Top Italian Watch Brands You Will Love

Photo: U-Boat

Most people would concur that Swiss companies predominate in the watchmaking sector. This is due to the fact that many of the well-known brands in the industry today have their roots in Switzerland, which has been widely considered the capital of watchmaking.

Although Swiss companies may prevail, it’s important to remember that the field of horology isn’t restricted to just one nation or region. In reality, there are timepiece firms from other countries as well, including Italy, that have made significant entries into the market.

Therefore, we’ve created the following list of the top Italian watch brands to help you choose the greatest pieces in the industry!

Panerai

Since its founding in Florence in 1860, Panerai has been making diving timepieces for the Navy. Richemont acquired the brand in 1997 and combined tradition with cutting-edge methods to make it one of the most recognizable names of underwater concepts.

Photo: Panerai

The variants are constructed explicitly in accordance with the timeless and aesthetically pleasing design that has long defined this renowned brand. Similarly, Panerai’s primary area of expertise is wrist chronographs, and their watches are always up-to-date and perfect in every manner.

In terms of reputation, the company is a top choice for people who adore oversized timepieces. It produces highly durable and stylish watches, making them a wonderful addition to every watch collection.

Crown & Caliber

The Luminor, the Luminor Due, the Submersible, and the Radiomir are the four different series into which the company’s timepieces can be broken down. Although this may appear to be a small range of models, the Italian company manages to include everything from tough survival timepieces to more elegant dress versions.

Bulgari

Despite not being a watchmaker primarily, Bulgari, established in Rome in 1884, is among the most well-known brands in the industry. Instead, it specializes in general luxury items. Bulgari Time SA, a Swiss company built in 1980, runs the enterprise. In their designs, Swiss craftsmanship and Italian class converge.

Photo: Monochrome

In addition, Bulgari is one of the oldest Italian timepiece companies in the industry. This well-known fashion brand has been gracing people for more than a century with its exquisite jewelry.

The manner in that Bulgari combines its expertise in manufacturing accessories with watches distinguishes it from other companies. This makes their Italian pieces unique and possesses a particular flair that almost no other label can match. In the end, it increases the company’s attraction to watch enthusiasts.

Furthermore, Italian timepieces from Bulgari, which cater to all men and women, can be categorized into eight main sections. The Serpenti, Lucea, Bulgari Bulgari, Divas’ Dream, Grande Complications, and High Jewelry watch collections are available from Bulgari for women. For men, however, there are the Octo, Bulgari Bulgari, Gerald Genta, and Grande Complications lines to select from.

U-Boat

Ilvo Fontana, who created some original pieces for the brand, founded the U-Boat Watches company in 1942. Fontana didn’t produce any timepieces, though. His grandson Italo Fontana started the U-Boat company and restored the concepts in the early 2000s.

Photo: U-Boat

U-Boat is one of many Italian watch companies with a distinctive take on the traditional watch style. Acid baths, Swiss mechanical movement, and carbon fibers are all used by the brand to accentuate its unique appearance. Additionally, the company bases itself on stainless steel, gold, titanium, and silver materials.

Photo: Getty Images

The company’s designs radically alter every time U-Boat publishes a new collection. Some feature a straightforward design, calf leather, or an anti-reflective treatment. Contrarily, black stainless steel is used for other striking designs like chronographs. You’ll thus notice that they have a wide range of styles, making them strong opponents in the watchmaking industry.

Gucci

Gucci is one of the most well-known brands in the fashion market. Although it is more known for its extravagant luxury clothing, it also produces a wide selection of designer watches.

Guccio Gucci, the company’s founder, established Gucci in 1921. Nevertheless, the company didn’t start making watches until 1997, when Gucci obtained Severin Montres, a watchmaker with a recognized supplier.

Photo: Ethos

Since then, Gucci has ensured to include the brightness accompanying its cultural background in the items it develops as an Italian watch company. Moreover, the timepieces are ideal for people who appreciate unnecessarily ostentatious things for this same reason.

A good number of watches are available in this major fashion company’s catalog. Men’s and women’s timepieces are the two primary categories. Nevertheless, the company also offers exclusive lines, including the G-Timeless, Grip, and Gucci 25H Timepieces.

Locman

Only serious enthusiasts of Italian watches would be familiar with Locman. This company, established in the 1980s by Marco Mantovani, sticks out for its distinct vision and idea.

Locman was initially built on the Island of Elba. As a result, the majority, if not all, of its watches are sea-inspired. The company has also managed to include love and respect for its home country in each watch it makes, leading to incredibly profound designs.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

Amo, Montecristo, Limited Editions, 1960, Mare, Stealth, Ducati, Island, Sport Anniversary, and Isle d’Elba, are the current ten series offered by Locman. Every collection demonstrates various looks and purposes, ranging from sports and casual to traditional and formal.

Zannetti

Zannetti creates the most creative watches you can find. You can even tell how much stress it puts on style and design just by taking a glance at any of their works.

Riccardo Zannetti initially established Zannetti in 1982 with the intention of promoting Italian innovation abroad. It is thus reasonable to conclude that the company has succeeded in this endeavor after many years. Furthermore, it has constantly created gorgeous watches with blatantly bold Italian inspirations.

Photo. Zannetti watch

You won’t run out of possibilities with Zannetti because it has 14 categories to its name. Besides, each watch collection it offers is based on a particular idea or subject that pays homage to its Italian history. For instance, the company has two series related to Rome: Gladiator and Palatino.

Ennebi

Ennebi unquestionably distinguishes out from other hand-made watches. Since it has its origins in the Italian and Tuscan industrial environment of the early 20th century, the background of Ennebi timepieces is undoubtedly the most fascinating among those pertaining to Florence city and the whole school of Tuscan luxury timepieces.

Photo: Ennebi

The Ennebi project for Alessandro Bettarini and Luciano Nincheri is the brainchild of these two individuals.

Photo: Ennebi

One of the most significant producers of expert diving timepieces is the Italian luxury watch company Ennebi. It uses Swiss automated movements and exudes all the expertise of the renowned Florentine mechanical winders.

Gagà Milano

Gagà Milano is another Italian wristwatch company you should know about. Given that it was established in the early 2000s, it is a somewhat new player in the industry.

The term “Gagà” is a popular Milanese slang term for a smart man in both habits and style. The idea of Gagà Milano, centered on sophisticated and contemporary watchmaking skills, heavily relies on this term. Today, the brand focuses on producing fashionable, edgy, and unusual Italian timepieces that actually enhance the user’s uniqueness.

Photo: Getty Images / GaGa Milano

With many watch collections and a wide range of models, Gagà Milano has a fairly sizable library. The Napoleone, Classic, Manuale 48mm, Slim, Silver, Quirky Tourbillon, and numerous other series are just a few of its pieces.

The company also features a unique, limited-edition line called Neymar Jr. Limited Edition that was created in partnership with renowned footballer Neymar Jr. Considering its unusual approach to making watches; it is hardly surprising that Gagà Milano has captured the attention of so many enthusiasts.

Emporio Armani

Emporio Armani is a well-known brand in the world of high-end fashion, similar to Gucci. Giorgio Armani established the company in 1975, and quite soon after, watches were produced. Due to this, Emporio Armani was able to gain ground swiftly in the market for high-end watches. Emporio Armani timepieces frequently include traditional Italian designs that are quite adaptable and ideal for all sorts of situations.

Photo: Buypremium pproducts

Approximately 58 timepieces for women and 72 variants for men make up Emporio Armani’s current selection of over 100 watches. Additionally, each Emporio Armani item features classic styling that complements a variety of ensembles.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Like Gucci, this luxurious Italian brand is well-known in the fashion sector. Salvatore Ferragamo, the company’s creator, established it in 1927. Presently, it is most recognized for selling edgy and fashionable items, including shoes, purses, and even watches.

Actually, Salvatore Ferragamo does not specialize in watches. However, it has successfully produced beautifully constructed variants that blend Swiss watchmaking with Italian styling.

Photo: Salvatore Ferragamo

There are roughly 70 models of Salvatore Ferragamo timepieces, which can be divided into watches for both men and women. Although the company may offer few possibilities, you can actually select from a large selection of styles. These include dress and sporting timepieces, chronographs, and even skeleton pieces.

Final Words

Overall, the timepieces produced in Italy are indeed the best. Therefore, selecting a watch that suits your tastes should be simpler now that you know what these well-known Italian watch companies have to give. Every watch you desire is available, ranging from high-end luxuries to more affordable options. And who knows, you may even be among the fortunate ones who can obtain them.