Top 10 List of Swiss Watch Brands that Will Make You a Model

Switzerland is famous for secret bank accounts, world-class chocolate, and breathtaking Alps, but perhaps its greatest achievement is luxury timepieces. When the watch reads “Swiss-Made”, quality and approval are given.

Swiss watches have held great reputation since ages; today, Switzerland manufactures over 50% of the luxury watches sold. Known for their precision and exceptional quality, the watches have set industry standards with their technical innovations. Their designs have remained among the most popular in the watch world.

With about 700 watch-making firms, most of which are in Geneva and the Jura region, Switzerland witnessed exports worth 25.9 billion Swiss Francs in 2024, with the USA, China, and Japan as the top-importing countries. It is, therefore, a fact known by enthusiasts that Swiss-made watches hold the apex position in the luxury watch market, but which luxury brands command the Swiss market?

In this blog, we will read about the ten most successful Swiss watch brands.

10 Best Swiss Watch Brands

1. Rolex

Units Sold in 2024: 1,176,000

Turnover (in CHF): 10,583 million

Retail Market Share: 32%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 13,139

Rolex was founded in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Initially called Wilsdorf and Davis (W&D), they later changed the name to Montres Rolex SA and finally Rolex SA.

Wilsdorf wished the watches to be very accurate. In the year 1910, a Rolex wristwatch was even the first to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision issued by the Official Watch Rating Center. In 1919, Rolex shifted to Geneva, a city known worldwide for the art of watch making.

The Rolex brand has all the reasons to be the top choice of swiss watch lovers.

Some of the More Prominent Rolex Watches:

1. Rolex Submariner
2. Rolex Datejust
3. Rolex Daytona
4. Rolex GMT-Master
5. Rolex Explorer

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2. Omega

Units Sold in 2024: 505,000

Turnover (in CHF): 2390 million

Retail Market Share: 7%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 6,720

The year 1848 saw the birth of Omega when 23-year-old Louis Brandt opened a small workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. By then, the goal was to produce exquisite pocket watches, and his name became synonymous with the making of precise, sophisticated clocks.

Omega’s long history carries with it a number of accomplishments and memorable moments, from its humble beginning in a small workshop to being appointed as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games. It made history when the Omega Speedmaster became the first watch to be worn on the moon. The Seamaster also made an appearance in the James Bond movies.

Some of the More Popular Omega Watches:

1. Omega Constellation
2. Omega Seamaster
3. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
4. Omega Aqua Terra

3. Breitling

Units Sold in 2024: 160,000

Turnover in CHF: 850 million

Retail Market Share: 2.4%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 7,358

Breitling was founded as a creative house in 1884 by Leon Breitling. It started in Saint-lmier and later transferred to a bigger factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1892. The company has a history of innovation and has consistently focused on the creation of reliable and functional watches.

There were many transformations in Breitling within its majestic span of 140 years. From 1980 until quite recently, most people saw Breitling as a men’s brand. But since 2017, new leaders have taken charge of changing the perception. They intend to make the brand eco-friendly and more appealing to women.

Popular Breitling Watches:

1. Breitling Avenger Automatic
2. Breitling Chronomat
3. Breitling Endurance Pro Quartz
4. Breitling Superocean
5. Breitling Navitimer
6. Breitling Top Time

4. Audemars Piguet

Units Sold in 2024: 51,000

Turnover in CHF: 2380 million

Retail Market Share: 5%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 49,075

Founded in 1881, Audemars Piguet starts its history from 1875 when Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet decided to merge their talents and passion for watchmaking. Two friends established one of the elite watch companies in the world in their early 20s. The watch company is still family-owned and known for ultra-precision and quality.

It was founded in Vallee de Joux, Switzerland, a very famous region for making watches. In the beginning, they were either perpetual calendars or minute repeater models. Their pocket watch even won an award at the 1889 Paris Exposition. 

The introduction of the Royal Oak in 1972 was the most important milestone for the brand. With a revolutionary use of stainless steel, it broke all norms prevailing at that time, when luxury watches were made using precious metals.

Popular Audemars Piguet Watches:

1. Royal Oak
2. Royal Oak Offshore
3. Royal Oak Concept
4. Code 11.59

5. Hublot

Units Sold in 2024: 39,000

Turnover in CHF: 495 million

Retail Market Share: 1%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 17,934 

Hublot is a relatively young watch company, established in 1980 and headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland. The French name “Hublot” means Porthole, and its initial case design was drawn from a porthole. The elegant gold case was accompanied by a rubber strap; the combination of top watchmaking and modern, day-to-day materials sets the company apart.

With its distinct attitude, Hublot invests in sports. With ambassadors like Kylian Mbappe and Novak Djokovic, the brand continues to establish itself as a sporty luxury watch company.

One of the turning points for Hublot was in 2005, when it released the Big Bang series. The massive case, powerful looks, and material combinations such as carbon fiber, ceramic, Kevlar, and titanium were an instant hit.

Popular Hublot Watches:

1. Hublot Classic Fusion
2. Hublot Big Band Original
3. Hublot Square Bang
4. Hublot Big Band Unico
5. Hublot Big Bang Tourbillion

6. Patek Phillipe

Units Sold in 2024: 72,000

Turnover in CHF: 2300 million

Retail Market Share: 7%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 43,620

Patek Philippe boasts a rich heritage of more than 180 years. In 1839, Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe combined their passions for watchmaking in Geneva. It is one of the last remaining family-owned luxury watch producers.  Patek Phillipe is the most exclusive brand among all Haute Horlogerie manufacturers.

There innovations like the perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and double chronograph have had a lasting impact on the art of watchmaking. Patek Philippe’s legacy of innovation and the pursuit of perfection are the reasons why it is an elite Swiss watch company.

Popular Patek Phillipe Watches:

1. Patek Phillipe Nautilus
2. Patek Phillipe Aquanaut
3. Patek Phillipe Calatrava
4. Patek Phillipe Golden Ellipse
5. Patek Phillipe Grand Complications

7. Tag Heuer

 

 

Photo/TAGHeuer 

Units Sold in 2024: 380,000

Turnover in CHF: 670 million

Retail Market Share: 2%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 2,491

TAG Heuer wasn’t always TAG Heuer; the watch company began life in 1869 as Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG, founded by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland, and changed names to TAG Heuer in 1985 when the TAG Group bought a majority share in the company.

They became famous through their innovations in stopwatches and chronographs; TAG Heuer became major players in the worlds of aviation and motorsport. Today, they boast a glorious history in racing along with a long-lasting partnership with the Red Bull Formula 1 team. With the TAG Heuer Connected, the luxury watchmaker’s first smartwatch the company is stepping into technological innovations.

Popular TAG Heuer Watches:

1. TAG Heuer Carrera
2. TAG Heuer Formula 1
3. TAG Heuer Monaco
4. TAG Heuer Connected

8. Tissot

 

Units Sold in 2024: 2,550,000

Turnover in CHF: 760 million

Retail Market Share: 3%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 477

Tissot is known for its remarkably priced luxury watches and is one of the most affordable Swiss luxury watch brands among the top 10. Founded by Charles Felicien Tissot and his son Charles-Emile Tissot in the City of Le Locle in the Swiss Jura Mountain region, Tissot grew to fame first through making gold-cased pocket watches that drew worldwide audience.

Acquired by Omega in 1930, Tissot and Omega became part of the Swatch Group in 1983. The Swiss watchmaker is the official timekeeper for the world championships in ice hockey, the NBA, the WNBA, the Tour de France, and MotoGP.

Popular Tissot Watches:

1. Tissot PRC 100 Solar
2. Tissot Le Locle
3. Tissot Chemin des Tourelles
4. Tissot Classic Dream
5. Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport

9. Longines

 

 

 

Units Sold in 2024: 950,000

Turnover in CHF: 1,120 million

Retail Market Share: 4%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 1,922

Founded in 1832, Longines stands among the oldest luxury watch manufacturers to still be in operation in the world. Longines is owned by the Swatch Group for more than thirty years. 

Its watches are recognized for providing a reliable quality/price ratio, and Longines is now a name of trust in luxury watches. Longines was honored to be the official timekeeper in 1896 at the first Olympic Games. Now, they are the official timekeeper of Alpine Skiing and Equestrian Sports and the Commonwealth Games. 

Popular Longines Watches:

1. Longines Hydroconquest GMT
2. Longines Spirit Zulu Time
3. Longines Pilot Majetek
4. Longines Avigation
5. Longines Master Moonphase

10. Richard Mille

Units Sold in 2024: 5700

Turnover in CHF: 1,550 million

Retail Market Share: 3%

Average Retail Price Per Watch: CHF 271,930 

Richard Mille looms as one distinctive name in Haute Horlogerie since 2001. French entrepreneur Richard Mille in association with the L’Oreal Group and Audemars Piguet established the brand to create watches utilizing cutting-edge materials and technologies.

The watches are based on new technology and modern features, tourbillons, or chronographic complications delivering precise performance. Richard Mille has partnered with several prominent teams, athletes, and celebrities: McLaren F1 Team, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Rafael Nadal, Michelle Yeoh, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris, and that’s the reason their prices soar quite high.

Popular Richard Mille Watches:

1. RM 88
2. RM UP-01 Ferrari
3. RM 032 Flyback
4. RM 07-01 Intergalactic

Conclusion

Switzerland has been synonymous with exclusive, high-quality, and costly timepieces. With a legacy of historical craftsmanship and attention to detail, as well as innovative product development, they represent the best in the world.

The top 10 Swiss watch brands will be your example. Ranging in style, design, and cutting-edge technologies and features, they are highly sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.