From Daytona to Nautilus: 17 Watch Names and the Surprising Stories Behind Them

You’ve seen them on the wrists of explorers, astronauts, and movie stars. Names like Submariner, Royal Oak, and Navitimer are spoken with a certain reverence. But have you ever stopped to wonder where those iconic watch names actually come from?

They aren’t just random words pulled from a hat. Each name tells a story—a tale of innovation, adventure, or a solution to a very specific problem. Let’s wind back the clock and uncover the fascinating and detailed origins behind some of the most famous watch names in the world.

The Rolex Pantheon: Names of Purpose and Place

Rolex has mastered the art of creating names that are both descriptive and legendary.

Oyster Perpetual

This name is the very bedrock of the Rolex brand. The “Oyster” refers to the world’s first waterproof and dustproof watch case, patented by Rolex in 1926. Founder Hans Wilsdorf ingeniously designed a hermetically sealed case with a screw-down bezel, case back, and winding crown, making it as impenetrable as an oyster’s shell. The name was famously proven in 1927 when swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wore one on a 10-hour swim across the English Channel. The “Perpetual” part came in 1931 with the invention of the self-winding rotor mechanism. This free-spinning weight, powered by the wearer’s own motion, allowed the watch to run continuously—a source of perpetual power.

Submariner

While the name seems simple, its impact was profound. Launched in 1953, it arrived just as the world was becoming captivated by SCUBA diving thanks to pioneers like Jacques Cousteau. Rolex named their watch for exactly what it was designed to do: go under the sea. It was a professional tool for a “submariner.” More than just a name, it was a promise: water resistant to a then-unprecedented 100 meters, it established the entire blueprint for the modern dive watch.

Daytona

No watch is more intertwined with motorsports. Its name is a direct tribute to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the capital of American car racing. Rolex became the official timekeeper of the track in 1962, but the legend was cemented by actor and racing enthusiast Paul Newman. His preference for a specific “exotic dial” version of the watch made it a cultural icon. The name “Daytona” on the dial isn’t just a place; it’s a symbol of speed, precision, and the pursuit of victory.

Milgauss

This watch was built for an unseen world. In the 1950s, scientists at institutions like CERN were working in environments with powerful magnetic fields that wreaked havoc on standard timepieces. Rolex’s solution was the Milgauss, its name derived from the French “mille” (one thousand) and “gauss” (a unit of magnetic flux density). It was engineered to withstand 1,000 gauss, thanks to a soft iron inner cage that protected the movement. Its distinctive lightning-bolt seconds hand is a playful and direct nod to its scientific, anti-magnetic purpose.

Patek Philippe: Of Art, Adventure, and Legacy

Patek Philippe’s names evoke a sense of refined history and creative genius.

Nautilus

In 1976, Patek Philippe shattered conventions with a radically designed luxury sports watch in steel. Its designer, the legendary Gérald Genta, famously sketched the concept on a napkin in under five minutes while dining at a restaurant. The watch, with its distinctive porthole-shaped case and integrated bracelet, was named after the submarine in Jules Verne’s classic novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea—the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo. The name perfectly captured the watch’s blend of technical prowess and adventurous, maritime spirit.

Gondolo

This name reaches back to a pivotal chapter in Patek Philippe’s history. From 1872 to 1927, the company had an exclusive and highly successful partnership with the prestigious Brazilian retailer, Gondolo Labouriau. Patek created the “Chronometro Gondolo” specifically for them. The retailer devised a unique club-based sales system, making ownership a mark of high society in Brazil. Today’s Gondolo collection, known for its elegant, non-round Art Deco shapes, pays direct homage to this historic and fruitful relationship.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: The Watch that Saved an Industry

In 1972, with the watch industry facing a crisis from quartz movements, Audemars Piguet took a monumental risk. They commissioned Gérald Genta to design a completely new type of watch. The result was the Royal Oak: a luxury timepiece, but shockingly, made from steel and priced like gold. Its powerful name comes from the Royal Oak, a hollowed-out tree where King Charles II of England hid to escape Cromwell’s forces in 1651. The name was later given to a series of formidable ships in the British Royal Navy. The watch’s signature octagonal bezel, secured by eight hexagonal screws, was directly inspired by the shape of a vintage ship’s porthole.

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Panerai: The Glow of Innovation

Panerai’s identity was forged in the darkness of the deep sea, and its names come directly from the luminous materials it pioneered for the Italian Navy.

Radiomir

This is the name of the first substance Panerai patented. In 1916, Guido Panerai created a radium-based powder that offered exceptional luminosity. The name “Radiomir” is a portmanteau of “radio” (for radium) and “mire” (Italian for “sights”). This glowing paste was applied to the dials of watches and instruments for the commandos of the Royal Italian Navy, allowing them to conduct missions in the darkest underwater conditions.

Luminor

As the dangers of highly radioactive radium became understood, Panerai developed a safer, self-luminous compound based on tritium. They patented this new substance under the name “Luminor” in 1949. Over time, the name transitioned from the material to the watch case itself, which is now famous for its iconic, lever-operated crown-protecting bridge—a feature that makes it instantly recognizable.

TAG Heuer: A Legacy on the Racetrack

TAG Heuer’s very soul is connected to motorsports, a passion reflected in its most famous names.

Autavia

One of the most clever portmanteaus in watchmaking, the name Autavia combines its two original functions: “AUTomobile” and “AVIAtion.” It began its life in 1933 not as a watch, but as a dashboard timer for rally cars and aircraft. In 1962, under the direction of Jack Heuer, the Autavia was reborn as a revolutionary chronograph wristwatch, forever linking the name to the golden age of motorsports.

Carrera

Inspired by a race, built for legibility. In 1962, Jack Heuer became fascinated by the notoriously dangerous Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. The Spanish word “Carrera,” meaning “race” or “career,” struck him as the perfect name for a new chronograph. His design philosophy was one of absolute clarity; he created a clean, uncluttered dial specifically for drivers who needed to read the elapsed time at a quick glance. The Carrera remains a masterclass in functional, elegant design.

Breitling: Instruments for Professionals

Breitling built its reputation on creating purpose-built tools, and its names are often a blend of their function.

Chronomat

A name that truly means what it says. Introduced in the 1940s, the Chronomat is a portmanteau of “CHRONOgraph” and “MAThematics.” It was a groundbreaking watch, featuring a patented rotating slide rule bezel. This allowed users—engineers, scientists, and mathematicians—to perform complex calculations like multiplication, division, and unit conversions right on their wrist, making it a true analog computer.

Navitimer

The evolution of the Chronomat and the quintessential pilot’s watch. Its name is a combination of “NAVigation” and “TIMER.” Launched in 1952, it took the slide rule concept and made it even more sophisticated, with scales for aviation-specific calculations like fuel consumption, rate of climb, and converting statute miles to nautical miles. It was quickly adopted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and became an indispensable tool in the cockpit.

Tudor Pelagos: The Ultimate Modern Diver

Tudor, Rolex’s sibling brand, has forged its own path with high-performance tool watches. The name Pelagos comes directly from the Greek word for “open sea” or “deep sea.” This name perfectly encapsulates the watch’s purpose. It is an unapologetically modern dive watch, crafted from lightweight titanium, featuring a patented auto-adjustable clasp for a perfect fit over a wetsuit, and boasting an impressive 500 meters of water resistance. The name is a clear declaration of its deep-sea-faring intent.

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IWC Portugieser: A Pocket Watch for the Wrist

The origin of this elegant timepiece lies in a very specific request. In the late 1930s, two Portuguese businessmen visited IWC with a challenge: they wanted a wristwatch that possessed the superior accuracy and precision of a marine chronometer. At the time, this level of precision could only be achieved with large pocket watch movements. IWC’s solution was to place a highly accurate pocket watch caliber into a wristwatch case. This resulted in the Portugieser’s signature oversized design, which remains its most defining and beloved characteristic today.

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Cartier Santos-Dumont: The Birth of the Modern Wristwatch

Unlike watches named for function, this one is named for a friendship that changed horology forever. In the early 1900s, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont was a global superstar. He complained to his friend, the renowned jeweler Louis Cartier, about the utter impracticality of fumbling for a pocket watch while trying to pilot his fragile aircraft. Cartier’s solution, created in 1904, was a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. It allowed Santos-Dumont to tell time with a glance, keeping both hands on the controls. It was arguably the first purpose-built men’s wristwatch, and its name honors the pioneering aviator for whom it was created.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso: An Art Deco Solution

The Reverso was born from a very specific and rather violent problem: polo. In 1930, Swiss businessman César de Trey was traveling in India and attended a polo match where an officer showed him his watch, its crystal smashed from the game. He challenged de Trey’s company to create a watch that could withstand the rigors of polo. The result was an ingenious flipping case that could slide and turn over, protecting the delicate dial with a solid steel back. The name was a stroke of Latin genius: “Reverso,” which means “I turn around.” It perfectly described the watch’s unique function while capturing the elegant Art Deco spirit of the era.

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So, the next time you see a famous watch, remember that its name is more than just a label. It’s a clue to its past, a nod to its purpose, and a direct link to a moment of history.

Now that you know the legends behind the names, the next step is to discover the watch that could be part of your own story.

Explore our collection of legendary timepieces from over 20 of the world’s best brands at SwissWatchExpo.com.