Chris Hall, founder, “The Fourth Wheel”: Rolex. On a purely factual basis, there can be no other answer. It isn’t fun, or interesting, but everyone else has bigger problems in one way or another.
Jeff Stein, founder, On the Dash: Berneron. He delivered his first watches, introduced his second model, and is sold out for eight years. What more can one man do in a year? Genius.
@Bazamu, GQ’s Watch Collector of the Year, 2022: Cartier. The hype isn’t stopping, it just keeps growing.
Luke Rottman, @the_watch_adviser: Cartier. Unseen levels of attention from the non-watch community. Deserved? Perhaps.
Mark Cho, cofounder of the Armoury: H. Moser. So many good collabs this year, like the [ones with] Massena Labs, Studio Underd0g, etc.
Charity Mhende, @pulseonthewrist: Piaget hit it out of the park in 2024, starting with a stellar display at Watches & Wonders and the much-anticipated revival of the Piaget Polo.
Jaclyn Li, consultant, Phillips: Cartier. It’s as hot as ever.
Andrea Casalegno, @IAmCasa: Parmigiani Fleurier for the safe and beautiful growth!
Eric Peng Cheng, GQ’s Watch Collector of the Year, 2023, owner of Bait and Undefeated: F.P. Journe. Fully establishing itself, without a doubt, as the best of independents.
The Most Influential Watchmaker in the World…
While Rolex may have loosened its grip on the top spot in the previous category, many experts were unequivocal about its unrivaled influence on the rest of the industry.
Tony Traina, editor and founder, “Unpolished”: The answer is always Rolex, and will be for the foreseeable future. It continues to consolidate its position in the market, and its vintage pieces, while not hyperbolic, are stable (see the $2.1 million GMT-Master that went to space).
Albert Coombs, cofounder, CP Time: Rolex. It’s just that simple.
James Lamdin, owner, Analog:Shift: Cartier and Piaget continue to inspire at all levels throughout the industry, including their blue-chip luxury peers and the microbrand space.
Stephen Pulvirent, founder, Rime & Reason: Cartier. Cartier’s “take the work seriously, don’t take yourself seriously” attitude has become a dominant force across the industry, manifesting everywhere from small upstart watchmakers to the biggest brands in the world.
