Learn About The Iconic Timepiece Companies

Whether we are impatiently waiting for our friends, or writing an examination paper hurriedly, we always get a second or so to peek at the wall clocks, wristwatches, or smartphones. Medieval people were enthralled by horology; desperately looking for ways to measure time, building tools such as sundials, hourglasses, analog & mechanical watches, and more. While the primordial human was more concerned about the study of time, watches are now merely symbolic in today’s time. Sure, you can still observe the times on the watches, but they incline towards jewellery, which redirects to status. In this article, we will talk about some of the best Swiss watch brands out there. 

Why is Switzerland Known for Watch Making?

Switzerland is often known as the ‘mecca of luxury watches’ owing to several famed brands – Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega to name a few. But the tradition of watchmaking dates back to 16th century Switzerland. During the Protestant Reformation, John Calvin renounced jewellery, imposing a strict ban. The goldsmiths had to find new creative outlets, engendering the watches. Geneva became the hub for watchmaking craftspersonship and innovation. By the 19th century, the watchmaking techniques proliferated to other territories namely Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Bern, Basle, and Schaffhausen. They were extensively producing pendulum clocks and pocket watches for the Swiss affluents whilst also sending their produce to Asia, America, and France.

By the early 20th century, America started to rival Switzerland, producing mass components for watches. This resulted in a 75% decline in exports to America, within 10 years. The Swiss responded to the threat by manufacturing industrial mechanical watch components. They also included functions such as calendars and stopwatch to these swiss watches. The first waterproof watch (Rolex) and the first Swiss automatic watch (Abraham-Louis Perrelet) were all Swiss-made watches. This thrust them as the leading global watchmakers, a position that had been occupied by America and Europe at the time.

To reclaim their position, Japan and America invested in manufacturing quartz watches, using batteries for the first time. The Swiss watchmakers were left behind again as they tried to elevate the mechanical watches. To counteract this shift in power, Swatch, a Swiss watch company focused on branding – selling watches as a luxury. In 1938, they originated high-quality yet affordable watches, a concept which helped them retain the title of supreme watchmaking country. Since then, although there have been many shifts, the Swiss have always ended up topping the list of quality, premium, and bespoke watchmakers.

1. Swiss Military

Swiss Military watches were a brand conceptualized and founded by Hans Noll in 1963. He devised them primarily to withstand the rigorous physical training of the military. The Swiss Military watches are a testament to functionality and sturdiness. Most of these timepieces have a rugged military aesthetic to match. The brand produces impeccable waterproof designs made of tough materials. Some of the most popular models include Swiss Military Hanowa Swiss Soldier and Swiss Military Flagship.

2. Swiss Eagle

Swiss Eagle watches were born in the vicious climate of the Alps in 1961 by a group of Swiss watch enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. They aimed to manufacture the perfect watch acclimated to the sporty, sturdy, and rugged environment that Alpian residents dealt with daily. These watches imbibe the sporty aesthetics. Their popular models include SE-9066 and SE-9003.

3. Rolex

Rolex watches are synonymous with luxury. Although the brand was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in London in 1905, he shifted it to Switzerland in 1919. Hence, Rolex watches are essentially Swiss style watches. The brand is known for craftsmanship, luxury, and prestige. These innovative timepieces include an Oyster case to make the watches waterproof; the perpetual rotor for automatic winding, and date magnification via the Cyclops lens. Their notable watches include the Datejust, Daytona, and the Submariner. Several celebrities have placed their deserved trust in Rolex, becoming the favourite of Grace Kelly (Datejust), Jennifer Aniston (Daydate), and Paul Newmann (Daytona).

4. Omega

Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon. But did you know that Omega Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon? Founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1848, the brand began by the name La Generale Watch Company. It was changed to Omega in 1903. Omega watches are built with co-axial escapement to reduce friction. Each timepiece comes with a Master Chronometer certification denoting excellence. Some pieces like the Railmaster have anti-magnetic properties Notable watches include Seamaster, De Ville, and Constellation.

Omega watches were a staple for John F Kennedy (the 35th US President), especially the Omega Ultra Thin (OT3980). They have been heavily featured in the James Bond series with Speedmaster taking centre stage. Omega Constellation is a personal favourite of Nicole Kidman, the brand ambassador.

5. Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe was conceptualized by Polish immigrants Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe in 1839 in Geneva. Patek Philippe are heirlooms due to their limited production, exclusivity, and hand craftsmanship. Some watch series such as Complications and Grand Complications include perpetual calendars, astronomical functions, tourbillons, chronographs, and small repeaters. These are some of the features even Queen Victoria was impressed with. Other celebrities who vocally endorsed Patek Philippe are Brad Pitt and Duke Ellington. Notable watches include Calatrava, Nautilus, Aquanaut, and more. Even Ellen Degeneres (Nautilus) and Shahrukh Khan (Aquanaut) could not keep their hands off of a Patek Philippe.

6. Tissot

The brand Tissot was established by the father-son duo of Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in 1853 Le Locle. Since its inception, the brand has kept on reinventing the wheel detailing Tissot watches with accuracy and precision. They are known in the business for their tactile technology and affordable price point. Some of them, like the Tissot T-touch, incorporate touch technology and entail a built-in weather forecaster and barometer. Their watch collection, Tissot Heritage, Tissot Seastar, and Tissot Couturier are worshipped by watch aficionados. Celebrities Tony Parker, Enea Bastianini, and Klay Thompson rever Tissot. ‘Mulan’ actress Liu Yifei has been photographed several times wearing the Tissot Le Locle. 

7. Cartier

Cartier? What is it doing in this list? I thought it was a French luxury brand. These were some of the questions which baffled us too. Believe it or not, Cartier is a subsidiary of the Swiss conglomerate Richemont Group. So, it technically makes it a Swiss brand, even if the company was started by the French jeweller and watchmaker Louis-François Cartier in 1847 and remained a family business until 1964. Cartier watches use precious materials, such as the blue sapphire cabochon crown in their Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, designed to equate elegance and luxury.

Cartier has made pieces for Kate Middleton, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Michelle Obama, Andy Warhol, and Johnny Depp. Although all Cartier watches are elegance reincarnated, Cartier Tank, Cartier Santos, Pasha de Cartier, and Calibre de Cartier remain at the top of our lists. Timeless legends and beauties Jackie O (Tank Louis Cartier) and Princess Diana (Cartier Tank Solo) also adored Cartier.

8. Audemars Piguet

Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet founded Audemars Piguet in 1875 Le Brassus. A family business, Audemars Piguet watches are synonymous with mechanical movement, sporty yet elegant aesthetics, and hand-finished details. Some of their watches such as Millenary feature an off-center dial while Code 11.59 denotes their venture into modernism with the use of unique case shapes. Paparazzi has captured Audemars Piguet in the hands of Anushka Sharma (Royal Oak), John Mayer (Royal Oak Tourbillion Chronograph) and Serena Williams (Royal Oak Selfwinding). We cannot help but showcase our love for Royal Oak Offshore and the Jules Audemars collection.

Image Courtesy – Bezel Brothers

Andre Gennie

Hi Ya’ll !!

I love writing about pop culture and all things queer.

Sub Editor at Abir Pothi