Beyond the Holy Trinity: The Five Pillars of Independent Watchmaking
Today, we’re looking at five living masters who define the summit of independent watchmaking.
By Henri Lee
Contributor
The “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking is a term that emerged in the 1970s, placing Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin at the summit of horology. All three maisons earned this distinction on several fronts.
First, each has operated for an exceptionally long time. Patek Philippe was founded in 1839, Audemars Piguet in 1875, and Vacheron Constantin in 1755. Together, the three maisons boast a combined 609 years of history. All have demonstrated remarkable technical achievements, exceptional craftsmanship, and mastery of high complications. Over the years, their prestige has cemented their status as watchmaking’s Holy Trinity.
The dramatic rise of independent watchmaking over the past 10 to 20 years has brought greater attention to a group of horological masters at the top of the field. Five master watchmakers have set themselves apart from the rest. These “Five Pillars” are Philippe Dufour, François-Paul Journe, Kari Voutilainen, Roger W. Smith, and Rexhep Rexhepi. Together, their independent workshops have operated for a combined 138 years.
Collectors have increasingly gravitated toward independent brands, while more watchmakers are joining the ranks of independents. That is why today, to better understand the changing landscape of horology, we have decided to compare the Holy Trinity with the Five Pillars of independent watchmaking.
Historic Maisons Versus Living Creators
Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet remain family-owned, and both maintain museums that are must-see destinations for watch lovers visiting Switzerland. Vacheron Constantin is part of Richemont and, alongside A. Lange & Söhne, ranks among its most prestigious watch maisons.
Watches from a Holy Trinity brand are developed and produced by world-class teams of designers, watchmakers, finishers, dial makers, engravers, and other specialists. Additionally, the Holy Trinity’s worldwide boutiques and retail partners make these watches highly visible and readily available to clients, except for the most sought-after references.
Needless to say, the individual craftsmanship involved in creating a single Holy Trinity timepiece can be extraordinary; however, at the end of the day, the finished watch is presented primarily as the creation of the maison.
The Five Pillars operate differently. Their watches are inseparable from the identity, philosophy, and reputation of a living individual. These creators define the design language, technical approach, finishing standards, and overall character of the timepieces bearing their names.
Timepieces as Artistic Works
Creations by leading independent watchmakers are increasingly regarded as works of artrecent auction results offer strong evidence of this shift. Consider the top 10 lots from each of Phillips Watches’ May 2026 auctions in Geneva and Hong Kong, along with its June 2026 auction in New York.
Among these 30 lots, 10 came from the Holy Trinity and achieved a combined total of approximately $39.3 million, while 14 came from the Five Pillars and totaled approximately $49.1 million.
Like works of art, a Dufour, Journe, Voutilainen, Smith, or Rexhepi is valued not only for its mechanics and finishing, but also for its artistic brilliance and place within the creator’s career. This is especially true of early subscription watches and unique pieces made for important clients.
The Scarcity of the Five Pillars
There is, however, a disappointing reality: timepieces by the Five Pillars are far harder to acquire than watches from the Holy Trinity. Based on a 2025 market report, the Holy Trinity collectively produces about 155,000 watches each year. By comparison, the estimated annual output of the Five Pillars ranges from only 1,120 to 1,165 pieces. This limited supply reflects the slow, labor-intensive nature of artisanal production.
Even collectors with sufficient financial means may need patience, persistence, strong referrals, and luck to obtain one. Owning even a single watch from this group is a major achievement.
That said, watch lovers can still admire, study, and learn about their work, much as we appreciate paintings in a museum. What follows is a brief introduction to the Five Pillars.
Philippe Dufour: The Pillar of Craft
Born in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, Philippe Dufour became one of the earliest modern independent watchmakers to gain international recognition. In 1992, he presented the first wristwatch under his own name.
Dufour personally finishes all of his watches by hand. His timepieces, including the Duality and Simplicity, have become benchmarks for traditional hand-finishing and craftsmanship.
His independent path and remarkable achievements have inspired many younger watchmakers to pursue careers in independent watchmaking.
F.P. Journe: The Pillar of Invention
François-Paul Journe was born in Marseille, France, and founded Montres Journe SA in Geneva in 1999.
His motto, Invenit et Fecit, meaning “Invented and Made,” reflects his philosophy of designing and producing complex mechanical timepieces under one roof. His original movements, unconventional technical solutions, and distinctive dial designs have established a unique horological language.
The brand produces about 1,000 mechanical watches each year and operates 11 boutiques worldwide.
Kari Voutilainen: The Pillar of Artistry
Kari Voutilainen was born in Finland and later moved to Switzerland to pursue advanced watchmaking courses. He then worked at Parmigiani for 10 years before he, in 2002, established his own independent workshop in Saint-Sulpice, in Switzerland’s Val-de-Travers.
Voutilainen is widely known for his movement construction, distinctive aesthetics, fine movement finishing, traditional guilloché, and customization for clients. He has won 13 GPHG awards to date, including five in the Artistic Crafts category.
Roger W. Smith: The Pillar of Tradition
Roger W. Smith was born in Bolton, England, and is widely recognized as George Daniels’ only apprentice and the successor to his watchmaking tradition. In 2001, Smith established his own atelier on the Isle of Man, carrying forward the tradition of British watchmaking.
Today, his workshop produces roughly 15 to 20 handcrafted timepieces each year. He is widely regarded as the foremost British independent watchmaker of his generation.
Rexhep Rexhepi: The Pillar of the Future
Born in Kosovo, Rexhep Rexhepi moved to Geneva as a child and began a watchmaking apprenticeship at Patek Philippe at just 15 years old. Then, after honing his skills in high complications at F.P.Journe, he founded Atelier Akrivia in 2012 at the age of 25.
Rexhepi gained broad recognition after his eponymous Chronomètre Contemporain won the Men’s Watch Prize at the 2018 GPHG and captured the attention of collectors.
Today, he operates multiple workshops in Geneva’s Old Town, with nearly every aspect of production, including dial-making and strap-making, brought in-house. He stands as a pillar of the future, representing the exciting promise of contemporary haute horlogerie.
Two Horological Summits
Just as the AHCI Masters of Horology exhibition and Watches and Wonders coexist in Geneva during the same week, the Five Pillars and the Holy Trinity represent two different summits in the horological landscape. For collectors and enthusiasts, both the established maisons and independent masters offer exceptional craftsmanship and artistry.