Best Watch Brands for Men and Women

In an age when everyone tells the time with their cell phones, there’s something defiant and even luxurious about wearing a wristwatch. To call these accessories timeless feels a little cliché, but there’s a ring of truth to that description: They’re no longer “necessary,” but they’re trendier than ever.

For one thing, they have a very distinct function, which makes them universally useful. For another, they’re a staple for anyone who knows what it means to put an outfit together. Watches come in an enormous variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and price points, and there’s a watch for everyone, for every occasion.

Whether you’re new to watches or are an avid collector, you’re sure to find something in the roundup we’ve put together. These watch brands span the spectrum of modern fashion, from rugged and durable to delicate and chic—and all of them have an important place in the rich history of horology (the study of time).

Top watch brands for men

Men’s watches are, for the most part, built to “take a punch.” Many are designed for guys who are physically active, work with their hands, and are apt to spend a weekend hiking a mountain trail and transition easily into a dinner with friends.

Although they’re typically designed with durability in mind, men’s watches aren’t totally devoid of style. In fact, most watch brands have made it part of their mission to fuse fashion with function, creating hybrids suitable for anyone with any lifestyle.

Citizen

Eco-friendliness, 100 years of innovation, and a commitment to quality come together in Citizen, a brand that has been driving watchmaking forward for generations. This company’s mission isn’t just to create popular, wearable timepieces—according to their bio, they design with the “Japanese notion that elevates society above self,” which helps to ensure that every Citizen-made watch is built with product value and planet-friendliness in mind.

Along with its dedication to sustainability, Citizen also sets a high standard for their product lines, bringing consumers everything from familiar luxury materials to designs that appeal to Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars lovers.

Shinola

Since 2011, Shinola has focused on bringing its manufacturing prowess to the horological arts, establishing itself as a world-renowned brand. With its deep roots in Detroit, Michigan, the evolutionary story of this company from a creative thought to a luxury goods pioneer is felt in the rich design work in every product, where the goal is quality and durability.

One of the things that stands out about Shinola’s work is the personality. While it’s true that every timepiece has a recognizable signature look and feel, this brand’s watches, especially its leather-banded beauties, are very distinct.

Invicta

Invicta, which means “Invincible” in Latin, is a watchmaker renowned for creative designs and popularity with collectors.

What stands out about Invicta is their massive collection of different styles. They have products for nearly every walk of life, ranging from classic wrist bling to Disney-themed product lines. Their website also has a section that categorizes their products by lifestyle: “Cool Watches,” “Diver Watches,” “Dress Watches,” and so on.

This brand is a very good one-stop-shop for casual browsers, serious connoisseurs, and everyone in between, especially if you’re looking for a unique piece to add to your collection.

Top watch brands for women

In the world of women’s watches, variety is the name of the game. High-quality materials like gold and silver are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to creating timepieces that can compete for wrist real estate.

Most designers have nailed their understanding of “luxury.” For example, some women want simple, chic, and elegant. Others prefer precious stones. Still, others want plain and functional, with outfit versatility as the prime consideration.

Whatever your tastes, the brands below represent some of the best in the industry, and they all have collections that should pique the interest of anyone who’s attracted to women’s watches.

Coach

An American fashion house that launched in 1941, Coach has been inspiring millions with its built-to-last luxury goods. From small leather goods to upscale bling, this brand is recognizable the world over for its tasteful and timeless designs.

It’s no surprise that when it comes to watches, Coach sets a high bar for affordable fashion. There’s a watch face shape, size, material, and finish for every woman, and an equally diverse range of bands.

Breda

Breda is a brand that focuses on breaking down the gender binary in its designs, preferring instead to showcase work that represents artistic expression. The result: a watch brand where almost every piece is unique and created with the wearer in mind, from the dial through to the crown.

It’s easy to see Breda’s commitment to craftsmanship in everything they produce, and it’s even easier to recognize its individuality. For people who like a little avant-garde in their wrist bling, Breda’s watches are just the thing.

Hermes

By now, Hermès is synonymous with luxury, having become an elite name in worldwide fashion since 1837. Bags, jewelry, home goods—if you can name it, there’s a chance Hermès has refined it, including watches.

Although some brands develop a few signatures and stick with them throughout their collections, Hermès is a fashion house that likes to push the limits of their creativity, bringing to market a massive array of different styles. If you’re looking for a bold, timeless statement piece, you’re sure to find something from this brand—and there’s a likely chance you’ll be the only one in your circle with that design.

Best affordable watch brands

Although there’s certainly a time and place for expensive watches, there’s also a booming market for casual options that don’t break the bank – and don’t skimp on quality. When affordability is key, certain brands really shine. It’s entirely possible to buy a timepiece that gets the primary job done without requiring you to take out a second mortgage.

Timex

Founded in 1854, Timex hit the ground running as a company that wanted to create watches for real people. Craftsmanship, design, and high standards make this brand a strong option for anyone who’s just starting to dip their toe into watch-wearing and even seasoned timepiece connoisseurs.

One of our favorite things about Timex is the price. Although there’s an enormous range of designs to choose from, each made from high-quality materials with beautiful designs, you’re not likely to find anything over $100. This makes Timex a great option for the collector who likes to mix and match their watches to suit the day’s finished look.

Seiko

With humble beginnings as a watch and clock repair store in Tokyo in 1881, Seiko is now a global name in watchmaking. This brand is notable for creating the Laurel, Japan’s first-ever wristwatch. Fast forward to now and Seiko has become a pioneer in design, functionality, and technology, rocketing it to the top of the charts in terms of style and modality.

The price point is very broad, with the lowest cost options starting at around $50 and the most expensive coming in at nearly $8500, which is a testament to how flexible the Seiko brand has become over time. Are you an Olympic diver, for example? There’s a watch for you. A casual wearer? They have those, too!

Casio

When you think Casio, you think technology. The brand’s history is rich with innovation, beginning in 1946 with a ring pipe for smoking cigarettes, to 2018, with a brand new version of the G-Shock watch. Casio is well known for pushing the boundaries on what everyday items can become with a little imagination (and technological wizardry).

For example, while most watchmakers categorize their products by style or gender, Casio has a section devoted instead to features because of how complex some of their watches are. This brand is a tech junky’s dream, and so if you’re looking for a new gadget to try, Casio’s affordable prices make it a great option.

Best luxury watch brands

Sometimes, what you’re really looking for is luxury. Not simple, not common—a watch that’s unique in its scarcity and very, very valuable.

These are the luxury watches for collectors and true lovers of horology. The price points are notoriously high, but what you’re paying for isn’t just functionality or beauty. You’re paying for a piece that pays dividends in style, status, and sweet, sweet bragging rights. It’s the kind of timepiece that tells the world something about the wearer—without the wearer ever uttering a word.

Cartier

A brand that values the finer things in life, Cartier is renowned for its creativity and timelessness. To this company, inspiration comes from the beauty in everything, and to participate in the Cartier brand as a consumer means to value uniqueness in style.

Knowing the history of Cartier makes it easy to understand its modern-day appeal. The first-ever products by this fashion house were created with audaciousness in mind, and in the 1800s, boundary-pushing meant being truly irreverent. It’s bold, it’s chic, and it’s one of the pinnacles of luxury worldwide—and Cartier’s watches are no exception.

Rolex

A brand known the world over, Rolex is synonymous with style and sophistication. That’s no surprise—its humble beginnings began with German businessman Hans Wilsdorf, who pushed for excellence and reliability as the true inspiration for its designs.

Beginning in 1905, Rolex was a brand that was trying to improve the accuracy of wrist-worn timepieces, a feat that was sorely needed when wristwatches were still a burgeoning enterprise. Over time, Rolex expanded into the prestige market, owing its success as a brand to its commitment to excellence and true innovation. Nowadays, owning a Rolex is tantamount to “making it” as a watch collector, and for good reason.

Omega

Starting in 1848, Omega’s commitment to horology is not merely an evolution of functionality. It’s a story of artistry. It’s a brand with immense historical significance for its technological advances in clockmaking, marking it as a brand that has grown in momentum and prestige over the years.

In terms of influence, Omega is a brand that has made its way deep into pop culture. Fans of James Bond, for example, gravitate toward the Seamaster design, which is a limited edition release in honor of the franchise. Collectors revere uniqueness, and Omega’s collections are full of pieces that hold their own stories.

Best Swiss watch brands

Why do so many people like Swiss-made watches? The answer is simple: It boils down to the incredibly high standards. Every material, every mechanism, every feature—everything about a Swiss timepiece is meticulously graded, and everything is made by hand. Thus, you can rest assured knowing that if you have something that’s authentically Swiss, it’s going to last you a lifetime.

Patek Philippe

Hand-made and designed for perfection, Patek Phillipe began in 1839 and has been racking up horological innovations ever since. As a clockmaker, this brand set the groundwork for change, leading to a veritable revolution in how timepieces were created, including keyless winding and hand-setting (which caught the eye of Queen Victoria, as if the technological advancement weren’t enough).

In the modern era, Patek Phillipe is renowned for feats of creative beauty that are still revolutionary, pioneering new materials and advancing the complexity of watch faces. To own a Patek Phillippe is to own a piece of art.

Richard Mille

Richard Mille made the bold move to start a watchmaking company in 2001, in an era when the industry was already saturated by the original brands that created watches as we know them today. And we’re lucky he did.

This brand’s take on the modern watch is one of artistic expression, where runs are limited (making them a collector’s dream) and the Swiss made manufacturing is coveted for its guaranteed quality.