If we talk about underrated Swiss luxury watches, there certainly is quite a number that makes up that category. With Swiss watchmakers heralded as the best in the industry, small to medium watchmakers from Switzerland often get overshadowed by their bigger counterparts. That’s not to say that these brands make lesser-quality watches.
Quite the contrary, though because most underrated watchmakers truly dedicate themselves to their craft in order to make a timepiece that will make a breakthrough for them. In this article, we’ve listed down some of the best underrated Swiss watches that every budding collector should check out:
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Automatic Chronograph
When we talk about Swiss watchmakers, rarely it is that the Girard-Perregaux brand is put in the mix. It’s always about Rolex, Omega, Patek, and the others. But Girard Perregaux watches have stood the test of time, becoming a classic on their own. Girard-Perregaux is known for the Vintage 1945, a watch ahead of its time both aesthetically and movement-wise.
But the modern selection of the brand offers a range that’s truly magnificent and encompassing. The Laureato collection in particular is the brand’s shining star at the moment, and the automatic chronograph reference on this collection is nothing short of spectacular. The movement is a marvel, the finishing artisanal, and the material top of the line. It’s a watch that begs to be bought, worn, and passed down to generations.
Hublot Big Bang
A popular watch among enthusiasts, the Big Bang is Hublot’s saving grace, with an unorthodox styling and aesthetic that appeals to the masses because it’s the epitome of being different among a sea of sophisticated and classy-looking watches. This is a watch that marches to the beat of its own drum, giving the wearer a sense of individuality and independence that’s rarely felt with other timepieces.
That’s not to say the Big Bang isn’t classy and sophisticated though. It is–in its own special way. At more than 40mm in dial sizes, the Big Bang stands up to its moniker, with a series of lines inside the collection that uniquely differentiate the timepieces. The Big Bang Complications isn’t your standard-looking watch, with a dial that’s futuristic but functional at the same time. It will set you back a pretty penny, but we reckon that this is the way to do so if you want to stand out.
Breitling Navitimer
The Navitimer from legendary Swiss watchmaker Breitling is credited for the first slide bezel rule among timepieces. The watch is a modern wonder in its latest iteration, combining top-notch accuracy and sports watch sophistication in one convincing package. Breitling, as a watch brand, is never the first choice among enthusiasts just because when compared to its contemporaries, it never reached the level of clout to be a top contender.
But the company seems fine with that, focusing instead on consistently providing its avid customers with the best movements and top of the line materials on its timepieces. The Navitimer features the same slide bezel rule from its conception, a self-winding mechanical movement that’s uniquely in-house, topped with the truly iconic chronograph dial that instantly identifies the watch from a distance.
Hamilton Khaki King Field Automatic
Hamilton is famously an American brand that’s now based in Switzerland. For all intents and purposes, Hamilton is a Swiss watchmaker now, but it still connects to its American heritage through its product line. The Khaki King Field Automatic is undoubtedly a classic, a compact watch that offers the best value for its price point.
Takeaway
Swiss luxury watchmakers abound. That much is a fact. There are at least three hundred fifty brands that identify themselves as Swiss-made, with more micro-brands unlisted. Looking for a truly underrated watch in a sea of Swiss manufacturers can truly be daunting and complicated at the same time!
