Also known as high horology, Haute Horlogerie refers to the highest standard of watchmaking. These are luxury timepieces created to celebrate the fine craft of watchmaking. Often meticulously engineered and handmade, Haute Horlogerie watches are produced in limited quantities due to the immense time, skill, and resources involved in creating each piece.
If a watch hits three or more of the following characteristics, it is considered a piece of high watchmaking:
Vertically Integrated Manufacturing: All components produced in-house
Cutting-Edge Technology: Sharing and adopting interoperable movements (e.g., calibre GP3000 designed and manufactured by Girard-Perregaux used by Vacheron Constantin and Cartier. Jaeger-Lecoultre ebauches in Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin sports watches)
Hand Work: Extensive handcrafting and hand-finishing of components
