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Forget about Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton: These are the 5 oldest luxury brands in the world

These brands have been influential in the luxury world for over 400 years, but they are not well known to the public. That’s how traditional and legendary they are.

Por: Raquel Seijas
Lady Kalla Collection Vacheron Constantin Oldest luxury brabds
Lady Kalla Collection by Vacheron Constantin, one of the oldest Luxury brands in the world / Photo Courtesy Vacheron Constantin

The contemporary history of luxury is written with names like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Rolex, Versace, Gucci. At least these are the names the masses recognize as synonymous with the ultimate sophistication.

 

But the love of the refined and exclusive goes back centuries when artisans went to great lengths to cater to the whims of the nobility and aristocracy. Today, these brands have survived wars, trends, and the evolution of design and technology to become cult objects for true connoisseurs of luxury.

5. Maison Goyard (1792)

Maison Goyard Bags
Maison Goyard Bags / Photo Goyard web

If you think the fashion of “dressing” pets with the best of the best is something of the 21st century, think again. Founded in Paris by Pierre-François Martin as Maison Martin. Years later, the master hired François Goyard as an apprentice, a figure who would eventually raise the standard of excellence, make it a favorite of the French aristocracy and nobility, and rename it the Maison Goyard (1853). In 1890, Goyard launched Chic du chien (elegant pet) collection for dogs. Its suitcases, trunks, wallets and handbags found their way to the White House, the British Crown and the palaces of the tsars. Today, Goyard’s eight boutiques are located in Paris (4), Biarritz, Milan, London and, of course, Monaco.

4. Breguet (1775)

Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante 5887
Breguet Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante 5887 / Photo Courtesy Breguet

In the last years, the rich and famous have been photographed with their Rolex or Richard Mille watches, but although they are reliable, elegant and exclusive machines, true connoisseurs give everything for Breguet watches. Abraham Louis Breguet became the watchmaker of choice for the kings of France. His clients included Napoleon and Marie Antoinette (for whom he made the most complex watch in history, now lost), Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, and even the Russian Imperial family. He invented the tourbillon, a regulator that compensates for the effects of gravity on the watch’s mechanism.

3. Vacheron Constantin (1755)

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony watches / Photo Courtesy Vacheron Constantin

Watch brands dominate this top 5 because watches have always stood out as luxury pieces that stand the test of time. Vacheron Constantin is one of the Swiss brands with the longest history. In the 19th century, Jacques Barthelemi Vacheron made complex mechanisms his specialty, including chimes. To give the company founded by his grandfather Jean Marc Vacheron in 1755 a new impulse, Jacques joined forces with the entrepreneur François Constantin. Since then, the Maison has made complex mechanisms, precious metals and enamel decorations its calling card. Kings and queens, maharajas and powerful people always have a Vacheron Constantin watch in their collection.

2. Blancpain (1735)

Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Ceramic-
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback in Ceramic / Photo Courtesy Blancpain

The oldest Swiss watchmaker still in business. Its tradition and know-how make it one of the “jewels” of the Swatch Group. Fifty Fathoms, Villeret and Ladybird are its most emblematic collections. In 1815, Frédéric-Louis Blancpain inherited the workshop founded by his great-grandfather, Jehan Jacques Blancpain, and introduced innovations such as cylinder escapement and mass production.

 

The company maintains a limited production run and the unique feature that each watch is made by a single watchmaker. To this day, Blancpain maintains that it has never made a quartz watch and never will, let alone a watch with a digital display.

1. Mellerio dits Meller (1613)

Mellerio dits Meller ring collection goyard coffret
Mellerio dits Meller ring collection in a Goyard coffret

This jewelry house was founded more than 400 years ago. Its jewels were worn by historical figures such as Maria de Medici and Marie Antoinette. From its beginnings to the present, it has been a favorite of the royal houses of Europe, including those of Spain, Sweden, and the Savoy family. One of the most notable clients today is Maxima of Holland, who also exhibited legendary jewelry commissioned by the Royal House of Holland in the early twentieth century.

 

In recent years, they have developed collections of fine jewelry and high jewelry available to non-royalty. Mellerio dits Meller has also created the Roland Garros and Ballon d’Or trophies.

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