Horological Meandering

Indeed Chronographs are very appealing complications

 

After a long while comparing manual-wound chrono movements (this is something I'm willing to get as well so I've been very closely studying this field, among traditional brands), the Patek 29-535 is one of the most interesting, not only for the finishing but especially also for the evolutions it has bring it terms of setting and technical adjustments (and the new clever patented improvements). I find that some movements are often based on the same design as the Lemania (like the VC, very nice looking imho but not that impressive technically), without significant improvements, so I appreciate when technical aspects are made technically better than before and a brand doesn't take care of finishing only.

Your selection of chronographs is great and there are not many who can come that close. You made a very fine choice.



A shot I took myself of a Patek 5271P (I should have made a croped picture to show the quality of the finishing but it is also visible further below):




The 29-535 taken by Oliver:

And the same other beautiful pictures showing the beauty and very high decoration and finishing applied by Patek:




And this one from the same movement (I don't remember hwo to credit, sorry):




The cherry on the cake, the 29-535 version with Rattrapante used in the 5204 reference that I could study too but kept no pictures myslef:

 

A last one from the same 5204 movement:




This is a another level of finishing the brand brings forward compared to the 324 or the already very nice 240.

The new VC is nice as well, in a simpler layout but I like it decoration too (though less impressive than a Patek or Lange). I didn't take time to learn about its technical aspects yet but, from a comparision with the 1141, it is vey very close in terms of design:


 

For instance, on a lower level, I like the Duometer too but this is not in the same league really, not as highly finished as the Lange/Minerva/Patek ones. Especially when you come through the first bridges (straight lines and half circles only, easier to deal with after the machining automation), the parts a little bellow are much less interesting (see the cams at the bottom of the picture etc... quite basic compared to the very high end work). Of course, if we take the price into account this is a good result. But compared to the others it remains a little below.

Great post Robin!

Cheers, Mark

 

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