Hidden Gems: Top 5 Underrated Swiss Watch Brands to Watch in 2025

Discover exceptional Swiss watch brands that fly under the radar yet offer outstanding craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage. Explore unique timepieces beyond the mainstream luxury names in this insightful guide.

Vijay Thompson

1/25/20252 min read

Swiss Watch Hidden Gems: Top 5 Underrated Brands Worth Discovering

  1. Louis Erard

  2. Favre Leuba

  3. Edouard Koehn

  4. HAUTLENCE

  5. CVSTOS

05 || Louis Erard

Images Credit: Louis Erard

Key Highlights

  • Known for elegant and affordable haute horology.

  • Specializes in regulator dials and collaborations with independent watchmakers.

  • Famous for its Excellence Guilloché Main and Le Régulateur collections.

  • Offers hand-finished details at competitive prices.

  • Uses reliable Sellita movements with in-house modifications.

  • Often incorporates artisan craftsmanship like enamel and guilloché.

  • Strong emphasis on mechanical purity and heritage since 1929.

Treebox Rating

8.0

04 || Favre Leuba

Images Credit: Favre Leuba

Key Highlights

One of Switzerland’s oldest watchmakers (est. 1737).

  • Pioneer in robust, adventure-focused watches.

  • Known for the Bivouac 9000, a watch with a mechanical altimeter.

  • Innovative Deep Blue diving watches with impressive depth resistance.

  • Signature Bold Bridge and cushion-shaped cases stand out.

  • Resurrected brand with strong historical legacy.

  • Appeals to explorers and sports enthusiasts.

Treebox Rating

8.3

03 || Edouard Koehn

Images Credit: Edouard Koehn

Key highlights

  • A revived brand with 19th-century roots in fine watchmaking.

  • Focuses on high-complication watches at reasonable prices.

  • Specializes in chronographs, tourbillons, and regulators.

  • Swiss-made movements with classic and contemporary designs.

  • Limited production for exclusivity and craftsmanship.

  • Inspired by traditional Geneva watchmaking techniques.

  • A great alternative to mainstream haute horology brands.

Treebox Rating

8.9

02 || HAUTLENCE

Images Credit: HAUTLENCE

Key Highlights

  • Known for avant-garde designs and mechanical creativity.

  • Specializes in jumping hours, retrograde minutes, and unconventional displays.

  • Part of Moser Group, benefiting from shared expertise.

  • The HL Sphere features a rotating 3D spherical hour display.

  • Mixes modern architecture and traditional craftsmanship.

  • Appeals to collectors seeking unique horological experiences.

  • Limited production enhances exclusivity and collectability.

Treebox Rating

9.2

01 || CVSTOS

Images Credit: CVSTOS

Treebox Rating

9.7

Key highlights

  • High-end sport-luxury watches with bold aesthetics.

  • Distinctive tonneau (barrel) cases with intricate skeleton dials.

  • Focuses on technical innovation and cutting-edge materials.

  • Uses skeletonized automatic and tourbillon movements.

  • Strong emphasis on aerodynamics and motorsport-inspired design.

  • Worn by athletes and celebrities seeking modern luxury.

  • Competes with Richard Mille and Hublot, but at a more accessible price.

Treebox Rating

9.7