watches. Since its inception, Patek Philippe has crafted new mechanisms and innovation, shaping the luxury watch landscape and finding its secure spot with the top watchmakers of the world. In 2020, Patek Philippe took the name for the most expensive watch sold at an auction at $31 million USD.
With inventions like keyless hand-winding mechanisms, tourbillon, and perpetual calendar wristwatch, Patek Philippe has mastered the fineness of luxury watchmaking. The Grand Collection is an example of the brand’s vision to craft exquisite watches with unparalleled designs and aesthetics. Patek Philippe watches come with extremely advanced technology. To this extent, they devised their own seal to certify watches fitting high precision and accuracy. Known as the PP seal, this certification guarantees the watch will last for generations!
Omega (1848)
Omega is quite possibly, one of the most stylish Swiss luxury watch brands in the world. Founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds with current headquarters in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Omega is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers that are still in the running to this day. Not only are they still around, but they are also among the top brands in the watch market with a level of prestige that can only be matched by the likes of Rolex and TAG Heuer. Omega is also a member of the prestigious Swatch Group.
Omega is also mostly known today as being the official timepiece of the James Bond 007 of the movie franchise of the same name. There are only a handful of watch brands that managed to break outside of its industry and into the mainstream – and Omega is one such company that can claim to have achieved this feat.
Tissot (1853)
Tissot is another longstanding and beloved Swiss watch brand that was founded by the father and son duo, Charles-Felicien and Charles-Emile Tissot in Cret-Vaillant, Le Locle, Switzerland. Tissot’s level of knowledge in developing timepieces allowed the company to develop both manual and automatic timepieces. The brand has also achieved a level of prominence that few Swiss brands have achieved. Of course, Tissot won’t be able to last this long without being open to change and to evolve – a trait that the company has no shortage of to begin with.
Around the 90s, Tissot introduced their T-Collection which aims to innovate their watch models to include advanced watch features that enhance functionality and reliability. Amidst all of this, Tissot still maintained their roots by not straying too far away from tradition.
TAG Heuer (1860)
With its current popularity in the market and modern appeal, you would think that TAG Heuer is a relatively new brand in the market. The truth is that this watch company has been around since 1860. Founded by Edouard Heuer in St. Imier, Switzerland – the company was initially known as the Heuer Watch Company. While already making a name for itself, it did not reach the next level up until the 1920s, when Heuer Watch Company landed a deal with the Olympics, making their timepieces the official timekeeper of the world-famous sporting event.
TAG Heuer further pushed the envelope with their Mikrograph timepiece which was, at the time, the most accurate watch in the public market with its 360,000 VPH rating. TAG Heuer is currently one of the most popular fashion luxury watch brands in the market. Their timepieces are built with a focus on both style and substance.
IWC Schaffhausen (1869)
IWC was founded in Boston in 1868, but as with most American watchmakers, they migrated their main headquarters over to Switzerland. IWC Schaffhausen is largely known for sticking to the traditional method of watchmaking, but they are also not shy of injecting their timepieces with innovation. This affinity to adapt to the ever-changing technology is one of the main reasons why IWC is still going strong to this day.
Similar to Hamilton, IWC also managed to blend the two very contrasting styles of American and Swiss watchmaking. While vastly opposite, once you do manage to blend these two styles together – you get a unique style that exudes the intrepid American business sense and the complex and high-quality build of Swiss watches.
Audemars Piguet (1875)
Set up in Le Brassus, Switzerland, Audemars Piguet manufactures mechanical luxury watches. This brand has produced a vast range of horological components, paving the way for a sophisticated time viewing experience. Over the years, the brand has introduced the world’s first-minute repeating movement, ultra thin-automatic tourbillon, the world’s thinnest perpetual calendar, and the first skeleton watch.
Most of all, the Royal Oak Collection remains the most sought-after by watch aficionados. Initially launched in the ’70s, at the advent of the Quartz Crisis, the Royal Oak Collection propelled the company to great success. New design paired with high-class craftsmanship put Royal Oak on top of the watch world.
Designed in a hexagonal bezel, a design never seen at that time, not just helped the company thrive, but continues to bring in sales even today. Some of their contemporary collections like the Code 11.59 and Millenary Collections, too, epitomizes the brand’s value and legacy in beautifully designed watches.
Seiko (1881)
One of Japan’s most well-known brands, Seiko has been around since 1881 and was founded by 22-year-old, Kintaro Hattori in Ginza, Tokyo. Initially, Seiko was a watch repair shop but then opened a factory of its own in Seikosha at around 1892. Seiko also gets the distinction of being the first manufacturer to develop the first wristwatch in the Japanese market which was made available in 1913. That is quite an achievement and cemented Seiko’s place in the history books. To this day, Seiko remains a prominent fixture in the watch market and continues to innovate the industry with advancements in watch technology.
Breitling (1844)
Breitling is one of the more well-known Swiss watch brands with a rather illustrious reputation in Europe. Known for their robust and multi-functional timepieces such as the Navitimer and Chronomat, Breitling focuses on advancing the functionality of their timepieces with a mish-mash of watch technologies while retaining the quality craftsmanship that is synonymous with Swiss watches. Breitling is also well-known for its impressive array of watch movements that all come with the coveted COSC certification.
You are guaranteed high-precision reliability and multi-functional timekeeping with a Breitling timepiece. When it comes to tough and dependable Swiss watches, Breitling is certainly one of the first names that will pop up in the discussion.
Certina (1888)
Certina is another long-standing Swiss watch brand that was founded in Grenchen, Switzerland. Certina is not exactly a staple in the watch market compared to its brethren like Longines, Swatch, and Omega – but this can be attributed to the brand’s focus on developing timepieces for the motor racing industry more so than the consumer market. Still, it is one of the more elegant and sophisticated brands in the mid-range watch market that delivers impeccable quality at a reasonable price tag. We would definitely recommend Certina watches for those looking for top-tier Swiss timepieces that can match up to more recognizable brands in terms of build and watch movement.
Hamilton (1892)
This American watchmaker company was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by Abram Bitner. You can also jot down Hamilton as one of the well-established watchmakers that transferred their headquarters to Switzerland. This blending of two vastly different styles – the elegance and intricacy of Swiss watches with the bold and rugged style of American watches, was quite favorable to Hamilton indeed. The heritage that comes with the Hamilton brand name is enough to make their timepieces sought-after in the market by both casual customers and watch enthusiasts alike. Hamilton is one of the top mid-range watches in the market and is now currently affiliated with the Swatch Group.
Oris (1904)
Right behind Rolex is Oris which was founded a year before (1904) in Holstein, Switzerland by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian. Oris earns a distinct reputation of being one of the few Swiss watch brands that still exclusively develop and manufacture mechanical timepieces to this day. Oris’ insistence in sticking to the traditional method of watch craftsmanship is quite respectable and gives their timepieces a certain charm and appeal to traditionalists. Oris watches are also quite flexible in regards to its price range which further opens up the brand to a wider group of watch enthusiasts. If you are in the market for mechanical watches, Oris should be on the top of your list.
Rolex (1905)
Rolex has become synonymous with wristwatches and is the most recognizable name in this market. Rolex timepieces are a symbol of luxury and of impeccable watch craftsmanship. The company was founded back in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf. Their current headquarters is now located in Geneva, Switzerland – technically making them Swiss watches which further adds to Rolex’s mystique. To this day, Rolex is going strong, stronger than ever, in fact. They are also one of the most sought-after brands in the market with models that can range up to thousands of dollars and is a must-have for serious watch enthusiasts and collectors.
