Watch Facts

Founded in 1999 by Richard Mille and Dominique Guenat, Richard Mille is renowned for its innovative approach to watchmaking. The brand debuted its first timepiece, the RM 001 Tourbillon, in 2001, setting a new standard in luxury watches with its use of cutting-edge materials like carbon nanofiber and a strikingly modern design. Known for its “racing machine on the wrist” concept, Richard Mille watches are celebrated for their durability, precision, and avant-garde aesthetics.

Richard Mille’s collaborations with sports figures like Rafael Nadal and Felipe Massa highlight the brand’s commitment to creating lightweight, shock-resistant watches designed to withstand extreme conditions. The RM 27-02, for instance, features a skeletonized unibody baseplate inspired by racing car chassis, enhancing rigidity and impact resistance

Founded in 2010 by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens, Ressence is a watch brand that merges innovative design with traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. Known for its unique display system called the Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), the brand eliminates traditional hands in favor of rotating discs that display the time. This design not only enhances legibility but also provides a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Ressence has made significant strides in the horological world with its oil-filled watches, such as the Type 3, which offers unparalleled clarity and readability. The brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries has earned it numerous accolades, including the Horological Revelation Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. With a focus on simplicity, functionality, and a futuristic design approach, Ressence continues to redefine the essence of timekeeping in the 21st century

Founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Hamilton Watch Company initially gained fame for its accurate railroad pocket watches, earning the title “The Watch of Railroad Accuracy.” During World War I, Hamilton produced wristwatches for the military, marking a shift from pocket watches to wristwatches. The brand continued to innovate, introducing the world’s first electric watch, the Ventura, in 1957, famously worn by Elvis Presley.

Hamilton transitioned to Swiss ownership in 1969 and is now part of the Swatch Group. The brand is known for its robust collections, including the Khaki Field, Jazzmaster, and Ventura, blending American heritage with Swiss precision. Hamilton remains a prominent name in both aviation and cinematic history, often featured in major films like “Interstellar” and “Men in Black”​

Founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the creator of Rolex, Tudor was established to offer high-quality watches at a more accessible price point while maintaining the reliability and precision associated with Rolex. The brand gained significant recognition for its robust and reliable timepieces, such as the Tudor Oyster Prince and the Tudor Submariner, which were often used by military forces, including the French Navy.

In 1969, Tudor introduced the “Snowflake” hands in response to requests from French Navy divers for more legible watches underwater. This distinctive design remains a hallmark of the brand. Tudor’s modern resurgence began in the early 2000s, with a renewed focus on creating timepieces that combine heritage and innovation. In 2015, Tudor launched its first in-house movement, marking a significant milestone in its evolution​

Founded in 1995 by watchmaker Roger Dubuis and designer Carlos Dias, Roger Dubuis has established a reputation for its avant-garde designs and exceptional watchmaking expertise. The brand quickly gained recognition for its bold and innovative approach, particularly in the realm of architectural skeletonized movements. By 1999, the company began designing and producing its own in-house movements, all certified with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality.

Roger Dubuis is known for its distinctive collections, such as the Excalibur and the Hommage, which feature complex mechanisms like the double tourbillon and minute repeater. In 2008, the brand joined the Richemont Group, further solidifying its place in the luxury watch market. Today, Roger Dubuis continues to push the boundaries of haute horlogerie with its limited-edition timepieces and commitment to innovation

F.P. Journe, founded in 1999 by François-Paul Journe, is renowned for its innovative and high-precision timepieces. The brand quickly gained recognition for its distinctive designs and technical prowess, epitomized by the Tourbillon Souverain, introduced at Baselworld in 1999. This model featured the first wristwatch tourbillon with a constant-force remontoire, a mechanism that enhances accuracy by ensuring consistent force delivery to the escapement.

François-Paul Journe’s journey in watchmaking began with his uncle, a restorer of antique clocks in Paris, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for horological artistry. His work is heavily influenced by historical watchmaking techniques, which he combines with modern innovation. Notable models include the Chronomètre à Résonance, which uses resonance to improve precision, and the Centigraphe Souverain, capable of measuring time to 1/100th of a second.

F.P. Journe remains a highly sought-after brand among collectors, known for its limited production of around 800 pieces per year, ensuring exclusivity and high craftsmanship​

Founded in 1875 by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, Audemars Piguet is a prestigious watch brand known for its intricate and high-quality timepieces. The brand quickly established itself as a leader in horological innovations, producing the first minute-repeating wristwatch in 1892 and the first skeleton watch in 1934.

Audemars Piguet’s most iconic model, the Royal Oak, was introduced in 1972, designed by Gérald Genta. Initially met with skepticism due to its unconventional design and high price, the Royal Oak has since become a cornerstone of the luxury sports watch market. Today, Audemars Piguet continues to be celebrated for its technical mastery and innovative designs

H. Moser & Cie, founded in 1828 by Heinrich Moser, has a storied history that spans nearly two centuries. Initially established in St. Petersburg, Russia, the brand quickly became synonymous with quality and elegance, attracting notable clients including Russian royalty. The company faced significant challenges during the Russian Revolution but was revived in the early 2000s by Dr. Jürgen Lange and Heinrich Moser’s great-grandson, Roger Nicholas Balsiger.

Today, H. Moser & Cie is known for its innovative and minimalist designs, often featuring their signature fumé dials and high-precision movements. The brand emphasizes exclusivity, producing around 3,000 watches annually, and is celebrated for its craftsmanship and unique approach to traditional watchmaking. Notable collections include the Streamliner, Pioneer, and Endeavour, each showcasing the brand’s dedication to blending classic aesthetics with modern technology​

Founded in 1906 in Hamburg, Germany, Montblanc is best known for its luxury writing instruments, particularly the iconic Meisterstück fountain pen introduced in 1924. The brand expanded into watchmaking in 1997, establishing its watchmaking facility in Le Locle, Switzerland, and later integrating the prestigious Minerva manufacture. Montblanc’s timepieces are renowned for their combination of traditional Swiss craftsmanship and modern innovation, featuring collections like the Meisterstück, TimeWalker, and 1858, which highlight the brand’s commitment to precision and elegance. Under the ownership of Richemont since 1998, Montblanc continues to produce high-quality watches that honor both its heritage and forward-looking vision

Founded in 1839 in Geneva, Patek Philippe is one of the most prestigious and revered watchmakers in the world. The brand, still family-owned by the Stern family since 1932, is celebrated for its high-quality craftsmanship and complex timepieces. Known as the “King of Complications,” Patek Philippe has produced some of the most intricate and valuable watches, including the Grandmaster Chime, which sold for a record $31.19 million in 2019. The brand’s iconic models include the Nautilus, Calatrava, and Aquanaut