Inside the Watchmaker’s Studio: A Glimpse at the Craftsmanship Behind Your Favorite Timepieces

As you shop for luxury watches, whether your first or your fiftieth, you will likely be inundated with information. Your eyes will travel over stunning precious metals, diamond-set dials, sporty rubber straps, and impeccable complications and functions that seem too good to be true. There are so many options in the world of high-end timepieces; it can be a true challenge to find the perfect watch for your wrist.

The striking aesthetics of the “big four” watch brands are sure to draw the eye. But what about the masterful craftsmanship and precision engineering that takes place behind the scenes? Join us as we venture deeper into the world of luxury watchmaking, breaking down the incredible complexity and artistry that serves as the foundation of your favorite timepieces.

We begin with one of the oldest watch brands still in production: the Swiss powerhouse Patek Philippe. Whether you choose a modern Nautilus model or a classic Grand Complications masterpiece, a Patek Philippe watch is an heirloom that you can pass down for generations.

Here are a few quick facts and statistics about Patek Philippe watches that savvy investors will want to keep in mind as they consider pieces from this much-loved brand.

Founding Date: May 1, 1839

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Popular Models: Nautilus, Complications, Grand Complications, Calatrava, Cubitus, Aquanaut

Historic Achievements: Invented keyless watch winding, created the Gyromax balance system, premiered the annual calendar complication, created one of the most expensive watches ever sold at auction (the Grandmaster Chime sold for about $31 million, according to Sotheby’s)

Average Annual Production: 68,000 watches per year

Patek Philippe is renowned throughout the horological world for its age-old commitment to excellence, innovation, and creativity. These delicate yet powerful timepieces perfectly marry aesthetic appeal with incredible complexity, offering highly desirable accessories to those who are willing to make the substantial investment that owning a Patek Philippe watch requires. From A-listers to everyday collectors, Patek Philippe watches are often the holy grail pieces of modern collectors. These coveted timepieces are a symbol of wealth, taste, and luxury.

A staple of the luxury watch world, Audemars Piguet timepieces are coveted by many but owned by only a select few. These stunning watches are crafted with longevity, performance, and aesthetics in mind. They are more than likely to become a favorite in your watch box.

Explore some key facts and statistics about Audemars Piguet watches that will help inform your decisions while you are shopping for luxury timepieces.

Founding Date: 1875

Location: Le Brassus, Switzerland

Popular Models: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore, Royal Oak Concept, Code 11.59

Historic Achievements: Created the first wristwatch with a minute repeater mechanism, invented the leap year indicator for perpetual calendar watches, premiered the first ever self-winding wristwatch with a tourbillon

Average Annual Production: 50,000 watches per year

The watch that most people imagine when envisioning Audemars Piguet timepieces, the Royal Oak, did not hit the market until the 1970s, nearly a century after the company first started in Le Brassus, Switzerland. This rural Swiss location has become a nurturing foundation for a company that has proved itself an indispensable innovator in the horological sphere. Audemars Piguet watches are highly regarded for their complex movements and impactful innovations. Perhaps most notably, Audemars Piguet premiered the leap year indicator for perpetual calendar watches, which you will see on many of its most elite models. This and many other factors set Audemars Piguet apart from the rest of the pack.

When many people think of luxury watches, Rolex is the brand that comes to mind. This Swiss company produces a relatively large number of timepieces each year, yet it retains its exclusivity and desirability through extensive demand. A Rolex watch is virtually guaranteed never to go out of style, and many of the brand’s top models actually increase in value on the secondary market. Now that is an accomplishment worthy of writing home about.

Discover the Rolex difference with some core facts and statistics about the brand that has been (rightfully) dubbed “The Crown.”

Founding Date: 1905 in London, England

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Popular Models: Submariner, Datejust, Day-Date, GMT-Master II, Cosmograph Daytona, Oyster Perpetual, Yacht Master, Land-Dweller, Sea-Dweller, Sky-Dweller

Historic Achievements: Received the first-ever certificate for chronometric precision, introduced the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, created the first watch to spell out day of the week and day of the month separately (Day-Date), invented the perpetual self-winding rotor

Average Annual Production: 1.2 million watches per year

While Rolex was founded in London, the brand moved to Switzerland in 1919 to join the horological revolution happening in that country. Shortly thereafter, the five-pointed crown logo was introduced, encapsulating the brand’s commitment to excellence through and through. While we have listed a few of Rolex’s incredible achievements above, the brand continues to operate on the front line of innovation and performance and holds numerous patents for inventions like the Cerachrom bezel, high-efficiency escapements, and much more.

One of the newest additions to the stage of venerable haute horlogerie, Richard Mille epitomizes modern aesthetics, larger-than-life silhouettes, and engineering brilliance. These timepieces are made to turn heads, attracting attention from every angle. Richard Mille watches prioritize performance above all, as exemplified through the brand’s partnerships with elite athletes representing virtually every sport and hailing from across the globe.

Learn more about the basics of Richard Mille watches with these crucial facts and statistics that will help you paint a more robust picture of this celebrity-favorite brand.

Founding Date: 1999, first watch released in 2001

Location: Les Breuleux, Jura, Switzerland

Popular Models: RM 67-02, RM 11-03 Flyback Chronograph, RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal, RM 38-02 Bubba Watson

Historic Achievements: Created the world’s lightest tourbillon, invented the variable-geometry rotor, premiered cable-suspended movements, introduced Formula 1 and aerospace engineering tactics to the horological world

Average Annual Production: About 5,300 watches per year

Richard Mille might be a relatively new player in the horological world, but that does not make the brand’s innovations and discoveries any less impressive. The company is known for its unique use of materials like Carbon TPT, Graphene, titanium, and Quartz TPT, premiering timepieces that are light, durable, and highly functional. Richard Mille is also known for its partnerships with elite athletes who show off the unmatched capabilities of these iconic timepieces. A Richard Mille watch is nearly always immediately recognizable by its oversized, tonneau-shaped case and skeletonized dial, offering an inside look at the complex artistry behind these exquisite horological creations.

We would be remiss to discuss a behind-the-scenes look at the watchmaking world without shining a light on Avi & Co. Based in the United States, our brand is focused on creating premier luxury watches for the world’s elite collectors. Many of our timepieces showcase unmatched glamour and attention to detail, featuring flawless gemstones and exquisite tooling methods that yield unique and head-turning accessories.

Discover a behind-the-scenes look at Avi & Co. watches with these core facts and statistics that are the foundation of elite watchmaking in our New York headquarters.

Founding Date: 2004

Location: Manhattan, New York, United States

Popular Models: Frosted Collection, Iced Collection, Color in Motion, HUE by Avi & Co.

Average Annual Production: 10 watches per year

Yes, you read that correctly: We produce just 10 Avi & Co. watches per year. We impose these strict limits on our production in order to keep our timepieces exclusive and unique. These are not watches that you will see everywhere on the street, and you can rest assured that you are investing in a truly unique and unusual timepiece when you take home an Avi & Co. watch. Furthermore, it takes exponential levels of time and effort for our master watchmakers to meticulously choose and set every precious gemstone on our elite watches. Just one bespoke Avi & Co. watch can take three to four months to manufacture. This is the true gold standard of luxury watchmaking that prioritizes aesthetic excellence and high-performance timekeeping to the absolute maximum. Taking home an Avi & Co. watch is a privilege reserved for only the most dedicated watch collectors and celebrities around the world.

Here at Avi & Co., we are proud to be one of Manhattan’s premier destinations for luxury watches and fine diamond jewelry. From Rolex to Richard Mille and from Audemars Piguet to Patek Philippe, our three showrooms are stocked with glamorous accessories and collectible timepieces that you will be thrilled to fasten around your wrist. Do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line for even more sparkle.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person today. We cannot wait to welcome you into our Avi & Co. family.