The world's three biggest luxury watch brands and Rolex
Posted by WATANABETAIGA
There are many watch brands in the world, but among them there are brands that are known as the "World's Three Great Luxury Watches."
"Patek Philippe", "Audemars Piguet" and "Vacheron Constantin" are three brands that are the object of admiration for watch enthusiasts.
When you hear "luxury watches," many people may think of Rolex. Although Rolex is world-famous, for some reason it is not included in the world's top three luxury watch brands.
In this article, we will explain the appeal of the world's three major luxury watch brands and why Rolex is not chosen.
1. What are the world's three major luxury watch brands?
The world's top three luxury watch brands generally refer to the following three Swiss watch brands:
・Patek Philippe: Founded in 1839
・Audemars Piguet: Founded in 1875
・Vacheron Constantin: Founded in 1755
These brands are also known as the "top brands" or "big three" and are highly regarded by watch enthusiasts.
These three companies are considered special for the following reasons:
・Long history and tradition:
The company has a long history since its founding and has continued to manufacture watches without interruption.
・Outstanding technical capabilities:
Highly skilled craftsmen handcraft each and every watch.
・Best quality:
We are extremely particular about materials and parts, and pursue the highest quality.
By combining these elements, the world's three largest luxury watch brands produce watches that are not just luxury goods but also have value as works of art.
(Late 19th century Patek Philippe pocket watch)
2. Characteristics of luxury watch brands
What are the specific features that make the world's top three luxury watch brands superior? Here, we will explain three characteristics.
①High quality
The watches of the world's three major luxury watch brands are made with the utmost attention to detail in each and every material and component.
For example, the case is made of not only stainless steel, but also high-quality materials such as 18K gold and platinum. In addition, even the smallest details such as the dial and hands are carefully finished by skilled craftsmen.
These watches are not simply practical items, but are highly valued as decorative items and assets.
②High technical capabilities
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands have advanced technical capabilities that they have cultivated over many years.
As a "manufacture" capable of developing and manufacturing watches with complex mechanisms in-house, the company carries out all processes in-house, from movement design to assembly and finishing.
Many of these brands have received the Geneva Seal, a strict quality standard set by the Swiss government and the Canton of Geneva, proving their high level of technical expertise.
3) History and tradition
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands are all long-established brands with long histories.
Since its founding, the company has had celebrities from all over the world, including royalty, aristocrats, and powerful people of the time, as its customers, and has a history of producing one-of-a-kind, ultra-luxury watches.
This history and tradition has solidified the brand's status as one of the world's three major luxury watch brands.
3. Why isn't "Rolex" included?
Although Rolex is a very famous luxury watch brand worldwide, it is not included in the world's three major luxury watch brands.
Even when the scope is expanded to include the "Seven Greatest Watches in the World," it is common to add A. Lange & Söhne, Breguet, Blancpain, and Roger Dubuis, which are not included here either.
The reasons for this include the following:
1. History and Tradition
Rolex was founded in 1905, so it has a relatively short history compared to the world's three major luxury watch brands.
Rolex is a brand that grew after World War I, when wristwatches took over from pocket watches, so they make very few pocket watches.
In the era of wristwatches after World War I, watches were no longer luxury items reserved for a wealthy few, but were increasingly used by ordinary citizens as practical items.
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands surpass Rolex in terms of the technical skills and traditions they have cultivated over their long history, as well as the brand images they have built up.
②Technical capabilities and innovation
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands have the technological capabilities to in-house develop and manufacture mechanisms that require advanced technology, such as complex mechanisms such as tourbillons, perpetual calendars, and minute repeaters.
Rolex is also a "manufacture" with high technical capabilities and in-house production, but it has a history of striving to create "the best practical watches" that boast high precision, durability and practicality, and has not placed much emphasis on complicated mechanisms that are not particularly related to practicality.
3) Design and rarity
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands manufacture highly artistic and rare watches.
For example, Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak is known for its unique and original design, designed by Gerald Genta.
Rolex has many timeless designs that emphasize practicality and are popular with everyone.
In addition, the annual production numbers of the world's three major luxury watch brands are far less than those of the other two: Rolex produces approximately 800,000 units, while Patek Philippe produces approximately 62,000 units, Audemars Piguet produces approximately 40,000 units, and Vacheron Constantin produces approximately 18,000 units.
④ Price range and customer base
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands originated among the royalty, aristocrats and powerful people of the time in the 18th century, and even today they focus on high-priced models targeting the ultra-wealthy.
Rolex has many models in a relatively affordable range among luxury watches, making them popular with a wide range of people.
⑤ Marketing strategy
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands respect history and tradition, and focus on providing high-quality watches to a limited number of customers.
The brand image of the world's three major luxury watch brands has been built by placing more emphasis on product quality and building trust with customers than on advertising.
Rolex has gained worldwide recognition through its sponsorship of sporting events and expeditions.
For these reasons, although Rolex is a world-famous luxury watch brand, it is not included in the world's top three luxury watch brands.
summary
Both the world's three major luxury watch brands and Rolex are excellent luxury watch brands, but their characteristics and appeal are very different.
The world's three biggest luxury watch brands create watches that emphasize history and tradition, advanced technical skills, artistry, and rarity.
Rolex creates watches that emphasize practicality, durability, and brand power.
Which brand you choose depends on your values and preferences.
Since we are an antique shop, the watches we handle are mainly pocket watches made over 100 years ago, and we hardly ever carry Rolex watches.
Pocket watches from the world's three major luxury watch brands are rare and expensive, so it is difficult to procure them, but we do occasionally carry them.
