There are some brands that have become so intrinsically linked with luxury and with high-value collectibles that it’s almost impossible to remember a time before they sat at the forefront of the market.
One of the most interesting things about high-end timepieces in particular is that not all of the top brands boast decades of history – in fact, one of the four must-have brands referenced in this article wasn’t founded until 2001.
Suffice to say, luxury doesn’t just stem from age and from the kind of history that secures a brand’s popularity among collectors and investment buyers. Luxury is also found in the craftsmanship, the way that pieces are designed and made, and the stories behind each piece.
What Makes a Brand “Luxury”?
In order for a brand to be considered luxury, it has to have the perfect blend of style and quality. While many seek to carve out their own position in the market with unique and standout details and finishes, many of the most luxurious collections boast a timeless quality that outlives any trends and fashions that pop up and fizzle out.
Craftsmanship is a major player in the luxury market, elevating the value and giving each piece that air of exclusivity that simply cannot be found on the mass market. This feeds the idea that owning a luxury good is akin to investing in an experience rather than simply a product.
Some of the top luxury brands rely on the feeling that collectors get when they finally identify their perfect handbag or watch – built on the idea of owning a piece of history and being part of a small but exclusive core group of owners. And that’s before we take into consideration the simple but integral use of the best materials, which feeds the high price and drives the value of luxury goods well above their mass-market equivalents. To put it plainly, when something boasts an extremely high price tag, and is fed by unmatched demand, it will always sit at the top of the market.
With all that in mind, it’s time to introduce the four must-have watch brands that are considered to be the height of luxury.
Standout Features of a Rolex Watch
This wouldn’t be a piece about luxury watch brands if we didn’t start with the one brand name that virtually everyone is aware of.
Rolex has secured its position at the forefront of the market for several reasons.
Its celebrity and high-end connections are unrivalled. Rolex is the brand that’s intrinsically connected with James Bond and with the world’s top athletes, that is exclusively seen on the red carpet adorning the wrists of men and women alike, and that has carved out a place in the stylish and professional timepiece markets.
From the functional and history-making Submariner to the speed-centric Daytona, the timeless Datejust, and the simple Oyster Perpetual, Rolex meets the needs of every one of its buyers using the best materials, the most innovative built-in features, and the most prominent collaborations and partnerships.
If you’re looking for a luxury watch that everyone around you will admire and that will never lose its market value, you can’t go far wrong with a Rolex.
The High Value of Patek Philippe Watches
Patek Philippe is another luxury watch brand that owes its high-end position on the market to a blend of craftsmanship and quality. In a line-up of the most expensive watches in the world, Patek Philippe appears several times – pulling the precise engineering of each watch together with the unrivalled use of precious metals and gemstones.
Patek Philippe is one of the oldest luxury brands on the market, having been founded in 1839. What this means is that, from a collector’s perspective, owning an authentic Patek Philippe is akin to owning a piece of watchmaking history. The expertise that can be found in every single piece is built on tradition and on innovation alike – with features that are consistently in line with the company’s vision, but in a way that ensures watches continue to withstand the test of time.
Finally, it’s worth noting the direct link that Patek Philippe has with high-end watch collectors and owners. Patek Philippe has long been favoured by royal families across the world, boasts a collaborative relationship with luxury brand Tiffany & Co, and is seen on countless A-list and celebrity wrists.
An Introduction to the Audemars Piguet Collection
Audemars Piguet is another luxury brand that has an immense history behind it – securing its position as a brand that people haven’t just heard of but have long coveted. Founded in 1875, this brand is perhaps most recognised for its Royal Oak collection as well as its innovative creations, which have consistently seen the brand pushing the boundaries of horological design.
Audemars Piguet may be one of the best-known brands today, but it hasn’t always retained this market position. In fact, it didn’t become a luxury household name until the 1970s when it used the Quartz Crisis to deliver something unique and history-making: the Royal Oak. A luxury sports watch that combined the company’s commitment to timeless style with modern innovation, the Royal Oak remains one of the most coveted watches of all time.
The Popularity of Richard Mille Watches
As the youngest luxury watch brand by several decades, Richard Mille owes its position on the market to its passion for bold design, and its commitment to shirking the bland designs of ordinary watches and producing something unique and different.
A combination of exceptional details and high-end materials, not to mention the focus on usability and the confidence in the collection being unlike anything else, pushed Richard Mille into the luxury line-up as early as day one of its release.
This is a brand that, unlike the others in this article, hasn’t established its luxury position over time. Rather, it launched with bold claims and with such standout designs that people couldn’t help but take notice. Now, this is a brand you will struggle to get hold of and will see on the wrists of countless celebrities and ultra-rich individuals.
An iconic example of how high demand, a high price tag, and confidence in the product can produce unrivalled results.
Choosing the Best Luxury Watch for You
Here at Love Luxury, we buy and sell timepieces from all four of these luxury brands, with an ever-changing stock list that includes vintage and modern models alike. With a passion for luxury goods and access to pieces you won’t find anywhere else, we can help you choose the perfect addition to your collection.
