So what are the "Big Three" watch makers???
I see this "Big Three" term used on a web site that was talking about Audemars Piguet, It said they were one of the 'Big Three", but it did not say what the other 2 are. Would the other 2 be Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe?
What are the true "Big Three" of the watch world? i am referring to Swiss only.
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Yes, those are the three usually referred to. But it's a term that been rendered relatively meaningless in the last 10-15 years by the emergence of Lange and a number of independent brands like Richard Mille, FP Journe, MB&F, G&F, Urwerk, DeBethune, etc.
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Maybe if one looked at the most storied houses AP, PP, and VC would be up there? As another poster mentioned there are so many top notch independents doing amazing work that I think the playing field at the top is too crowded to have just three. Best, Jon
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These days, I would say Lange, JLC, Patek.
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The "Big Three" in common usage are Patek, Vacheron and Audemars. That has nothing to do with what any particular individual considers to be the best currently or at any time in the past or future; it's a common term that has had a well-understood meaning for some time.
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It may have been Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet at one time. But what does "Big Three" actually mean these days? What kind of rating scale or criterias? Is it best sellers? history of companies? total sales? annual production numbers? auction hammer results?
I think even the top industry watch experts, journalists, experienced watch makers, and retailers cannot decide or agree upon this topic. Even the suggestion of Patek, VC and AP are suspect or suspicious to me now. I have yet to come across any official Swiss designation, declaration from industry or trade association such as the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Personally, I think it is a pointless exercise these days. Meaningless.
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In the context intended, the "Big 3" is usually taken to be PP, AP & VC - though A. Lange is often included to make it the Big 3 + 1. Omega Speedy Pro; Nomos Tangomat; Sinn 856; Bulova Precisionist; 2 Casio G-Shocks.
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There are no universally accepted "Big Three". While probably 99% of watch enthusiasts would agree on a "Big One" being Patek Philippe (and even *that* is subject to debate), all the rest are up for grabs.
Think of it this way: If someone asked you to come up with a Big Three of automobiles, do you honestly think it would be possible to come up with a defensible ranking of cars like Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maybach, ...
Its the same with watches. There are no universal criteria, and no such thing as a Big Three. Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day. Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
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And I think the last time it was updated was in the 1940s. The traditional, universally accepted answer obviously is AP, VC and PP. These are the old swiss houses that survived through the quartz era. They have provenance as well as quality. There are many houses that are more avant garde and innovative (like JLC) or make only small incredibly finished pieces with limited vertical integration (like FP Journe or Lange).
It is really pretty meaningless. However, the big three is not your rank list. It's the premier Cru of watches, legitimate or not.
what's wrong with this picture? Him: AP Royal Oak Quantime Perpetual, IWC Aquatimer Ti HER: Rolex YG President, Patek Phillipe 24, Rolex YG ladies President with diamond bezel, AP Royal Oak 37mm, Michele SS with diamond bezel
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> because they were suggesting everyone else is somehow smaller, and that it is known who they are.
To me, The Big Three would be Rolex, Seiko, and Casio. Swatch as a close 4th.
But I'm not suggesting that others are somehow less of a watch. -Jeremy
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seiko, citizen..... orient...!?
"Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while that you shouldn't have messed with? That's me."
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So what are the "Big Three" watch makers???
