Rolex and other luxury watch brands: the official buying guide

Today, we will talk about luxury watches that are being sold popularly. The Panerai Radiomir is a direct descendant of the prototype replica watches the company supplied to the Italian Navy, featuring an oversized cushion-shaped case, wire lugs, a large onion-shaped crown and a simple dial. Panerai’s vintage dive watches also inspire luminor watches, but they include a lever-operated crown protection bridge to seal the watch. The Luminor Due collection, which only a few years debuted a few years ago, houses Panerai’s line of smaller and thinner watches for those who can’t pull the brand’s other oversized offerings. The Luminor Due is Panerai’s modern line of dive watches, equipped with essential components such as a unidirectional rotating bezel, a high water resistance rating, and a dial that is readable underwater.  
As its sister company, Tudor is a brand that resembles fake Rolex in many ways. Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf established Tudor more than 90 years ago as a more affordable alternative to Rolex. Tudor still flies that flag today but proudly flaunts its design language, in-house movements and unique personality, largely thanks to a 2007 relaunch and 2013 reintroduction in the U.S. market.
Another Swiss luxury watch brand is Breitling, making fine timepieces since 1884. The brand is firmly rooted in aviation, although Breitling also has an extensive line of professional diving and classic dress-inspired watches.
Audemars Piguet, or “AP” to many avid luxury watch enthusiasts, belongs to the revered “Holy Trinity” of luxury clone watches consisting of Vacheron Constantin, AP and Patek Philippe. The most emblematic collection is the Royal Oak, launched in 1972 and boasted an octagonal case adorned with visible screws and the famous “Grand Guignol” dial. The collection includes simple models with a date mechanism, more complex chronographs and even models with a perpetual calendar.
Swiss watchmaker Longines has been in business since 1832, eventually becoming part of the Swiss Swatch Group in 1983. It is at the more affordable end of the spectrum, boasting watches that retail for as little as a few thousand dollars. Both offer classic and sporty models compared to Rolex, so it’s easy to find the perfect luxury watch to fit your lifestyle at a price that won’t hurt your wallet.