Watches have been around for centuries and are known as one of the most used accessories in history and even in the present. With that said watchmaking of wristwatches has been around for centuries starting back 19th or 20th century.
Before wristwatches becomes popular in the 1900s there were pocket watches used for daily use. As wristwatches becomes popular innovation made these oldest brands stay in the watch business.
Some of the watch brands on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list 2022 are a combination of heritage, luxury, and supremacy. Some you may have heard and some you may not.
This top 100 oldest watch brands list 2022 is defined by the year of founding or the year they claim to have their origin and are told to be the founding year.
According to Watche.co.uk the most expensive watch ever sold was for a whopping amount of $18 million which is from the brand Rolex also there are uncountable oldest watches that sold for a humongous price.
Note that some of these brands may not have started making watches completely as their founding year because they may have registered their brand way back in their manufacturing years.
So that being said let’s start the 100 oldest watch brands list in 2022.
100 Oldest Watch Brands List 2022
- Gallet – 1466
- Jeanrichard – 1681
- Graham – 1695
- Raketa – 1721
- Blancpain – 1735
- Favre-Leuba – 1737
- Ellicott – 1738
- Jaquet Droz – 1738
- Jules Jurgensen – 1740
- DuBois et Fils – 1751
- Ferdinand Berthoud – 1753
- Vacheron Constantin – 1755
- Gevril – 1758
- Arnold & Son – 1764
- Manufacture Royale – 1770
- Urban Jürgensen – 1773
- Breguet – 1775
- Perrelet – 1777
- Chaumet – 1780
- Leroy – 1785
- Girard-Perregaux – 1791
- Earnshaw – 1805
- Louis Moinet – 1806
- Bovet Fleurier – 1822
- Kienzle Uhren – 1822
- H. Moser & Cie – 1828
- Baume & Mercier – 1830
- Longines – 1832
- Jaeger-LeCoultre – 1833
- Tiffany & Co. – 1837
- Patek Philippe – 1839
- A. Lange & Söhne – 1845
- Czapek & Cie – 1845
- Ulysse Nardin – 1846
- Cartier – 1847
- Omega – 1848
- Marvin – 1850
- Waltham – 1850
- Tissot – 1853
- Auricoste – 1854
- Racine – 1854
- Ernest Borel – 1856
- Eterna – 1856
- Dodane – 1857
- Boucheron – 1858
- Minerva – 1858
- Vulcain – 1858
- Chopard – 1860
- Panerai – 1860
- TAG Heuer – 1860
- Cyma – 1862
- Lebeau-Courally – 1865
- Zenith – 1865
- IWC Schaffhausen – 1868
- Zeno – 1868
- Lonville – 1873
- Clerc – 1874
- Piaget – 1874
- Audemars Piguet – 1875
- Bulova – 1875
- Croton – 1878
- Albert Riele – 1881
- Movado – 1881
- Seiko – 1881
- Cuervo Y Sobrinos – 1882
- Hanhart – 1882
- Zodiac – 1882
- Alpina – 1883
- Breitling – 1884
- Bulgari – 1884
- Edox – 1884
- Wittnauer – 1885
- West End Watch Co. – 1886
- Eberhard & Co. – 1887
- Halda – 1887
- A. Manzoni & Fils – 1888
- Berthet – 1888
- Carl F. Bucherer – 1888
- Certina – 1888
- Doxa – 1889
- Angelus – 1891
- Ball – 1891
- Tavanes – 1891
- Hamilton – 1892
- Ingersoll – 1892
- Universal Genèv – 1894
- Wyler Vetta – 1896
- Festina – 1902
- Oris – 1904
- Rolex – 1905
- Montblanc – 1906
- Concord – 1908
- Ebel – 1911
- Fortis – 1912
- Enicar – 1914
- Dugena – 1917
- Eloga – 1917
- Mido – 1918
- Milus – 1919
- Gucci – 1921
100 Oldest Watch Brands List 2022 Introduction
1. Gallet – 1466
Founded in 1466 by Hubertus Gallet under the family name the brand has managed to reach a broader customer base including professionals, sports, racing, military, etc. Gallet is one of the most popular oldest swiss luxury brands that sell high-end timepieces.
At present Gallet makes over 100,000 luxury timepieces every year making it one of the most successful swiss brands.
2. Jeanrichard – 1681
Another Swiss watch manufacturer Jeanrichard ranks CCC2nd on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list 2022. At present, it is a part of the Spanish group Kering. Its rich heritage and history make it one of the most popular oldest watch brands that exist at present.
That said some of its well-known model series are Haute Horlogerie, Paramount, Bressel, TV Screen, etc.
3. Graham– 1695
In 1695, clockmaker George Graham founded the Graham watch brand in London. Unfortunately, after being a consistently popular luxury watch brand for almost 100 years the brand faced some financials and sales issues. Later after 300 years of foundation, it was acquired by Eric Loth and they started to create Swiss-made watches inspired by the British heritage.
One of its popular watch series Swordfish diving watch and also Fortress pilot’s watch. At present, it’s one of the most popular luxury watch brands that have heritage advantages.
4. Raketa– 1721
Based in Russia Raketa was founded by Peter the Great in 1721. The Petrodvorets Watch Factory which is known for making Raketa luxury timepieces was also founded in the same year and is the oldest watch manufacturer brand.
At that time Raketa watches were produced for the Red Army, the Soviet Navy, North Pole expeditions, as well as civilians.
5. Blancpain – 1721
Blancpain is one of the oldest and most popular luxury watch brands. It was founded in 1755 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. The company has been run by the same family since its inception.
As a company that added new features to the traditional way of making watches at the time it was founded, this company changed the game. Its traditional style watches were popular with luxury watch lovers. Some of its popular luxury watch models are Fifty Fathoms, Air Command, Villeret, Ladybird, etc.
It is one of the most popular Swiss-based brands on our list of 100 Oldest Watch Brands List 2022.
6. Favre-Leuba– 1737
Another Swiss-based luxury watch brand Favre-Leuba was founded in 1737. Abraham Favre was registered as a watchmaker in 1737, which laid the foundation of the brand.
After Blancplain it is one of the oldest luxury Swiss brands that is doing great in terms of sales and revenues, whereas others are still struggling. That being said Favre-Leuba has made plenty of innovations across the luxury domain.
Similar post: 10 oldest most popular luxury brands in the world 2022
7. Ellicott – 1738
7th on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list is Ellicott which is a Swiss-based luxury watch brand founded in 1738 and has a rich heritage. It was started by Clock Maker John Ellicott.
8. Jaquet Droz– 1738
Jaquet Droz has almost 300 years of experience in making exceptional luxury watches. Founded in 1738 today it is operational under the Swatch Group. As a young man, Pierre Jaquet-Droz was passionate about watchmaking. With his enhanced creations, including music and automata, he captured the attention of a wealthy clientele.
9. Jules Jurgensen– 1738
Jules Jurgensen is one of the only luxury watch brands founded in Denmark. It was founded by Jürgen Jürgensen in 1740. Having said that in 2010 the brand was closed due to some reasons.
It is one of the Swiss watch brands that no longer exist after 2010.
10. DuBois et Fils – 1751
One of the most popular mechanical luxury watch manufacturers DuBois et Fils was founded in 1751 and is based in Switzerland. Basel-based Le Locle is at the forefront of innovation in the tension between tradition and innovation.
It’s innovation vintage series are DBF007, DBF006, DBF004, DBF003, etc. That being said it ranks 10th on our list of top 100 oldest watch brands list 2022 in the world.
11. Ferdinand Berthoud – 1753
Founded in 1753 currently, the luxury watch brand Ferdinand Berthoud is a brand from the Chopard Group. Berthoud received the title of “Clockmaker and Mechanic, by appointment to the French King and Navy”, in 1770.
12. Vacheron Constantin – 1753
Swiss brand Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron. It is one of the most popular Richemont subsidiary brands. In addition to its popularity, it employs 1,200 people and produces 20,000 luxury timepieces each year.
It is one of the most popular luxury watch brands on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list. In the luxury watch industry, the company has over 265 years of experience, allowing them to create a historical luxury watch heritage, which has given them plenty of time to perfect and then reinvent watchmaking.
13. Gevril – 1758
One of the only operational 18th-century watch brands Gevril was founded in 1758. The eponymous brand was founded by the gifted Swiss watchmaker Jacques Gevril in the mid-18th century. It was founded by Jacques Gevril.
In the 1990s, a Swiss distributor acquired the rights to the Gevril name, and finally launched a line of Gevril watches at the Basel Fair in 1995.
14. Gevril – 1764
Arnold & Son is a historic British brand that has recently been relaunched by the Swiss watch company, The British Masters before being acquired by La Joux-Perret. La Joux-Perret is today part of Citizen Group, which purchased Prothor, the reorganized company, in 2013.
It is one of the most popular oldest luxury watch brands that are operational. Gevril was mindful of the significance of the Gevril name and wished to see it flourish in the contemporary watchmaking world. This would bring the brand back to its former glory.
15. Manufacture Royale – 1770
Founded by Voltaire Manufacture Royale has been around here since 1770. It was revived in 2010 as a luxury watch brand.
Watches of the brand are complicated, in-house Haute Horlogerie. One of the first models of the brand was tourbillon watches and minute repeaters. These were followed by the Androgyne, 1770, and voltage collections. Alexis Gluten has overseen the brand.
Other Most popular Oldest Luxury Watch Brands Information:
Gallet & Co – 1826
Founded in Geneva in 1826, Gallet & Co. continues to produce some of the most iconic timepieces to this day. In addition to the death of owners and subsequent changes in ownership, the company has endured major economic events including the Great Depression, two world wars, and other natural disasters.
With its rich luxury heritage, it is one of the individual Swiss luxury watch brands still in operation today. Gallet has recently expanded its marketing efforts to reach a broader audience of “civilians” for its upscale timepieces, but the company still produces privately for a range of other timekeeping companies.
Longines – 1832
One of the most popular Swiss luxury watch brands Longines was created by Auguste Agassiz in 1832 who wanted to create a unique pocket watch using crown-wheel escapements.
With the goal of constructing a unique pocket watch using crown-wheel escapements, Auguste Agassiz created Longines, one of the world’s most popular luxury watch brands.
Its popular watch series is Classic Elegant, Classic Master, The Longines 1832, etc. Because of it’s rich history heritage I’ve included it on the list of the most popular oldest luxury watch brands in the world in 2022.
Jaeger-LeCoultre – 1833
Only 1 year later the foundation of Longines one of the best luxury brands Jaeger-LeCoultre was founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has been the subject of more than 1,000 patents, inventions, and movements. Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced over 1,242 different calibers since its founding year. It creates 100,000 timepieces every year.
Master Ultra, Reverso Classic, Memovox Deep Sea Master, and Master Control are some of its popular watch collections.
Patek Philipp – 1848
Patek Philippe was founded in 1839 by three co-founders and has always been one of the world’s most popular luxury watch brands. It was one of the Swiss watch brands that began producing Swiss wristwatches in 1868.
Having said that, its most popular watch models include the multi-time-zone “Complication” and the extremely intricate “Calibre 89”. Currently, the firm is owned by the Stern family, and it has been generating stable revenues for a few years, a sign of its Swiss heritage.
Patek Philippe holds a record of eight out of the ten most expensive watches sold at auction in the world from Paek Philippe. So because of its popularity and rich heritage I’ve included it on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list 2022.
Omega – 1848
Omega as a luxury brand creates a major impact on the luxury watch industry. Founded in 1848 by La Chaux-de-Fonds it remains one of the most popular watch brands on our list of 100 oldest watch brands list 2022.
It is estimated that Omega will produce 500,000 watches in 2022, which is significant growth for a luxury watch brand like Omega despite its competitors like Rolex and Philip Patek.
Some of Omega’s popular luxury watch collections are Speedmaster Moonwatch, Seamaster, De Ville Prestige, and many more to include. It is one of the oldest Swiss luxury watch brands still operational.
Tissot – 1853
One thing is confident that Swiss is a hub for luxury watch brands. Founded in 1853 Tissot remains one of the most popular watch brands for luxury lovers. Charles-Félicien Tissot founded the company in Switzerland, where it is based today.
It’s been 169 operational years for Tissot but still makes that luxury times piece with its rich heritage. At present in 2022 it is owned by The Swatch Group. Tissot exports more than 4 million watches every year, making it the leader in the traditional Swiss watchmaking industry
Audemars Piguet – 1875
As one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury watches brands, Audemars Piguet has produced timeless and spectacular watches over a time span of a century.
Its sports design and non-precious metal combination make it an innovator in the luxury watch industry. China is one of the biggest markets for the brand. Currently, the brand is a family business based in Le Brassus, Switzerland.
Some of its popular luxury watch collections are Royal Oak, Millenary, Master, etc.
Carl F. Bucherer – Lucerne, 1888
Carl F. Bucherer remains one of the oldest luxury watch brands with around 134 years of existence. The Bucherer family has owned the firm since it was founded in 1888. This is one of the oldest companies still owned by the family.
Currently, the company sells 25,000 luxury watches a year (60 percent men’s and 40 percent women’s). Prices range from USD 5,000 to USD 30,000. Approximately 40% of the world market comes from Europe, 40% from Asia, and 20% from the rest of the world, which includes the US.
Currently, the company sells 25,000 luxury watches a year (60 percent men’s and 40 percent women’s). Prices range from USD 5,000 to USD 30,000. The world market consists of 40% of Europe, 40% of Asia, and 20% of other countries, including the U.S.
Which is the oldest watch brand?
Gallet Watch was founded in 1466 and is the oldest watch brand in existence today. The brand was founded by the Gallet family in Switzerland. Its headquarters are located in Switzerland.
What is the oldest Swiss watch company?
Gallet Watch registered in 1466 is officially the paper’s oldest Swiss watch company that is still operational.
What is the most luxurious brand of the watch?
The answer is Patek Philippe. It is the most luxurious brand of the watch according to some experts. 8 out of the 10 most expensive luxury watches sold in the auction are by Patek Phillippe.
Is Blancpain the oldest watch brand?
Blancpain isn’t the oldest watch brand. There are many older watch brands that were founded before Blancpain even existed, such as Gallet – 1466, Haldimann – 1642, Jeanrichard – 1681, Graham – 1695, Raketa – 1721, etc.
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