Two of the biggest criticisms facing the luxury watch industry are that the watches are neither affordable nor updated for the modern world. That’s why we consider LIV Swiss Watches to be one of the best men’s watch brands.
Handcrafted in Switzerland, the line of watches stands out from its competition with premium leather and stainless steell, combined with updated interfaces for its automatic watches. Nowhere is this more apparent than with its luxury pilot watches.
The value of the line is how it meets the demand of its customers. Rather than simply focusing on surface-level design, each watch is built to perform. Competitive pricing is paired with practical features, such as water resistance and power reserves. It shows in their classic yet affordable dive watches.
Perhaps the ability of LIV Swiss Watches to please customers with innovation and grand prize stems from humble beginnings. What started as a crowdfunding campaign is now one of the most notable brands we’ve reviewed.
At the same time, there are places where LIV Swiss Watches can further enhance its reputation as one of the best luxury watch brands in the world.
LIV Swiss Watches review: Our verdict
Our opinion : Simply put, we recommend LIV Swiss Watches for their carefully designed interfaces. The sophisticated functions and premium materials are what you would see in some of the more expensive luxury brands. At the same time, they aren’t quite the top performer for sports watches.
Benefits:
- Premium materials
- Competitive price range
- Water resistance
- Robust build
- Handmade in Switzerland
The inconvenients :
- Some clunky interfaces
- Limited availability
- Only automatic or quartz
- Shipping delays
Variants:
- Vincero also offers great value for incredible watch features. Sundials and a multitude of colors and styles make them attractive and versatile watches. Check out our in-depth review of Vincero watches to learn more about the brand.
- Nordgreen watches are designed to be thin and versatile, offering functionality at a great price. Interchangeable straps and timeless styling add to their appeal as one of the most budget-friendly luxury dress watches. Check out our in-depth review of Nordgreen watches to learn more about the brand.
- Citizen produces some of the best dive watches at a reasonable price. Although other brands have divers, it’s hard to beat the ISO certification, eco-friendly materials, and battery-free design.
The most popular Swiss watches from LIV
GX1 Chronograph Watches
This collection was the very first for LIV and rightly set the standards for premium materials, with features designed for their customers. Highly precise movements are powered by a 1/10 second chronograph.
A textured sundial and stenciled numbers add a touch of luxury without the bulky price tag. Not to mention the luminescence, concave rings and expertly crafted design. It’s easy to see why this collection remains a timeless option.
It’s not just about beauty. The multiple layers of the dial are highly responsive and protected by an IP coating for everyday use. The watches are scratch resistant and water resistant up to 200 meters. They also feature an anti-reflective interior for those sunnier days. Although not as innovative as some other models, the GX1 Chronograph series of LIV watches is a classic for a reason.
Case materials: Stainless steel Strap materials: Stainless steel, Silicone, or Leather Colors: Cool Gray, Signature Orange, Rose Gold + More Price: $490
GX Diving Watches
The diver’s watch is a stylish line of sports watches that are built to last. With an impressive water resistance of 300 meters, we love these watches for sports activities. The tightly screwed-down case isn’t the most outstanding part of the design, nor is the immediate aesthetic appeal.
Instead, GX Diver watches shine with solid sapphire crystal, built to withstand high water pressure. This is complemented by a three-layer brushed dial. Colors are strategically placed for day-to-night performance. What’s remarkable about it is that the design is easy to use whether you’re surfing or walking around at night.
Outside of water, these watches are built to withstand almost anything. The ceramic bezel is a study choice. It’s also modern and has a more streamlined design than some other LIV watches.
Interestingly, these watches range from dressy to sporty. This makes this collection a bit more versatile, with some models striking a nice balance between the two.
Case materials: Stainless steel Strap materials: Stainless steel, Silicone, Rubber, Canvas, or Leather Colors: Crater Gray, Black Cobalt, Gamma Green + More Price: $750
P-51 Pilot Automatic Watches
The P-51 Pilot Automatic Watches collection is a limited edition and easily one of LIV’s most popular.
The premium ceramic bezel is the star of these LIV watches. While they don’t immediately stand out for their design, it’s their durability that makes these pilot watches great value for money. These titanium watches are almost twice as strong as steel and twice as light.
While the features don’t quite reach the level of the best tactical watches, there are plenty of things to note. Direct contact will not crack the interface. Salt water will not ruin the watch body. Careful molding ensures a sturdy yet comfortable fit, from rest to active days.
The classic look might not appeal to everyone, but it’s timeless. You can still see its roots from its original debut in 1973, now fitted with a precise, automatic movement for precision. Meanwhile, dial tracking makes this watch practical day and night.
Case materials: Titanium Strap materials: Titanium, Rubber, or Leather Colors: Neon Yellow, Black/ Orange, Black/Gray + More Price: $1,470
GX1-A Automatic Watches
The GX1-A was LIV’s second watch, and the collection continues to enjoy a popular following. These automatic watches have a simpler, cleaner aesthetic. But there is more than meets the eye.
Built to last, automatic watches are made from 316L stainless steel. The sturdy frame is a little less bulky than other models and intended for occasional use. The sapphire crystal is vibrant and treated to be anti-reflective.
Tiny details make the longevity of this collection. These details include a classic automatic rotor with an accuracy of 5 seconds. The multiple layers on the dial provide an attractive, dimensional interface.
You can see several notes carried over from the GX1, such as the concave ring. The stenciled numerals and bright colors are also reminiscent of the first generation of LIV watches.
Case materials: Stainless steel Strap materials: Stainless steel, Canvas, or Leather Colors: Black/Orange, White, Black/Blue + More Price: $590
Rebel-AR automatic watches
The Rebel-AR collection is where LIV stands out a bit from its classic designs. Yet there are still touches of other LIV models in these innovative and modern watches.
Race inspired, these watches are distinguished by a slightly curved rectangular shape. Not only does it look stylish, but it also fits more comfortably for an active day. The sandwich dial is also slightly curved.
The watch movement is driven by 26 jewels, with a remarkable power reserve of 40 hours. Like many LIV watches, Rebel-AR watches are accurate within 5 seconds every day. A dial composed of several layers is striking with luminescent letters. The design is clean with classic touches, designed to be used from dawn to dusk.
Small details, like racing stripes and a slightly curved body, make these watches stand out. They might not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but they’re undoubtedly a great design for LIV’s sensitive wallet.
Case materials: Stainless steel Strap materials: Stainless steel or Leather Colors: White, Black, Rose Gold + More Price: $690
Where to buy Swiss LIV watches
The best place to buy Swiss LIV watches is from their official website. The watches come with a free 5 year warranty. Free shipping is offered worldwide. International shipping may be subject to relevant duties and fees. Customers also enjoy a 90-day window for free returns and exchanges with no restocking fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About LIV Swiss Watches
If you are looking for affordable and practical luxury watches, LIV is a great brand. LIV focuses on premium materials without the bells and whistles that add a premium price tag. It’s a solid watch brand to shop for pilot, casual, and dive watches. Read our in-depth review of Swiss LIV watches to learn more about the brand.
LIV started in Switzerland and continues to manufacture all of its watches in Switzerland. LIV is also headquartered in the United States, but none of their watches are made in the United States.
While many luxury watches are outsourced to China, LIV is not. Just as LIV started in Switzerland, it continues to produce watches in Switzerland. It’s part and parcel of Liv’s mission to sell only Swiss watches.
LIV is rather traditional in the sense that the brand only offers two movement options for its luxury watches: quartz watches and automatic watches. Before deciding which type of movement is right for you, consulting a watch buying guide can help.