Rankings and Tier Classifications of the World's Top Watches

　　Nowadays, watches are no more than simple timekeeping instruments; for those pursuing a high-taste lifestyle, owning a world-famous watch brand is an essential accessory for attending various social occasions. However, for friends who are new to luxury watch brands, they may not be very familiar with the various marques and might struggle to choose a suitable watch when purchasing. Therefore, below we present the rankings and tier classifications of the world's top watches for your reference when selecting a timepiece.

　　Images of the World's Top Watch Rankings

　　Top Three Rankings of World-Famous Watches

　　World's Number One Watch Brand: Patek Philippe.

　　As one of Switzerland's last surviving independent watchmaking brands, its products are manufactured entirely in-house from start to finish, and training a watchmaker for such a brand takes at least ten years. It can be said that if one truly graduates and qualifies, the cost of training these watchmakers is immeasurable. It is this rigorous attitude that has sustained this renowned brand for nearly two hundred years. Watches from this brand have previously set record-breaking astronomical prices exceeding four million US dollars.

　　World's Number Two Watch Brand: Audemars Piguet.

　　This brand was founded by two young men in nineteen seventy-five. The fine watches they produce are generally very creative and contain many complex functions. For example, the pocket watch from eighteen eighty-nine featured a minute repeater, chronograph, and calendar, while the sports watch from nineteen seventy-two caused a sensation in the watchmaking world. It can be said that this brand is a combination of creativity and horology, with prices ranging from twenty thousand RMB at the low end to over one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand RMB, which is quite normal.

　　World's Number Three Watch Brand: Vacheron Constantin.

　　If the brand ranked first is known for rigorous accuracy in watchmaking, and the second for creative complications, the third represents outstanding design. Throughout the twentieth century, this brand released numerous unforgettable designer timepieces, with certain models reaching the absolute pinnacle of achievement, leaving people captivated and in awe. Prices for this brand's watches generally start above one hundred thousand RMB.

　　Tier Classifications of World-Famous Watches

　　1. Special Tier: Noted for crafting complicated watches, featuring exquisite finishing that fully demonstrates the manufacture's technical prowess. The brand value is exceptionally high, production is limited, and prices generally exceed one hundred thousand.

　　2. First Tier, First Class: Classic watches suited for high-earning individuals in China.

　　Rolex; IWC; Jaeger-LeCoultre; Cartier; Chopard; Piaget.

　　3. First Tier, Second Class: Suited for high-earning watch enthusiasts in China.

　　Zenith; KELEK; Daniel Roth; Gerald Genta; Union (Germany); Chronoswiss; Corum; Panerai; Omega; Maurice Lacroix; Dubois Depraz; Ebel; Cuervo y Sobrinos.

　　4. Second Tier, First Class: Utilises backbone ETA movements, mostly leaning towards advanced ETA movements with certain modification and finishing techniques, or featuring strongly emphasised designs. Occupying the mid-to-high-end segment, suited for individualistic middle-class individuals in China.

　　5. Class Two, Grade Two: The backbone brands using entry-to-mid-level ETA movements. They feature minimal modifications, standard finishing, and strong utility, with prices ranging from five thousand to fifteen thousand RMB, suitable for the Chinese middle class.

　　6. Class Three: Affordable watches using basic ETA movements, but with guaranteed quality from authentic manufacturers. Most are priced under ten thousand RMB and serve as essential pieces for watch enthusiasts.

　　Oris; Tissot; Hamilton; Mido; Zeno; Marcello C; Davosa; and various small German brands using ETA (including 7750, Unitas) movements, such as Limes, Kaufmann, Laco, etc.

　　7. Class Four: Old European and American brands still in existence that have been acquired by Asian companies, as well as some low-end brands targeting only the Asian market. These use cheap ETA or Japanese movements and are the 'Swiss watches' most commonly encountered by the Chinese public: Titoni, Enicar, Rado, Cyma, Epos, Titoni, Olma, DOXA, SANDOZ, Nivada, Olma, Bulova, etc. Some Swiss quartz watches also belong to Class Four: Swatch and Certina.

　　8. Class Five: Seiko, Citizen, Orient (Double Lion), Casio, Russian Aviator alarm watches, and Vostok (former military watches). Note 3: I have not had contact with Credor or Grand Seiko; they may be self-promoted by the Japanese, or perhaps overly disparaged by some watch enthusiasts. I think they could at most be classified as Class Two watches.

　　9. Class Six: Mainland Chinese watches. These watches were previously overrated and should now return to their rightful status.

　　Conclusion:Owning a world-renowned watch is a dream for many enthusiasts, but one should choose a watch suitable for their income level. I hope the above ranking of world-renowned watches helps you when purchasing a timepiece.

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