Q. Who is the most famous watchmaker of all time?

[daytona4me]

In your opinion (which means all answers are correct) who is the most famous watchmaker of all time... and why?

Mine is Breguet. He was the inventor of the most significant discoveries in the watch industry: Tourbillon escapement, Perpetual calendar, Shockproofing, Over-coil hairspring, and I'm sure more that I have not thought of.

 

[takashi]

Patek Philippe. Take a look at top 10 most expensive watch at all time. Patek took most of the spots.

 

[seanf]

Gotta go with Taka on this one. Definitely Breguet. No question. Pretty much every major design, innovation, and even stylistic cue on modern watches can be traced back to Breguet in some capacity.

 

[ahw676]

Gotta go with Taka on this one. Definitely Breguet. No question. Pretty much every major design, innovation, and even stylistic cue on modern watches can be traced back to Breguet in some capacity.

That would be D4ME that you're going with then.

I know, I know. I'll bite you later.

 

[seanf]

Gotta go with Taka on this one. Definitely Breguet. No question. Pretty much every major design, innovation, and even stylistic cue on modern watches can be traced back to Breguet in some capacity.

That would be D4ME that you're going with then.

I know, I know. I'll bite you later.

Oops. Damn. I hate it when I have to admit that AH is right. Fortunately, it doesn't happen that often.

 

[tommy_boy]

I don't want to intrude, but is there a Breguet rep that either of you favor? Thanks!

 

[ThreadLocker]

In your opinion (which means all answers are correct) who is the most famous watchmaker of all time... and why?

Mine is Breguet. He was the inventor of the most significant discoveries in the watch industry: Tourbillon escapement, Perpetual calendar, Shockproofing, Over-coil hairspring, and I'm sure more that I have not thought of.

+1

 

[brtelec]

Whether or not Breguet is the most "famous" or not, he was in my opinion the most influential and should be the most famous.

 

[zuescotton]

are you all from different parts of the world. I've never even heard of Patek Philippe or Breguet before I joined here. haha. Figured most FAMOUS would be the well known Rolex. Typical, but that is the most well known I'd think. Then Seiko and Citizen are more common.
I also think Fossil is a big name. I don't really like many of any of their watches aside from the 1 seiko I own. But, as for most known I'd assume them.

 

[brtelec]

This is in reference to an individual as a watchmaker.

 

[BlueRod37]

are you all from different parts of the world. I've never even heard of Patek Philippe or Breguet before I joined here. haha. Figured most FAMOUS would be the well known Rolex. Typical, but that is the most well known I'd think. Then Seiko and Citizen are more common.
I also think Fossil is a big name. I don't really like many of any of their watches aside from the 1 seiko I own. But, as for most known I'd assume them.

i my opinion you think wrong,
why not add Hugo Boss among the big name of Horlogerie and what about Guess of Dolce Gabbana.....

come' on
even if you don't know Breguet or Philippe Patek, you can't be serious with Fossil ,

about Seiko and Citizen, they do nice watch for middle class people, i've been offered one when i turned 18 i was so happy. but they can't be associated with haute horlogerie same rule with Festina.


it's just my 0.15€ (=0.2$)
i don't say i'm right it's in my opinion

Guillaume

 

[Pix]

Hi,
I'm surprised nobody mentionned Rolex
:shock:
Talking about watches, it's the first name that comes to mind, especially for non watch afficionados.

Then, of course, once you go into the history or technology, Rolex is far behind brands like Breguet (first Tourbillon ever) or Patek (most expensive watches ever).
It seems not a lot of people know that IWC was part of the CEH consortium which developed the world's first quartz watch (the Beta 21) in 1967 and released its own first quartz watch at the 1969 Basel fair. From this point of view they played a HUGE role in the change of the watch industry.

 

[Exploder]

Warren Marrison

Xplodr

 

[747]

Why wouldn't you include Festina???

 

[seank]

How about Swatch? I know they are more of a consortium but they started as a quartz watch company.

 

[Spboudart]

TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU ALL

I would say: John Harrison!

Why?

He build his first clock in 1713, at age of 20 (Almost 30 years before Breguet was even born).
He invented the first marine Chronometer: it was the first clock that could be carried around.
As a matter he won Queen Anne's prize of 20000£ for the person who would find a way to define longitude (as a merchant marine master: he's important for me).
And finally, without his discoveries, his followers like Breguet, Berthoud, Arnold and Leroy wouldn't have been able to invent anything.

 

[greg_r]

I'd agree with Boudart and say John Harrison - IF - D4M had asked about clockmakers.

Watchmakers, however, are a slightly different breed (yes, I know I'm being a pedantic pain in the arse, sorry Boudart!).

'fraid I gotta go with D4M. Breguet.

As to the guy who said Fossil, well I guess he has a point: wouldn't both Breguet and Harrison be fossils by now? :lol:

 

[zuescotton]

haha I misunderstool the question I guess. I figured the most well known would be the most famous. Not that I particularly like any of them and think they are talented. By watch maker you mean individual person I presume and not just the name of thecompany that makes the watches.

 

[frenzalrhomb]

My favourite brand had always been Breguet but just recently got their Brochure/Book. No one individual could possibly do more for watchmaking. He is credited with inventing most of what goes into watches today and he lived 1747-1823. Though of I'm overlooking someone else please someone chime in.

 

[seanf]

TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU ALL

I would say: John Harrison!

Why?

He build his first clock in 1713, at age of 20 (Almost 30 years before Breguet was even born).
He invented the first marine Chronometer: it was the first clock that could be carried around.
As a matter he won Queen Anne's prize of 20000£ for the person who would find a way to define longitude (as a merchant marine master: he's important for me).
And finally, without his discoveries, his followers like Breguet, Berthoud, Arnold and Leroy wouldn't have been able to invent anything.

Harrison is definitely important to the field of watchmaking, no question, but as I recall, most of his most significant discoveries didn't really reach fruition until shortly after his death.