The timepiece is a wonderful invention that allows us to keep track of time, which was yet another invention by man to try to make life a little more orderly. While the modern-day watch might have lots of exciting gadgets that measure your heartbeat or pulse, the old timepieces have a timeless elegance that simply cannot be replicated.
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With that in mind, here are some of the oldest watch brands in the world, in case you are interested in starting a collection of antique watches.
Rolex – Certainly not the oldest brand, but definitely the best known of all luxury watch brands, which began in London in 1905. The company relocated to Geneva in 1919, where it has remained ever since, and their crown logo is known across the world as a symbol of excellence and quality. There’s no doubt that antique and vintage watches are timeless, which is why they are so much in demand. With many avid luxury watch collectors all trying to buy rare timepieces, the market is very lively and competitive.
Seiko – This famous Japanese watch maker dates back as far as 1882 and began by making clocks, then made their very first watch in 1924. Seiko became the first company to produce a quartz watch in 1969. Today, they still make stunning sports watches, while sponsoring many major sporting events.
Waltham Watches – Founded in Massachusetts in 1850, the Waltham watch of the day was a pocket watch, and Abraham Lincoln was presented with a Waltham timepiece after his famous Gettysburg address.
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Patek Philippe – This hi-end watch company was founded in 1839, and over the years has made some of the best watches in the world. Patek Philippe is one of the brands that is still producing top watches today. Their success has stood the test of time, with some watches they made fetching huge amounts at auctions.
Breguet – A fine watch maker, Breguet was founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775, and they invented the first wrist watch in 1810. The company still make fine watches, although the company was acquired by the Swatch Group in 1999, with their pieces very much sought after by collector’s the world over.
Vacheron Constantin – This company is the longest watch maker ever, and the company was founded by the master watch maker Jean-Claude Vacheron in 1755. They are still making watches today, making some of the best timepieces in the world.
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Blancpain – This company first registered way back in 1735. With the brand staying in the family for eight generations, Blancpain survived by only making a limited number of watches per year. This is the oldest watch brand in the world, and while they still make watches, the company was acquired by the Swatch Group some years ago.
If you would like to view a wide selection of quality luxury watches, search online for a specialist antique dealer who would have many fine watches for sale. Then you can decide which item you would like to acquire.
