Mechanical watches are a dime a dozen these days, but there are few out there that are much more than just a timepiece. The ten watches on this list don’t only have interesting histories to look back on, but also timeless designs that will never go out of style. So, here are the ten most iconic watches of all time. Is your favorite model among them?
1. TAG Heuer Monaco
Angular lines and 1970s flair: The TAG Heuer Monaco may not be quite as timeless as some of the later entries on this list, but it is without a doubt an icon in the industry. This chronograph made racing history on the wrists of famous drivers like Jo Siffert and Jochen Rindt. It reached absolute cult status when it starred on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the classic film, Le Mans.
2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
The Art Deco-inspired Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is arguably the brand’s most famous model. Originally designed for polo players, the watch’s unique reversible case is a unique selling point that you won’t find elsewhere. Nowadays, the case back doesn’t just serve as a protective cover, but can even include a whole second dial. This is what icons are made of.
3. Cartier Santos
The history of the Cartier Santos dates back to 1904. As the story goes, pioneering aviator Alberto Santos Dumont found it difficult to read his pocket watch while flying. He turned to friend and watchmaker Louis-François Cartier to develop a wristwatch suitable for life in the cockpit. Dumont reportedly wore the resulting wristwatch during all his subsequent flights, and thus, the Cartier Santos became the world’s first pilot’s watch. The model’s iconic design has hardly changed since its official introduction in 1911.
4. Breitling Navitimer
The Breitling Navitimer is yet another aviation classic. This watch doesn’t really even need introducing. Back when watches were truly functional companions, the Navitimer chronograph was doing far more than just telling the time. Thanks to its rotating slide rule bezel, pilots could perform a number of complicated calculations related to flying. Today, Breitling offers this aviation icon in a range of sizes and dial colors, but the essential design remains as true to the original as ever.
5. Rolex Daytona
The Rolex Daytona definitely deserves a spot on any list of famous watches. Today, this sports icon is one of the most coveted Rolex models. Unsurprisingly, this has led to market prices far outpacing the watch’s official list price. Strange enough, this wasn’t always the case. When it was first introduced in 1963, the now-legendary chronograph was considered a slow burner – hard to believe now.
6. Patek Philippe Nautilus
The Patek Philippe Nautilus has truly shaped the modern watch industry. When it was first released in 1976, this elegant Genta-designed timepiece was one of the first luxury watches to be made of stainless steel (we’ll talk about the very first steel luxury watch shortly). In the decades since, Patek Philippe has truly perfected the popular concept of a stainless steel luxury watch.
7. Rolex Datejust
The Rolex Datejust is a true style icon. Every last detail of this timepiece has made its mark on watch design history. The fluted bezel is a signature characteristic, as is the Cyclops lens and Jubilee bracelet, the latter of which was designed specifically for this model. The Datejust has been an indispensable part of the Rolex lineup since 1945. The precious metal Day-Date, which was based on this model, is no less iconic with its additional day display and Presidential bracelet. You can spot the Rolex Datejust in countless films, and it remains one of the most famous watches of all time.
8. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
At the start of the 1970s, luxury watches were delicate pieces of jewelry made exclusively of precious metals, steel sports watches were purely functional tools, and the quartz crisis was in full swing. Audemars Piguet achieved the seemingly impossible in the midst of all this: The brand commissioned designer Gérald Genta to create a stainless steel luxury watch essentially overnight. He delivered a masterpiece, making himself a legend in the industry. The 1972 release of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak marked the debut of the first luxury watch made of stainless steel. The model’s design remains one of the most iconic to this day. What would the watch world look like today without this legend?
9. Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner is the most copied and replicated watch in the world. Even if you aren’t that into watches, chances are you’ve seen this icon somewhere. While it’s been continuously perfected and improved since its introduction in 1953, it remains the unmistakable watch first made famous by James Bond. The diving icon is still considered a status symbol to this day and is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Any guesses as to how Rolex will honor this absolute icon of the watch world?
10. Omega Speedmaster Professional
There’s nothing the Royal Oak, Nautilus, or Daytona can do about it: the fact is, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is unquestionably the most iconic watch of all time. Several Moon landings, a rescue mission in space, and part of NASA’s official kit, the so-called Moonwatch is an absolute legend. The model’s timeless design has remained virtually unchanged since the pioneering days of space travel. When you wear this watch on your wrist, you can feel a tangible link to this model’s many famed adventures. No other timepiece can claim such a long and exciting history as the Omega Speedmaster Professional. Legend personified.
The 10 Most Famous Luxury Watches at a Glance
| Watch | Market debut | Category | Diameter |
| TAG Heuer Monaco | 1969 | Chronograph | 39 mm |
| JLC Reverso | 1931 | Dress watch | 42.9 x 25.5 mm |
| Cartier Santos | 1911 | Dress watch | Up to 39.8 mm |
| Breitling Navitimer | 1952 | Chronograph | 41, 43, or 46 mm |
| Rolex Daytona | 1963 | Chronograph | 40 mm |
| Patek Philippe Nautilus | 1976 | Sports watch | 40 mm |
| Rolex Datejust | 1945 | Dress watch/Allrounder | 36 or 41 mm |
| Audemars Piguet Royal Oak | 1972 | Sports watch | Up to 42 mm |
| Rolex Submariner | 1953 | Diving watch | 41 mm |
| Omega Speedmaster | 1957 | Chronograph | 42 mm |
