Watches are some of the most vastly coveted luxury items worldwide, and for good reason.
Over the last couple hundred years, watch manufacturers from Switzerland to Japan have kept tirelessly on task, continually evolving watch designs to satisfy their progressively savvy customer bases.
Focused on improving both these timepieces' form and function, these innovators' diligent efforts have kept watch production shelling out completely beautiful, game-changing specimens decade after decade.
The following is a list of some of the most remarkable wristwatches of the past 500 years.
Keep scrolling to learn more about these incredible watches, and how each of their unique features have collectively transformed the luxury timepiece industry over the years.
Are you a watch lover? Share these magnificent beauties with other watch lovers in your community.
[H/T: CNN]
1 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
No one ever expected the Swiss Audemars Piguet Royal Oak to succeed in 1972, largely due to the fact that never before hand a luxury timepiece been crafted entirely out of stainless steal. Complete with all the same beautiful details incorporated into higher-quality metal designs, this gorgeous specimen was, however, a game-changing success.
2 - Rolex Submariner
Back in 1953, the Rolex Submariner debuted, completely revolutionizing not only diving watch design but also all subsequent sports watch manufacturing.
3 - Seiko Astron
This revolutionary Japanese timepiece was the first quartz watch to ever hit the marketplace. Christmas of 1969, lucky folks all over the world cherished their new, incredible watches, collectively ushering in a new timepiece era.
4 - Casio G-Shock
The G-Shock was initially designed to outlast other more delicate wrist watches, and has certainly lived up to its name. This watch continues to be one of the leading sports and adventuring watches sold today.
5 - Cartier Tank
First launched on the market in 1918, the Cartier Tank has stood the test of time. Even today, this timepiece continues to inspire similar designs and remain in hot demand by consumers worldwide.
6 - Swatch
While the Swiss are absolutely well known for their unbelievably intricate luxury timepieces, in the 1980s they also began producing a more affordable model – the Swatch. Decked out in all sorts of bright colors and patterns, Swatch watches continue their reign as some of the most fun timepieces on the market.
7 - Zenith El Primero Chronograph
The Zenith El Primero Chronograph was the first ever self-winding chronograph wristwatch produced, and is currently still in production.
8 - Apple Watch
The Apple Watch launched as one of the key components within today's ever expanding Internet of Things. Connecting users with their iCloud databases all from the comfort of their own wrists, the Apple Watch has completely transformed comprehensible watch functionality.
9 - Omega DeVille Co-Axial
When the Omega DeVille Co-Axial hit the market in 1999, watch lovers worldwide were floored. While other watches produced before this model had certainly introduced their fair shares of innovative upgrades, this one took evolution to a whole new level. It introduced an entirely new core escapement mechanism – a component other watchmakers hadn't dared revisit since the 1750s.
10 - Ulysse Nardin Freak
When this revolutionary watch debuted, it completely boggled the minds of watch-lovers all over the world. Without a conventional case or set of hands, this out-of-the-box timepiece's carrousel and tourbillon instead rotated to tell the time.
11 - Movado
Enticing watch lovers with its remarkably simple and sophisticated designs, Movado has completely modernized the idea of what a watch really needs to remain functional as well as aesthetically adventurous.
12 - Breguet No. 169 The First Tourbillon
The first Tourbillon created by Swiss-French watchmaker, Abraham Breguet, completely changed the course of modern watchmaking. His invention's legacy resides within most modern wristwatches, and his original creation lives on in the British Museum.
