Brand Stories
Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet, founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in Le Brassus, Switzerland, is a prestigious luxury watchmaker known for its craftsmanship and innovation. The brand gained prominence with the introduction of the Royal Oak in 1972, the first luxury sports watch made from stainless steel, designed by Gérald Genta. This iconic model revolutionized the industry and cemented Audemars Piguet's reputation for avant-garde design. The company continues to be family-owned, maintaining its legacy of excellence in watchmaking. Today, Audemars Piguet is celebrated for its exquisite timepieces, blending traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology.
Bvlgari
Bvlgari, originally founded as a jewelry company in 1884 by Sotirio Bulgari in Rome, Italy, ventured into watchmaking in the late 20th century. Known for its bold designs and exceptional craftsmanship, Bvlgari established itself as a significant player in the luxury watch industry. The brand gained recognition with the introduction of iconic models like the Bvlgari Bvlgari in 1977, featuring a distinctive logo-engraved bezel. Bvlgari's commitment to innovation and elegance led to the creation of groundbreaking timepieces such as the Octo Finissimo collection, renowned for its record-breaking thinness and technical excellence. Today, Bvlgari continues to blend Italian design flair with Swiss watchmaking expertise, offering luxurious and innovative timepieces that are highly esteemed worldwide.
Cartier
Cartier, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier in Paris, France, is a renowned luxury watch and jewelry brand. Initially gaining fame for its exquisite jewelry, Cartier entered the watchmaking industry in the early 20th century. In 1904, the brand created one of its most iconic models, the Santos, for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, marking the birth of the modern wristwatch. Cartier continued to innovate with models like the Tank, introduced in 1917, which became an enduring symbol of elegance and sophistication. Today, Cartier remains a symbol of luxury and innovation, celebrated for its timeless designs and exceptional craftsmanship in both watches and jewelry.
Gérald Genta
Gérald Genta, founded in 1969 by the renowned Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta, is celebrated for its innovative and distinctive timepieces. Genta, who started as a designer and later established his own brand, is known for creating some of the most iconic watch designs in horological history. Among his groundbreaking achievements are the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, which redefined luxury sports watches in the 1970s. Genta's eponymous brand gained prominence with unique designs like the Octo and the Grande Sonnerie, combining high craftsmanship with bold aesthetics. The brand was acquired by the luxury conglomerate Bulgari in 2000, continuing to produce exceptional watches under the Bvlgari-Gérald Genta name. Today, Gérald Genta's legacy lives on through his timeless creations and the ongoing influence of his innovative designs on the watchmaking industry.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre, founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, is a prestigious Swiss watchmaker renowned for its innovation and craftsmanship. The brand began as a small workshop focused on producing high-quality movements and quickly became a leader in horological technology. In 1903, it merged with the Parisian firm Jaeger, founded by Edmond Jaeger, to become Jaeger-LeCoultre. Known for its pioneering achievements, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the first 1,000-hour control test for precision and created iconic timepieces like the Reverso, launched in 1931, with its distinctive reversible case. The brand's dedication to technical excellence and elegant design has established it as a symbol of luxury and innovation in the watchmaking industry. Today, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to be celebrated for its exceptional timepieces and its role in advancing horological craftsmanship.
Omega
Omega, founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, is a prestigious Swiss watchmaker known for its innovation and precision. The company began as a small workshop producing pocket watches and gained prominence with the introduction of the Omega name in 1894, symbolizing high-quality craftsmanship. Omega achieved historic milestones with the creation of the first watch on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, and it has been the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games multiple times. Known for its iconic models such as the Speedmaster, the Seamaster, and the Constellation, Omega combines advanced technology with classic design. Today, Omega continues to be a leader in the watchmaking industry, celebrated for its contributions to space exploration, sports timing, and luxury watchmaking.
Patek Philippe
«Patek, Czapek & Cie», founded in 1839 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the world's most prestigious luxury watchmakers. In 1844, Antoine Norbert de Patek hears about Jean-Adrien Philippe who has created an incredibly thin pocket watch that does not require a key for winding and setting time. From then on, he becomes greatly interested in this achievement. At the end of their collaboration, Patek and Czapek decide to go their separate ways. Antoine Norbert de Patek then offered Jean-Adrien Philippe the position of Technical Director at the Geneva firm, which he accepted. Thus, Patek & Co. was founded on May 15, 1845, still in Geneva.In 1851, the company was renamed ‘Patek, Philippe & Cie – Manufacturers in Geneva.
Renowned for its tradition of innovation, the company introduced many horological advancements, including the perpetual calendar, split-seconds hand, and minute repeater. Patek Philippe's commitment to craftsmanship and precision has earned it a reputation for producing some of the finest and most complex mechanical watches of all time. The brand remains family-owned, ensuring a legacy of excellence and exclusivity. Today, Patek Philippe continues to set the standard for high-end watchmaking, with its timepieces highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Piaget
Piaget, founded in 1874 by Georges Édouard Piaget in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland, initially specialized in crafting high-precision watch movements. By the mid-20th century, Piaget expanded into creating its own luxury timepieces, becoming renowned for ultra-thin watch movements. In 1957, the brand introduced the Caliber 9P, one of the thinnest mechanical movements ever made, followed by the automatic Caliber 12P in 1960. Piaget's dedication to innovation and elegance is reflected in its distinctive designs, such as the Piaget Polo and Altiplano collections. Today, Piaget is celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship, blending watchmaking expertise with high jewelry artistry, and continues to be a leader in the luxury watch industry.
Rolex
Rolex, founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, is renowned for its luxury watches. Originally named Wilsdorf and Davis, the company registered the Rolex trademark in 1908 and relocated to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. Rolex pioneered several watchmaking innovations, including the first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster, in 1926, and the first wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial, the Datejust, in 1945. The brand's reputation for precision and durability has made it a status symbol worldwide, associated with prestige and high-quality craftsmanship. Today, Rolex remains one of the most recognizable and respected names in the luxury watch industry.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin, founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the oldest and most prestigious watchmakers in the world. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovation, Vacheron Constantin has a long history of creating luxurious and technically advanced timepieces. The brand achieved several milestones, including the introduction of the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1929 and the creation of the world’s most complicated watch, the Reference 57260, in 2015. Vacheron Constantin's commitment to excellence is reflected in its rich heritage of haute horlogerie and dedication to precision. Today, the brand continues to set the standard for high-end watchmaking with a focus on tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless design.