The Titanium Field GuidePicks of the month

Watch Brands by Maker Type

Who built it, from the microbrands that drive most of the value at the accessible end to the independent houses at the top. Maker type is a fact about the company rather than a statistic over its watches, so a brand the guide holds once is classified as confidently as one it holds fifty times.

Fashion13

Fashion and licensed-name watches, where the brand is the draw and the movement is outsourced. Value-first pieces, strong on design and price rather than horology.

Microbrand161

Independent, direct-to-consumer microbrands, which drive most of the value and innovation here. Often the best specs per dollar, at the cost of thinner resale and support than the majors.

Established40

Mainstream watchmakers with real heritage and broad retail: the established Swiss, Japanese, and German houses that most people can name.

Premium9

Enthusiast-premium brands above the mainstream but below maison prestige, with serious in-house or upgraded movements and finishing. The middle half of those in the guide are priced between $4,500 and $10,500.

Luxury and maison37

Luxury maisons: heritage houses with in-house movements, haute finishing, and prestige pricing.

Independent69

Independent and artisanal makers: small-batch, avant-garde, high-end horology outside the maison system.

Unclassified1

Or browse the full A to Z of every brand, by watch type, or by curated collection.