If you're looking for a truly special timepiece, consider a designer watch. Although these watches have price tags to match their brand name cache, they also offer exceptional quality and luxury materials.
Luxury Watchmakers
Designer watches from some of the most prestigious manufacturers offer quality timekeeping and outstanding design. They typically retail between $3,000 and $50,000, depending on the style, the brand, and the precious gems and metals used in the watch's construction.
Baume & Mercier
For luxury beyond mere functionality, consider Baume & Mercier, a company that has been hand-making watches since 1830. A keen eye and steady hand make each Baume & Mercier a unique piece of art that gives you exact time based on the highest Swiss standard.
You can purchase some of their designs in their e-boutique or use the store locator to find a jeweler who carries these timepieces in your area.
Audemars Piguet
Since 1875, Audemars Piguet has been creating watches to the highest possible standards. Designers and innovators, including micro-mechanical engineers, hand make every single pin, watch hand, gear, and pinion in these exquisite timepieces. These watches are a culmination of rarified tradition, perfection, and serious forward thinking.
There are a number of spectacular options for both men and women, including:
- The men's Tradition Grande Complication features a perpetual calendar on the silver-toned dial, a titanium case, and a brown leather strap.
- For ladies, there's the stunning Jules Audemars Small Seconds Watch, which features a mother of pearl dial, 18k white gold case set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds, and a brown leather strap.
These watches are available from one of the 21 Audemars Piguet boutiques worldwide, as well as authorized retailers, where you can inquire about the price of any design. The website has a helpful list of authorized retailers by country.
Rapstor
If you want a luxury timepiece with creative flair and sophistication, then you want a Rapstor watch. These are finely made watches with a youthful, rap-inspired feel. They typically feature lots of diamonds, unique designs, and stunning bands. These oversized watches are available for men and women.
Rapstor makes watches in very limited quantities, often 100 units or fewer. To view some of their designs, hover over the Watches button on the upper left of the company website.
- You'll see amazing designs like the Gothic, which has a black case that is accented with 15 carats of champagne diamonds and a snakeskin strap. It retails for $15,150.
- There's also the incredible Brown Sugar, with boast 10 carats of burgundy and chocolate brown diamonds paired with a black crocodile strap. It retails for $7,795.
To purchase one of these luxurious designs or have a watch custom made for you, contact Rapstor customer service at 1-866-309-2824.
Breitling
Since 1884, Breitling watches have been the essence of perfection: the perfect marriage of performance and style. Breitling is famous for the wrist chronograph watch, and many of the company's designs include this feature. These watches are technical masterpieces with details inspired by classic aviation style.
There are many gorgeous options for both men and women. A few styles include:
- The Transocean Chronograph 38 is sized for women and features a precision chronograph dial set in a steel or 18k gold case and accented with a crocodile leather strap of your choice.
- The Galactic 41 is a men's watch with a steel or rose gold and steel case and an integrated calendar. It's water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters.
For pricing information, visit an authorized retailer. There are a number of Breitling boutiques and authorized jewelry stores worldwide. Use the list of retailers to find one near you.
ChronoSwiss
ChronoSwiss founder Gerd-R Lang is considered a genius watchmaker, and he has created some of the most highly sought-after watches in the world. Each of his designs is a work of art, offering an imaginative twist on sheer perfection. Every intimate detail of these timepieces is handcrafted and scrutinized for exactness by the most highly educated watchmaking engineers in the world.
These watches have a timeless appeal and often feature beautiful leather bands and exceptional workmanship. There are designs for men and women, including:
- The Small Seconds is a classic design for men, featuring a solid sterling silver dial and 18k red gold or steel case with a brown leather strap.
- For ladies, there's the stunning Sirius Medium watch, which features chronograph movement, an 18k red gold or steel case, and your choice of leather strap.
For pricing or to purchase, contact an authorized ChronoSwiss retailer. Use the dealer search feature to find one near you.
Rolex
Rolex may be one of the best known designer watch brands out there. Since its founding in 1905, Rolex has had a reputation for quality workmanship and luxurious designs.
These classic watches come in beautiful styles for men and women. A few options include:
- For men, there's the classic DateJust II, which features a steel case, stunning blue dial, and self-winding movement.
- For women, Rolex offers the Lady DateJust 26 with a steel case, silver dial, and self-winding movement.
You can purchase a Rolex watch or inquire about pricing at any authorized retailer. The retailer locator can help you find one in your state or country.
Designer Names
Although many designer watches are made by companies that specialize in timepieces, there are others by luxury jewelers and high end clothing brands. Typically, the mechanics of these timepieces are crafted by other companies, and the brand that sells the watch provides finishing touches and the designer name. In most cases, these are still very high quality timepieces. Prices are comparable to luxury watchmaker offerings.
Cartier
Cartier is a famous high-end jeweler with many amazing watch designs. You'll find many classically beautiful options for men and women that display the company's jewelry roots. You can purchase a Cartier watch at any Cartier boutique.
Cartier has stunningly beautiful watches, including:
- The Calibre de Cartier for men features a chocolate brown dial, pink gold and steel case, and brown leather strap. It retails for $10,000.
- For ladies, there's the Mini Baignoire, a style that features a diamond-studded pink gold case and a soft pink fabric strap. It retails for $17,850.
Bulgari
Bulgari is an Italian designer that specializes in jewelry and luxury items, including many gorgeous watches. They offer jewelry-inspired designs featuring precious metals, diamonds, high-quality leather, and other luxury materials. Unlike many other designer watch retailers, you can shop online at Bulgari.
You can find many beautiful designs for women and men in the Bulgari line. Selections include:
- The B.ZERO1 Quartz Watch for ladies has a bracelet-style band, a stainless steel case, and a beautiful mother of pearl dial with a butterfly motif. It retails for $3,800.
- The Roma Watch for men features an lacquered polished, 18k pink gold case, 18k pink gold buckle, and brown alligator strap.
Gucci
Gucci watches feature the simple, timeless style of this noted clothing and accessory brands. Each watch clearly has the Gucci name emblazoned on the dial. There are styles for men and women, many set with diamonds and accented with precious metals. You can purchase a watch from the website or use the store locator at the bottom of every web page to find a retailer near you.
Gucci has lots of amazing options for men and women. A few options are:
- The G-Timeless Watch for men is a stylish timepiece that features a black metal case set with black diamonds. It retails around $1350.
- For women, there's the Horsebit Bracelet Watch with a pink dial, and a stainless steel bracelet strap. It retails for $850.
The Designer Timepiece for You
Whether you're interested in a timepiece crafted by artisans or a watch with a high-end designer name, there are lots of incredible options out there. Ultimately, the best designer watch for you is one that meets your needs, fits in your budget, and fits your overall style.
