At first glance, only a handful of companies seem to dominate the watch industry. Ask a friend or family member about the different watch brands they know and they’ll probably tell you some of the most popular names including Rolex, Omega, and Breitling. This may leave you with only a few options when planning to buy a new watch. What you should know is that there are plenty of other watch brands out there that deserve more attention. This list should help you find the perfect timepiece that suits your needs and budget.
Seiko
Swiss luxury brands are often considered the epitome of luxury watch manufacturer, but Japanese watch brands are giving them a run for their money. Seiko is starting to gain more mainstream attention. They have flooded the market with quartz watches, and their strategy proved successful despite the immense popularity of mechanicals. This is an excellent opportunity to stand out from the crowd, especially if you go for Grand Seiko. With high-quality automatic watches, you’ll have plenty to choose from, and the models have been available outside Japan only since 2011.
Parmigiani Fleurier
While this brand may not ring any bells, it surely deserves a spot in your list for luxury watches. Parmigiani may not be as celebrated as Rolex, but it has established its reputation for creating some of the finest luxury watches on the market. One of their most successful watches is the Kalpa Hebdomadaire, which features PF1110 manually wound movement. This jaw-dropping watch is housed in 18-ct rose gold with the brand’s iconic tonneau shape. To top it all off, it comes with a Hermes black alligator strap secured by a rose gold folding buckle.
Triwa
Minimalism has been a global trend that spans different industries—including the world of watches. This is what Triwa is best known for. The classic Scandinavian design screams minimalism, timelessness, and affordability. This Stockholm-based watch manufacturer offers a wide range of watches—from the ageless white-faced watches to gold-plated chronographs. Their steel bracelet designs are gorgeous, but you can mix things up by getting one of their leather straps.
Skagen
This is another brand that pays homage to Scandinavian design. Named after Denmark’s northernmost town, Skagen puts emphasis on clean faces with brushed metals. This doesn’t mean they lag when it comes to the latest trends. In fact, they annually release new watches featuring the Baselworld trends. From sunburst dials and blue faces to mesh straps and titanium cases—Skagen offers something that will please your eyes.
Georg Jensen
You may know Georg Jensen for their jewelry, but this Danish company also manufactures beautiful watches operated by Swiss automatic movements. If there’s one word that can describe their collection, it would be simple. Their timepieces do not feature any lavish adornments. But you’ll appreciate the delicate balance of the different parts which exude an inexplicable elegant vibe. Georg Jensen watches may be low key, but this is the exact same reason why they stand out from other brands.