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Sunday Reader - November 1949 US Consumer Reports 'List of Best Watches'

 

Interesting retrospection: 70 years ago the Consumers Union of U.S. did a ranking of watch brands in terms of quality and somehow things do little change, at least at the top end of the spectrum.

'...Not surprisingly, Patek Philippe, Vacheron & Constantin, and Audemars Piguet, were ranked first, second, and third, respectively. ...' Link to Bruce's article
1949 Consumer Reports guide to watch purchasing - with inkcuded scans of the article Link to timezone

The ranking back then:
1 Patek Philippe
2 Vacheron & Constantin
3 Audemars Piguet
C. H. Meylan Watch Co
Touchon & Co
International Watch Co
Cresarrow Watch Co
Jules Juergensen
Hamilton Watch Co
Movado
Longines
Gruen Watch Co
Omega
Girard Perregaux
Concord
Tavannes
Eterna
Lord Elgin
Blancpain
Bulova
Wittenauer
Benrus
...

The comment on PP, VC, AP:
... PP, VC, AP are, it is generally agreed, the world finest watches.
However, they have drawbacks. All three have hand-fittet parts. Replacement parts must also be fittet by hand, a task requiring the most expert workmanship. ...

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