Contributed by Info Guru Paul Seaburn

The purchase of a watch is not just an investment in time, it’s often a link to history.

Many watch companies have been in business for over 100 years and their names are immediately recognizable. Because of extensive advertising, the top watch brand logos are also eye-catchers. Here are some of these watch logos and a little about the watches and companies they serve.

10. Bulova

Bulova was founded in lower Manhattan in 1875 by Joseph Bulova and began making watches in 1911. Bulova watches are known for their classic looks and luxury feel while maintaining a mid-range price. The company also has an honor no other watch company can claim…their popular Accutron design was developed for and used by NASA.

9. Citizen

Despite its all-American name, Citizen is actually a Japanese watch maker. The company’s original name was the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, and it was founded in 1918. It changed its name in 1930 to Citizen after its best-selling watch.

8. Victorinox

Best known for making Swiss Army knives since 1891, Victorinox began making fine watches in 1989. These sturdy watches instantly became a favorite choice of people who were already loyal to those classic knives, as well as people who prefer the great outdoors to almost any indoor space.

7. Baume & Mercier

Founded by brothers Louis-Victor and Joseph-Célestin Baume in 1803, the Baume & Mercier motto is “Accept only perfection, only manufacture watches of the highest quality.”

6. Fossil

A young member of the watch-making fraternity, Fossil has become on of the most popular brands in the U.S. after being founded in 1984 in Texas. Fashion pundits in the 80’s predicted that the brand would be a passing fad. But with a strong presence in leading department stores as well as free-standing stores, the Fossil brand has proved the critics wrong. The line has been expanded to include handbags, wallets and other accessories in addition to the watch line, but that core product remains popular.

5. Seiko

Seiko, a Tokyo company founded in 1881, produced the first wristwatch made in Japan and the world’s first quartz timepiece. Most people associate Seiko with inexpensive, quality watches but the brand is also known internationally for high end watches. Many of their discontinued models are also in demand with collectors.

In addition to watches, Seiko offers a line of classic mantle clocks that are popular as gifts and awards.

4. Cartier

Louis-François Cartier opened Cartier in Paris in 1847. Besides its beauty, Cartier is known for its long history of making jewelry for royalty and celebrities.

Their popular “tank” style watch was all the rage in the 1980’s, as yuppies strapped them on by the thousands to prove that they had arrived in the world of money and success. Today, that style which was introduced in the early decades of the 20th century remains one of their best sellers.

3. Omega

Founded in Switzerland in 1848, Omega is known for making the first diving watch, for being the official timekeeper for 25 Olympic Games and for making the only watch to go to the moon and back, on the wrist of Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin on the Apollo 11 moon mission.

2. Swatch

The world’s largest watch company, Swatch was founded in 1983 and quickly captured the casual watch market – the name is an abbreviation of “second watch.” Their signature oversized, brightly colored watches instantly caught on, making them an iconic symbol of the 80’s.

1. Rolex

The watch most often seen as a symbol of success, Rolex began in Germany in 1905. Rolex is known for innovation as well as quality, creating the first waterproof wristwatch and the first wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial.

Unlike many watch brands, Rolex watches tend to increase in value as they age. So a 50 year old Rolex might be worth 10 times more than a similar style in a new Rolex. Now that’s an investment worth wearing!