Top 3 Watch Brands Chosen By Billionaires

Watches have stood as a symbol of prestige for centuries, adorning distinguished individuals as though Chronos, the Greek god of time, reached down and touched their wrists himself. Although the quality of materials and features imbues timepieces with value, it's the brand name that might propel their worth to millions of francs.

In the industry, the cache of “Swiss Made” watches is synonymous with quality and luxury. This moniker instantly builds credibility seeing as Switzerland boasts some of the top watchmakers in the world, including brands favored by billionaires so wealthy it feels like they could buy time itself. Let’s take a look at the top 3 watch brands chosen by worldwide billionaires and what makes them unique.

1. Richard Mille

Richard Mille watches are renowned for their cutting-edge technology and exclusivity. Relatively new compared to other luxury brands, Richard Mille blazed into existence in 2001 and is known for its contemporary approach to horology.

To create a timepiece is to succeed in combining art and science, design and engineering, tradition and innovation.
- Richard Mille

Beyond the production costs and use of the finest materials, Richard Mille built its reputation on pushing new frontiers in the watchmaking space. Their first watch, the RM 001 Tourbillon, featured a levered bridge crafted from carbon nanofiber – a groundbreaking innovation at the time. Since then, the company has constantly forsaken traditional luxury watchmaking codes in favor of a more modern, esoteric approach.

Some of the most prominent Richard Mille models
Source: Richard Mille

Hailed as “the secret billionaire’s handshake,” these watches signify extreme affluence and possess a masonic mystique – the pinnacle of prestige and exclusivity. This is precisely why, in 2014, all ten of Richard Mille’s USD 2.2 million sapphire crystal watches (RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon) were sold out.

Anyone with one of these exclusive watches is immediately part of the “in crowd” for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Merely owning a Richard Mille is enough vetting for billionaires, which is another reason why many favor these timepieces. Larry Ellison, the founder & CEO of Oracle and one of the top ten wealthiest men in the world, favors a Richard Mille watch, among others.

2. Audemars Piguet

Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet started ticking in the breathtaking Jura Mountains, north of Geneva. According to Audemars Piguet, watches measure the “passage of time as dictated by astronomy and nature,” but there is no better measure of humanity’s creativity than these timepiece perfections.

Audemars Piguet is more than a company. It remains independent and family owned, responsible for the transmission of knowledge and know-how to the future generations.
- Olivier Audemars

Audemars Piguet had humble beginnings in Le Brassus, where farmers mastered the environment and developed their horological craftsmanship during the long winter months. Named after its founders, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, this esteemed brand combines historical excellence, limited production, and the use of world-class materials, making its watches nothing short of extraordinary.

Some of the most prominent Audemars Piguet models
Source: Audemars Piguet, Hodinkee

In the realm of elite horology, Audemars Piguet stands as the epitome of exclusivity, coveted by billionaires for its prestigious allure. With an unwavering respect for its opulent heritage, Audemars Piguet seamlessly intertwines traditional eminence with avant-garde ingenuity. Adorning the wrist of Anant Ambani, the son of Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest person in Asia and 9th wealthiest in the world, is a USD 3.3 million Audemars Piguet timepiece, proudly ensconced within his horological treasury. Similarly, LeBron James, a newly minted billionaire, boasts a distinguished array of Audemars Piguet watches in his esteemed collection, a further testament to the brand's timeless legacy.

3. Patek Philippe

Rounding out the selection of top watches for billionaires is Patek Philippe, the oldest independent, family-owned Geneva watch manufacturer. Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe adheres to ten core values, two of which may initially seem at odds: tradition and innovation. Somehow, Patek Philippe has mastered paying homage to their diamond-studded legacy, all while pushing the envelope of what is possible in horology. Backing their claim of valuing innovation, the company is “crowned by over one hundred patents.”

When you see it in pictures, you might say that’s just a watch with diamonds on it. When you see it in person, it all adds up and makes perfect sense.
- John Mayer, American singer, songwriter, and guitarist

Billionaires like George Soros, a hedge fund manager and philanthropist, and Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH – the world's largest luxury goods company – are renowned for sporting these prestigious watches. Notably, another titan of wealth, Philippe Stern, exclusively adorns the prestigious Patek Philippe brand. In fact, Stern's illustrious tenure as the guiding force behind Patek Philippe from 1993 to 2009 earned him the title of Honorary President. In a momentous tribute, Patek Philippe commemorated Stern's 85th birthday in 2023 with the unveiling of a limited edition masterpiece, the Reference 1938. This horological marvel features a meticulously crafted Grand Feu enamel portrait of Philippe Stern, a testament to his enduring legacy in the realm of luxury watchmaking.

Some of the most prominent Patek Philippe models
Source: Patek Philippe, Monochrome, Hodinkee

Final thoughts

While a measure of time, these exclusive watches are timeless, defying even Chronos in their perpetual value. In the world of billionaires, where time is the ultimate luxury, these top three brands epitomize unparalleled excellence, from the exquisite craftsmanship of their materials to the intricate mastery of their inner workings. As symbols of wealth, taste, and status, they stand as paragons of excellence, coveted by those who understand that true luxury knows no bounds.