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Although Switzerland cannot boast of the status of the ancestral home of wristwatches, it is here that the craftsmanship of their production reached its zenith. Swiss watches are valued for luxury, presentability, absolute accuracy. Hundreds of tiny details are precisely connected into a single mechanism that flawlessly performs its main function – showing time. And if luxury brands from the premium class are not in danger of losing their positions in the market, then middle-class and budget products are gradually fading into the shadows, including due to the growing demand for smart smart watches. But for those who do not change the classics and are aimed at buying new Swiss watches, their choice can become a serious problem.
How to choose the best watch
The main task of the buyer is distinguish the original from the fake, so that as a result of the purchase you do not throw money away on a well-forged fake. Here are the main signs that you have a non-original product:
the price is surprisingly low;
there is no corporate printed passport;
inscriptions are suspicious, fuzzy or changed;
there is no secret signature on the dial (some manufacturers use it);
the strap is not made of quality material, but of cheap leatherette.
When choosing a watch for yourself or as a gift, it is important to analyze the personality of the future owner, his:
lifestyle;
status in society;
financial opportunities;
design preferences;
feature needs.
First decide how much you are willing to spend. Then – which watch will suit you personally or the gifted person, and finally choose the right model according to your views on design and functionality requirements.
But what about the choice of brand – most will ask? Simplerule experts have conducted their own analysis of the leading brands on the market to provide you with the most complete list of the best Swiss watch manufacturers.
Rating of the best brand of swiss watches
Nomination | Place | Name | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
The best inexpensive Swiss watches under 50 rubles | 1 | Auguste Reymond | 5.0 |
2 | Raymond | 4.9 | |
3 | Tissot | 4.8 | |
4 | SWISS MILITARY-HANOVA | 4.7 | |
5 | Adriatic | 4.6 | |
6 | Alpina | 4.5 | |
7 | Victorinox | 4.4 | |
The best Swiss watches under 100 rubles | 1 | Rado | 5.0 |
2 | Longines | 4.9 | |
3 | Baume & Mercier | 4.8 | |
4 | Maurice Lacroix | 4.7 | |
5 | Frederique Constant | 4.6 | |
6 | Perrelet | 4.5 | |
8 | Tag Heuer | 4.3 | |
The best Swiss watches from 150 rubles | 1 | PATEK PHILIPPE | 5.0 |
2 | Vacheron Constantin | 4.9 | |
3 | BREGUET | 4.9 | |
4 | Oris | 4.8 | |
5 | OMEGA | 4.8 | |
6 | ROLEX | 4.8 | |
7 | ULYSSE NARDIN | 4.7 | |
8 | Hublot | 4.7 | |
9 | ZENITH | 4.6 | |
10 | Montblanc. | 4.6 |
The best inexpensive Swiss watches under 50 rubles
Auguste Reymond
Rating: 5.0
More than 120 years ago, Auguste Reymond, a family-owned company from Tramelan, was born. The brand, which produces mainly inexpensive watches, is characterized by traditional values, including the use of the best materials in production, a long warranty, and individual assembly. The dial of each copy contains a nameplate with a company logo. The manufactory, created by Auguste Reymond more than a century ago, keeps the secrets of the old masters, and now they are complemented by new developments and achievements of the industry.
In the collection of Swiss watches Auguste Reymond you can find both men’s and women’s series, both quartz and mechanical models, as well as watches for the visually impaired with a special dial. Each model is assembled by hand here, so few people will complain about the build quality.
Raymond
Rating: 4.9
Raymond brand products have a wide variety of designs and are simply saturated with national features. Raymond Well in his time showed strength of character and will, to a certain extent reviving the watch industry during its decline. In each collection of such watches you can find individual merits and true Swiss style. For only 30000 rubles, you can buy a Raymond quartz watch model with a high-quality leather strap and a gold-plated steel case.
All Raymond products undergo a multi-stage post-production quality check. Speaking about the brand’s models, experts often call them “watches that convey attitude to life.”
Tissot
Rating: 4.8
The most popular brand in the CIS. Tissot has been operating since the distant 1853. She was one of the first to start mass exporting products, and in 1866 she officially supplied watches to the Imperial Court of Russia.
Tissot has invested heavily in its own developments. For example, it released the first anti-magnetic watch, which later became a prototype for other manufacturers, offers watches with a universal calendar, in a case made of wood, mother-of-pearl and granite, with an autoquartz mechanism, a touch screen, for the visually impaired with vibration from touch. Under the Tissot brand, popular models are produced specifically for divers and climbers, products with increased accuracy.
SWISS MILITARY-HANOVA
Rating: 4.7
Initially, SWISS MILITARY-HANOWA produced watches in the form of clips and pendants. Then the activity was refocused on sports and military products. The word MILITARY (“military”) in the marking was used for a reason – the company produced products to order of the Swiss army. For this reason, SWISS MILITARY-HANOWA walkers often feature an aggressive design and a wide range of useful features.
Models with different purposes have a strict design and other important advantages, including: the use of different case materials (steel and polymer versions), the strength and practicality of glass (in more expensive series), the introduction of a chronograph and tachymeter, displaying the current time in different parts of the world. Waterproof to a depth of 200 meters.
Adriatic
Rating: 4.6
Inexpensive Swiss watches from Adriatica are characterized by the absence of unnecessary details, external accuracy and conciseness. Under the label of the brand, models of various purposes are produced: for men, women, classic, designer, sports, of any size and style. The catalog contains solutions for a strict business style, with unusual dials and colors, with Swarovski crystals, a set of additional functions.
Stainless steel (316L), ceramic and titanium are used in production. Genuine leather, steel and rubber are used to create straps. Genuine clockwork, provided that it is carefully used, can last for several decades.
Alpina
Rating: 4.5
Budget watches from Alpina, like the products of the previous brand, are not in great demand. Perhaps because with the advent of quartz watches, traditional watch mechanics suffered a strong fall and Alpina was no exception.
There have been many important events in the history of Alpina watches, for example, the launch of the Alpina 4. The number “4” here stands for 4 reliability factors, namely: shock protection, cast steel case, water resistance and anti-magnetic. Such solutions are popular among athletes, divers, aviators and all those for whom reliability is the main criterion for choosing watches. The brand keeps up with the times, so it produces not only traditional wristwatches, but also Smartwatches.
Victorinox
Rating: 4.4
Sometimes Victorinox is called a breakthrough in the industry, although in fact the demand for its products is quite moderate. These watches have a durable case, made in the corporate military style. The brand made a name for itself with the release of the best military watches in America, and only then the production was expanded to Switzerland. Victorinox follows its old tradition of understated design and form, and the dial is the most readable of its Swiss counterparts.
Victorinox products are produced in different price segments, however, it is budget models that will be of interest to the target audience in the first place.
The best Swiss watches under 100 rubles
Rado
Rating: 5.0
Many watches from Rado have a luxurious, recognizable design and excellent scratch resistance. It was Rado who first released a model that had proven effective scratch protection. The company has been operating on the market since 1917, focusing on this particular area and taking a confident position in the middle price segment.
Rado is the official timekeeper of tennis competitions, and fashion experts regularly recognize the brand as cutting edge in design. Buyers note: under the Rado brand there is a huge variety of products for men, women, unisex solutions, which makes it possible for the best choice.
It is curious that Sasha Bely, the legendary movie character from the Brigade, wore just such a watch.
Longines
Rating: 4.9
Longines has been around since 1832 and has been part of the Swatch Group for more than three decades. Longines has a rich history and its own traditions in production, it is valued for loyal prices with a characteristically high quality of products. The motto of the company is the phrase “To create only the best”.
The brand has been cooperating with various sports since the beginning of the last century and has become one of the founders of sports timekeeping. Longines watches were used in the process of developing the Arctic, in the flights of the famous writer-pilot Amelia Eckhart. The brand has various innovations and own developments, for example, an ultra-thin watch with a thickness of only 1,75 mm and released in 1983.
Baume & Mercier
Rating: 4.8
The company takes its historical origins from the 16th century. Since that time, it has been strengthening its impeccable reputation and constantly improving the technology of wrist watch production. The trophy shelf at Baume & Mercier contains a large number of awards, such as the highest international award “Poincon de Geneve” from 1919 and the “Golden Rose” (in Baden-Baden) from 1973. Its products are distributed in more than 100 countries around the world and more than 3000 stores.
The Classima series is especially popular. The material of the case was steel, sapphire crystal was used. The price may vary depending on the color of the dial and strap, but does not exceed 95 thousand rubles. There are other interesting collections for both men and women.
Maurice Lacroix
Rating: 4.7
Maurice Lacroix differs from other eminent Swiss watch manufacturers by its “youth”, since the trademark was registered only in 1975. The brand successfully survived the crisis during the transition to quartz and even after that did not abandon the use of mechanical movements with a large number of details. Maurice Lacroix watches contain many premium attributes, have unique design solutions, even in cases where their cost is below the premium level.
The company has 14 prestigious design awards to its credit, and its products can be found in almost 80 countries. Manufacturability (for example, in 2008 the first watch with a mechanical memory was released), a special approach to creating a style concept, their skillful combination and versatility have done their job – the “brainchildren” of Maurice Lacroix are in stable demand, about 90000 copies are produced annually.
Frederique Constant
Rating: 4.6
The manufactory Frederique Constant has gained a good position in the market thanks to the production of premium (or near-premium) watches at a relatively affordable price. The brand has a patent for the “Heart Beat” caliber (self-winding), which appeared in 2004 and was a great success. A feature of such products is a “viewing” window through which you can observe the operation of the clock mechanism. The functionality of the watch is provided by top computer technologies.
Watches with Heart Beat are considered cult today and directly reflect the brand’s philosophy, expressed in devotion to the classics and the desire to satisfy the true connoisseur.
Perrelet
Rating: 4.5
Perrelet is one of the oldest Swiss brands, “born” in 1777. At that time, a certain Abraham-Louis Perrelet created a self-winding movement, which to this day is considered one of the most advanced ways to wind a mechanical caliber. A worthy follower of the traditions was Perrelet’s grandson, Louis Frederic, who created a chronograph with the fly-back option, for which he received an award from the Academy of Sciences. Now this chronograph is in one of the Geneva museums.
The most famous series are Turbine, which is designed with a rotating rotor, and Diamond Flower Ladies, for women, with a lotus-shaped double rotor. This rotor has become a unique feature of the brand.
Tag Heuer
Rating: 4.4
The logo of this company is very recognizable, it is found on various devices and devices, for example, on glasses, phones, chronographs. In 1867, Tag Heuer patented a gear wheel, the so-called cogwheel, which has become an important part of almost all luxury watches. At the moment, Tag Heuer actively sponsors Formula 1, and well-known racers and representatives of the cinema world have become the face of the brand. Such watches were also loved in political circles for their aristocracy and reliability.
Tag Heuer products are produced at two Swiss factories, the staff includes more than 1,6 thousand people, including from representative offices around the world. Tag Heuer makes about $450 million annually from watch sales.
The best Swiss watches from 150 rubles
PATEK PHILIPPE
Rating: 5.0
The company PATEK PHILIPPE in the century before last was founded by two visiting Poles A. Patek and A. Philip. Their assets include the release of the first watch-bracelet, perpetual calendar and chronograph (patents). Now the serial production manufactured under this brand is one of the most expensive on the market. PATEK PHILIPPE is firmly in the top ten of the most famous Swiss watch brands, and some models leave auctions for absolutely unfathomable amounts.
The manufacturer annually produces over 50000 wristwatches, employs about 2000 people, and sales revenue exceeds a billion dollars every year.
Vacheron Constantin
Rating: 4.9
The watch house Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755. Almost immediately after the start of activity among the company’s clients, there was a place for representatives of the aristocracy, including, for example, the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The brand gained its fame primarily due to the unusual combination of a conservative classic style with more modern, vibrant styles. Vacheron Constantin products are recognizable, but only the richest members of society can afford such a luxury.
The catalog of watches from the manufacturer is very wide and varied in terms of textures and design. The original design of the watch allows its owner to stand out from the crowd, and numerous functions with considerable practical benefit serve as a pleasant bonus.
BREGUET
Rating: 4.9
Initially, since 1775, the Breguet company was located in Paris. However, today it is an integral representative of the Swiss watch craft, attracting buyers with an unusual dial and a unique style of writing numbers. Breguet watches are characterized by the original shape of the hands, and the most exclusive series is made in a space style. The products were in demand among the royal nobility, among the clients were King Louis XVIII and Alexander I, the great Emperor of All Russia. Models Classique and Marine are considered among the leaders in the premium segment.
Oris
Rating: 4.8
The first Oris watch factory was opened in 1904, and by 1930 several of the company’s factories were operating simultaneously. Oris was the first to launch a watch with a power reserve indication and automatic winding. In the 90s, Oris watches even had… an alarm clock! True, it was a limited series. Also, the manufacturer was the first to introduce the indication of the lunar cycle and the properties of the tide.
Now Oris has established a partnership with the Williams Formula 1 team. Participates in charity, within the framework of which special diving products were released. The company is working on the creation of exclusively mechanical watches according to Swiss Made standards. In the manufacture of elements, aluminum, carbon, titanium, bronze and ceramics are used.
OMEGA
Rating: 4.8
The OMEGA brand has succeeded in achieving excellence in style and quality in the manufacturing process. The absolute precision of watches, the use of advanced technologies, global recognition and fame – only a few companies around the world can compete with OMEGA in this market. The brand developed its corporate identity and turned it into a tradition back in the 19th century. In production, not only proven materials are used, but also new alloys of our own design, which give uniqueness to the finished product. Nowadays, it is one of the few manufacturers that offers watches with all-ceramic cases.
Sports, astronautics, philanthropy, cinema – in a wide variety of areas, OMEGA has found application for its luxury watches. The product of this particular company was the first of its kind, which “made” a trip to the moon.
ROLEX
Rating: 4.8
Probably the most recognizable Swiss watch brand in the world. In thematic ratings, they are almost always on the first lines. ROLEX has a large number of its own developments. For example, in 1926 a case with water protection was created, and in 1945 an automatic calendar was created. Each collection of ROLEX watches shows luxury, a tribute to history, its own style and impeccable quality.
In the catalog of the company you can find watches with different clockwork. These are classic conservative models, professional products for various fields of activity, special sports solutions.
Owning a Rolex watch means demonstrating a special status in society, and the effect is achieved no worse than from an expensive luxury car or rare gems.
ULYSSE NARDIN
Rating: 4.7
The manufacturer began by making high-precision marine chronometers in the early 19th century. ULYSSE NARDIN has won numerous awards for its many patented technologies. More than 130 years ago, the production of men’s watches with the same high precision characteristics began, which eventually raised the company to the level of the leading Swiss watch brand in the opinion of the public. Since recently, ULYSSE NARDIN watches have been sold with a 5-year warranty, and not every competitor can offer such a warranty period.
The creativity of the developers, the manufacturability of production and the perfect precision are reflected in the luxury premium watches. The uniqueness of ULYSSE NARDIN lies in the fidelity to traditions – the elements of the sea are clearly traced in the design.
Hublot
Rating: 4.7
Hublot has recently entered the luxury watch market. The company was founded in 1980, but in such a short time it has managed to achieve huge recognition. In the manufacture of dials, the brand adheres to the fusion style, combining details, it would seem, “from different operas”. It can be an interweaving of platinum and stainless steel, gold and ceramics, titanium and Kevlar.
The name Hublot comes from the word “porthole”, and its first watch outwardly just resembled the porthole of a sea vessel. Now Hublot products have different colors, in addition to the classic ones, they are also especially bright, some models are royally luxurious, others are strictly concise. From the functionality, one can note a calendar, a tourbillon, an indication of the speed of time, etc.
ZENITH
Rating: 4.6
Another old and famous brand. During its work, Zenith has experienced many significant events, for example, in 1969, it released the El Primero automatic chronometer with a frequency of 36000 vibrations per hour (against 28800 in other movements). This chronograph measured tenths of a second, which was an innovation for devices of this type.
Zenith watches are not only impeccably high quality materials and complex construction, but also a prestigious appearance, emphasizing the high status of their owner. Classical no-frills products represent the Elite series, while complex-functional and precious metal products represent the Academy. There is a special aviation direction, and a lot of different design ideas are implemented in the Chronomaster collection.
Montblanc.
Rating: 4.6
The brand has a very symbolic name, in honor of the highest point in Europe – Mont Blanc. The first watch of this brand appeared in 1997. Montblanc itself produces watch movements and accessories, uses special raw materials and precious metals – platinum and gold. The strap is often a leather band or a metal bracelet. Particularly spectacular are models in which soft leather is combined with hard metal.
Transparent dials with a view of the movement, amazing accuracy (1/100 of a second), a return mechanism and handwork – all this enhances the value of Montblanc watches in the eyes of wealthy lovers of luxury items.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.