It is no surprise that one of the best investments is luxury timepieces. For many, the first brand that may come to mind is Rolex. But for high-ticket collectors, they have their eyes on the Big Three. These brands are not easy to acquire. At the very least, you’ll have to sign up for the waitlist or have access to exclusive auctions to get one. And with the growing demand and little supply, timepieces from these brands are getting harder and more expensive to buy. Read on to learn more about them.
The Holy Trinity of Swiss Watches
If we’re talking about the best of the best, it is no doubt that Switzerland produces the finest timepieces to ever exist. And it is home to three of the most lucrative watch brands: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin. What do they all have in common? They’ve been around for a few centuries now and have proven to produce high-quality, intricate watches. Their prestige and market relevance have made the top three most-sought after brands. From perpetual calendars to split-seconds flyback chronograph, the holy trinity has produced some of the most complicated timepieces to ever exist. Without further ado, here are some facts that you should know about each company.
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Patek Philippe
Founded in 1851. This brand became one of the top names in horology in no time. It started when the company catered to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is literally the timepiece of the noble. Patek Philippe is known for its perpetual calendars but has other catalogs depending on your lifestyle. The Calatrava collection has a nice touch of classic and luxury, while the Nautilus collection is for the sporty watch fans. How long does it take for its watchmakers to create one piece? Their basic timepieces take around nine months to complete. And for the more complicated ones, it is more than a year. This is why it is reported that there are less than a million Patek Philippe timepieces created ever since its foundation in 1851. And to make it even more interesting, the Stern family, the one that owns that brand now, carefully selects who gets to buy a timepiece. This is to make sure that the delicate wrist watches go to collectors who like and appreciate the beauty of their craftsmanship. The application alone takes around two years!
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Audemars Piguet
Founded in 1875, Edward Auguste Piguet and Jules Louis Audemars didn’t know at the time that the brand is going to be a success. The brand is mainly known for its luxury sports watch: The royal oak watches. In fact, it took over three years to sell the first 1000 Royal Oak watches. Back then, one royal oak timepiece can get you ten Rolex Submariners. Quick fact about the iconic model that saved the company from bankruptcy: it was designed in less than a day. Impressive, right? But what makes this brand stand out more? Its use of high-end materials. Many watch companies use stainless steel, but AP swapped it for black ceramic. Plus, they use white gold screws to keep everything intact. Like Patek Philippe, it roughly takes more than a year and a team of skilled watchmakers to produce one timepiece.
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Vacheron Constantin
Admittedly, Vacheron Constantin may be the least known brand among the three. However, it is one of the oldest watch companies to ever exist, tracing its roots back to the mid-16th century. And yes, this means that the brand produced pocket watches and clocks first. Vacheron is known for its timepieces made with ornamental detailing techniques. Some of it includes enamels, engraving, gem-setting, and machined metalwork. One of the most expensive timepieces ever sold by the brand is the Kallista. Way back in 2016, its value is around $11 million, and took 6,000 hours for watchmakers to create it, and another 20 months for jewelers to enhance it. Another special thing about this company is it allows its clients to closely collaborate with the watchmakers, ensuring uniqueness and one-of-a-kind timepieces. These commission projects are confidential as clients often share something intimate about their lives, which will be translated into the timepiece. Furthermore, all commissions go through the ethics committee first to make sure that they conform to Maison’s traditions and values.
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Is there another way to acquire these pieces?
To make it short, yes. Applying for a waitlist to buy a timepiece from the brand has no guarantee. It is no secret that it might take years to get approved. If you want to buy one, you can also check out those who are reselling. One website that is safe to check out is The Watch Company. It is a watch store based in Japan that caters to different clienteles around the world. All products are well inspected and purchased directly from different areas around the world. Aside from the Holy Trinity, they also have other luxury timepieces available, such as Cartier, Panerai, and Rolex. It is a one-stop shop for all your watch needs, at the tip of your fingers.
If you have a brand or specific model in mind, you can also reach out to The Watch Company, and they will help you source it. Aside from pre-owned products, they also have new timepieces, and even some are up for discounted prices. You may also trade your current wristwatches with them. Overall, this is the best and reliable place, without compromising your security.
