Haute Horlogerie is this mystical place that has always fascinated watch enthusiasts all across the world. People aspire to one day hopefully get their hands on a timepiece made by some of the most prestigious watchmakers to ever exist. The idea behind owning such luxurious watches is pretty simple and easy to understand. It feels great to own one and even greater to be able to wear one. There are, however, brands as well as watches that have transcended such rudimentary feelings. These brands have worked their way to the very top and have achieved elite status.
The Holy Trinity Of Swiss Haute Horlogerie
Three watch manufacturers, in particular, have established their superiority in terms of quality, class, and substance. These are Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.
Audemars Piguet
It all began at the very end of the 18th century in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. Farmers started dedicating their time to watchmaking and related craftsmanship during the long winters. Thye used to make watches in light-filled rooms in the attics of their farmhouses.
Farmers converted their agrarian households to high quality ateliers for the production of watches and watch parts. Audemars Piguet watchmaking foundations were laid on this unique savoir-faire, which dates back to these historic days. This is an art form that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Since 1875, these talented artisans and craftsmen have put their skills to practice. They have worked at the highest level and, hence, have built on tradition. They have constantly pushed their limits of their crafts to create timepieces imbued with the Manufacture’s savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit.
To make a name for themselves and slowly gain respect worldwide, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet notably participated in Universal Exhibitions, such as the one held in Paris in 1889. Born in Le Brassus, Audemars Piguet’s timepieces have been raised around the world.
Today, Audemars Piguet is, without a doubt, one of the best ones to ever do it. The brand is still owned by the original founding families. For those who are not well-versed with luxury watch brands and their ownership, it is a huge deal.
Patek Philippe
In 1851, both watchmakers, Antoine Norbert de Patek and Jean Adrien Philippe came together to begin the brand Patek, Philippe & Cie –Fabricants à Genève. This was the start of the prestigious brand we see today. The brand’s business spanned decades as they continued crafting timepieces for royalty as well as aristocrats. The brand also filed for multiple patents for timepieces including one for a precision regulator, numerous perpetual calendar mechanisms for pocket watches, and last but not least, for the first double chronograph ever created.
Throughout the 21st century, there have once again been many new launches under Philippe Stern’s hand, including the 10-Day Tourbillon, Ref. 5101P and the Annual Calendar Ref. 5250, with the first escape wheel for a Swiss lever escapement made from a revolutionary new silicon-based material.
Philippe had not only a passion for the history of horology, but of the advancement of timepieces, and commissioned such work as the Patek Philippe Advanced Research: launch of the silicon-based Spiromax balance spring and the Patek Philippe Advanced Research: launch of the Pulsomax silicon-based escapement.
Philippe had not only a passion for the history of horology, but of the advancement of timepieces, and commissioned such work as the Patek Philippe Advanced Research: launch of the silicon-based Spiromax balance spring and the Patek Philippe Advanced Research: launch of the Pulsomax silicon-based escapement.
He handed this passion down to his son, Thierry, who became president of Patek Philippe in 2009. In 2011, the brand saw the launch of the Oscillomax ensemble incorporating the Spiromax balance spring, the Pulsomax escapement, and the GyromaxSi balance.
Something that has also been pushed forward in terms of design under Thierry Sterna’s presidency are the styles of Patek Philippe ladies watches. In 2009, we saw the launch of the CH 29-535 PS movement integrated into the Ladies First Chronograph and in 2011 we saw the launch of the Ladies First Minute Repeater, Ref. 7000R.
Today, Patek Philippe is a driving force of the global Haute Horlgoerie industry. Timepeices ushc as the
Vacheron Constantin
The name Vacheron Constantin is an immensely popular one in watch enthusiast circles. It is, needless to say, one of the most popular watch manufacturers in the Haute Horlogerie world. It was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron who was an independent watchmaker in Geneva at the time. Not long after that Vacheron Constantin created the first complication of high-horology.
In 1770, Vacheron’s company created the world’s first horological complication, and nine years later he designed the first engine-turned dials. This was a monumental achievement by the watch manufacturer given the day and the era.
In 1785, Jean-Marc Vacherona’s son, Abraham (1760-1843), takes over the workshops. He managed to keep the enterprise going despite the troubles following the French Revolution and the occupation of Geneva by the troops of the French Directory. Following the lead given by his father, he taught the watchmaker’s trade to his son, Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron.
Jean-Marc Vacheron’s grandson, Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron (1787-1864), assumes the management of the family enterprise.
In 1810, the company produces more complicated timepieces, such as musical watches with two different tunes. Jacques Barthélémi Vacheron oversees the first exports of his products to France and Italy.
This lady’s watch is one of the first series-produced wristwatches. Its advent caused quite a stir, because until the early 20th century the pocket-watch had no rivals. The watch is held by a delicately engraved and finely worked mounting on a magnificent bracelet featuring two winged goddesses, while the dial is encircled with a setting of diamonds.
Vacheron Constantin introduced Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600, an exceptionally complicated timepiece. Its caliber 3600, a mechanical manual-winding movement comprising 23 complications also includes three distinct times driven by three dedicated gear trains. A three-week power reserve is ensured by six barrels, coupled by threes. A true feat of miniaturisation and engineering, this caliber measuring just 8.7 mm thick includes a total of 514 components. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève has awarded the Mechanical Exception Watch Prize to Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600.
Fiftysix, a name and a date evoking an iconic model by Vacheron Constantin dating from 1956. This modern, elegant and relaxed collection with its resolutely cosmopolitan style expresses its personality through the contrast between the classic dial and the daring case. The latter is notably inspired by the Maltese cross-shaped emblem of the Maison that is also picked up on the openworked pink gold oscillating weight.
Today, Vacheron Constantin is a giant of a brand with some of the most exuberant as well as soul-melting designs that the luxury watchmaking realm has ever witnessed. The prestigious name of the brand represents 265 glorious years of the highest level of mechanical watchmaking.
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