Most famous luxury watch brands?

[By-Tor]

There is a discussion about TAG in RWI... with the usual clich

[Polynomial]

I would disagree about Breitling, IWC, and Panerai, at least here in London these are very recognisable brands (second to Rolex). Omega would be another one. I see at least one of these brands every morning when going to work.

On the other hand the only big "British" brand, Graham, is probably completely unknown here, don't think anybody would recognise it in a million years...

Edited February 11, 2009 by Polynomial

[By-Tor]

Thanks for your thoughts. PAM being well known in London is a surprise to me... but yeah, I guess we Scandinavians are always a bit slow to get the "World trends" here.

It seems to me that older people are familiar with IWC here, but the young people... not that much.

I also thought Breitling was very well known, but surprisingly few people seem to be familiar with the brand here. But then again, maybe I'm just asking the wrong people.

[DemonSlayer]

In London, I would say that (second to Rolex ofcourse) Omega, Tag Heuer and Breitling are the most recognisable watch brands. I'm not yet working full time, so I can't give a more accurate observation of whats on the wrists of your average white collar worker, but most non-watch persons will probably know those mentioned brands, Omega being the most famous (due to James Bond of course).

In regards to Patek, Audemars, Vacheron etc. Forget it. Most will give you a blank look when you mention those.

[prince458]

all true for rolex, brietling, patek, vacheron, panerai as recognizable luxury watches.

let's not forget the tried and true timex, casio, all bull work horses in the watch world

just my 2 cents

[rogerthat]

Breitling very well known here in the states

For your average person (not exactly off the street but highly educated)

I would say

Rolex1

Chanel/Cartier our another fashion brand 2

Breitling3

Omega 4

Tag 5

Tag has a great reputation but also one of affordability

My list is not what watch brands do you know of or who makes the best watches but more of a perception of value

Other than roles most people have no clue a watch could cost as much as they do

Cheers,

M

[TeeJay]

Strictly speaking for non-watch interested folks, I would make this my top five of recognition:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Seiko

4. TAG Heuer

5. Breitling (visually, if not by name)

[spooky driver]

Most of the people i know have heard of Tag, Rolex, Omega and Breitling....but for IWC Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Panerai or Ebel forget it. funny enough my dentist has a gen IWC he nearly wet himself with excitement when i said hey nice IWC because nobody he met has ever heard of them.

[RobbieG]

I would generally agree with Bytor and his list looks right to me. I also agree about TAG owners thinking it is a luxury brand, while WIS sometimes think the opposite and think of it as a sort of pricey mall watch - except the higher end Caliber 36 stuff of course.

I think also it depends on the demographic of where you live. In my area most luxury brands are instantly recognizable, but the newer Swiss brands are still not. So the list in my neighborhood specifically might be:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Cartier

4. Patek

5. Breitling

6. IWC

7. Breguet

8. Vacheron

But keep in mind, there are major high end jewelry stores that everyone shops in that carries all these here. And around here people very much think that a TAG is kind of a "starter watch". Lotta snobby rich people around here.

But I would say that if I had to go out and survey on the street and need a high % against a big bet of who would recognize EVERY brand I mentioned, the list would be:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Cartier

4. TAG

...but most over the age of 50 are gonna nail the first list cold.

[phaedo]

There is a discussion about TAG in RWI... with the usual clich

[Ronin]

Here in the USA,

1.) Rolex

2.) Tag/Heuer

3.) Movado

4.) Omega

5.) Cartier

--

6.) Breitling

7.) Patek Phillipe

8.) Panerai

-Ronin

[deltatahoe]

fwiw, i will absolutely agree that here in the US non-watch people think of TAG as a high end watch brand; i think that is precisely why WIS don't have any respect for the brand

deltatahoe

[By-Tor]

I would generally agree with Bytor and his list looks right to me. I also agree about TAG owners thinking it is a luxury brand, while WIS sometimes think the opposite and think of it as a sort of pricey mall watch - except the higher end Caliber 36 stuff of course.

This is taking this subject a bit OT, but who cares... this makes an interesting debate.

I agree about TAG's rather bad image among WIS... but that comes more from the anger than reality... which was caused by the departure from the Heuer roots. I mean, back in 80's when they started to make more quartz watches.

I agree that brands like Omega and Ebel are horologically above TAG (in principle)... they have inhouse movements and complications. Both have also built very impressive tourbillons. I think Breitling has too. TAG has only created revolutionary quartz movements (if that). But many malls in my country sell both Omega and TAG. At least they used to... so in that sense Breitling and Ebel could be considered to have more "luxury", right?

But does it have anything to do with the watches themselves... is it all "image" and "branding"? Besides those complications which are just for "image polishing"... all of these brands (Omega, Ebel, Breitling and TAG) use mainly just basic 7750 and quartz. Especially Breitling... I guess 90% of their sales come from basic quartz and 7750.

Rolex... well yeah their movements are all inhouse which "automatically" places them above TAG, Breitling, Omega... and in many ways even IWC. But on the other hand Rolex has never made anything interesting horologically speaking (unless you consider the new YM2 as a complication). Many say the inhouse Daytona movement is impressive. Maybe it is, but BPH wise and technically/functionally it's just a downgrade from the Mighty El Primero.

I'm a big fan of all these brands (except for PAM). I don't think I'm biased in any way... at least I try not to. Personally, I see all of these said brands as pretty much in the same playing field. TAG getting the bad rap I don't fully understand... especially from the 7750 Breitling fanboys (ok... just trying to feed some flames and see if dave123 is watching)

PS: Where would you place Zenith in the brand recognition list? I completely forgot about Zenith... many old people are very familiar with them.

[Shundi]

In terms of what the average person knows?

1. Rolex

2. Omega (Btw, now has its own in-house movements...(again) -big, big step for the brand)

3. Seiko

4. TAG Heuer

5. Movado

[Shundi]

At least they used to... so in that sense Breitling and Ebel could be considered to have more "luxury", right?

There's a reason I either only buy vintage Breitling or modern reps of Breitlings...I'm sorry but taking a kit ETA without doing ANY modification and pricing it at/above some Rolexes or Omegas is absurd. TAG is slightly ahead of them in my book as they have the C36.

[rolex4me]

In USA, I think

Most recognized brand:

1. Seiko

2. Citizen

3. Casio

4. Accutron

5. Timex

Most recognized luxury brand:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Movado

4. Tag

5. Ebel

Most exclusive and highly priced but not known to commoners

1. Patek Philippe

2. Vacheron Constantine

3. Jaeger LeCoutre

4. AP

5. Panerai

[HauteHippie]

You guys have it all wrong....

1. Van Cleef and Arpels

2. Montres Allison

3. Dubey & Schaldenbrand

4. Vulcain

5. Kelek

[Shundi]

In USA, I think

Most recognized brand:

1. Seiko

2. Citizen

3. Casio

4. Accutron

5. Timex

Most recognized luxury brand:

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Movado

4. Tag

5. Ebel

Most exclusive and highly priced but not known to commoners

1. Patek Philippe

2. Vacheron Constantine

3. Jaeger LeCoutre

4. AP

5. Panerai

I'd switch VC and PP in this list as VC has become huge among the nuevo-rich in the last few years but I think you've nailed the list!

[fotoman]

rolex

tag

movado

- for the huddled masses, thats it

breitling is probably next on the list.

[By-Tor]

I could be wrong but I think Movado is popular and famous only in the US... for some reason. I don't see them in Europe much at all.

Globally, it's impossible to think that Movado could have better brand recognition than Omega. No way!

[rolex4me]

I could be wrong but I think Movado is popular and famous only in the US... for some reason. I don't see them in Europe much at all.

Globally, it's impossible to think that Movado could have better brand recognition than Omega. No way!

Omega is definitely bigger than Movado both in US and in Asia. Omega is biggest, most well known, and number 1 in china.

[rolex4me]

You guys have it all wrong....

1. Van Cleef and Arpels

2. Montres Allison

3. Dubey & Schaldenbrand

4. Vulcain

5. Kelek

0. Harry Winston

[Shundi]

0. Harry Winston

-1 Dewitt

[promotersf]

PATEK

AP

ROLEX

VC

IWC

JLC

PANERAI

IWC

BREITLING

[Limestone]

1. Rolex (I guess this isn't even debatable. Rolex is the king here.)

2. Omega

3. Cartier (not mainly a watch maker but very well known brand)

4. TAG Heuer

5. Patek Philippe

Also living in Scandinavia, but I would like to change this a bit (only my opinion)

1. Rolex

2. Omega

3. Breitling

3. TAG Heuer

5. Longiness

When I talk watches to my family and friends , most of them are well aware of the Breitlings. (therefore TAG & Bretilings share nr.3 )

Longiness is on 5th place just becuase It seems like every two watch stores sell these where I live.. but maybe I