Opinions Needed for High Horology Piece

I'd wear the heck out of a VC 1921 or the new 222.

Good luck with your saving thoughts and choosing. I like readable faces with interesting complications, perpetual calendars and moon phases. So, for me the A.Lange & Sohne 1815 does it all. I’m sure though there are many great choices here. For this type of purchase, hope you love it!

The question I have is how to even go about acquiring one of these?  From what I understand waitlists can be 5-8yrs, and that's usually after you have purchase history with them.

Unless we're talking about grey market prices....

I personally love AP, sporty and versatile.  but any on the list are winners!

Don't forget H. Moser

You can't go wrong with those brands; I'll vote for AP Royal Oak ( just personal preference; stunning finishing; really comfortable bracelet;  I've been owning  an AP Royal Oak ref. 25730BA ) 

I've got a love for Moser ("l'enfant terrible" of Swiss Watchmaking 😂).   JLC and Cartier seem in the league as well.  I don't ever put on a suit, or much formalwear for that matter, so maybe can't relate to that necessity.

IMHO Patek is the most 'prestigious' name among the group you name.  All of the hallowed brands mentioned brought stunning releases at W&W 2022.   

https://www.hodinkee.com/packages/watches-and-wonders-2022

Skim that page and see what jumps out at you?

Can't really go wrong choosing among icons and grail watches.

In general, yes, but you don't have to go to your boutique. If you have a good AD they can source one for you. I recently found out that many of those grey market dealers are buying/selling to dealers, which is why we can't get the pieces we want. :(

Thank you, I'll check it out. Patek's are amazing and I did see some of their new novelties that were definitely attractive.

I've had my eye on them for a while. Saw a few videos of them and they look amazing!

Good call! They make exquisite pieces as well.

A. Lange and Sohne is simply amazing! Great choice!

That is a beautiful piece for sure!

I would really like a traditionelle world time. This is my grail watch as of now, hope someday I can afford it. If you can afford it, this would be my suggestion.

Vacheron Constantin all the way some are still very under rated and undervalued. Quality wise they are on par with or better than the others in the holy trinity in my opinion. in full disclosure I own 3 VC and one AP... 

How about the A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater?  High horology, fun and definitely a timeless, statement piece!

Save your money and buy a Grand Seiko. Its Patek quality or better at fraction of the price. IMHO the only one that commands respect on your list is Patek, I would also add Phillipe Dufour to that list. May be FPJ, but there is too much hype around it .. and you have to be invited to buy any of their pieces. 

I think a little more information would help.  Do you care about maintaining value over time?  Some of these have been shakier on that (VC and ALS).

Patek is honestly where most would go for high horology.  It would help if you specified complications and sizes

If you stay away from the steel sports watches, many of these sell for less aftermarket and are available right now. 

Just one example of many:
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1942 for $16,031 for sale from a Seller on Chrono24

Actually, it's not. Patek is as high as watchmaking goes. Seiko has a line above GS, in order to match Patek. クレドール公式サイト｜Credor

Appreciate your enthusiasm, and GS offers a lot in its price. I would absolutely entertain a conversation on GS merits vs Rolex or Omega. But they don’t even do complications. They aren’t in the same league as Patek. 

I think you wont go wrong with PP complications, like the single line perpetual calendar 😍

Personally, I am saving up for the Lang &Hayne Georg. The movement is just amazing … 

The only way I could say no to A. Lange is if H. Moser was in the mix. Though I'd be surprised if I ever dared spend over $500 for a watch, so I might not be a good reference. Lol

AP if you value case finishings as high as the movement.

A lange if you value the movement finishings more than the case (except Zeitwerk, that minute repeater is awesome)

Patek if you want to settle for less popular model but the top notch in movements (unless you are looking at non-sports models or want to spend $150k+)

VC if you value an underdog and appreciate the history of the brand. 

I personally would be torn between an AP and an A Lange but really like that AP hasn’t sold out yet which VC and A Lange are both owned by the corps. 

VC, H. Moser, Parmigiani, FP Journe

I don't know the style you're leaning towards or how you might acquire them, but I think you've gotta consider FPJ, Breguet or Kari Voutilainen.

I have my eye on them, and would like to visit a boutique with my Loupe and check out a few. 

Awesome brands!

Thank you for this break down. This is epic and great info!

Interesting perspective. I think as watch collectors we tend to compare instead of appreciating the uniqueness of the brands. What's considered "better" is in the eye of the collector. Right now it's "hot" to compare the three you mention because, like most things, this will garner attention and potential purchases. This is basic marketing. With that being said, I'm not saying we shouldn't, per se, compare brands, it's fun, but context is important. 

IMHO all three of these brands are great and cannot be compared as they each have obtained mastery in different areas.

GS don't do complications ? yes they do, Chrono, GMT, Diver, Constant force tourbillon, etc. All packaged up nicely keeping daily wear in mind, and at a price point that is more affordable  than Patek.