Fashion and style are two things that most people intertwine. And, unfortunately, used interchangeably. But fashion is different from style, as the latter is individual, personal, and is every-changing. That’s not to say that fashion is none of those things, but fashion in itself can be fleeting – one piece of an item can be cool one day, and can become distasteful the next.
Fashion and style are two pillars of design for the next generation of timepieces for the world to consume in the watchmaking industry. We all know that when it comes to watchmaking, the Swiss have a monopoly. Especially with mechanical movement watches. In this article, we’ve collated some of the most fashionable Swiss brands you need to check out aside from the most popular Rolex and Omega:
Blancpain
Blancpain has had a rough couple of decades, but for the last five years, the brainchild of a former Omega employee made splashes in the watch industry by creating classic timepieces that can compete directly with the likes of Rolex and Omega. With Blancpain, the focus has always been traditional Swiss watchmaking paired with the best of classic art.
While Blancpain has been in the business for quite some time, it’s not the first brand to come to mind when people talk about Swiss luxury timepieces. For enthusiasts, the brand has always been a stalwart if you want to get a watch that’s aesthetically superb and is sporting the best complications. The Metiers d’Art collection, in particular, are statement pieces.
Patek Phillippe
Patek Philippe is not a brand that the average watch consumer knows, but for top people in their industries – celebrities, CEO’s, athletes – it’s quite a familiar brand. For the uninitiated, Patek is historically known to be the first watchmaker to create a wristwatch – a gift for the countess of Hungary at the time.
One of the best watch collections in the brand’s mantle, and quite arguably, among Swiss watches, the Grand Complication line is filled with timepieces that are timeless classics. The Nautilus is also among the watch of choice for big-time celebrities and pop stars like Robert Downey, Jr., Drake, and Mark Wahlberg. Perfect for special occasions, and especially on the beach, the Nautilus is water-resistant for at most 60m, so you won’t have to worry about a little dip in the water with it.
Vacheron Constantin
What’s fascinating about Vacheron Constantin as a brand is that it’s one of the Swiss luxury watchmakers that have a history of uninterrupted operations since it was formed in 1755. The brand survived the quartz movement, and it looks like it’s also gearing up to stay in its place once the smartwatch revolution comes along. Vacheron is also one of the oldest watch brands in the world, so you know that the heritage in its watchmaking is dutifully preserved.
Fashion-wise, sporting a Vacheron means that you know your watches. Only true enthusiasts and connoisseurs know the real value of any Vacheron watch. While getting one would surely set you back a couple of thousand dollars, the heritage that each timepiece has is the one that you should be after. Get the Patrimony in 18k white gold, and you should have a timepiece versatile enough to be worn anywhere, anytime.
IWC
While most people have an idea of IWC as a brand, most do not know how pervasive the influence of the brand has on the Swiss watchmaking industry. This is a company that has created the Ingenieur and Portofino, two of the most iconic watches in the world. But to buy an IWC, you’d have to prepare quite the capital for it because these watches are not cheap.
The Portugieser is another collection from the company that’s guaranteed to wow. The series of watches from this line is engineered for aviators and navigators. The line is as elegant as any Swiss watch could be, plus it’s outfitted with the best materials the world over. Expect to get top of the line movements, sapphire crystal, stainless steel, gold, and diamonds. What more can you ask for really?
Takeaway
For most people, getting at least one of the watches from these Swiss brands is a one in a lifetime opportunity. Mechanical watches are priced astronomically, so for someone who works a regular job, you’ll need quite the time to save up for these pieces. But when you finally get one, make sure it’s not only fashionable but fit to your individual style as well.
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