The 20 Most Famous Watch Brands and When They Were Founded
Watches aren’t just about telling time—they’re about heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. Let’s dive into the histories of the most iconic brands, from the oldest to the youngest.
1. Blancpain (1735)
The oldest watch brand still in operation. In the 1970s, Blancpain famously declared: "Since 1735, there has never been a Blancpain quartz watch. And there never will be." True to their word.
2. Vacheron Constantin (1755)
Founded by Jean-Marc Vacheron, this brand created the world’s most complicated watch in 2015: the Reference 57260, with 57 complications to mark their 260th anniversary.
3. Breguet (1775)
The creator of the tourbillon, Abraham-Louis Breguet, also made the world’s first wristwatch in 1810 for the Queen of Naples.
4. Girard-Perregaux (1791)
Known for the "Three Gold Bridges," GP also mass-produced wristwatches for German naval officers in 1880, long before they became mainstream.
5. Longines (1832)
Pioneers in sports timing, Longines introduced the first chronograph movement in 1878. They’ve timed equestrian and precision sports events for decades.
6. Jaeger-LeCoultre (1833)
Inventors of the Reverso, a watch with a flipping case made for polo players in 1931. Functional and elegant, it's one of JLC’s most iconic designs.
7. Patek Philippe (1839)
Patek’s Henry Graves Super-complication, completed in 1933, took 8 years to make and features 24 complications. It sold for $24 million in 2014.
8. Omega (1848)
Worn by astronauts and Olympians, Omega’s Speedmaster made history as the first watch on the moon in 1969. A true pioneer.
9. Cartier (1847)
Cartier created the Santos in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. It’s one of the first wristwatches made for men, blending functionality and style.
10. Tissot (1853)
Introduced the first mass-produced pocket watch with two time zones. Their T-Touch later became a precursor to modern smartwatches.
11. Zenith (1865)
Zenith’s El Primero, introduced in 1969, was the world’s first automatic chronograph. Rolex even used it for their Daytona’s for decades.
12. TAG Heuer (1860)
Invented the oscillating pinion in 1887, a key component in modern chronographs. Steve McQueen immortalized the Monaco in Le Mans.
13. IWC (1868)
Founded by an American in Switzerland, IWC made watches for export to the U.S.—a rarity. Their Big Pilot is an icon today.
14. Piaget (1874)
Famous for ultra-thin movements, Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept is just 2mm thick—a marvel of minimalist engineering.
15. Audemars Piguet (1875)
The Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, was inspired by a deep-sea diving helmet. It saved AP from bankruptcy and redefined luxury sports watches.
16. Breitling (1884)
Breitling’s Emergency watch has a distress beacon, credited with saving lives, including two stranded British pilots in Antarctica.
17. Seiko (1881)
Seiko’s Quartz Astron (1969) revolutionized the watch industry. Later, they made the first TV watch in 1982—tech and timekeeping combined.
18. Rolex (1905)
Rolex invented the Oyster case in 1926, the world’s first waterproof watch. Their reputation for precision and durability is unmatched.
19. Tudor (1926)
Hans Wilsdorf created Tudor as a more affordable Rolex alternative. Today, Tudor stands tall with iconic models like the Black Bay.
20. Casio (1946)
The G-Shock, invented in 1983, is a “triple 10” watch: 10 meters drop resistance, 10 bar water resistance, and 10 years of battery life. It’s rugged, reliable, and iconic.
If you have enjoyed this thread and learnt something new please leave a like and let me know in the comments if you have any watches from any of these brands!