chintu
504
Interesting viewpoints, but
Apr 27, 2021,15:08 PM
May I present a few counter points as well. On technical innovation front, it would be pertinent to point out that a simple feature of “stop seconds” was considered unnecessary for over a century and half by Patek until caliber 31-260 ( derived from 240) was introduced in 2011 powering the 5235 Regulator.
Mr. Thierry Stern is on record saying “It was just not needed upto now” ( interview in iW Oct2011 Page48 posted here).
Caliber 324 and 240, two of Patek’s most used calibers (Nautilus, World Time, Annual Calendars, Perpetuals) do not have this simple stop seconds mechanism. IMHO every caliber must have this as an essential feature to set the time accurately. In fact many brands go beyond stop seconds to offer a zero reset feature for the running seconds, as a superior functionality.
Even the Nautilus had to wait for 43 years before getting the caliber 26-330 in 2019 for the hacking seconds upgrade from Cal 324. Incidentally Cal 26-330 ( derived from 324) was introduced in 5212A in 2019.
It took over a century and half again until 2009 for Patek to produce an in-house chronograph caliber CH R 27-525 PS.
I would only hope that while Patek continues to introduce technical improvements to calibers, it ought not to be at the expense of cutting down on the hand-finish.
IMHO a watch captures the emotion of the watchmaker through the medium of hand-finish and hand assembly and each watch therefore takes on a unique character.