Grail Watches: The Holy Trinity – Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin – And what is a “Grail Watch” anyway?

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The Holy Trinity

Back to Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin: So what is the Holy Trinity for non-watch lovers?

The Trinity is a core concept of Christian dogma, and yet surprisingly there is no mention of “Trinity” as such in the Christian Bible. It is a doctrinal term coined by the early church to explain that God is “one God, but three co-eternal and consubstantial Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit “.

This term is potentially problematic for our many Muslim brothers and sisters in the watch community withdrawThe connection of partners with God is considered one of the most serious sins in Islam. Does it bother you when you think about whether to wear the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or the Royal Oak Offshore today?

Probably not.

Importantly, while PP, AP and VC theoretically form the trinity in no particular order, I suspect that just like the Christian trinity, there is a pecking order in watchmaking, with Patek Philippe Gott and Audemars Piguet being the hipper, more accessible one Son and Vacheron Constantin the less prominent (i.e. invisible) Holy Spirit. This is confirmed by the photo below, with PP in the middle, AP “sitting to the right of the father” and VC to the left of PP.

If you have a different interpretation, leave a comment below.

Is one of these your grail watch?

The general consensus among watch collectors is that membership in the Trinity is based on the combined technical prowess and uninterrupted existence of the three watchmakers (Vacheron Constantin being the oldest). Some commentators have attempted to introduce other watchmakers such as A. Lange & Söhne or FP Journe into the triumvirate, but none of these pretenders can claim the requisite combination of historical background, technical excellence and production volume.

In conclusion, I think it is time to revamp the vocabulary of the watch collecting community to reflect its true global, multicultural and, so to speak, multireligious nature. I therefore respectfully suggest that we introduce the following, broader concepts and terms:

Watch Nirvana: When you’re finally freed from the endless cycle of watch upgrades (see “Grail Watch” above).

Mecca of watchmaking: the country formerly known as “Switzerland”.

Watch Karma: When you buy back a watch that you previously owned but sold. Over and over again. . .

Muggles (not a religious term, but almost): people who don’t wear watches.

Any other suggestions are welcome in the comments below. And tell us about your grail watch!

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What’s it like getting the Grail watch and living with it? The story of my Louis Cartier tank

Zenith Pilot Doublematic tested by Tim Mosso: It’s a grail watch for him (if only he had a bigger wrist)

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