Mark in Paris[Purist]
10488
Interesting to discuss
Mar 29, 2017,07:55 AM
I see from of your posts that the price and worth of watches is a very important matter for you. The problem is that in such Luxury field, their are elements aside of the factual ones.
The thing is that a watch is not only technical features but also the brand, the legacy, all these elements difficult to assess. However, it is natural, not only in watchmaking, that people buy things that may give from them a specific image (not only about wealth) they want to give.
Nobody has to buy a Patek if he doesn't want to. However, aside of the image (that has a value), many elements are to be taken into account. I must say that, when it comes to opinions, people sometimes think that things should be like this or like that but they often see the side they want to see.
Secondly, let's not go into details, everyone will make his own opinion about this, but there is also how much you loose (or gain) if you sell it. I prefer buying a 50K€ watch that I'll sell 49 rather than a watch I'll buy 20K€ that I'll sell 15. You see the idea.
That's why it is something that everyone has to think about by themselves before buying a watch (or any other luxury goods). If price is too high for what we think or because we think we can have other technical elelemnts we prefer eslwhere then one has to look for that.
If I come at your answer, just for the interest of the discussion, I would say that I don't see what was "laughable" about the caseback (by the way, you are free to say it of course but imagine how would people feel reading your comment). Maybe you could be more precise (is it the decoration?).
I agree that the Aquanaut could be a worthy substitute to the Nautilus. especailly for someone who is willing to get a watch from the brand but think the price is out of reach.
When you say more quality alternatives, if you mean by "real" quality, I'm not sure that the ones you mentionned are. If you talk about beauty, then I think that the RO is a strong contender indeed and I would agree with you. Even if I think the 324 caliber is better designed (bridges shapes) and decorated (wheels, chamfering...). I also think that this "rail" used for keeping the rotor on its track is not very nice to see. The rotors are both very nicely done.
In the end, it depends on what the buyer is looking for but he may have strong arguments in terms of quality or value.
The Bulgari you picked is interesting, it has this character that I like when I look at a Panerai for instance. However, this Octo design is something that, I think is something that will not last in terms of style. I usually think the more the style is daring, original, has character and the less it is timeless. Except if it is followed by slight evolutions generations after generations (like the RO or the Nautilus).
About the Titanium, Patek watches are so demanded when they come in Steel or Titanium that it will have a strong impact on the brand. It is hard to take this kind of decision on such a classic and traditional brand.
I would love to ahve a 5711 in Ti or a 5960 Advanced Research in Ti but I'm not sure it will be good for the brand.
It is a fine tune to know what field such a brand has to explore without leaving the impression to do "like the others".
Finally, I think that no one can like every watches from a catalog, a brand has to propose a diversity for different tastes, different use etc...
That's how I would see it
Best, Mark