The traditional watchmaking Holy Trinity is Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin. In its 10 August 2024 article, Time+Tide treats that trio as the established reference point, then asks what a personal Holy Trinity might look like under different criteria. Its contributors offer four distinct answers—not a new consensus.
What does “Holy Trinity” mean in watchmaking?
Time+Tide describes Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin as the conventional trio, writing that it has been “pretty well-defined for the best part of 50 years.” The article associates the three with historical significance, technical ambition, exclusivity, and high prices. It then shifts from that familiar definition to an editorial question: which brands belong together if the criteria change?
There is no single scoring system behind the alternative picks. Some contributors prioritize quality across price points or relative affordability; others emphasize innovation, design, independent craft, or industry history. The resulting lists are personal selections, not a ranking or an announcement that the conventional trio has been replaced. Read Time+Tide’s original article.
The four alternative trios
| Contributor | Chosen trio | Stated emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Borna | Casio/G-Shock, Rolex, A. Lange & Söhne | Quality and production consistency across different price points |
| Jamie | Tudor, Nomos, Grand Seiko | Value, comparative affordability, innovation, and design character |
| Zach | F.P. Journe, Akrivia, Roger W. Smith | Independent watchmaking, craft, and collector interest |
| Russell | Swatch, Jaeger-LeCoultre, F.P. Journe | Industry impact, watchmaking reputation, design, and inventive independent horology |
Borna: Casio/G-Shock, Rolex, and A. Lange & Söhne
Borna’s choices span a striking range of price and positioning. He identifies G-Shock as his Casio pick and points to the F-91W and DW5600 as inexpensive watches he considers icons. Rolex is his second choice; he acknowledges that, in his view, retail access can be difficult and secondary-market prices high. For his third, he names A. Lange & Söhne, describing its history as interrupted in 1948 and revived in 1990.
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Among the examples named in the article are the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710 and the A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Mérite. The accessible end of Borna’s list is represented most clearly by the specific Casio G-Shock DW5600.
Jamie: Tudor, Nomos, and Grand Seiko
Jamie’s trio centers on what he sees as value within luxury or entry-level luxury, alongside affordability, innovation, and distinctive design. He names the Tudor Black Bay 41 “Monochrome,” Nomos Club Sport Neomatik 39 “Smoke,” and Grand Seiko SLGW002 as examples.
Time+Tide points to Tudor’s pursuit of Master Chronometer certification for some watches, as well as Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive and Zaratsu polishing, to illustrate the technical and finishing qualities Jamie has in mind. These are examples used in the article’s editorial argument, not a common measurement or head-to-head test across the three brands.
Zach: F.P. Journe, Akrivia, and Roger W. Smith
Zach says he regards the conventional Holy Trinity as fixed, but offers a contemporary alternative built around independent watchmaking, craft, and collector interest. His examples are the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance calibre 1499.3, Akrivia AK-06, and Roger W. Smith Classic WG. His comments about collector demand and comparative finishing are his editorial judgments, not quantified market findings.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRussell: Swatch, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and F.P. Journe
Russell’s list combines a mass-market brand, a historic manufacture, and an independent maker. He argues that Swatch belongs in a modern watchmaking story for its claimed role in saving the Swiss industry, widening access to watches, and bringing creativity to the category. He pairs it with Jaeger-LeCoultre, citing its “watchmakers’ watchmaker” reputation and the Reverso’s form, then selects F.P. Journe for inventive independent horology and design philosophy. Those reasons are Russell’s case for the trio, rather than a single agreed definition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the picks differ
The contributors are answering different versions of the question. If the defining qualities are tradition, technical ambition, exclusivity, and prestige, the familiar Audemars Piguet–Patek Philippe–Vacheron Constantin trio remains the article’s reference point. Change the emphasis to value, breadth of production, independent craft, or historical impact, and a different set of brands makes sense.
That distinction is the useful takeaway: “Holy Trinity” is a label shaped by the qualities someone values, not an objective title awarded through a shared scorecard. Time+Tide’s exercise preserves the conventional trio while showing how personal criteria can produce alternatives.
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