21 brands, 64 collections, 116 individual references — each analyzed with proprietary Value Scores, cost of ownership, and price history.
Our coverage spans the full spectrum of luxury watchmaking: from accessible luxury (TAG Heuer, Tudor starting under $2,000) through prestige brands (Rolex, Omega, Cartier) to haute horlogerie houses (Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, A. Lange & Söhne). Each brand page includes expert analysis, collection overviews, and model-by-model comparisons. Brands are ranked below by their highest Value Score.
| Brand | Country | Founded | Collections | Models | Price Range | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolex | Switzerland | 1905 | 11 | 34 | $6,500–$180,000 | 91 |
| Patek Philippe | Switzerland | 1839 | 4 | 9 | $28,000–$250,000 | 86 |
| Audemars Piguet | Switzerland | 1875 | 3 | 6 | $20,000–$95,000 | 84 |
| Cartier | France | 1847 | 4 | 8 | $2,800–$13,000 | 78 |
| Omega | Switzerland | 1848 | 6 | 11 | $2,800–$8,000 | 76 |
| Tudor | Switzerland | 1926 | 3 | 5 | $2,500–$5,800 | 75 |
| Vacheron Constantin | Switzerland | 1755 | 3 | 4 | $17,000–$42,000 | 75 |
| Breitling | Switzerland | 1884 | 4 | 5 | $3,200–$9,000 | 70 |
| IWC | Switzerland | 1868 | 2 | 4 | $4,000–$8,500 | 70 |
| TAG Heuer | Switzerland | 1860 | 4 | 5 | $1,200–$6,500 | 69 |
| A. Lange & Söhne | Germany | 1845 | 2 | 2 | $17,000–$40,000 | 69 |
| Jaeger-LeCoultre | Switzerland | 1833 | 2 | 4 | $5,000–$12,000 | 69 |
| Grand Seiko | Japan | 1960 | 2 | 3 | $4,500–$6,500 | 69 |
| Blancpain | Switzerland | 1735 | 2 | 3 | $7,000–$14,500 | 68 |
| Panerai | Italy/Switzerland | 1860 | 2 | 3 | $5,500–$9,500 | 67 |
| Chopard | Switzerland | 1860 | 1 | 1 | $10,000–$13,000 | 66 |
| Hublot | Switzerland | 1980 | 2 | 2 | $4,500–$11,000 | 65 |
| Zenith | Switzerland | 1865 | 2 | 2 | $5,500–$9,000 | 65 |
| Piaget | Switzerland | 1874 | 2 | 2 | $11,000–$18,000 | 65 |
| Bell & Ross | France | 1992 | 2 | 2 | $3,000–$4,800 | 64 |
| Bvlgari | Italy/Switzerland | 1884 | 1 | 1 | $8,000–$11,000 | 63 |
The luxury watch market is roughly organized into tiers based on price, exclusivity, and horological pedigree. At the top, houses like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and A. Lange & Söhne produce limited quantities with hand-finished movements — their watches often appreciate significantly on the secondary market. Mid-tier brands like Rolex, Omega, and Cartier balance heritage with larger production volumes, offering reliable quality with varying resale characteristics. Entry luxury brands like TAG Heuer and Tudor provide genuine craftsmanship at accessible prices, though they tend to depreciate more in the first years.
Crucially, the "best" brand depends entirely on your priorities. If value preservation matters most, Rolex and Patek consistently lead. If specifications-per-dollar is your metric, Grand Seiko and Tudor punch far above their weight. If design heritage is what speaks to you, Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre offer centuries of artistic tradition. Our Value Score integrates all of these dimensions so you can compare objectively.