Wrist Watch Designs

- is CERTINA a Famous wrist watch Brand?


A Certina's part of the SWATCH group of watches and is a mid-range manufacturer. They're owned by the same parent company as Omega, Breguet, Longines and Tissot so they've got some good technology. They're not in the same league as the rest of that group though, with the possible exception of Tissot because of lower quality materials, processes and design (although still better than or equal to any Japanese offerings in quality). As far as name recognition, they're not up there with the Rolexes and Omegas of the world but they make a reasonably priced Swiss watch line that includes automatics. Just owning a "Swiss" watch alone has some name recognition...

- What are the best brands of wrist watches?
I would like to buy a used wrist watch on ebay but get confused now as to which are the best brands now, due to the vast number of brands available. Apart from the super expensive ones(which I see advertised in glossy magazines and sell for thousands of pounds), brands I remember as being known for good quality are Seiko, Tissot, Certina, Omega. After that I get stuck. Seconda? Accurist? Timex? Not sure if these last ones are good, or cheap quality. I would like to buy a more expensive brand but get it cheaper because it is used. Any recommendations please for high quality brands that don't cost the earth. Thanks for any replies. Thanks for all your answers. I can't afford top brands but it is certainly interesting and informative for me to know them so if I ever see one going cheap I know I will be getting a bargain. I was thinking of a second level watch. ie Seiko(?) . Any other brands that are good like this please? My budget on ebay is embarassingly low, as I am hoping for a bargain(don't we all!) but I suppose I would like a good brand that would retail at least £80 or upwards. many thanks

A Patek Phillippe is the best watch, but that could cost you at least few hundred grands if you are getting the best of Patek. Despite of the price, it has great investment value as value of these watches appreciates with time. Another one is Vacheron Constantin. Good second tier brands are Tissot, Tag Heuer, Rado, Omega, Raymond Weil.