The best watch brands are often rooted in craftsmanship and sentimental value since what you wear is part of your personal story and style. Not surprisingly, watches tend to make excellent gifts for milestone moments—birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations—and if you invest in classics, they’ll last forever. If you’ve been lucky enough to inherit a vintage Rolex or Patek Philippe, you’ve got a piece of history on your wrist.
Shopping for a luxury watch requires a fair amount of knowledge on everything from movements to complications to cases. Whether you’re a collector or new to the watch world, I consulted experts to find the best watch brands to buy right now for every style and price point: I talked to watchmakers and repair specialists who know timepieces from the inside out—literally—and I also reached out to watch specialists to find out what brands hold their value over time. Here are the top picks:
