Whenever three comparable things emerge at similar times, they often form what is known as a “Holy Trinity.” We see this in everything, from football’s legendary trio of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, and Denis Law, to music icons Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. Watches and Cars are no exception to this, lets talk about
The Holy Trinities of Hypercars & Watches
When it comes to hypercars, the holy trinity comprises three of the world’s most powerful vehicles: the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, and McLaren P1. These machines stand a level above their peers, epitomizing automotive excellence.
As for watches, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin make up that Trinity. Unlike the hypercars, these watch brands earn their title not just for their current status, but because they are amongst the oldest luxury Swiss watch brands still in existence today.
Expensive cars and watches are two things no one really needs but we all love, so it’s only right that we compare these two trinities.
Patek Philippe and the LaFerrari
For me, the most obvious comparisons is between Patek Philippe and the LaFerrari. Enzo Ferrari’s famous quote, “Aerodynamics is for people who don’t know how to make engines,” captures the essence of the Ferrari brand – building exceptional cars without relying on gimmicks. This philosophy is embodied in the LaFerrari. Of the three hypercars, it includes the fewest bells and whistles. It lacks fully electric driving modes and extravagant interior features, yet many consider it the best car of the trio. McClaren also share a similar sentiment stating you ‘wont find any needless ornaments or frivolous styling features’ on the P1’, but well get onto that later.
Similarly, Patek Philippe adopts this approach in the watchmaking world. The brand abstains from flashy marketing campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and gimmicks, focusing solely on crafting exceptional watches. This dedication to excellence without distraction mirrors Ferrari’s ethos.
Price
Another point of comparison between the LaFerrari and Patek Philippe is their price points. The LaFerrari was the most expensive of the hypercar trinity, originally selling for around £1 million compared to Porsche’s £781,000 and McLaren’s £866,000. Today, it is listed between £3.5 million and over £5 million on the secondary market.
Patek Philippe watches retail on average for around £40,000, but like the LaFerrari, their true value is realized in the secondary market. A Patek Philippe model recently sold for £13.7 million, and the most expensive Patek Philippe ever sold fetched $31.19 million.
Audemars Piguet and the 918 Spyder
Next, let’s compare the Porsche 918 Spyder to Audemars Piguet. I find these two the most exciting out of their respective trinities. The Porsche 918 is a convertible, which is always cool, and offers features like an advanced centre console, a powerful sound system, several driving modes, and all-wheel drive. Similarly, Audemars Piguet creates some of the most exciting watches in their trio, from their collaborations with Marvel to innovative materials like Sand Gold.
Evolution and the Future
More specifically, both the Porsche 918 and Audemars Piguet represent evolution and the future. While Patek Philippe and Ferrari typically stick to their roots, these two brands are constantly adapting and pushing boundaries.
In the past, luxury watch brands like AP often avoided diamond-encrusted watches. However, their iconic and super rare gem-set Royal Oak collection signifies their shift. Another example of their dynamic nature is their celebrity collaborations.
When Jay-Z first approached François-Henry Bennahmias, then CEO of AP, about a potential collaboration, the initial response was, “No way.” Yet, AP’s willingness to adapt and evolve has led to numerous celebrity partnerships, including with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaquille O’Neal, and John Mayer. These collaborations have solidified AP’s status as a powerhouse in the watch world. Today, Audemars Piguet is the go-to luxury watch brand for celebrity partnerships, a strategy that Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin have yet to fully implement. This forward-thinking and adaptive approach sets AP apart.
The same forward-thinking and dynamic traits are evident in the Porsche 918 Spyder. As concerns over environmental impact grew, Porsche introduced a hybrid engine that alternates between petrol and electric power, making the 918 the most eco-friendly car of the hypercar trinity. Although the McLaren P1 also boasts a hybrid engine and is arguably the most futuristic car of the three, I think it’s better compared to Vacheron Constantin.
McClaren Vacheron Constantin
I love both the P1 and Vacheron Constantin, but I’ve always felt like they lack that je ne sais quoi. If you asked most people to rank the trinities, these two would probably come in last place.
In terms of investment potential, both the P1 and VC offer strong prospects, but they don’t command the same secondary market value as their counterparts. Despite the P1’s approximately £80,000 higher initial value compared to the Porsche 918, the 918 typically sells for more in secondary markets. Similarly, comparable models from Vacheron Constantin often don’t reach the resale values seen with Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe.
Another notable comparison lies in their production numbers. McLaren produced only 375 units of the P1, whereas Ferrari manufactured 500 LaFerraris and Porsche built 918 units of the 918 Spyder. In contrast, Vacheron Constantin sold approximately 35,000 units in 2023, trailing behind Audemars Piguet with around 51,000 units and Patek Philippe with approximately 70,000 units.
So that’s my take. The La Ferrari is Patek, 718 is AP and the P1 is Vacheron. Considering I have never driven any of these cars I may not be a fair judge but let me know what you think of this list!