The Holy Trinity of Luxury Watches | WatchBox | The 1916 Company (2024)

FAQs

The Holy Trinity of Luxury Watches | WatchBox | The 1916 Company? ›

Building upon a legacy of innovation and excellence, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin continue to push watchmaking forward through mastery and precision.

The Holy Trinity, also known as The Big Three, is the name given in horology to three of the biggest and oldest watchmakers in the world. The watch brands are Patek Phillipe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, known for their complex and high-end movements. The classification dates back to at least the 1970s.

However, the fact that for a significant part of its history, it was a supplier rather than a maker of finished watches per se, probably has a lot to do with why it wasn't frequently thought of as being at the level of the so-called Holy Trinity.

As such, the Holy Trinity of Watches is made up of three ultra-high-end Swiss watch brands: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin. All three of these prestigious brands boast very long histories, which not only demonstrate centuries-old experience, but also continued relevance in today's market.

Rolex. As the most famous watch brand in the entire world, it comes as no surprise to learn that Rolex is also one of the most expensive. Funnily enough, many of its watches are actually some of the cheapest in this list, and by a long, long way—if you can get them.

Charitable status

The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which privately owns Rolex SA, is a registered Swiss charitable foundation and pays a lower tax rate.

The “big four” private watch brands—Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille—all gained market share in 2023, while several conglomerate-owned brands lost ground, according to Morgan Stanley's seventh annual “Swiss Watcher” report, compiled in conjunction with LuxeConsult.

Montres Tudor SA, or simply Tudor, is a Swiss watchmaker based in Geneva, Switzerland. Registered in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, the brand remains a sister company to Rolex; both companies are owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Date

The Patek Philippe 3445. Image courtesy of Amsterdam Vintage Watches. Although reliable sources haven't confirmed it, many keen-eyed watch enthusiasts believe the Patek Philippe Calatrava King Charles III has worn since the 1970s is a date model, ref. 3445.

What watch is better than a Rolex? ›

Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref.

6119R does it with an added flair, featuring a sophisticated silhouette, unique small seconds, and luxurious rose gold. If you asked a watch collector to think of “watches better than Rolex,” the odds are good that the name “Patek Philippe” would immediately come to mind.

Those who value traditional craftsmanship, exclusivity, and the allure of owning a piece of horological history may gravitate towards Patek Philippe. Meanwhile, those who appreciate innovation, durability, and the timeless appeal of an iconic design may find Rolex to be the perfect fit.

Vacheron Constantin offers the most affordable entry into the watches of the Holy Trinity.

Pope Francis, Casio MQ-24-7B2

Pope FrancisI, our current pope, is less interested in haute horology. He is often seen wearing a Casio MQ-24-7B2, a quartz watch with a black plastic case and white dial.

NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS: Vacheron Constantin was founded in 1755 and is to this day, the oldest Swiss watch brand that has been continuously in business. They had an 84-year head start over Patek Philippe which can give you an idea of just how old they are.