Oldest Watch Brands | Oldest Watch Companies

Top 10 Oldest Watch Brands in the World

Raymond Lee Jewelers Watches Boca Raton May 3, 2019 | 18

As shocking as it may be, many watch brands today only have a relatively brief history. Others can trace their lineage back centuries. Here is the list of 10 oldest watch brands with details on what keeps them famous.

Top 10 Oldest Watch Brands in the World

Here is our list of 10 of the oldest watch companies worldwide, many of them familiar yet there are some brands that you may have never heard about. If you aren’t an enthusiast of vintage watch brands. Starting with number 10 we continue down until reaching number one!

10. Rolex

Rolex is one of the world’s premier watch brands, founded in London and relocated to Geneva by 1919 – ranking number 10 on our list. They boast over 7, Billion in annual sales with 2,800 employees worldwide – and their iconic crown logo can be seen everywhere around the globe.

3 Legendary Vintage Rolex Watches

VINTAGE ROLEX 6084 14KT GOLD CHAMPAGNE DIAL ON RED LEATHER STRAP

9. Seiko

Seiko began as a Japanese watchmaker in 1882. However, their first clock wasn’t manufactured until 1892 and their first watch wasn’t produced until 1924. Seiko made headlines again by producing the world’s first quartz watch in 1969 and today they remain active through sports sponsorships which keeps their clock ticking!

SEIKO DX 6106-7729 GOLD PLATED GENTS VINTAGE WATCH

8. Audemars Piguet

In 1875, this watchmaker was established by 23-year-old Jules Louis Audemars and 21-year-old Edward Auguste Piguet. There have been various members of both families involved with some aspect of its operations and its longevity has resulted in consistent quality that few brands can match. Indeed AP stands as one of the oldest watch brands still producing watches today.

AUDEMARS PIGUET CLASSIC DAY-DATE MOONPHASE 18K YELLOW GOLD WATCH

7. Waltham

Waltham Watches were produced in Waltham, Massachusetts beginning in 1850. Later the company established a Swiss affiliate which still manufactures watches today. Although their Waltham factory closed down in 1957. Today the building has been converted to fashionable Boston area condos. Abe Lincoln himself received one after giving his Gettysburg address!

GOLD TONE WALTHAM POCKET WATCH

6. Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe began producing high-end watches in 1839 under its founder’s supervision. Some of their signature watches include multi-time zone watches and the complex Calibre 89 watches. Nowadays, they continue producing some of the finest watches ever created and remain one of the premier participants at Baselworld every year. Furthermore, this brand remains immensely popular and beloved across generations, making it difficult for newer watch brands to compete against them.

PATEK PHILIPPE 18K YELLOW GOLD VINTAGE WATCH

5. Gallet & Co.

Julien Gallet first registered their watchmaking family business back in 1826, though their watchmaking tradition can be found back to the 1400s. Since then, they have produced timepieces using modern technologies and styles that keep time running smoothly.

4. Breguet

Abraham-Louis Breguet established Breguet Watch Company in 1775, and by 1810 they are widely acknowledged for creating the world’s first wristwatch. As such, this makes them one of the oldest watch brands. Breguet watches were even owned by Marie Antoinette and Bonaparte; today however, they are privately owned by Brown Family who continue producing fine watches.

BREGUET NO 1773 YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC MENS WATCH 5157

3. Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin stands as one of the oldest watch brand businesses. Established in Geneva by master watchmaker Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755, almost 260 years later they remain relevant by producing world-class quality timepieces – making Vacheron one of the longest continuously operating watch companies worldwide.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN 18K YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC VINTAGE WATCH

2. Favre Leuba

Favre Leuba watches have a rich history back to 1737. This iconic brand remained within one family for eight generations before running into difficulties when inexpensive quartz watches became more affordable in 1969. Classic watches produced by this company included their Bivouac altimeter watch and Bathy diving watch – now back on sale and back into fashion! – Favre Leuba watches are once again being revived.

1. Blancpain

Blancpain is one of the oldest watch brands worldwide, founded by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain in 1735 and produced a limited number of watches each year until they went out of business; Swatch later purchased them.