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There’s no greater feeling than investing your money in a watch that you’ve had your sights set on. But finding the right watch for you still takes a whole lot of thought and consideration. It’s hard to define what features and styles make for the best watches. A lot of the decision-making process is going to be down to you as a person. That is, what your needs are in a watch depends on your personal style, your job, and your personality.
In this guide to 10 of the best watches on the market, we’re going to provide you with a simple review of each watch, including its features and why it makes for such a good investment, as well as a quick guide on what factors to consider when researching the top luxury watch brands in the industry.
Whether you’re searching for “watches by brand” online or walking into a store and asking to try on your first ever Swiss watch, or a limited edition timepiece, it’s never too late to recap on what to look for when comparing your Patek Philippe to your Vacheron Constantin.
So let’s begin!
View The Best Watches in the World Below
1. Omega Speedmaster Professional
The Omega Speedmaster already has a wide following thanks to values such as its durability and legibility, made possible of course, by a rugged steel case and stealthy black dial. If you didn’t want to wear this watch as a status symbol alone, you’d certainly want to utilize the chronograph functions in conjunction with the tachymeter scale on the black ceramic bezel, It’s surprising how much you can use the chronograph for in day-to-day life.
Not to mention calculating things like speed based on time. The Omega Speedmaster remains one of the most in-demand watches in the world. Equipped with a trusty Co-Axial escapement movement, the caliber 1863 delivers precision on the wrist, along with a 48-hour power supply.
Pros:
+ 50-meter water-resistant casing
+ Domed anti-glare sapphire glass lens for a clear view into the time
+ Chronograph and tachymeter
+ Special Moonwatch presentation box
+ Robust steel link bracelet
Why We Like It – You can alternate the steel bracelet of this Speedmaster watch with a casual NATO strap for a dressed-down look
2. IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince Automatic Watch
In tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupérys most famous literary work, this IWC Schaffhausen Le Petit Prince watch from the brand’s Big Pilot collection, features the company’s signature blue dial, a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock and a legible white date aperture at 6 o’clock.
You can get your money’s worth out of this watch, wearing it every day to keep on track of the days of the month, as well as monitoring the 52110 Calibre’s remaining power (168 hours) from the dial side.
Pros:
+ 46.2mm steel case – 60-meter water-resistant
+ Convex sapphire glass lens with anti-reflective treatment
+ Pellaton automatic winding movement – 28,800 v.p.h
+ Luminous Arabic numerals and hands
+ Brown calfskin strap
Why We Like It – Intricately engraved onto the back of this Big Pilot watch is an image of the little prince with his cape and sword.
3. Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Classic Automatic Watch
This stylish watch from Jaeger LeCoultre showcases the innovative flip-reverse design of the iconic Reverso watch. The Swiss watch brand is also known for creating ultra-luxurious dress watches. This Reverso is classic enough to pair with office attire and practical enough to continue wearing even when subject to a vigorous activity or robust sports outdoors.
The design concept was created in the 1930s to protect the watch’s dial from impact when worn by polo players. Blued steel hands against a sumptuous silver dial give this wristwatch a timeless look on the wrist.
Pros:
+ Distinct rectangular-shaped case – 40mm
+ Classic black crocodile leather strap
+ Scratch-resistant sapphire glass lens
+ Blued steel hour and minute hands/black Arabic numerals
+ Powered by a reliable Swiss-made automatic movement
Why We Like It – This Reverso watch makes it to our top ten best watches list because its universally-loved design will pair easily with any attire.
4. Rolex Submariner Automatic Watch
You simply can’t go wrong with any Rolex Submariner, but we’ve chosen the ref: 114060 model, which combines a legible, luminous coated black dial with a slick black Cerachrom ceramic diver’s bezel. The 40mm watch is water-resistant to 300 meters and the bezel can be used to monitor your remaining dive time, thanks to visible numerals and graduations.
The engine inside the watch – the Caliber 3130 – is a trusty self-winding movement that provides a 48-hour power reserve. It’s also equipped with a Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring for overall enhanced mechanical efficiency.
Pros:
+ Rolex oystersteel case
+ Screwed down crown with Triplock triple waterproof technology
+ Highly resistant to corrosion
+ Flat 3-piece link steel bracelet design
+ Anti-reflective sapphire glass lens
Why We Like It – The Oystersteel bracelet of this watch is also equipped with a Glidelock extension facility, enabling you to expand the band up to 20mm in 2mm increments.
5. TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre Automatic
The Monaco watch is from a prestigious watchmaking company. TAG Heuer has an almost cult-like following, desirable for its vintage yet timeless design. This watch is outfitted with a movement that has been designed and hand-crafted in-house by TAG Heuer experts.
If you want your sports watches to exude a retro feel, this Monaco watch is the perfect accompaniment. It features two chronograph dials and a central chronograph hand injected with a vibrant splash of red. Nurtured by some of the world’s best watchmaking artisans, this watch is perfect for sport, leisure, and pairing with smart attire.
Pros:
+ Perforated racing strap in blue alligator
+ Supercharged Caliber HEUER02 – 80-hour power
+ Square shape steel case – 39mm
+ Classic blue leather strap with steel buckle
+ Date window at 6 o’clock
Why We Like It – This Monaco’s metallic sunburst dial, pierced by silver and white details is an instantly recognizable look on the wrist of any racing watch lover.
6. Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar
The Nautilus watch from Patek Philippe is hands down one of the most coveted designs of all time. That’s why it’s made our list of ten best watches guide. This model features the iconic porthole-inspired white gold case with a blue sunburst dial and gold luminous hour markers.
Beaming from lug to lug with sports appeal, the sophistication of the design itself is met equally with the performance of the ultra-thin movement inside, providing you with the day, date, leap year, month and 24-hour indicator.
Pros:
+ 60-meter water-resistant white gold case
+ White gold bracelet with fold-over Nautilus clasp
+ Screw-down crown
+ Caliber 240 Q – calendar functions
+ Scratch-resistant sapphire glass lens
Why We Like It – The Nautilus is an all-rounder. It combines the company’s expert watchmaking technique with a design that veers away from the dress-watch-style that Patek Philippe has come to be so loved for.
7. Breitling Navitimer GMT Watch
If you’re a frequent traveler or if you love to collect pilot’s watches, you’ll be familiar with Breitling’s prestigious Navitimer watch collection. The GMT function is useful if you need to keep track of local time and home time, but it also boasts a highly technical-looking dial.
Aside from chronograph features and a date aperture, this Breitling Navitimer is also kitted out with a slide rule bezel for carrying out a number of pilot’s calculations. Its COSC-certified movement will provide you with a 70-hour power reserve, while a classic black leather strap will enable you to pair this watch with everything in your wardrobe.
Pros:
+ Breitling Caliber B04
+ Date, GMT, chronograph, slide rule bezel
+ Cambered anti-glare sapphire crystal exhibition caseback
+ Pilot-inspired design
+ Steel case – 30m water resistant
Why We Like It – The white contrast stitching on the black leather strap of this Navitimer design gives the watch a vintage-inspired feel.
8. Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono Watch
This Black Bay Chrono pays homage to Tudor’s heritage in creating watches for the US Navy with yet another bold and rugged design crafted from steel. Its tachymeter scale can be used in conjunction with the chronograph functions to record all those personal bests, plus its comfortable deep blue textile strap offers something a little different to the norm.
The watch is capable of 200-meter water resistance, so you can don this watch to the wrist if you fancy a splash in the sea while on vacation. With smart attire at night however, you can go for the sophisticated look without putting virtually any effort into your outfit.
Pros:
+ Chronometer-certified movement – 70-hour power
+ 41mm steel case
+ Black dial with date at 6 o’clock
+ Chronograph and tachymeter features
+ 200-meter water resistance
Why We Like It – Black Bay watches from Tudor hold their value pretty well, sharing similarities with Rolex’s iconic diver’s watches.
9. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Automatic
Royal Oak watches have remained a distinct and noteworthy design in Haute Horlogerie. The design has become an indispensable tool for sport, characterized by a Grand Tapisserie dial and chunky central hands. This 18ct rose gold watch features the hours, minutes, seconds and date, housed underneath a sheet of anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire glass.
The company creates its movements in-house, guaranteeing a superb and ultra-reliable performance for years on the wrist. If you’re in search of a sporty yet rugged-looking wristwatch, this is a solid investment.
Pros:
+ Black Grand Tapisserie-patterned dial
+ Date window at 3 o’clock
+ 18ct rose gold case and bracelet
+ 60-hour power
+ 50-meter water resistance
Why We Like It – The recognizable elements of this sports watch combine reliable performance with a distinct aesthetic.
10. Longines Legend Diver Automatic Watch
Adequately equipped to face any underwater challenge, this Longines diver’s watch is water-resistant to 300 meters and crafted from anti-corrosive stainless steel. The black dial features distinct minutes, along with Arabic numbers positioned quarterly around the dial.
The internal diving flange on this diving watch is controlled by the crown at 2 o’clock. It remains protected underneath a sapphire crystal glass lens, equipped with scratch-resistant and anti-reflective technology. A superbly crafted self-winding movement will also guarantee supreme precision around-the-clock.
Pros:
+ Inner turning diving flange
+ 300-meter water resistance
+ 42mm steel case
+ Retro stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
+ Screw down crown and case back
Why We Like It – Longines are known globally for their elegant creations. This diver’s watch exudes a sense of class and sophistication even through a mix of robust materials.
Best Watches Buyer’s Guide
There are a few things to remember when it comes to buying luxury watches and researching luxury watch brands. Consider comfort, performance, budget, and style, and the rest is easy!
Materials
When it comes to the world’s most popular luxury brands, watches are crafted from the best materials. It makes sense since their price tag should reflect a timepiece that’s going to last you an entire lifetime. Sports watches are often black PVD coated to create an urban and dynamic look, while dress watches can come in variations such as 18k white, yellow or rose gold. Titanium watches have the added benefit that they’re lightweight on the wrist. There is, however, a huge demand on the market for steel sports watches such as the famous Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet.
Comfort
Comfort is key when decided between watches. You’ll need to consider how often you’ll be wearing your watch and whether it’s going to be a timepiece you’ll wear for special occasions only or an everyday watch that suits all situations and eventualities. Decide whether you want watches on a bracelet, a leather strap or rubber bands that give watches a sporty look.
Performance
Omega uses movements with a Co-Axial escapement in many of their watches, while Rolex fits their modern-day watches with a blue Parachrom hairspring. One thing to note is that the best watches in the entire world will likely be powered by an in-house movement or at least boast a movement that has been modernized and adapted by the watch manufacturer, bringing something unique and innovative to a connoisseur’s wrist. Many collectors want to invest their money in watches based on their technical capability over a brand name or a price tag alone. Decide what’s more important to you.
Style
You can go as lavish or as discreet as you like when it comes to investing in luxury watches. If you want simple and understated watches as opposed to the complex kind from a Swiss brand such as Vacheron Constantin, your money will be well spent on a minimalist three-handed dress watch. If you prefer bolder, sportier watches and your wrist can take a heftier-looking model, go that extra millimeter larger.
Deciding on a style of watch doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. Decide what style suits you as a person and don’t get drawn into thinking bigger and bolder watches are better, or that diamonds and bling necessarily make a better investment. Luxury brands for watches can go down the simple route, too.
Our guide to ten of the best watches in the entire world covers everything from watches that can be turned in on themselves for ultimate protection to benchmark-setting diver’s watches of the ’50s to the first watch on the moon.
Style, features, materials, comfort, and performance should all be taken into consideration before purchasing a watch. Take all these into account, and you’re sure to find a watch from our guide that will bring you years of enjoyment on the wrist.
Did you know
IWC Schaffhausen’s advancements in cutting edge technology have enabled them to equip their movements with a soft inner iron case that protects the engine from the influence of magnetic fields!
