Fine watches: An overview of some of history's finest watchmakers

The Swiss are often considered the quintessence of fine watchmaking, and rightly so, manySwiss watchmakers were artistic designers and technical innovators alike. Here's an overview of some of the finest watchmakers - Swiss and otherwise - of whose watches you can find right here:

Rolex

Who doesn't think of the name "Rolex" when the topic of fine watchmaking arises? It got its start when The Rolex Company was founded in 1905 (a year in which several fine companies were working on or had just released the very first wristwatches) by Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law under its first name, "Wilsdorf & Davies," in London. At this time Swiss companies were the main watch providers, but still had difficulty making accurate time pieces with the small movements that wristwatches required. Wilsdorf solved this problem by using Swiss-supplied movements which greatly improved the accuracy of watches.

Just three years later it had grown to be one of the leading watch companies in London, and it was in this year that Wilsdorf changed the name to "Rolex." The prestigious name soon after gained increasing respect, and still maintains that respect after all these years. Over the years the company has received numerous accolaides and invented many technological ideas as well as released many beautiful designs. With each release, Rolex solidifies the notion that they continue to create the world's most prestigious timepieces.

Omega

The humble beginnings of this watch company began when, throughout the long winter months - by the light of his workbench window - 23-year-old Louis Brandt assembled key-wound precision pocket watches from parts supplied by local craftsmen in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. He created a workshop, hired some help, and when the snows had melted, Brandt travelled throughout Europe selling his watches, and the empire grew. Omega watches have since become one of the top brand names in watches worldwide. They are leaders in the industry stylistically as well as technologically, and their watches can be found on fashion runways, in Olympic games, and even in space.

Invicta

The choices of fine watches are numerous with this Swiss manufacturer, Invicta makes quality watches in a wide array of syles, from sport styles to dress styles and more. The prices of them is just as varied, as prices range from the very affordable to high end pieces from the Elite collection. Here are a few of the more popular types you can find online: Speedway Chronograph, Swiss Chronograph, Lupah, Uniter, and Diver.

Movado

In 1881, at the ripe age of 19, Achilles Ditesheim hired six employees and started his own watch company in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. He named this company Movado, meaning "always in motion," and soon after it became known for its technological design innovation. Movado watches are highly valued and can now be found in 20 permanent museum collections worldwide. Being lauded for both style and technical savvy makes these watches highly sought after items.

Hamilton

Around the same time that countries like Switzerland and Japan were creating stylish, innovative, and artfully crafted watches, a little corner of America by the name of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, had its own emerging world class watchmaker: Hamilton. Here Hamilton put itself in the annals of American history when they started producing fine watches. Their first watch came out it 1893, and it was designed by a founding member of the Hamilton company - H. J. Cain. The name was soon known for its value and accuracy, and because of this reputation, the railroad industry turned to Hamilton in 1893 for aid in alleviating railroad crashes. Hamilton was looked to again in 1910 when the U.S. Government named Hamilton the official provider of timepieces to the U.S. Armed Forces. It was at this time that the original Hamilton Khaki was created. Hamilton kept up with the technical demands as well as the styles of the culture over the years. Their watches were high tech but also high fashion, and now many Hamilton pieces from the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's are valued as rare vintage collectors' items.

TAG Heuer

In 1882, Edouard Heuer founded a workshop in St-Imier, Switzerland, a time and place where many fine watchmakers were emerging. Heuer patented his first chronograph inventions in 1887, and he continued to stay ahead technologically by inventing new concepts in watchmaking. The company has received many accolades over the years and has continued to be about precision, reliability, as well as aesthetics. Edouard Heuer was passionate about precision and his mastery is reflected in his impressive number of patents and his company is responsible for part of the esteem that Swiss watchmakers have. That is why the TAG Heuer philosophy is symbolized by the slogan “Swiss Avant-Garde since 1860.”

Cartier

Cartier was France's answer to fine watchmaking. The company began in the fashion capital of the world, Paris, in 1847, when Louis-Francois Cartier took over the jewelry workshop of his teacher at age 29. In 1872 he made his son, Alfred, a partner. In turn, Alfred then made his son, Louis, a partner and changed the company name to Alfred Cartier & Fils. In the early 1900's, the company began producing art deco watches using abstract, geometrical forms, and at this point the first Tonneau wristwatch was created. In just a few years, Cartier had impressed the world with their style and had a shop in London and New York as well. They have proven over the years that Cartier always means style.

These are just a small fraction, though some of the finest, of fine timepieces available. Be sure to browse our site for the top authorized watch dealers on the market.

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