There are no definitive answers, but there are certain designers who have stood the test of time. These include Bell & Ross, Audemars Piguet, Chopard, and the Royal Oak. We’ll take a look at some of their most popular models and explain why they are so revered. You can also browse through the automatic dive watches on la-touraine.com and see why La Touraine watches are just as great as the ones mentioned below.
Chopard
The Chopard family is one of the most prominent names in the world of jewelry and watchmaking, and the company remains a family-run enterprise even after establishing a global presence. The company’s founder, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, is still actively involved in the daily operations of the company, visiting manufacturing facilities daily to meet with employees. The Scheufeles’ children are now co-presidents. Their family-owned company has manufacturing facilities in Switzerland and Germany. It also has a gold foundry in-house to guarantee color consistency.
Chopard offers a wide variety of styles, including some with a classic, minimalistic aesthetic. The brand uses high-grade diamonds and quality materials for its timepieces. Its watches offer a sense of timeless elegance and style that never goes out of style.
In addition to being an iconic brand, Chopard also embraces its heritage and culture. The brand values altruism, generosity, and positivity. Chopard also pays attention to the in-house training of its employees and their international after-sales service.
Bell & Ross
The Bell & Ross Vintage WW1 is a limited edition timepiece. Made from 18k pink gold, this 42mm watch features a sapphire crystal and opaline dial. The watch is self-winding and water-resistant to 10 ATM. These wristwatches are ideal for formal events.
The Bell and Ross brand was founded by Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo in 1992. Belamich was the designer and Rosillo spearheaded operations for the company. The two men had a vision of creating rugged and functional watches. They were inspired by military actions and hoped to create watches that were not just beautiful.
While many brands are inspired by the aesthetics of the era in which they were created, Bell & Ross has stayed true to its roots. The BR 01 Instrument was the brand’s first time-piece, and has since become an iconic icon of modern watchmaking. It has a unique and distinctive design that is a staple of the company’s collection.
Audemars Piguet
One of the most prestigious high-end brands of the last century is Audemars Piguet. The company was founded by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Jura Mountains, Switzerland. Their watches are among the most popular in the world, and are often worn by celebrities.
The company has a long history of innovation. It developed the first minute-repeating wristwatch movement in 1892, created the first skeleton watch in 1934, and pioneered thin watches in 1986. During the last century, it focused on research and development, sales, and management.
In 1967, AP commissioned Italian designer Gabriel Genta to create a new sports watch. The company was known for its elegant and genteel watches, but Golay wanted to bring a new sports watch to the market. This task was handed to Genta, who claimed to have worked all night designing the watch. Inspired by historical divers’ helmets, the watch had angular, rugged shapes and visible screws.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has a long and interesting history, starting in the 1890s when the company invented the world’s first minute repeating wristwatch movement. The company also introduced the first skeleton watch, and created one of the thinnest wristwatches of its time. Founded in the Swiss mountains, the company’s workshop is renowned for its intricate watch mechanisms.
The brand has a wide selection of designs, including many different color combinations. The vintage versions from the 1980s and 1990s, which feature silver or salmon pink dials, are particularly popular. However, the AP symbol at six o’clock on the dial are very rare. Since 2000, the brand has only made one model in this style. The company’s only other production is the 39mm stainless steel “Jumbo” with a blue tapisserie dial.
In addition to the Royal Oak, the brand also offers a Royal Oak Offshore. The design of this watch was inspired by a diver’s helmet. It has an octagonal bezel with eight exposed screws. It also features an integrated bracelet. The dial features linear indices and a date display at 3 o’clock. The company is constantly developing its designs and features.
Van Cleef & Arpels Pont des Amoureux
The Van Cleef & Arpel Pont des Amoureux collection has a romantic theme, which is reflected in its designs. The artistic craftsmen of the brand have been tasked to create the beautiful watches, using miniature painting, engraving, and enameling. For the Jour and Saisons models, colored enamels are used to adorn the dials.
The inspiration for the new collection comes from the brand’s romantic history. The brand was founded on love, and has long paid tribute to the poetry of love stories. This collection features a design that depicts two lovers kissing on a romantic bridge. The sculpted dials depict the couple kissing and then separate. The couple kisses for three minutes, at which point the woman returns to the retrograde hour scale while the man goes back to the minute scale.
This watch’s design is inspired by a famous love scene in the City of Love. The classic Pont des Amoureux timepiece depicts lovers kissing, but it has been updated to modern times. The two lovers meet in the middle of a bridge that is known for love locks, a symbol of love. At midday, the lovers kiss.
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe is a brand known for fine craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Many collectors consider this Swiss brand to be one of the best in the world. Their collections range in price from around $10,000 to over $1 million. Below is a list of some of the most notable watches made by the brand.
The Patek 3940 is a 36mm ultra-slim watch that was first introduced in 1985. It was the successor of the 3448 and 3450 and is considered one of the finest examples of watchmaking. It is available in four different case colors and features several dial variations. Whether you’re looking for a classic timepiece, a contemporary timepiece, or something with a touch of bling, the Patek 3940 is an excellent choice.
Patek Philippe’s history goes back decades. Its first regular production watch was introduced in 1953 and dominated the time-only luxury market by the mid-’50s. The dial was made of porcelain enamel and featured applied gold batons. The watch sold for less than $20,000.
Baume & Mercier
The company started out in 1830 and since then, the company has been making the finest gentleman’s wristwatches. From simple, mid-range watches to top-of-the-line pieces, the Baume & Mercier collection has never failed to please. Its watches are renowned for their style and craftsmanship, and a good quality is guaranteed.
The company continues to innovate in the watchmaking industry. The company has expanded into Art Deco and monochromatic color schemes. It has also introduced three new timepieces to its Clifton Baumatic collection. In addition, the company has introduced several new models that merge watchmaking and design work.
Baume et Mercier collaborates with passionate watchmakers to create exquisite pieces for consumers. Their designs are a result of years of research and development. Their designs are attainable for the average consumer, with prices starting at around $600 USD. In addition, the company pledges to use eco-friendly materials and state-of-the-art technology. For this reason, Baume & Mercier is the perfect brand for people looking for an affordable luxury watch.
A. Lange & Sohne
The Lange 1 is regarded as one of the greatest designer wristwatches ever made. Its dial features a distinctive asymmetric layout and a prominent date display at six o’clock. Other features include a moon phase, a day indicator, and a night indicator.
Founded in Glashutte, Germany, A. Lange & Sohne is a flag-bearer for German watchmaking. Its first modern collection debuted in 1994. Each of its four pieces was a hit, but one in particular stood out for its unique design and attention to detail. The dial of this timepiece features a complex design based on strict calculations and curves.
The design of this watch was first sketched in 1990. It was the first modern movement developed by A. Lange & Sohne. It borrows the Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 822 but has been extensively modified. This change laid the foundation for the movement’s distinct identity. It also features an eccentric dial, blued screws, and gold chatons. The movement is also hand-engraved.
