Top Ten World-Renowned Watches

        Top Ten World-Renowned Watches 　　

        Patek Philippe 　　

        Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is the only surviving entirely family-owned and independently operated watch manufacturer in Switzerland. Patek Philippe has always placed great emphasis on exterior design and manufacturing processes, with all watchmaking steps completed at its original Geneva workshop. It is the only global watch brand whose movements all bear the “ Geneva Seal ”. 　　

        Audemars Piguet 　　

        In 1875, Jules-Louis Audemars founded Audemars Piguet alongside his friend Edward-Auguste Piguet. In 1972, Audemars Piguet introduced the high-end sports watch series in solid steel, the “ Royal Oak ”, which became a horological classic. Audemars Piguet operates a watchmaking school in Switzerland, where each apprentice must complete a 4-year course to qualify as a watchmaker. Furthermore, an additional 1 to 2 years of training is required to manufacture ultra-thin movements, whilst an extra 10 years of training is necessary before one can begin producing complication movements. 　　

        Vacheron Constantin 　　

        Established in 1755, Vacheron Constantin has a history of 250 years, making it one of the oldest and longest-running prestigious watchmakers in the world. Founder Jean-Marc Vacheron was a learned humanist. Hailed as art among nobility, Vacheron Constantin has consistently played a pivotal role in the Swiss watchmaking industry. It currently belongs to Switzerland's Richemont Group. 　　

        Jaeger-LeCoultre 　　

        Antoine LeCoultre established his workshop in Switzerland in 1833. In 1844, he invented the micrometer, which achieved a measurement accuracy of 1/1000 millimetres, substantially enhancing the precision of watch component machining. Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the world's thinnest mechanical movement in 1907, followed by the world's smallest mechanical movement in 1929. The Jaeger-LeCoultre watch introduced specifically for polo players in 1931 stands as a rare classic within luxury timepieces. It is currently part of Switzerland's Richemont Group. 　　

        Piaget 　　

        In 1874, Georges Edouard Piaget started out making movements. In 1940, Piaget's grandson opened up international markets for the development of Piaget watches. The brand introduced ultra-thin movements in 1956. Since the 60s, Piaget has simultaneously dedicated itself to the research of complication movements and the design of high-end jewellery. From design and wax modelling to gemstone setting, Piaget has always adhered to the pursuit of excellence. Its “ cuff watches ” and “ coin watches ” feature exceptional designs and are treasured items amongst Piaget creations. It currently belongs to Switzerland's Richemont Group. 　　

        Blancpain 　　

        Blancpain is the oldest and most ancient surviving watch brand. Since its establishment in 1735, Blancpain has never produced a quartz watch, nor will it ever do so. Blancpain does not have an assembly-line factory; the manufacturing process takes place entirely within old farmhouses, with individual watchmakers hand-finishing and assembling each piece. To this day, every single Blancpain timepiece is personally inspected, numbered, and signed by a watchmaker, and its quality control remains as rigorous as it was years ago. 　　

        Breguet 　　

        In 1775, A. Louis Breguet founded the Breguet brand. This universally acknowledged master of watchmaking history first developed the brand in Paris before moving to Switzerland. Breguet watches have long been favoured by royalty, with French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette both being admirers. Literary giants such as Balzac, Pushkin, Alexandre Dumas, and Victor Hugo have all mentioned Breguet watches in their works. Notable figures including British Queen Victoria and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were also clients of Breguet. Today, Breguet belongs to Switzerland's Swatch Group. 　　

        Girard-Perregaux 　　

        Girard-Perregaux was established in 1791 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, making it the second-oldest true watch manufacture in the world. The two founders of Girard-Perregaux were Jean-Francois Bautte and Constant Girard. At the end of the 18 century, Bautte introduced ultra-thin watches, combining miniaturised complicated parts with breathtaking craftsmanship. Constant focused more on technical advancement, continually designing finer timing mechanisms and delving into more complex movements, leading to the creation of the famous “ Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon ”, which became an iconic masterpiece of Girard-Perregaux. To share the watchmaking history of Girard-Perregaux with the public, the Girard-Perregaux Museum was established in 1999 to house and display various antique timepieces, reflecting the craftsmanship and technological journey of watchmaking. 　　

        Cartier watches Cartier 　　

        With a history spanning over 150 years, Cartier is a renowned French maker of fine jewellery and silverware. In 1888, Cartier experimented with fitting a mechanical ladies' watch onto a diamond-set yellow gold bracelet. In 1938, Cartier manufactured the world's smallest wristwatch and presented it to Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom. Cartier watches have consistently been favored by high society, enjoying enduring popularity. They currently belong to Switzerland's Richemont Group. 　　

        Rolex 　　

        Rolex is a famous Swiss watch manufacturer, formerly known as the Wilsdorf and Davis company, established as a partnership in London in 1905 by the German Hans · Wilsdorf and the Englishman Alfred Davis. In 1908, Hans · Wilsdorf registered the name ROLEX in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. 　　

        The founder of Rolex was Hans Wilsdorf, who registered Rolex as a trademark in Switzerland in 1908. In the 20s of the 20 century, the Rolex company developed waterproof watches. In 1953, Rolex introduced a diving watch specifically designed for divers. The design of Rolex watches, characterised by a dignified, practical and unostentatious style, is loved by a vast number of people.