The Best Watch Brands For Starter Watch Connoisseurs

The luxury watch industry has seen a resurgence for the past few years – and so it’s one of the best times to get a mechanical watch, and for watch connoisseurs, it’s a great time to be alive and be an avid fan. The rise of smartwatches have certainly cannibalized some of the markets, but it also, in a way, revitalize the mechanical watch industry.

In what way? Well, with smartwatches being at the forefront of the watch industry nowadays, people are looking at mechanical watches as something of a novelty item, and everyone always wants a piece of something that’s going to be a conversation starter. Although mechanical watches do fetch prices more than they’re worth, it’s justifiable in the long run.

So if you’re a beginner watch connoisseur, it’s high time that you learn some of the best brands in the luxury watch market, which you can check out for the first few purchases in your growing collection. We’ve collated not the most popular, but the brands with great heritage and have a history of putting out great mechanical watches.

Omega

Omega may have been the lesser-known Rolex cousin for most people, but what they don’t know is that Omega, as a brand, has been at the forefront of creating timepieces that so advanced in their respective fields, they have their own qualifications for it. While the popularity of the brand has seen a major shift in  recent years, it still has long ways to go.

Omega, as one of the best watch brands, has quite an array of classics in their collection. The famed Seamaster, which is James Bond’s go-to watch, the Speedmaster, which is the first watch on the moon and still the only watch NASA-flight certified, and the Railmaster are some of the best watches in their respective categories.

Audemars Piguet

Maybe the oldest watch brand in this list, Audemars Piguet started as a family business and still is operating as one today. Making some of the world’s toughest and most classic-looking timepieces, Audemars Piguet has an individual look to each of their watches, it won’t be mistaken when you’re wearing one.

Some notable watches under this brand are the Royal Oak and the new Code 11.59. While some connoisseurs favor the more technically-adept collections of the brand, the simple yet elegant execution of the Jules Audemar can’t be beaten when it comes to understated functionality.

Patek Phillippe

Patek Phillippe is the only one in this list that can compete with the heritage of Audemars Piguet, and while their history is different, it’s safe to say that Patek has always been on the right side of history. A budding connoisseur should know the great things that this watch company has done to the industry, including but not limited to, pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and design.

The testament of the brand’s watchmaking capabilities is seen throughout the famous wearers of their watches. A favorite of the royalty, the brand is also a top pick for famous actors and heads of state.

Blancpain

Blancpain is the brainchild of a former Omega executive, and a subsidiary of the Swatch Group. The company started in 1735, and in the next century produced some of the best watches in the industry, competing directly with Omega and Rolex. What’s special about Blancpain is their attention to detail and streamlined approach to luxury watchmaking.

A mishmash of interesting pieces makes up the collection of Blancpain. Some pieces are subtle and understated, while some are so elaborate that it needs to be seen in person. The Villeret is worth checking out, as well as the cufflinks that go with it.

Louis Moinet

When you want the real-deal Chronograph watch, Louis Moinet is the brand to go. The brand is the namesake of the legendary horologist, who first invented the Chronograph. The brand has seen a revival under its recent management, and the brand is rising from the slump that it has been in. Louis Monet, as a brand, has always cooked up interesting watches.

The main design language of the brand skews to elegance with beautiful curves and lines. The Ultravox, in particular, may have one of the best representations of the color blue in a watch, and the Spacewalker is in a class of its own. Investing in a Louis Moinet is quite the respected choice, and you’ll earn the nod of some hawk-eyed connoisseurs.

Takeaway

Making the most out of your money with a mechanical watch purchase is possible when you have the right knowledge and arsenal of information. Buying a thousand dollar watch can be an intimidating decision, that’s why it’s important to know firsthand what you’re getting into. Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy the process as well.