Top 3

[Aivas47a]

Originally Posted by metzger

Much appreciated and very informative. I have been looking for awhile and keep coming back to the Patek Calatrava. And now that you mention the "lug issue" I favor the Patek even more.

There is no finer dress watch than the Patek 5116G.

[psv]

Originally Posted by Submarino

The big three or what some call the divine trinity of watchmaking and 'haute horlogerie' are: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.

This is the truth. People can have whatever preferences and/or opinions they like but these 3, and only these 3, are considered the classic "Big Three".

Now there are several boutique brands that are even more exclusive + the re-invention/launch of older brands like Lange that makes watches that are equally fine in finish, or even better, but that doesn't change the classic "Big Three" list.

[Yoda]

My top 3.
PP
AP
Breguet

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by psv

This is the truth. People can have whatever preferences and/or opinions they like but these 3, and only these 3, are considered the classic "Big Three".

Agreed, but my question is where does that place JLC? Number 3.5? Or is it in a distinctly lower "tier" from the previously mentioned top 3?

To the people saying Panerai... really?!

[Manofsteelpt]

I'd like to know where JLC stands too??? I'm actually looking at an Amvox2 right now.

[Submarino]

4. Jlc

[psv]

JLC has had their up and downs, currently they are on a tear and producing some very interesting pieces. Having said that, I've owned a couple of them over the last year and all I can say is that 1,000 hrs of testing in pure BS - two out of three had to be replaced or serviced straight out of box.

Historically speaking, Breguet is always considered to be #4.

[psv]

Originally Posted by rossi46

To the people saying Panerai... really?!

People might have read the question differently, i.e. what are your personal top brands. I don't anyone in their right mind would put Panerai, or Rolex for that matter, in the same league as Patek Philippe or Lange.

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by psv

JLC has had their up and downs, currently they are on a tear and producing some very interesting pieces. Having said that, I've owned a couple of them over the last year and all I can say is that 1,000 hrs of testing in pure BS - two out of three had to be replaced or serviced straight out of box.

Historically speaking, Breguet is always considered to be #4.

Thank you. Can I ask if anyof your trouble watches were from the Master Control series?

I just spent some time on the Vacheron website, and I have to say not any of their collection really appeals me. And since I don't see myself paying $20k+ for a PP, guess I'm "stuck" shooting for an AP if I ever want to own one of the Big 3.

Over to the Breguet website...

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by conrail

The one gripe folks have with them is the lugs on their watches and many other modern dress watches are "disjointed" or appear to be 4 pieces of metal connected to the watch, whereas a Patek 5107 Calatrava or IWC 3531, for example, has the appearance of having seamless, connected or flowing lugs.

Don't forget about this beauty:

[rossi46]

Patrick: sorry, couple more questions... would that put JLC at #5?

How do you see ALS, considering the break in production and now being under the Swatch Group umbrella and no longer independent?

[drtooth73]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Rolex is obviously the marketing leader.

Not anymore. Omega took that spot.(worldwide)

[FeelingTheBlues]

If I may join I'd go with A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. I kinda developed a passion for complicated watches and...well...I guess you know where I'm going with this. Perhaps I'd put Breguet instead of A. Lange & Söhne tho...they have some pretty good pieces as well...

[psv]

Originally Posted by rossi46

Patrick: sorry, couple more questions... would that put JLC at #5?

How do you see ALS, considering the break in production and now being under the Swatch Group umbrella and no longer independent?

An exact ranking doesn't make any sense. The Big Three goes way back so that nomenclature won't change. Today there are a bunch of boutique watch makers that are considered even more refined like Philippe Dufour, FP Journe and others. Anyone can walk into a store and buy a PP, AP or VC, get these other watches is often considerable more difficult.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the brands being owned by big conglomerates like Richemont or Swatch, but greed and consolidations are facts of life. Richemont does have some spectacular brands in their portfolio like Vacheron Constatin, Lange, JLC etc. Personally, I'd actually rate Lange higher than JLC, but that is just my personal opinion.

There is something a bit special about owning a watch not coming out of a big corporation, rather a family (or foundation) owned business. Audemars Piguet falls into that category, so does Patek Philippe. Heck, even Rolex and Breitling are controlled my families! :-)

At the end of the date, this is all perception and subjective ratings. I've owned watches from PP to AP, smaller brands, bigger brands, but I don't care what some people say about Rolex, it is the one brand that stays with me. Their products work for me on all levels - from design, rich history, value, reliability, function, form factor etc.

[blackmsport]

Originally Posted by ohfivepro

Anyone who can narrow it down to 3 ain't trying hard enough

Casio
Q&Q
Pulsar

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Passionata

Movements

Agreed - they also supply the movement in my IWC 3531. Quality stuff w/o paying top dollar

Originally Posted by rossi46

Don't forget about this beauty:

Yes - the Grande Master Ultra Thin, or something along those lines right? Although, I'd prefer it with a non-black face. Very elegant watch

[TSW]

Originally Posted by Submarino

The big three or what some call the divine trinity of watchmaking and 'haute horlogerie' are: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.

No wonder why Gerald Genta designed three masterpieces for them: The Royal Oak for AP, the Nautilus for Patek and the 222 for Vacheron.

X10000