How about a Contemporary Top 5

[Copasetic]

In recent thread about the Holy Trinity, a couple posters mentioned a contemporary top 5.
That made me think about the possibility of a new, updated list of modern Haute Horology brands. I’m not sure there’s a need for such a list, whether or not it would “catch on”, which brands should be on it, or what it would be called.
Is this worth a discussion?

[vitalsigns]

It's been discussed at length many times before, but it's always fun and interesting, sometimes devolving into Internet fisticuffs over favored brands.

Might be good to lay out the ground rules in advance. For example, are you referring to bigger brands, or can independents get into the mix (other than PP and AP as they are technically independent -- presumably they would be within the range of choices)?

And then everyone's personal criteria will differ (history, value retention, quality and reliability, QPR, service, finishing, styling, rarity and exclusivity, and the always interesting quality of "Hey, look at me...I'm richer than you", etc.)

[buddenfan]

Contemporary top 5

Urwerk
Mb &F
FP Journe
Laurent Ferrier or De Bethune
H.Moser & Cie

[llngoc]

In no particular order:
Urwerk
MB&F
Voutilainen
Haldimann
FP Journe

[WatchEater666]

Voutilainen
Gauthier
MB&F
Greubel Forsey (sorry I love the s2 lol)

[FrugalGreubel]

This list was pretty tough for me but in no particular order:

Voutilainen
Urwerk
MB&F
Greubel Forsey
De Bethune

[ChetBaker]

Voutilainen
Moser
Ferrier
Gauthier
FPJ

I love looking at MB&F, De Bethune, Urwerk and Greubel but I’m not sure many of their avant-garde steampunk designs have long-lasting appeal. A Ferrier or FPJ is beautiful now, and will be beautiful in 100 years.

[vliberman]

Urwerk
MB&F
Greubel
ALS
Patek

[enjoythemusic]

For me, the most important detail is, like being a 'recovering alcoholic', first one needs to realize there's a problem. We now realize the vintage 60-year-old 'Holy Trinity' list was possibly nothing more than a 1960s marketing scheme. Plus those brands have vast competition that was not present way back in the 1960s.

As for a new list, there are many excellent brands so it may really depend on your personal desires / priorities.

Do you value true handcrafsmanship such as RW Smith, Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi, Simon Brette, etc.?

How about the mechanical marvels from MB&F?

And of course the many other manufacturers already mentioned within this thread.


So yes, the first step is realizing the 'Holy Trinity' is dead. In a sense, the next step is up to your preferences. Imho there's never been a better time to experience the many facets of horology and a variety of ways to create and decorate these mechanical marvels.

[Loosetoe]

MB&F - pushing boundaries
FPJ - classic contemporary
Moser - sporty contemporary
ALS - dress/complication perfection

if i have to choose 5 it would be this:
Omega - quality, durable, AVAILABLE introductory watch with history

[GB-man]

Journe
Mb&F
Greubel Forsey
Lange
Gronefeld