Which of our dear readers will be able to answer the question which is better and more prestigious: orange juice or apple? Tea or coffee? Skiing or skating? Mercedes or BMW? Tag Heuer or Hublot? Agree that it is impossible to answer unequivocally to any of the questions posed. Choosing something from the proposed, you either unwittingly offend another person who has a point of view that differs from yours, or you will not be honest enough, trying to "hook" and not offend the interlocutor. Therefore, when I typed the title of this article, "watch rating", I thought for a long time how to make this rating of watch brands and not offend anyone's feelings. In my opinion, the main thing in this matter is the priorities and desires of the person who chooses this or that brand of watches, and the matter is not even in the cost of the model or its popularity, but in its external and internal attractiveness for this or that buyer.
On the other hand, if watch models are in completely different price categories, it seems that it is quite simple to make a rating of wristwatches: the more expensive, the “cooler”. But if the prices are practically the same, then how to determine the most prestigious brand and depict the most correct world rating of watches? What criteria should be taken as a basis: the degree of brand promotion, the complexity of the built-in mechanisms, the “coolness” of the name of the watch brand, the high cost of the materials used, or the opinions of the “mighty of this world”? In addition, watch companies themselves add problems, the number of which is growing rapidly every day, which complicates the task of compiling an adequate table showing the rating of the prestige of watches.
Very often I heard opinions that there is a certain hierarchical pyramid or graduation of hours, a certain rating Swiss watches, ten (hundred) best and so on. I hasten to assure you that the existence of such a single rating is a myth, just like the lifetime warranty for all Swiss watches. No mechanism can serve for several decades without proper care, but with proper handling, anything is possible. However, today is not about that.
If you use the almighty Internet, then by request "rating of hours" you will find a huge number of tables, charts and lists compiled by certain people who proceeded from their own beliefs and were guided by special goals. Any rating of wristwatches cannot serve as the only correct guide for the buyer. For example, each of the watch manufacturers, as a rule, offers its own rating of watch brands, in which it occupies a certain place. Its competitor demonstrates a different rating of the best watches, where it positions itself on a completely different line. As you yourself understand, we are not talking about any objectivity here - pure advertising! Very often in popular magazines and other periodicals you can find a very interesting rating of wristwatches, but again it will be aimed at a specific audience, which should definitely be taken into account. For example, the rating of Swiss watches by a European magazine may radically differ from the list compiled, for example, by American journalists. In addition, it should be admitted that often the rating of the best watches or the rating of the prestige of watches, compiled by journalists, rather refers to the new products presented in a particular year, rather than to the creativity of watch brands over a long period of time.
Any watch forum is a real "battlefield" on which "battles" and disputes about which watches are considered the best do not subside for a minute. After visiting one of these forums, I came to the conclusion that no one has yet managed to present an overall rating of the prestige of watches, which would fully reflect the picture of the watch world and would correspond to the views of all watch lovers and specialists. Members of the forum break their spears, there is a battle "not for life, but for death", but all the same, everyone remains unconvinced. Then a logical question arises - who to believe and whose opinion to rely on? And you need to believe yourself and rely on your preferences, but you also need to pay attention to the point of view of watch experts.
Today I undertook to do the almost impossible - to make a rating of watch brands, based on certain observations and well-known facts. Perhaps, by doing so, I will incur the wrath of some visitors to our site, but I ask you not to judge me harshly in advance, as I tried to be as objective as possible. The first question when drawing up a chart showing the rating of watch brands is what to start from and what criteria to rely on. Well, that's a very good question!
It would seem that everything is simple - we study statistics, find the best-selling brand and put it in the lead. However, even this will not help the business, because in this case the most budget watch models available to a wide range of buyers will come out ahead. Such a rating of watch brands will also show the least-sold models, but let's think about why they are not selling much. Perhaps because they are surprisingly complex, incredibly good, and therefore prohibitively expensive. Or they are really not interesting to anyone. This, as they say, is a double-edged sword, therefore, a separately taken criterion of "sellability" cannot be used when compiling a list reflecting the rating of watch companies.
I could draw a rating of watch companies based on the number of sophisticated models of each company. The more complex watches there are in the manufactory's piggy bank, the more prestigious and elite the brand, but in this case, the brands working in the field of fashionable fashion watches will immediately disappear from the table. Such watch companies often focus not on an ultra-complex mechanism, replacing the excellent mechanical "engine" with a simple quartz version, but on the rich external design of watches, the elements of which are sometimes made of very expensive materials. Agree, it also turns out somehow dishonest.
Of course, when making a rating of watch manufacturers, you can take the history of the watch company as a basis. Manufacturers with centuries of experience have firmly established themselves in the modern market, who delight fans of horology with their creations for more than one century. But young brands do not want to lag behind their older colleagues in any way, persistently developing their knowledge and accumulating experience. Therefore, it is impossible to build a rating of watch brands according to the principle “the older, the more prestigious”, because such a list would be very unfair in relation to young and promising brands. Take, for example, Maurice Lacroix, which appeared on the world watch scene not so long ago, but has already managed to achieve great heights in the watch industry. On the account of Maurice Lacroix a large number of prestigious awards for daring designs and intricate mechanisms. In addition, the manufactory is considered one of the leaders in the creation of retrograde watches. But what about the young Italian brand Anonimo, which during its short history made a huge number of useful discoveries and introduced into production very valuable innovative ideas and incredible developments? Apparently, this brand will go far!
I also do not take into account the most obvious criterion “watch price”, and the rating of Swiss watch brands in terms of the cost of their models has long existed in “ world wide web". If you are interested in the rating of expensive watches, I advise you to read several articles on this topic on our information portal in the "Hour magazine" section.
As you have already noticed, it is almost impossible to make a unified rating of watch manufacturers, it is necessary to take into account a huge number of factors. In addition, each society has its own gradation of data. wrist accessories: someone likes a richer watch, for another great importance the design itself plays, and for the third - the complexity and multifunctionality of the model. There are also unique watch brands on the market that seem to stand apart, and a very narrow circle of certain customers has formed around them. A good example in in this case the Officine Panerai company can serve, which does not need any ratings and no advertising at all. The brand has a permanent large army of true fans who do not need to explain the position of the brand in relation to its competitors. It does not always happen that watches from the same manufacturer are equally popular in different parts of the world. This is worth understanding, so I bring to your attention a few synopses prestige of watch brands in three markets: Russian, European and American. Let's start, of course, with Russia.
After analyzing the huge amount of information that the Internet offers us, I came to the conclusion that the most appropriate option would be Russian rating watch brands, positions in which are divided into several categories. This takes into account not only the rating of Swiss watches, but also the positions of models from other manufacturers that have achieved certain heights in the world arena. That is, this is a fairly general world rating of watches, which took into account the popularity of the brand, the company's turnover, the scale of the distribution network, as well as the quantity and quality of models produced per year.
The first category includes watches of the "super luxury" class, which are paid attention to by fairly wealthy citizens of our country. The rating of expensive watches consists of the 10 most popular, in my opinion, brands on the Russian market. These brands are, let's say, the top of the pyramid and the giants of watchmaking.
1. Strict A.Lange & Sohne
2. Legendary Audemars Piguet
3. Graceful Blancpain
4. Classic Breguet
5. The ambitious Frank Muller
6. The incomparable Girard-Perregaux
7. Resourceful Jaeger-LeCoultre
8. Iconic Patek Philippe
9. Unique Vacheron Constantin
10. Resourceful Richard Mille
The second category is the models of the "luxury" class, which have beaten the top lines of all the watch "charts". Here as many as twelve places are shared by the following brands:
1. Forever "flying" forward Breitling
2. The resplendent Cartier
3. Vanguard Tag Heuer
4. Memorable Hublot
5. Military Officine Panerai
6. Timeless and impenetrable Rolex
7. Omega pioneer
8. Reliable IWC
9. Creative Ulysse Nardin
10. Persistent Zenith
11. Ultrathin Piaget
12. Majestic Monblanc
Everything Wrist Watch I have presented the “premium” class in the following table, which reflects the rating of watch brands for a given period of time. Each of the brands deserves the title of "best" in their category.
1. Attractive Longines
2. Extraordinary Maurice Lacroix
3. Ultra-precise Oris
4. Fashionable Rado
5. Elegant Perrelet
6. Romantic Ebel
7. Tissot never ceases to amaze
8. Devoted to the hour-long "music" Raymond Weil
9. Sporty Chronoswiss
10. Versatile Fortis
Wristwatches of the “fashion” category attract many customers, first of all, with their original design. Well, and at a relatively low price, of course. Among the companies working in the fashion direction, the undisputed leaders have stood out. I included them in the following rating of watch brands:
1. Charming Chanel
2. Posh Ice Link
3. Bright Louis Viutton
4. Serious Anne Klein
5. Welcome Dolce & Gabbana
6. Stylish Pierre Cardin
7. Intelligent Calvin Klein
8. Expressive Dior
9. Functional Hugo Boss
10. Fantastic Versace
We can observe approximately the same picture on the modern watch market in Russia. However, in order to avoid harsh criticism from our dear readers, I will explain once again that this rating of watch companies was compiled taking into account some of my personal observations, so it is partly subjective. If you adhere to a different point of view or have made your own reasonable rating, then please contact the administration of our site, and we will be happy to hear your opinion. We are interested in everyone's point of view!
When it comes to the prestige of watches in the European market, I decided to be guided by one of the most famous European magazines - Business Montres, which last year presented its rating of Swiss watch brands. As the newspaper writes, when compiling the rating, not only the popularity of brands, turnover, distribution network, but also the creativity of the team of craftsmen, growth potential, management efficiency and the target group of clients were taken into account.
This list includes the following Swiss manufacturers:
1. Rolex
2. Cartier (the only manufacturer on the list with French roots)
3. Patek Philippe (known in Europe as a symbol of the highest quality)
4. Tag Heuer
5. Omega
6. Chopard
7. Frank Muller
8. Breitling (this brand is respected in Europe for its professionalism, accuracy and reliability)
9. Audemars Piguet
10. IWC
It seems to me that everything is logical. Incomparable Rolex, as always, “ahead of the rest”. However, the American market has prioritized somewhat differently.
The well-known New York organization Luxury Institute, engaged in research in the field of the luxury industry, conducted a large-scale poll among respondents with an annual household income above the average to compile its rating. Simply put, they interviewed very wealthy fans of watchmaking. All watch brands have undergone the strictest selection, and first of all, American journalists took into account the quality level of the watches and the originality of the design. In addition, the respondents shared their personal experience possession of models from past collections of watch brands.
As a result, a very interesting picture emerged. Rolex, which is loved with all their hearts in Europe, was not even included in the top five by picky Americans. Apparently, the Blancpain brand, which, in turn, was not included in the top ten European brands, is to the liking of Americans, as well as to Russian buyers. How many people, so many opinions - you cannot please everyone! In general, see for yourself:
1. Blancpain
2. Vacheron Constantin (by the way, this brand, according to the rating of Europeans, is only in 24th place, which is also very surprising. But separately taken Italians, who know a lot about beauty, consider Vacheron Constantin a real watch ideal, and in the ranking of Italy this brand is on the first location.)
3. Breguet (in Europe this brand has 12th place)
4. Chopard
5. Hublot (according to European data - 25th place)
6. IWC
7. Rolex
8. Van Cleef & Arpels (all Hollywood stars do not like the diamond models of this brand)
9. Harry Winston (the jewelry and watch brand still conquered American millionaires with its Opuses)
10. Frank Muller
If we consider the rating of watch manufacturers over the past ten years, it becomes clear that the overall picture has changed little to date. The old, experienced giants of the watch industry do not want to "retire" and give up their leading positions to newcomers, but time will tell. Perhaps in the near future, we will be delighted with the sophisticated, creative and ultra-functional models of young brands that are now accumulating strength and experience to come to the fore. Be that as it may, but the art of creating watches today is at the peak of its development. Therefore, "stopping time" will not work, because the watch industry will never allow this.
Regarding issues such as men's watch rating and rating ladies watch, then nothing concrete can be said here. I will only note one thing: according to some statistical sources, among expensive watches among beautiful ladies, the most popular are Rolex and Montblanc. Although these data are very relative, so there is no point in compiling a separate rating for women's watches or a rating for men's watches.
So where did we end up? As it turned out, there was no consensus on which watch should be considered the most prestigious. We are all people with our own exceptional characteristics and unique preferences, so during your next trip to the watch boutique, be guided by your heart, it will not deceive. And, of course, by material means! Although in the circle of watch lovers it is not accepted to save on the objects of their admiration, since it is believed that expensive watches do not just create time, but show how dear it is to their owner. In addition, it's hard to disagree that an expensive watch is a great way to make a good investment. Study the very detailed information concerning all of the above watch brands, you can on the pages of our information portal... Happy shopping and see you soon!
Natalie
Currently there is huge selection women's watches of various brands. Interestingly, not only watch companies with a long history, but also almost all famous European fashion houses are now engaged in the production of time meters.
No one is surprised anymore when a model, walking the catwalk in outfits from Gucci or from Chanel, has a watch of the same company glittering on her hand, completing the look.
Interestingly, haute couture watches compete on an equal footing with famous watch brands that have built up their impeccable reputation over the years.
Let's try to figure out which brands of watches for women are most quoted by the beautiful half of humanity.
The most famous brands of wrist watches for women + photos
It should be noted right away that there are no companies that produce only women's (or only men's) watches. Almost all well-known watch companies in the world can equally be considered branded for both men and women.
Every year, a dozen leading manufacturers are identified, whose chronometers, according to buyers, are the most popular.
Over the years, the best firms have included:
Blancpain
Patek philippe
Montblanc
Guess, etc.
It is difficult to say which famous watch company is the most, since each of them works in its specific and price segment. Therefore, it is more logical to classify famous manufacturers of time indicators based on what kind of products they produce.
It's no secret that watches are divided into status watches, watches-accessories, watches-devices and just watches.
We continue to show photos of women's watches:
Status indicators are usually called time indicators, which immediately, without direct dialogue, report important information about the rank of its owner (owner). By the brand of watches, for example, it is easy to guess at what step of the social ladder a person is.
As a rule, chronometers for tall people are made of expensive materials - noble metals or high-quality alloys. In addition, such movements have an impeccable timeless design, the highest accuracy of movement and, of course, an impressive value. It would not be wrong to say that in certain circles, status chronometers act as practically a second passport.
An accessory watch can also be made from far from cheap materials (gold, platinum, diamonds), but they still have a slightly different function. Their the main task- demonstrate a sense of style and great taste of your owner (hostess) and complement the fashionable ensemble with an impressive accent.
The watch-device is preferred by people leading an active lifestyle. For them, the main thing is that the watch should be multifunctional and not only show the time, but, if possible, serve as a compass, stopwatch, heart rate meter, etc.
Ordinary watches are chosen by practical people without any special claims, for whom it is important just to know the exact time.
Swiss ladies watches from famous brands
Swiss manufacturers are confidently holding the palm in the production of high-profile women's watches. The best women's brands of Swiss watches are produced by Breguet, Rolex, Omega, Montblanc, Raymond Weil, Adriatica, Frederique Constant.
The House of Breguet has long been the creator of luxury watch movements for the mighty. At one time, the clients of the brand were kings and queens (in particular, Queen Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria), and now the ladies' chronometers of the renowned company are worn by the spouses of presidents and famous business women.
Modern collections of women's wristwatches by Breguet are distinguished by special refinement. A characteristic feature of the company's products for women is the gracefully curved oval shape of the dial. Ladies' watches are made of white or pink gold, the dial can be made of natural materials (in particular, mother of pearl), the crown is often inlaid with diamonds.
At the same time, Breguet watch movements are extremely functional: women's chronometers not only look luxurious - they have a perfect movement and provide the most accurate movement.
Rolex is another world-famous company that produces exclusive women's watches. A distinctive feature of Rolex ladies' watches is a rounded case made of precious metals and mother-of-pearl dials. A scattering of diamonds is often used as jewelry for dials.
As a rule, Rolex produces ladies' watches in the form of collections with the same name and design (for example, “Lady Oyster Perpetual”). Within the collection, the materials from which the chronometers are made (white, yellow, rose gold) and the color of the dial vary. In general, Rolex products for women can be summed up in two words - prestige and splendor.
The women's watches of the Swiss watch company Omega also give out belonging to the highest elite. Omega instruments are recognizable by their diamond hour markers, sapphire crystal and impressive dial. The company's trademark is a combination of steel and non-ferrous gold in one model.
The world famous Geneva company Frederique Constant also produces luxury watches for ladies. Classic mechanical watches amaze with their splendor and discreet chic. A comfortable rounded case, an exquisite dial, and gemstone inserts - in Frederique Constant watches, everything is extremely feminine and elegant.
Some Frederique Constant chronometer collections for women (like the Double Heart Beat) are truly iconic. Watches of this and some other series in the dial have a special opening through which you can look inside the watch mechanism.
Prestigious brands of women's watches, emphasizing high status, are also produced by Montblanc, Raymond Weil, Adriatica. The devices of these companies combine true Swiss quality and excellent design.
The best brands of women's watches
The approach to ladies' watches is typical for many watch and jewelry companies. But most fully the idea of watches as a fashionable addition to clothes is embodied by well-known fashion houses. As a rule, each new collection of clothes from famous fashion designers is equipped with its own branded accessories.
Many haute couture watches are real examples of high design art, capable of decorating and complementing any most sophisticated outfit.
The number one in the production of "essential jewelry" is considered to be the fashion house Cartier.
The main materials used by the House of Cartier for the manufacture of ladies' watches are gold, platinum and precious stones (rubies, sapphires, pearls, diamonds).
Ladies watches from the house of Cartier are exquisite products with a very different, often fancy, but always very original dial shape. For example, in the 2017 Cartier Crash Limited Edition collection, the dial of a gold watch is a wavy oval.
According to legend, the idea to create a dial of such an irregular shape came to the head of the fashion house when, after a serious accident, he saw his chronometer melted by fire. However, against the expectation, the master was not upset at all, but, on the contrary, saw in an unusual form the prototype of the avant-garde exclusive watches for women.
Most of Cartier watch models are decorated with unusual bracelets or precious straps inlaid with hundreds of tiny diamonds.
The second place in the production of fashion women's watches rightfully belongs to the House of Gucci.
Fashion watches from Gucci, according to many, are memorable accessories that have their own face. And it is not surprising - after all, a well-coordinated team of professionals works on each new collection of Gucci watch movements.
Under the Gucci brand, no less than two hundred new watch variants are produced annually. A significant part of them are women's jewelry watches.
The hallmarks of the Gucci watch brand are a rectangular or round case and a complete absence of numbers on the dial.
In addition, Gucci is characterized by an innovative combination of materials from which the company creates chronometers for women. For example, many of the elegant brand new items are made of high quality stainless steel combined with diamonds.
It is important to note that a fashion watch from Gucci is not just a fashionable and stylish thing from a famous fashion house. It is also an accurate and reliable instrument. Gucci's quality guarantee for women's watches is a watch movement from the renowned Swiss company ETA.
Fashionable and popular brands of women's watches
A wide variety of accessories are produced by the Nina Ricci Fashion House. The first ladies' watch from Nina Ricci appeared in the 70s of the last century.
The style of the brand is sophistication and elegance. It is safe to say that the Nina Ricci Fashion House has brought true Parisian romance and genuine chic to the watch industry.
A distinctive feature of a watch from Nina Ricci is a dial that looks like a painting in miniature. The dials of women's chronometers are often covered with a luxurious pattern of flowers or butterflies, covered with diamonds.
By the way, watches with the Nina Ricci brand are not only glamorous and delicate, they are also surprisingly accurate. The accuracy of the movement is provided by the manufacturer of products under the Nina Ricci brand - the Swiss company Time Avenue.
The Chanel fashion house launched its own watch line in 1987. Since then, there have been released five collections of women's wrist chronometers.
Ladies' watches from Chanel are as beautiful as the clothes produced under this brand. Chanel's style in the watchmaking industry is a combination of classic aesthetics with the latest fashion trends.
The materials from which the luxury watches from Coco Chanel are made are also eclectic - they are colored gold with rubies, and modern high-tech alloys combined with diamonds.
As for the shape of the ladies' watch from Chanel, the fashion house plays with the classic forms (circle, square), introducing its innermost content into them. Thus, a square dial symbolizes the famous perfume "Chanel No. 5", and a round or octagonal dial may turn out to be secret symbols of a house or a square in Paris, associated with the name of Mademoiselle Coco.
In addition, the luxurious women's chronometers from Chanel are not just graceful trinkets designed to adorn the wrist of a wealthy fashionista. Chanel watches have a serious basis in the form of the Swiss manufacture Audemars Piguet, which provides the highest quality products of the fashion house. The latest development from Chanel is a technically sophisticated and stylish ceramic flying tourbillon watch.
Elegant ladies' jewelry watches are produced by the oldest French fashion house Louis Vuitton. With regard to watch movements Louis Vuitton most often use the definitions "brilliant", "captivating", "perfect".
In the Louis Vuitton collections, you can see both cute watches in the form of flowers and exclusive chronometers of futuristic design with floating hands. In the tradition of the fashion house, to make watches from gold and other precious materials.
A watch from Louis Vuitton is an accessory that can be worn in the morning and in the evening, put on at the front exit and worn every day. Each collection of Louis Vuitton watches has an elusive charm and what is called "French luxury".
Excellent watches-jewelry from Louis Vuitton are fabulously expensive and are produced in limited editions - only a few dozen pieces.
2001 - the year of the appearance of watches-accessories under the brand name. The House of Roberto Cavalli addresses its creations, first of all, to young and daring girls and women.
In fashion collections, Roberto Cavalli often uses the image of a snake. Snakes from Cavalli are precious bracelets that wind around a woman's wrist several times, with a watch case in the form of a snake head.
Creative and provocative, Roberto Cavalli's women's chronometers are designed for flamboyant personalities.
Prestigious brands of women's watches
A number of well-known watch companies such as Casio, Seiko, ORIENT, Tissot, RADO and others specialize in the production of practical and multifunctional women's watches.
Casio has made a name for itself in the production of high-tech electronic chronometers. In Casio women's watches, the time indicator is combined with a lot of other devices - a calculator, barometer, timer, depth gauge, thermometer and even a GPS system.
The Casio brand is intended mainly for young girls who appreciate "fancy" things in the "techno" style. Casio's SeaPathfinder and ProTrek series are considered the most popular and advanced at present.
Another company that produces watches for active and sporty ladies is Tissot. Tissot was one of the first to produce women's touchscreen watches. High-quality and affordable, Tissot chronometers are the favorite devices of athletes and fans of technical innovations.
The products of the watch company RADO are based on space technologies.
RADO produces women's watches with a minimalist design made from the most advanced materials - heavy-duty ceramics and lanthanum. It is believed that a RADO watch can last forever without any visible wear and tear.
The Japanese company Seiko is the inventor of quartz watches. In addition, this is the first company that managed to save quartz watch from batteries. In 1988, Seiko introduced the automatic rechargeable chronometers of the Kinetic system for the first time.
Seiko products that combine space precision and austere design are the choice of business women who value time.
The simplest time indicators for women are produced by the Japanese company ORIENT. The company's products are so diverse that a business woman, a housewife, and a student can find their elegant ORIENT watches.
Very interesting watch for every day is offered by Moschino Cheap & Chic. A simple watch is decorated with an unusual strap made in the form of a silk scarf.
More brands of women's wristwatches
There is no doubt that the best brands of women's watches are actually trendsetters in watch fashion, defining its direction and priorities.
Among the fashionable brands of women's watches, one cannot fail to mention the products of such well-known watch companies as Guess, Audemars Piguet, Hugo Boss, Diesel.
Ladies' watches of such famous brands as Korloff, Quinting, Michael Kors also enjoy constant attention of customers.
Miniature cocktail watches, which are offered to customers by Uterque, Moschino Cheap & Chic, are of great interest among glamorous persons.
Creative people appreciate the chronometers with bright graffiti on the dial from the Good Luck collections.
Watches with an open movement from the Quinting watch manufacture are very popular among the female audience.
Young rebel women love this Van Der Bauwede Geneve watch.
EDC by Esprit remains a trendy brand, producing watches for edgy and daring women.
Such popular brands of women's watches as Nixon, Paul's Boutique, Moschino Cheap & Chic have their customers. These companies produce bright plastic watches. The undoubted competitive advantages of such time indicators are their low price and rich color palette, which allows you to choose a watch for each outfit.
The existing brands are squeezing out the newly emerging watch companies, offering more and more new models, both classic and catchy avant-garde design. This means that the choice of ladies' watches is constantly expanding and becomes almost limitless!
Today a wristwatch is not so much a device for determining the time as a stylish and status accessory.
Introducing rating of watch brands based on data from TiptopWatches, a portal dedicated to famous manufacturers and popular models hours. This list includes the most popular and expensive watch brands.
15. TAG Heuer – swiss brand, which is a member of the worldwide LVMH holding, a renowned manufacturer of luxury goods.
14.A. Lange & S? Hne- a German watch company, wrist and pocket watches from which easily compete with the products of the most famous brands.
13. Omega Is a brand that will celebrate its 128th anniversary this year. It is the property of the Swatch Group Ltd. holding, which produces watches under the brands Breguet, Blancpain, Mido, Longines, Rado, Omega, Tissot, Swatch and others.
12. Rolex- the watch company, founded in 1905 by the German Hans Wilsdorf, today has its head office in Switzerland. Rolex produces over half a million watches a year. 
11. Girard-Perregaux Is a prestigious watch brand with history dating back to 1791. In 1969, the engineers at Girard-Perreguax introduced the world's first quartz movement with a pulsation of 32,768 Hz, which eventually became the international standard for quartz watches.
10. Piaget has been producing premium watches since 1874. The company was founded by Georges Edouard Piaget in the town of La Cote-aux-Fees, 14 children of the master became the successors of the business.
9. Hublot Is a brand owned by the MDM concern (Montre des Montres). The distinctive features of these luxury watches are the “nautical” design and rubber straps.
8. Audemars Piguet Is a company that carefully preserves the traditions of production. Annually, under the Audemars Piguet brand, no more than 15 thousand items are manually assembled, each of which is marked with a unique number and a signature of the master.
7. Chopard- the company named after its creator Louis-Ulysses Chopard, who founded the production of pocket watches and chronometers in 1860 in the town of Sonvillet. One of the famous design solutions from Chopard is the technology of "floating diamonds", when precious stones move freely between two sapphire crystals of the dial. 
6. Ulysse Nardin- a company that originally specialized in the production of marine chronometers. Traditionally included in, has more than a century of history and Ulysse Nardin is no exception, the brand has been known since 1846.
5. Cartier Is a French company specializing in the production of not only watches, but also jewelry, today part of the Richemond concern.
4. Blancpain Is a Swiss brand, the history of which dates back to 1735. The production was founded by the village watchmaker Jean-Jacques Blanp. Today, all products under the Blancpain brand are assembled exclusively by hand, while watches are only mechanical.
3. Jaeger-LeCoultre Is a watch house founded by members of the Le Coultre family in 1833. Today the brand is owned by the Richemont group. Jaeger-LeCoultre designers are known for their passion for modernism. 
2. Vacheron Constantin Is a brand that has stood for quality and elegance since 1755. The clients of this Swiss company were the aristocrats of France and Italy, including both wives of the Emperor Napoleon. The company annually produces about 20 thousand premium watches. 
Today in the heading "For life!" I want to tell you about my hobby. I collect wristwatches. Well, I collect it, it must be said too loudly ... Of course, in my collection there are not the most prestigious Swiss watches, but not the worst ones either!
And my hobby began with a story that I will now tell you.
Once upon a time, even before Forex, I was engaged in the export of rolled metal. We loaded ships at that time, I must tell you, a lot. And once, I had a chance to negotiate with some very wealthy people who shipped more metal than ours. The office has a chic setting - leather sofas, paintings, long-legged secretaries. It was outside (I don't remember exactly), but the year was 1997. Our partners in expensive suits with gold rings on their fingers are sitting at large Italian tables. And next to them, on a stool, is a nondescript peasant. Modest jeans, a shabby jacket. Himself all unsightly, on appearance bum bum! During all the time of our negotiations, this little peasant did not utter a word, he only listened attentively to everything and wrote something in a notebook. I was completely at a loss who it was and what he was doing here. And just before leaving, I noticed his watch. Then I was still poorly versed in Swiss brands, but this watch amazed me with its beauty. Later I learned that this "bum" is a billionaire from Austria, on whom we are all loading metal. And 10 times I bought our partners together with their sofas, paintings and long-legged secretaries ...
We cannot carry cars, villas and yachts with us in our portfolio. But such a small accessory as a prestigious Swiss watch can tell a lot about its owner. Agree, when you see a chronometer worth half a million dollars on a person's hand, I think questions regarding his financial solvency disappear by themselves.
I want to introduce you to the best brands of Swiss watches. This rating is compiled solely on the basis of my personal preferences, therefore, it is quite subjective.
Super premium class.
Audemars piguet- the brand is unique in every respect. It is rightfully located at the very top of the clock pyramid. Indeed at the top, since there are hardly more than two or three companies producing such prestigious watches in the world. But even among these super brands, Audemars Piguet stands out for being the only completely independent firm. Owned and run by direct descendants of the founders.
Vacheron Conctantin Is one of the most expensive and prestigious traditional brands. The most expensive Vacheron Constantin models are impossible to just come and buy. Such products are made to order, taking into account the individual wishes of the client. The company does not produce watches at all, which could be classified as inexpensive. The price of the most modest models in a steel case starts at $ 9.5 thousand. Owning a Vacheron Constantin is like owning a Rolls-Royce. Absolutely reliable, incredibly prestigious and extremely expensive. (A distinctive feature is the Maltese cross on the dial and the end of the crown).
PatekPhilippe- this watch brand is proud of its origin and its ideas about quality and aesthetics. The company was founded in 1839 by Count Norbert Antoine de Patek, and 6 years later the watchmaker Jean Andrien Philippe joined it. And since the inception of the company, her area of interest has always been the production of limited editions. mechanical watch and the most complicated mechanisms. The founding fathers' motto is that the world's finest and most valuable timepieces are defining.
- prestigious Swiss watches, which were worn by emperors, kings, and now are worn by presidents. Today the legendary watchmaker of the traditional Breguet brand is Montres Bregue (part of the Swatch Group). It develops mainly exclusive sophisticated watch models and luxury watch movements used in many brands' watches.
Premium class.
- the first hours to break the sound barrier at the border open space as part of the Stratos project. The history of the brand dates back to 1865. The watch got its name thanks to the passion for astronomy of its founder - engineer Georges Favre-Jacot. Today these prestigious watches are chosen by the explorers of the poles Jean-Louis Etienne and Johan Ernst Nilsson, the extreme innovators Felix Baumgartner (leap from the stratosphere) and Alain Robert.
UlusseNardin- the company founded by Ulysses Narden in 1846 turned its attention to marine chronometers and did not fail. Thanks to their unique precision, Ulusse Nardin marine chronometers quickly gained widespread acceptance. And the stylized anchor has since become the emblem of the brand.
Rolex- not a single Swiss watch brand has managed to create such a solid reputation for itself as an absolutely reliable watch that can work both under water and on land. This is partly due to the unique design - the so-called "Oyster Shell". Machined from a piece of steel or gold, it is capable of withstanding immersion to a depth of 50-100 meters. The company's motto is: "Your Rolex will withstand anything your hand can take."
Franck muller- the well-known "barrel". For many, Frank Müller was the epitome of a loner genius who spent his days in seclusion hunched over his desk. And only a few insiders knew that Mueller was developing mechanisms of the highest complexity on the orders of watch companies. These mechanisms were mostly sold before being presented to the public. This is how he is Frank Muller.
First grade.
Omega- the choice of Pierce Brosnan (James Bond). Omega is one of the leading brands of the Swatch Group. It is the only watch company in the world that has released a watch with a Co-Axial escapement. And thus changed the basic principle of mechanical watches, which existed for more than two centuries. The Co-Axial escapement virtually eliminates friction and maintains high precision over long periods of time.
Rado- Following the motto of "Be different from others", Rado has managed to create unique models. Both in the use of unusual materials (high strength composite alloys) for the case, and in the overall design. Today Rado is the most recognizable and successful brand of high-end watches in the Swatch Group.
- It is impossible to say what appeared earlier: the first hours or people's dreams of the sky. Thanks to Bretlihg, founded in 1864, the two now go hand in hand. Her motto is "Devices for Professionals". Bretlihg has been so closely associated with aviation for such a long time that not everyone immediately remembers whether it produces watches or airplanes.
TAG Heuer- the Olympic motto says: "Faster, higher, stronger." TAG Heuer is the specialist for chronographs and sports watch- firmly rooted not only in the world of men, but also in the world of women. On the fine line between modern, almost futuristic technology and timeless classics, there is something that unites history and technology in this brand.
PhilippeCharriol- flair and almost playful attitude to all the details - this is what distinguishes the chief designer of watch models, the Frenchman Philippe Charriolle, from the competitors. Thanks to his imagination, he managed to create a collection of watches, in which the lines between jewelry, accessories and watches are essentially erased.
- hardly any other watch brand has done so much to spread the Swiss watch industry around the world. All Tissot executives were renowned for their love of travel. The stormy adventures experienced by Charles-Emile Tissot, who crossed the whole of Russia on a sleigh at the end of the 19th century, have become a legend. Today, Tissot produces high quality products with innovative designs and excellent value for money.
–The Longines trade mark and the brand logo - an hourglass with wings, were officially registered in 1889 in Bern. This logo has remained unchanged to this day. Longines produces models with catchy names that remain in the collection despite ever-changing consumer tastes.
Of course, the list of prestigious Swiss watches goes on and on. There are many fine watch brands that I have not named. But this will no longer be an article, but a catalog ...
I do not have all the listed brands in my collection either. But nothing, time is and there is a goal, and there is something to strive for. Who knows, maybe by the end of next year I will have Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe on my hand. What I wish to all of you!
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Sergey Evdokimenko was with you. I will answer all your questions in the comments.
For a modern person, a wristwatch has long ceased to be just a portable device that measures time. Now it is primarily a stylish and fashionable accessory, which often shows the consistency of its owner.
That is why it is worth presenting the rating of watch brands of the year in order to know exactly which companies should contact for help if you want to acquire quality watches.
14. A. Lange & Söhne is a European, or rather a German brand, whose wristwatches can easily become one line of competition with other well-known developers.
13. The next position in the rating is Omega, which celebrated its 128th anniversary this year. That is why the watch from the declared manufacturer is not only the style of 2016 and modern fashion, but also a centuries-old history. 
12. The next position belongs to the Rolex company founded in 1905 by the German Hans Wilsdorf. The main office of this enterprise is currently located in Switzerland, and more than 500 thousand hours leave the production conveyor annually.
11. Another prestigious watch brand Girard-Perregaux, which went down in history back in 1791. It is worth noting that it was the craftsmen of this enterprise who presented in 1969 the first quartz movement of the watch, which possesses a pulsation of 32768 Hz. Later, this parameter became the international standard for quartz representatives of the "temporary world".
10. Do you want to look stylish and possible next year? Don't miss out on Piaget premium watches. The company, owned by Georges Édouard Piaget, has been operating in the fashion accessories market since 1874. 
9. Another luxury watch is the representatives of the Hublot brand, owned by the MDM concern. The main distinguishing features of these watches are rubber straps and a nautical theme.
8. Compiling the rating of watch brands according to their popularity in the coming year, it is worth mentioning the Audemars Piguet brand. This company has learned to keep its traditions through time. More than 15 thousand hand-made products roll off the production line every year, each of which bears the signature of the master and a serial number.
7. Famous brand Chopard, which dates back to 1860 with the release of chronometers, is now one of the most sought-after designers of fashion accessories. 
6. Another "temporary" company next year - Ulysse Nardin. Initially, the declared enterprise was engaged in the creation of exclusively marine tachometers.
5. What fashionista doesn't dream of putting on a watch from the French company Cartier? It should be noted that the declared developer has long ceased to create exclusively "temporary" models. Now Cartier is also engaged in the production of unique jewelry.
4. Another Swiss company, Blancpain, began its history in 1735. Until that time, all watches at the company were assembled exclusively by hand with mechanical filling. 
3. Jaeger-LeCoultre watch house, operating since 1833, closes the three leaders of the next year. Today, watch models from this developer are very bold modernist trends.
2. Silver went to Vacheron Constantin, a symbol of elegance and quality for 260 years. Now about 20 thousand hours per year leave the production assembly line, and everything is of a premium sample.
1. The undisputed winner of such a rating is another Swiss brand, which was founded in 1840 by a Pole and a Frenchman. Now Patek Philippe is a display best quality hours, the cost of which starts from 10 thousand dollars. 