When you think of luxury watch brands, Rolex is probably the brand that comes to mind. This watch brand was founded in 1905 and has become the most popular luxury watch brand worldwide. While there’s no doubt that Rolex watches are iconic, one of these watches can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $75,000 or more.
If you’re looking for something other than Rolex, some of the best luxury watches are more affordable while still being iconic. Check out these watch brands that are a better bang for your buck.
Tissot
Tissot is a popular watch brand that was founded in 1853. They offer affordable watches for both men and women. The mission statement of the Tissot brand is “gold value at silver price.”
What people love about it
Some don’t consider Tissot a luxury watch brand, but it is a great value for the money. For those who truly can’t afford the investment of some of the top luxury watches, buying a Tissot is a great way to find a watch with excellent craftsmanship that won’t break the bank. Although some Tissot watches cost over $1,000, you can also purchase some Tissot models for less than $300.
Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko is a watch brand created by the Seiko Group Corporation. This Japanese company first released the Grand Seiko watch in 1960 and it has grown to be one of the most popular watch companies in the world.
What people love about it
Although many people may not recognize a Grand Seiko watch as quickly as they would a Rolex, this brand creates beautiful watches with excellent craftsmanship. Many love this brand because it’s easier for others to appreciate the craftsmanship of the watch without realizing the cost. The average Grand Seiko watch is around $3,000, but it can cost as much as $39,000.
IWC
IWC Schaffhausen has been making luxury watches for more than 150 years. This brand makes watches that are meant to last forever and they’re made with advanced materials to ensure they live up to this standard.
What people love about it
When it comes to sales, IWC is one of the top luxury watch brands in the world. The average IWC watch is about $7,700 but you can find models for as low as $1,800. This brand is best known for its Pilot collection and their watches are celebrated for their simplicity. IWC watches are top quality with excellent finishing.
Cartier
Cartier is a luxury goods brand based out of France. This brand sells watches as well as other types of jewelry. The average retail price of a Cartier watch is around $6,000, but it’s considered one of the top luxury watch brands in the world.
What people love about it
Cartier has consistently ranked as one of the top luxury watch brands. Many luxury watch fans agree that Cartier is one of the most legendary and iconic brands. They offer a distinct style and design that makes them stand out from other watch brands. The Tank collection is one of the most well-known and was designed to resemble the tanks used in WWI.
Breitling
Breitling is another Swiss luxury watch brand. This company was founded in 1884 and is known for creating watches for aviators. The line known as the Breitling Emergency watch includes a radio transmitter specifically designed to be used by civil aviators.
What people love about it
Breitling isn’t the most affordable watch on the list, with the average Breitling watch costing about $7,500. However, depending on what type of Rolex you were eyeing, it’s more affordable than some of the most expensive Rolex models. One of the most popular models is the Chronomat, which was first released in 1942.
Longines
Longines is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1832. Since 1999, the slogan of Longines has been “Elegance is an attitude.” It’s also the official watch of many athletic competitions including the French Open and Commonwealth Games.
What people love about it
Longines is considered one of the top luxury watch brands in the world, but it’s also one of the most affordable on the list. The average retail price of a Longines watch is only a little over $1,000, which is much more affordable than most luxury watches. However, this brand is a great choice for someone buying their first luxury watch.
Omega
When it comes to watch sales, Omega is the third most popular luxury watch brand in the world. Omega has been making luxury watches since 1848. This watch brand is the official timekeeper for the Olympic games.
What people love about it
Omega is one of the brands that many people choose over Rolex because of the quality of the watches and the price. The amount of detail in the design and functionality of Omega watches is hard to beat. There are many luxury watch owners who argue Omega is a better brand than Rolex and that the technical details of their watches are superior.
Tudor
Tudor is a Swiss brand that has been making luxury watches since 1926. The goal of creating this brand was to offer an alternative to Rolex that was affordable but still matched the quality.
What people love about it
According to many people in the watch community, Tudor is the best brand to purchase when you want a Rolex but can’t justify spending $5,000 or more on one. This brand sells watches that are well-built and offer great value without all the extra frills. Compared to Rolex watches which start around $5,000, you can get a quality Tudor watch for less than $2,000.
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