Most Luxury Watchmakers Are Really Old, But Who Owns The Oldest Watch Brand?
Most Luxury Watchmakers Are Really Old, But Who Owns The Oldest Watch Brand?
Part of the prestige of many brands, whether we realize it or not, is usually tied to the age of the watchmaker. I use the word "part of" intentionally, as newer brands (like FP Journe for example) obviously skirt this axiom. But think about many prestigious brands, such as the "Holy Trinity" consisting of Audemars […]
Part of the prestige of many brands, whether we realize it or not, is usually tied to the age of the watchmaker. Many prestigious brands, such as the “Holy Trinity” consisting of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin were founded in the 1800’s, or in the case of Vacheron – even before that. Most luxury watch producers are really old, but who owns the oldest watch brand (and is still in operations)?
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Just a guy that likes watches and watchmaking history.
Funny, I was just reading into this as well. I was curious about the 1735 that's branded on many Fifty Fathoms
Funny, I was just reading into this as well. I was curious about the 1735 that's branded on many Fifty Fathoms
it's hard to even think about how old Blancpain is lol. Favre-Leuba is also really old, 1737, and Gallet technically can trace it roots all the way back to the 1400s
'Oldest' is a very moot and debateable word choice....I mean: almost all these companies were bankrupted, closed or shuttered for longer or shorter periods through their history, and never continuosly run. Some of the older names have been deposited but they are not producing watches today (Harrison, Mudge, Janvier, Houriet, etc.) or like L. Leroy revived +/- 10 years ago and now dead in the water again. Perhaps more categories are needed 😅 ?
'Oldest' is a very moot and debateable word choice....I mean: almost all these companies were bankrupted, closed or shuttered for longer or shorter periods through their history, and never continuosly run. Some of the older names have been deposited but they are not producing watches today (Harrison, Mudge, Janvier, Houriet, etc.) or like L. Leroy revived +/- 10 years ago and now dead in the water again. Perhaps more categories are needed 😅 ?
Good point. There’s always Vacheron though, they never closed up shop.