I will do my best to answer them...
1. The issue of coherence and brand personality absolutely play a role for me with regard to mainstream brands. For instance, I associate VC first and foremost with openworking, so my "top" VC watch is a Malte Squelette. Similarly when it comes to JLC, my selections (the Master Ultra Thin, Reverso Repetition Minutes, and original version Geographique) to me all say something important about who JLC are as a company and a manufacture (at least the "Janek wing" of the company!). The fact that I can identify something as distinct as the "Janek wing" should tell me something, I suppose. As for the RRM, it's the brainchild of Eric Coudray, who to me is a legendary guy in his own right.
At a recent VC-hosted dinner, I actually spoke out against one of their most complicated watches because to me it seemed only an attempt to cram as many complications into one watch case as possible. Sort of like putting a repeater into the AP EOT -- why? Vianney once said that he could have put a tourbillon into the Antiqua, but a time traveler wouldn't need one of those -- just a perpetual calendar!
2. More affordable mainstream pieces -- I'm immediately drawn to JLC here. As noted above I own the MUT (original version) which in SS was very affordable and which is a beautifully conceived and made watch, in my opinion. The Reverso Tribute to 1931 is very tastefully done, I think. I will have a "new" pre-owned Reverso to share some time in the next week which has a lovely set of small complications but which, purchased through the Collectors' Market from a known collector, cost in the four figures in USD.
Omega also captures my attention -- the use of the Co-Axial Escapement provides lots of horological interest, and I think that many of their pieces are neither less nor more than they promise to be -- just very solid, wearable watches.
Finally, I've never owned a Rolex, but for robustness and good time keeping you have to admire them!
I owned one Panerai but sold it -- just wasn't my thing, I guess.
3. Lost inerest -- Sad to say, I have to put Parmigiani in this category. I was a big enthusiast for a while (and my wife still owns and loves two of their watches, so I should be careful not to speak for her) but they seem to have lost their way. Speaking of the topic of coherence and personality: what exactly is Parmigiani about? They have a big variety of pieces, but the center of gravity of the brand seems to shift constantly. They "do" high complications, but many of those are made by R&P (which is no sin, but best to be very open about these things). At a dinner last year, a senior person from Parmigiani told me that they serve three market segments: under $X, from $X to $Y, and above $Y. As any freshman marketing student could tell you, those aren't segments, they're price points. I'll stop the harangue here, and I feel bad about it as people at Parmigiani have been unfailingly lovely to me over the years. I still think that the form movement in the Kalpa Hebdo is one of the most beautiul I've seen -- too bad that this watch gets swallowed up in the very wide assortment.
Hope that is of interest -- thanks again both for your questions and kind remarks.
Best,
Gary