The Trinity or ‘big three’ is a nickname given to the most luxurious watchmaking brands in the world. At the top of their game, the three watchmaking companies are Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. All three use only the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship, and both have extensive experience in watchmaking.
Who are the big three Swiss watchmakers?
As previously stated, the big three consists of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
What is the trinity of watchmaking?
Each of the three brands has earned their way to the top through their dedication to always delivering great technical watches, because of this, making the three watchmakers extremely similar in characteristics. The Trinity is a concept that has been around for a while now and they have always focused on making only high-quality watches.
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Is Patek Philippe better than Rolex?
A watch needs to cater to your lifestyle choices as well as your personal needs, so it’s down to taste as to whether you choose a Patek Philippe or a Rolex watch.
Patek Philippe offers buyers an extensive history and makes its parts in-house. The watches Patek Philippe manufactures tend to be more refined and detailed than Rolex, but this comes with the higher price tag which is attached to most Patek Philippe watches.
Whereas Rolex offers sportier options, like the Daytona or Submariner, made for the athlete or the Formula One driver. Rolex offers its watches in gold, or with subtle other elements, but most of its sports watches are made in stainless steel to ensure they last a lifetime.
Whichever you choose, you’re investing in the best accessory that money can buy. Both watches have the ability to effortlessly slot into your lifestyle and are guaranteed to last you years and years as a worthy investment.
Who is Rolex’s biggest competitor?
Most people wonder why Rolex isn’t part of the ‘big three’ or trinity because if you were to ask the average person to name a top watch brand, they probably would state Rolex. But, Rolex’s main competitors are not brands within the trinity. Omega is arguably Rolex’s biggest competitor as they can manufacture a huge quantity of watches, and they have a lower price point, making it sometimes a more popular choice.
What is the most valuable luxury watch brand in the world?
There isn’t just one watch brand that can be dubbed as the ‘most valuable’. However, brands like A. Lange & Sohne, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe all offer buyers extremely valuable watches. These watches will all make for a great investment, which is perfect for those who want to wear and then resell their accessories.
But, there can only be one winner, and Rolex is the Swiss watch brand that is worth the most money, thanks to their huge history and popularity within the market.
The History of the ‘Big three’:
Whether you’re a first-timer in the watch world or a seasoned professional, it is important to know which brand and style are for you. Discovering the history makes that a lot easier.
Audemars Piguet:
Audemars Piguet began in 1875 and is a partnership between two iconic Swiss watchmakers – Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The combination of Audemars’ focus on intricate watch movements, and Piguet’s obsession with the regulation of watch movements. Their partnership worked like a dream and meant that Audemars Piguet watches became (and still are) extremely popular with buyers almost instantly.
Moving on a few decades, Audemars Piguet is now a world leader when it comes to luxury watches and is most famous for their Royal Oak watch which debuted in 1972. The Royal Oak features a steel case, octagonal bezel and hexagonal screws holding the case in place. The Royal Oak was the first of its kind and changed the watch industry. Water-resistant watches were a thing, but there were no waterproof, well-made watches on the market at the time when the Royal Oak was first introduced. Now, Audemars Piguet offers a Royal Oak Offshore too, which is even more durable.
Vacheron Constantin:
The watchmaker who created the first engine-turned watch dial, Jean-Marc Vacheron, began Vacheron Constantin in 1755. They’ve got a pretty good track record with making watches for some of the highest individuals, including the Duke of Windsor and Pope Pius XI.
In 1979 they also created the most expensive wristwatch for the time, it was called the Kallista and was priced at £4,000,000. Out of the three brands that make up the trinity, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest.
Vacheron Constantin has a lot of unique designs when it comes to choosing the perfect watch for you, including the Overseas sports line and Historiques line which offers a twist on the first watch Vacheron Constantin manufactured.
Patek Philippe:
Like Vacheron Constantine, Patek Philippe was founded in Geneva, but slightly after Vacheron Constantine in 1851. Patek Philippe is often considered the most prestigious watch brand in the world, and has even supplied watches to Queen Victoria.
Patek Philippe has a history of making some of the most expensive watches ever, thanks to their complicated mechanisms. For example, their Henry Graves Supercomplication was sold in 2014 for a whopping £17,000,000.
If you’re looking for an investment, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch is a great choice. The Nautilus models are arguably the most well-known, but the Aquanaut is a slightly cheaper option that can also be a good investment.
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The domination of the watch world
It’s very clear that all three members of the Trinity are great investments, they are all Swiss-made, and will all offer you a luxury, and well-made piece of arm candy. So now, the decision is up to you to decide upon the best watch style that suits your lifestyle. Are you looking for a smart, dressy watch, or a sports watch? Research is key when it comes to buying a watch, hopefully, this list has made your options clear and your choice easier.
