Hi everyone. I've got a question which I've been thinking about for a few days now. It's just been bought back to the front of my mind though by a customer who's just been in. ( Nice lad but he had a hooky watch ).

Anyway, the main question I have was bought up during a conversation at my sons 2nd birthday bbq at the weekend; Who makes the best watches in the world?

A bit of an openended question I know, as personal taste and experiences are subjective, but that aside, based on materials used and build quality, what do you guys reckon?

I ask because my brother-in-law was telling me about his Dad's collection of Rolex's and how he thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. I've never been a massive fan of Rolex and although I would probably own one, I would always wonder if I'd only brought it because it's a 'Rolex'. Certainly, after seeing the Milsubs that have sold recently for £60,000 I asked can't help but myself, why?

My thoughts were jogged again as I say by this young lad who came in today with a hooky Jacob and Co Epic 2 watch. He looked a little gutted when I told him I'd never heard of it. It looked very big, very garish and a bit cheap looking in my opinion, but I of course told him I thought it looked great. He went on to tell me that Tom Cruise and David Beckham wear them and sure enough, after a quick look on their website, (which seems far more interested in pictures of every A, B and C list celeb sporting the watches), I found some very expensive timepieces.

Part 2 of my rambling question though is 'What justifies the price tags of watches like Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillipe'? In comparison, A Heuer Monaco seems like quite a bargain but if far more appealing to the eye.

Please excuse my rambings but I'm just trying to get my head around it.

Thanks

David H