With most people using their phones as casual timepieces, wristwatches have become more akin to luxury items. They are accessories that round out a look, or meaningful heirlooms one aims to cherish for many years.
As such, when you go to buy your first wristwatch, you want to make sure you’re buying one that is worth the price.
This isn’t difficult thanks to the number of high-quality brands available, but we’re going to highlight 10 of the most popular wristwatch brands in the world to ensure you have a good pool to select from.
1. Rolex
Rolex is probably the most instantly-recognizable watch brand in the world. This is largely because the name is associated with luxury and heirloom-quality watches.
The Swiss watchmaker was also the inventor of the first waterproof watch nearly 100 years ago. This is a brand that the average person will only buy from if they are ready to buy something that will stay in their family for generations.
With the average Rolex costing more than the average monthly income of a full-time worker, it’s not an investment to be taken lightly.
However, if you do spend that kind of money on a watch, you will not be disappointed, and it will likely be something your grandchildren or great-grandchildren inherit in the future.
2. Seiko
Stepping away from watches in the price range that will make you take out a second mortgage, we have Seiko. Seiko is a Japanese watchmaker with more than 100 years of experience.
Seiko watches are often seen as consumer-friendly wristwatches built to extremely high-quality standards. The brand also has a number of watches available at all price points.
The more economically-priced line of Seiko watches typically have fabric bands with high-quality automatic watches, but the more luxurious end of the spectrum shares many characteristics with the world’s other luxury watch brands.
3. Gucci
It’s only natural that the fashion world’s most notable name is on this list. Gucci is mostly known for its luxury brand clothing and scents, but the company does have its own line of luxury watches.
While they are debated among watch aficionados in terms of their worth, the Gucci name immediately makes consumers around the world excited to get their hands on the brand’s products.
If you’re a fan of Gucci’s other products, this might be the perfect entry into the luxury watch world.
4. Jaeger LeCoultre
Jaeger LeCoultre is another Swiss luxury watchmaker like Rolex. While it’s not as well-known among casual consumers, it is the number-one brand in the eyes of collectors and watches experts.
The company was founded in 1833, and that gives it almost 200 years of rich history that makes any Jaeger LeCoultre timepiece a respectable part of any collection.
Watches from this brand are typically highly luxurious, made from the finest materials to the highest standards, and of course, priced accordingly.
5. Armani
Armani is another brand like Gucci. Armani primarily focuses on other luxury products, but it does have its own line of luxury wristwatches. Like similar brands, Armani’s watches are considered to be of decent quality, but they’re not quite the same as Rolex or other top-tier brands in terms of quality and performance.
Armani’s watches are made by Fossil, which is a shared manufacturer with multiple other brands. As such, you should know what to expect from this great mid-range watch brand.
6. Oris
Oris is another Swiss company that has been around for a very long time. Founded in 1904, Oris quickly built a reputation around quality and timeless designs.
Today, Oris offers watches from a variety of price ranges, but they are all still above what you would find at a department store. It is certainly not an economy-priced brand.
However, you do get an amazing product that will last a lifetime, and unlike other Swiss watchmakers, Oris is not as well-known in popular culture. Thus, you will have an accessory that is not seen every day.
7. Citizen
Citizen is a brand that specializes in high-quality economy watches and some mid-range luxury options.
As such, this is a very consumer-friendly brand, and almost anyone can find the funds necessary to purchase a great watch from Citizen.
Citizen is a Tokyo, Japan business, and it mostly specializes in automatic and battery-operated watches.
8. Casio
No list of popular watch brands would be complete without mentioning Casio. Casio is a widely varied watch brand that has likely had a watch on the wrist of almost every citizen in a western country at some point. It’s an extremely prolific brand.
This is mainly because of Casio’s dedication to economic pricing. Most people can afford a Casio, while a Rolex is inaccessible to most people. Even so, the quality Casio brings to the table is higher than you’d expect for the price.
You can find all kinds of economically priced watches from Casio. Military-style digital watches are among the brand’s most popular offerings, but there are plenty of great traditional watches, as well.
9. Fossil Group
Fossil watches have actually been highlighted on this list, already. Fossil Group makes the watches branded and sold by Armani, Michael Kors, and various other brands that are not exactly watchmakers.
As such, Fossil Group makes a great mid-range product that, while not cheap, is certainly accessible to the average person; even if you might have to save money back for a short while to get some of their higher-end models.
A Fossil Group watch would make a great introduction to luxury wristwatches without a massive financial commitment, but it is also something that just about anyone can appreciate as a functional tool.
10. Bulova
Finally, if you would like a wristwatch that exudes a sense of luxury and craftsmanship without paying the prices associated with those traits, Bulova is a great brand to try.
It is generally considered to be a great watch brand; even by those in the watch community who only dabble in luxury watches.
No, a Bulova watch will not stack up to a Rolex, but it’s accessible to almost anyone, looks amazing, and has a great reputation as a functional tool.
Which is the Best Watch Brand?
If you’re looking for your first proper wristwatch, any of the brands we have listed here will serve you well. The key is to browse each brand’s lineup and find one that suits your needs.
