Ah, the humble watch. Once a necessary tool for time-telling, now a fashion statement and status symbol. You can't swing a cat without hitting someone wearing a Rolex or a TAG Heuer, but what about the underrated watch brands? The ones that don't get the recognition they deserve?
Well, my dear reader, let's take a look at some of these underrated watch brands and give them the love and attention they deserve.
Seiko
Let's dive deeper into the history and offerings of Seiko, the first underrated watch brand on our list.
Seiko is a Japanese watch company that was founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori. Initially, the company was called "Seikosha" and primarily sold wall clocks. However, in 1895, they produced their first pocket watch, which marked the beginning of their journey to become a leading watch brand.
In 1969, Seiko made a groundbreaking achievement by introducing the world's first quartz watch, the Seiko Astron. This was a major innovation in the watch industry, as it replaced the traditional mechanical watch movements with electronic quartz movements.
The quartz movement was not only more accurate but also more affordable to produce, making watches more accessible to the masses. Seiko's achievement with quartz watches was so significant that it earned them the title of "Father of Modern Quartz Watches."
In addition to their groundbreaking technological advancements, Seiko also offers a wide range of stylish and reliable watches that cater to different tastes and budgets.
Their collections include everything from simple, minimalist designs to high-end luxury timepieces. They offer both mechanical and quartz movements and have even developed their own hybrid movements that combine the best of both worlds.
One of the most popular Seiko collections is the Seiko 5 Sports series. These watches are known for their durable construction and sporty aesthetic, making them perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Another popular collection is the Seiko Prospex, which is a line of professional-grade diving watches that can withstand extreme depths and pressure.
Seiko has also collaborated with notable designers and brands to create limited edition watches that are highly sought after by collectors. Some of their most popular collaborations include the Seiko x Giugiaro Design Spirit, which was designed in collaboration with Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, and the Seiko x Street Fighter V, which features designs inspired by the popular video game franchise.
You might also like: Head-to-Head: Grand Seiko vs Omega for Watch Enthusiasts (2023 Review)
Junghans
Junghans is a German watch company that was founded in 1861 by Erhard Junghans and his brother-in-law Jakob Zeller-Tobler. The company's early years were focused on the production of clock parts, but in 1866, they began producing their own clocks and watches.
Junghans has a long history of innovation, having introduced a number of technological advancements in the watch industry. In 1903, they produced the first wristwatch with a minute repeater, a complication that allows the watch to chime the time when activated.
In 1951, they introduced the first radio-controlled wristwatch, which could receive signals from a radio transmitter to keep the time accurate. Junghans also played a significant role in the development of quartz watches in the 1960s and 1970s.
One of the most notable aspects of Junghans watches is their minimalist design. Junghans has a reputation for creating watches that are both functional and stylish, with clean lines and simple dials. Their designs are often inspired by the Bauhaus movement, a German art school that emphasized simplicity and functionality in design.
Junghans has a number of popular watch collections, including the Max Bill series. This collection is named after the Swiss architect and artist Max Bill, who was a student and later a teacher at the Bauhaus school. The watches in this collection feature clean, minimalist designs and are highly sought after by collectors.
Another popular collection is the Meister series, which features classic designs that pay homage to the company's rich history. The watches in this collection are often made with high-quality materials like stainless steel and sapphire crystal.
In addition to their classic designs, Junghans has also produced limited edition watches in collaboration with notable designers and artists. For example, they collaborated with Swiss designer Rolf Sachs to create the "Mega 1000" watch, which features a unique design inspired by a stoplight.
You might also like: The Time Battle: Tudor vs Breitling - Who Comes Out on Top? (2023 Review)
Hamilton
Hamilton is an American watch company that was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company's early years were focused on producing high-quality pocket watches for railroad workers, which were required to be accurate and reliable for safety reasons. In the 1910s, Hamilton began producing wristwatches for the U.S. military, which were used by pilots and soldiers in both World War I and World War II.
Hamilton is known for its rugged and durable designs that are both functional and stylish. Their watches are perfect for anyone who wants a timepiece that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while still looking good. Many of Hamilton's watches feature a classic and timeless aesthetic, with clean lines and simple dials.
One of the most popular Hamilton collections is the Khaki Field series, which is inspired by the military watches the company produced in the 1940s. These watches are designed to be rugged and durable, with features like scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water resistance, and automatic movements. The Khaki Field series is popular among both military personnel and civilian watch enthusiasts.
Hamilton also has a number of other popular collections, including the Ventura series. The Ventura was first introduced in 1957 and was notable for its unique triangular shape and electric movement. The Ventura has since become an iconic watch and has been worn by celebrities like Elvis Presley and Will Smith.
In addition to their classic designs, Hamilton has also produced limited edition watches in collaboration with notable brands and designers. For example, they collaborated with the Swiss design firm Studio Fredrikson Stallard to create the limited edition "PSR" watch, which features a unique digital display inspired by Hamilton's Pulsar watch from the 1970s.
You might also like: Be a Watch Detective: How to Identify a Fake Panerai vs Real Ones (2023 Edition)
Nomos
Let's take a closer look at Nomos, the last underrated watch brand on our list.
Nomos is a German watch company that was founded in 1990 in Glashütte, a small town in Saxony that has a rich history of watchmaking. Despite being a relatively new brand, Nomos has made a significant impact in the watch industry with their minimalist designs and attention to detail.
Nomos is known for their Bauhaus-inspired designs, which emphasize simplicity and functionality. Their watches feature clean lines, simple dials, and understated aesthetics that are perfect for anyone who wants a timepiece that doesn't draw too much attention. Despite their minimalist designs, Nomos watches are highly regarded for their high-quality construction and attention to detail.
One of the most notable aspects of Nomos watches is their in-house movements. Nomos produces their own movements in-house, which are known for their accuracy and reliability. Their movements are also highly decorated and finished, with features like blued screws and Geneva stripes.
Nomos has a number of popular watch collections, including the Tangente series. The Tangente is one of Nomos' most iconic watches and is known for its simple and timeless design.
The watch features a round case with a simple dial, available in a range of colors and finishes. Another popular collection is the Orion series, which features a similar design to the Tangente but with a slightly curved case.
In addition to their classic designs, Nomos has also produced limited edition watches in collaboration with notable designers and artists. For example, they collaborated with the German designer Werner Aisslinger to create the "Autobahn" watch, which features a unique dial inspired by the German autobahn.
You might also like: Rolex Submariner vs Explorer: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle Better? (2023 Review)
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are plenty of underrated watch brands out there that deserve some love and attention. From Seiko to Junghans to Hamilton to Nomos, these brands may not be as well-known as Rolex or Omega, but they're just as deserving of a spot on your wrist. So, the next time you're in the market for a new watch, consider one of these underrated watch brands. You might just be surprised by what you find.
