Why Vacheron Consantin Doesn't Belong in the Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity of watches, or the big three, have been Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Consantin. Patek and Audemars Piguet have brought huge innovation, and real change to the watch community, but Vacheron Constantin has played a nominal role.

History 

Vacheron was founded in the late 1700's by an independent watchmaker named Jean-Marc Vacheron. The most innovative thing that Vacheron has done is create the first engine turned dials, but outside of that there isn't any sort of magic that makes these watches special. Instead Vacheron produces great watches, very respectable, but not in the top 3. 

Modern Day 

The most notable thing that Vacheron has done in the last 50 years is the collaboration with Hodinkee. Thats it. As someone who is, (relatively), new in the watch world, my family doesn't have a history in watches, Vacheron has not produced anything, besides the Hodinkee Cornes de Vache, that has really blown my mind. The overseas was their real attempt at a modern contemporary watch, that would bring them back into the market, but it really fell short. In modern times they don't really create any hard competition, in other words you are never going to buy a modern Vacheron over a Modern Patek.

Competition 

There are plenty of other brands that come to mind as better contenders for the Holy Trinity than a Vacheron. The first of which that comes to mind is A. Lange and Sohne. Now Lange, nothing more needs to be said, it's simply incredible. This is a brand, which in my and many other peoples minds, rivals Patek. That Datograph is simply one of the best watches ever created.
  
But let's say that the Holy Trinity must be Swiss, ok Jaeger Le Coultre. Jaeger Le Coultre produces similarly priced and similarly looking watches, but has done a much better job at advertising and innovating in a modern sense. The reverso is simply more important to the watch community then a Cornes de Vache or an overseas.

Vacheron, sadly, does not offer enough to be considered in the top three. It just doesn't have that special watch character.

Now heres some watch porn, all watches that are better then any Vacheron. 

The 5270J

All of Lange 

1815 Rattrapante 

5270J Salmon Dream Watch

The Reverso

       

F.P Journe, the greatest independent watchmaker of all time?

Francois Paul Journe is a man of high prestige in the watch community. These watches are some of the most valued pieces in the entire world, and are simply beautiful. Now F.P. Journe the brand is not yet an established brand. As it has been said by Hodinkee many a time, "You have to be really in it to know F.P. Journe".

The Watches 

Now there is so much to say about the beauty of the watches that Journe produces, and I dont have the capacity to explain it. These watches look interesting, different, innovative. These watches have that characteristic that can reignite ones passion about watches, and watchmaking.  

 

The Market

Independent watches, in some peoples opinion are a bit of a bubble. Some people think that independent brands will simply die out because an investment in an F.P Journe, is not going to hold the same value as an investment in Patek Phillippe. However, it seems as though people have, now, a particular craving for haute horology, something that F.P. Journe not only offers, but goes above and beyond with.