Introduction
Watches have come a long way. From old-fashioned pocket watches to smartwatches on our wrists, they’ve always helped people keep track of time - and style. But before watches became everyday fashion items, a few brands helped shape the history of watches. Let’s take a quick look at some of the oldest watch brands still making timepieces today.
Bulova
Bulova is an American brand, started in New York City in 1875 by Joseph Bulova. It became a big name thanks to its mix of style and innovation. In 1960, Bulova made the Accutron, one of the first electronic watches. Bulova also made history by being the first brand to run a watch commercial on TV in 1941.
Movado
Movado comes from Switzerland, where many luxury watches are born. It was founded in 1881 and became well known for its clean, modern designs. The Movado Museum Watch, with its simple black face and single dot at 12 o’clock, became an icon in the watch world. Movado means “always in motion” in Esperanto - a perfect fit for a timekeeping brand.
Seiko
Seiko is a Japanese watch brand that’s been around since 1881. It started as a small watch and jewelry shop in Tokyo. Seiko is famous for bringing new technology to watches - like the world’s first quartz watch in 1969. They made watches more accurate and more affordable for everyone.
Timex
Timex started in the U.S. in the mid-1800s. It began as the Waterbury Clock Company, known for making affordable and durable clocks. Later, the brand became Timex and started making wristwatches that were tough enough for everyday wear. Their famous slogan, “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking,” came from their simple, rugged designs that people trusted.
Tissot
Tissot is one of the oldest watch brands from Switzerland, founded in 1853. Known for making both stylish and accurate watches, Tissot was one of the first to mass-produce pocket watches. Today, they’re known for blending tradition with tech - like touch-screen watches and Swiss automatic models.
Final Thoughts
These five brands have stood the test of time. Whether they were making watches more affordable, more stylish, or more advanced, each of them helped shape the history of watches. If you're into timepieces or just want to know more about what’s on your wrist, learning about the oldest watch brands adds a whole new layer of appreciation.
Curious to explore these classic watch brands for yourself?
Whether you're into bold modern styles or timeless heritage pieces, we've curated collections that makes it easy to find the right one.
Check out our By Brand page to browse watches from Bulova, Movado, Seiko, Timex, Tissot and more iconic brands - all in one place.
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