What are Holy Trinity of Watches?

Diving into luxury watches is akin to stepping into another universe.

I’m talking about proper watchmaking, craftsmanship, timeless designs, and a lot of money.

The cream of luxury watches is called the Holy Trinity of Watches.

Holy Trinity includes Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillippe, and Vacheron Constantin. These are the legends of Swiss watchmaking with the richest of histories.

Also, in one way or another, these brands made a serious impact on watchmaking. Making unique complications and lack of discount watch lines are also part of the rough criteria for being a part of Holy Trinity.

Let’s explore each brand, and Why is it on the Holy Trinity List!

Audemars Piguet -The Savior

Established in 1875, this Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces knows its stuff.

Forever looking forward, AP lives by a pioneering spirit, consistently developing watches that impress.

They played their trump card in 1972, by creating one of the most influential watch designs of all time -The Royal Oak.

It was the first-ever luxury steel sports watch. At the same time, the design manifested the revolutionary ethos of the Audemars Piguet.

Also, in the 1970s, during the quartz crisis, Audemars Piguet’s commitment to mechanical craftsmanship was remarkable.

While other brands succumbed to quartz, Audemars Piguet doubled down on mechanical complexity.

The audacious move solidified its reputation as a guardian or what I called the “savior” of traditional watchmaking.

But that’s not enough to be on the Holy Trinity. What makes AP truly worthy of being part of the Holy Trinity or the “big three” is consistency.

With around 150 years in watchmaking, it never failed in craftmanship and is always ready to innovate.

Beyond craftsmanship, Audemars Piguet champions the future in the form of its environmental responsibility.

The Code 11.59 collection introduces recycled gold, reflecting the brand’s dedication to sustainability.

Add this with exclusivity, limited production, and top-tier watch-making, solidifying Audemars Piguet’s spot in the Holy Trinity.

Also, don’t forget the sense of privilege AP gives, a must-have to be a part of the Holy Trinity.

Patek Phillippe -The Big P

Let’s call a spade, a spade calling Patek Phillipe the most influential watch brand ever.

From selling the most expensive watches ever to creating some highly influential watch designs, Patek Phillipe earned its place in the Holy Trinity.

It also has 180 years of craftsmanship experience under its belt. Patek is like the MJ, Tiger Woods, and Usain Bolt. Always in its Prime.

There’s a good reason every watch enthusiast yearns to have a Patek Phillippe in their collection.

Historically speaking, Patek Philippe has graced the wrists of royalties and Gs. Queen Victoria and Albert Einstein, for example.

“King, Queen, Priests, and Patek” is what I call it.

Patek Phillipe is also a sauce to create the most complicated watches ever made.

The iconic Caliber 89, introduced in 1989 to mark the company’s 150th anniversary, is the masterpiece of Patek’s technical prowess, featuring 33 complications.

The designs are iconic too. The Calatrava collection launched in 1932, exemplifies Patek Phillipe’s approach to being timeless.

The same goes for Nautilus, which came in 1976 and is one of the most sought-after designs, the closest competitor of AP Royal Oak.

Patek Philippe’s exclusivity is evident in its limited production.

The discontinuation of 5711, even though it could easily go for another ten years tells about Patek Phillipe’s approach to being limited.

All this helped Patek become the part of Holy Trinity.

Vacheron Constantin -The Grand Daddy

With a history dating back to 1755, Vacheron Constantin is among the oldest watch brands in the world.

It’s not just the longevity that impresses watch lovers, Vacheron is the epitome of watch-making.

Their designs and craftsmanship echo the perfection no other can match.

However, for an average Joe, Vacheron isn’t a too much mainstream brand like Patek or AP.

So, how did Vacheron Constantin cement itself in the Holy Trinity?

It’s because of the “those who know, know” mantra.

For a collector, who adores the perfect watchmaking, there is nothing more beautiful than wearing a Vacheron.

Another reason, Vacheron Constantin is a part of the Holy Trinity of watches is because it’s more tradition and less innovation.

Collectors also appreciate their commitment to preserving the watchmaking tradition.

Not just that, The Vacheron archives, dating back to its foundation, inspire new creations.

The “Historiques” line is the homage to the classics by reviving designs from the golden era of watchmaking.

Similarly, The “Patrimony” collection boasts a piece of art with slim profiles and clean dials.

Vacheron’s innovation is also very classic. The “Malte” range, its distinctive tonneau shape, never broke away from being timeless.

Owing a Vacheron is every collector’s dream, and therefore, a deserved member of the “Holy Trinity of Watches”

Why is Rolex not part of the Holy Trinity of Watches?

Rolex, though iconic, isn’t a part of the Holy Trinity of Watches. There are several reasons for that.

Firstly, doesn’t fit the traditional criteria set by the Trinity – a blend of heritage, innovation, and exclusivity.

Rolex, founded in 1905, arrived later on the scene compared to the Holy Trinity members. Historical distinction is a thing being a part of the Holy Trinity.

Additionally, Rolex focuses on robust, sporty designs and tool automatic watches, like the Submariner and Daytona.

This differs from the Trinity’s emphasis on intricate complications and timeless elegance.

The Trinity exudes a refined aura, somewhat different from Rolex’s utilitarian approach.

Finally, Rolex isn’t made exclusively for a collector’s mind. It’s different from Trinity’s ethos of prestige and treating watches like art.

Who Came with the Concept of the Holy Trinity of Watches?

The Holy Trinity, a watchmaking VIP club, wasn’t a formal concept but gained recognition organically.

Collectors and enthusiasts coined the term, giving props to Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin.

The inspiration was from the the concept of Holy Trinity in Christianity. But there is no specific name to point to. May be a Reddit Mod, or a random Swiss watch guy nobody, knows.

It just looks cool to listen to the term “Holy Trinity of Watches”

Plus, these brands have proved themselves over the centuries. So why not acknowledge the timeless trio?

Holy Trinity or Big Three is another way of saying “These three brands? Absolutely untouchable in the watch world.”

What are the “Big Four” in Watches?

There is a term “Big Four” gaining popularity in the watch world. The NYTimes used this a couple of years back.

It is like the Holy Trinity of Watches but caters to the concept of watch brands that keep a big financial share in the watch market.

Watch Enthusiasts like me are not a big fan of only talking about the financial aspect of things, rather than craftsmanship.

Still, the Big Four is a thing and will be in the future. These brands are Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille.