11. Breguet
Breguet has garnered recognition in Switzerland and throughout the watchmaking industry as one of the oldest watch manufacturers still in operation. Breguet has earned recognition for its horological brilliance throughout the years and has been attributed with a number of advancements, making it one of the most notable watchmakers. The rotor technology used in automatic (self-winding) mechanical watches, which are so popular today, was invented by Breguet’s founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet. He also created the tourbillon, one of the industry’s most sought-after complications. Imagine your status as a watchmaker for having created one as having one in your watch (see illustration below) is a big indicator of a watch’s prestige.
Breguet watches have been worn by aristocrats and other members of the social elite all across the world throughout the years since having such expertise inherently draws the appropriate kind of clientele. Numerous Breguet watches have what is known as a “coined edge,” which is clearly visible along the case’s side. Top-tier luxury timepieces for both men and women may be found in their various selections. Among the more well-known collections are the Breguet Marine, the illustrious Reine de Naples, the Breguet Grand Complications, the Type XX, Type XXI, and Type XXII collections, the Heritage collection, the Tradition, and of course, the Breguet Classique.
12. IWC Schaffhausen
It would be sinful to have a notable watch brand portfolio without IWC. IWC is one of those venerable luxury watch companies that has been there since 1869. IWC was the first to employ the lightweight metal titanium in this ancient art, and it is probably best known for the Portuguese watch series that is now known as the IWC Portugieser. With each watch they produce, IWC strives to surpass both its own standards and those of the competition. They are a high-end watchmaker that produces mechanically challenging timepieces with complexities including tourbillons, minute repeaters, moon phases, and chronographs.
IWC is renowned for its stunning and fashionable limited edition timepieces, like the IWC Pilot Chronograph Le Petit Prince. Their timepieces come to life thanks to an intriguing past and, frequently, an intriguing tale. IWC creates stunning mechanical movements that are expertly polished. While most of their watches are designed to be worn every day, they do offer a few designs that are likely to become collectors’ items.
