Discussion
Dje concludes a compelling five-part series on the enduring appeal of Patek Philippe, shifting focus from tangible attributes like rarity and calibers to the profound concept of 'admiration.' This final installment invites the community to reflect on the deeper, often intangible, reasons collectors are drawn to the brand, sparking a nuanced discussion about Patek Philippe's market position, historical legacy, and perceived value.
Here is time to think of a final part for our discussion about reasons to love Patek Philippe. Not that we will have discussed them all, but we will have exchanged about some of the major ones. Of course if after that part you think that we've forgotten an essential one, please feel free to open a part 6!
This final part is coming late as I've taken some time to try to summarize what I see as a superior or synthetic reason for our love, one that we make ourselves with our own vision of the different aspects of the brand. So far the reasons were rarity, tradition, beauty and calibres. I admit easily that the list of four words seems a bit short to imagine that we've covered the subject.
I feel there is more to Patek Philippe. Whatever their quality, beauty, or numerous other assets, modern Patek Philippe watches seem unreasonable were they are positioned on the market. Still we get lastingly appealed and this appeal is quite dangerous.
I want to suggest, maybe I'm wrong, that the added aspect on the beautiful product, the overall quality, the upscale calibre, could be our eye on it, our admiration for a brand, a family of watches, a certain spirit of watchmaking that never failed, never stepped back, never gave up. It's hard to look at the past with today's eyes without altering the truth but we tend to think that all the vintage watches from Patek Philippe are a demonstration that there was no lesser time for the brand, only thriving and often succeeding to be the best at its time.
In some extent Patek Philippe seems to have been from decades ago what many brands of high horology wish to be today. Patek Philippe is a venerable institution of high horology. The Patek Philippe Seal is also IMO a possible proof that inside the company they act as an institution too. They have become their own reference, the keepers of the faith. You will want to nuance my apology and I know it should be nuanced. Of course Philippe Dufour does it better (put whatever other name instead of Philippe Dufour if you want)! Yes but Patek Philippe is the modern manufacture of high horology coming from the past, no longer the lonesome watchmaker in its workshop. Of course Jaeger-LeCoultre offers tempting competition, but their very rich history is of a difference nature. Don't think that I prefer Patek Philippe over Jaeger-LeCoultre, that would not be true!
In fact Patek Philippe adds a very long made patina on its stature of a summit of high horology. Some brands reach the summit through a fantastic watch, others repeat the success a few times or more. I don't see another brand who seem to succeed to give a spirit of summit to all (or nearly) of its watches like Patek Philippe does it while at the same time offering a very wide range of models of various styles, complications, and levels of affordability.
To some extent in life we know that what "was" will not necessarily be. Humanly we try to select what will be, what will remain, especially when the present time proves us that it already remains from the past. Even the antagonism between what remains and what writes the future, the innovation, is smartly played by Patek Philippe. The 5170 above could be a highly looked for vintage piece, it is quite possibly the future of the most technically demanding of chronograph collectors and the first chapter of what is yet a story of science fiction.
Obviously Patek Philippe's communication cultivates these aspects. I've always been told (and would not say differently) that you need to know yourself well to get the best of yourself. They genuinely know themselves and the coherence of the Patek Philippe organization is certainly a source of respect and envy for both fans and competitors. The whole company concept is so well polished by time and actions that if you like traditional watches (a positioning of the brand) it's hard to escape!
So you probably think I'm sold! Well yes I'm sold in respect for the brand. I don't know if I admire more the company or the watches, I know I admire them. I just hope it won't be for ever a platonic love, because as much as I can fall in love for Venus, I know that I'm a mortal and must live my life!
Dje
The Chronograph reference 5170, introduced in 2010, marked a significant development for Patek Philippe as it was the first serially produced chronograph to feature a fully in-house manufactured movement. This reference succeeded the reference 5070, transitioning from a Lemania-based caliber to a proprietary design, underscoring the brand's commitment to integrated manufacturing for its complications. It represents a modern interpretation of a classic chronograph layout within the Patek Philippe catalog.
The reference 5170 features a case measuring 39.4 mm in diameter and 10.9 mm in thickness, available in 18k white, rose, or yellow gold. It is equipped with the manual-winding caliber CH 29-535 PS, which offers a power reserve of 65 hours. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 30 meters. The movement is visible through a sapphire case back, showcasing its intricate finishing.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking a contemporary Patek Philippe chronograph with an in-house movement. Early variants, such as the yellow gold reference 5170J-001, featured a pulsometer scale, which was later replaced by a minute track on subsequent iterations. The various metal options and dial configurations provide distinct aesthetic choices for collectors, reflecting different periods of its production run.
but the sixth Aspect could be "safety". With Patek Philippe watches the buyer knows that the invested funds are relatively safe compared with basically all other brands. Furthermore, we know that it is most likely that a watch bought today can be serviced also 50 years from now. I do not propose that we should invest on watches but still, the high end watches are so valuable that at least I would not to put a remarkable amount of money to a complicated watch which I can buy within a year with le
Even if I don't share all your points, but I love a lot your passionate point of view. We can say that Admiration is certainly the link between us, watch lovers, with our favourite brand, and we could use the same feeling for any other brand. No brand is perfect, by far, Patek or the others... I can't say I love Patek, but I can admit I love a lot some of their watches, a few of them. An example? The World Time, which, for me, is the epitome of a Patek watch: A nice history, no hype nor flippers
> I did not get your "... modern Patek Philippe watches seem unreasonable were they are positioned on the market.", sentence. Regards, Marcelo This message has been edited by marcelo on 2011-11-20 15:01:02
One other word which I think comes tomind is "respect" We trust the brand and the makers/marketers. We can see through some of the hokey marketing ploys - ie a patek is for the next generation- similar to De Beers' A diamond is forever. But in the end most of us who buy the watches are buying the brand because we know what we are getting- a well crafted wristwatch from a family run company with execellent provenance. Their history speaks for it self and will hopefully continue to shine with spec
and respect the passion you have for the brand. One thing I would disagree with is that Patek has different levels of affordability. This is not really true, unless the levels are classified as expensive, really expensive, and holy s**t that's expensive I do not have a problem with this. Patek has positioned themselves as one of the most prestigious and exclusive brands, and people are certainly willing to pay the price. Excluding independents, Patek has the highest priced "entry level" models o
Most of the Patek complicated watches are well made but not the best. Why do you want to pay USDxxx,xxx for a perpetual calendar chronograph while you can get it for USDxx,xxx from other brands? Apart from the fact that you really like it, it always provides a wide parameter of financial safety zone in the event that you decide later to liquidate it for a profit or to fund another purchase or otherwise. Do you call that Brand Equity as some of my friends call it? Whatever it is, when you pay top
This thread is active on the Patek Philippe forum with 15 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
