Is more a function of its business model (amongst many other things) and while I see what you’re saying and it’s very helpful from a servicing point of view if companies are still around in 20 years, I’m just wondering from a collectors’ point of view, is that all that matters?
Now I realize I am not very qualified to speak on this being less than 2 years collecting watches and have but a very small collection so benefit of doubt is requested, but what of a company…. perhaps a startup…. and 1-2-3-whatever man show that perhaps pioneers some new innovation like Debethune or pushes the boundaries of conventional watch making like MB&F (to me at least) ….and even if they can’t find a worthy successor (which is common), would they be less of a company even though they are not around in 20 years despite their contributions?
And even if we look at more conventional watch making… what of the work from DuFour and Voultilainen? And what of Pita and Halter? Sure some of them may have movements outsourced to different extents but from what I read, the 5070 had a non-patek base for the longest time and see how many still rave about it. And look at the work they have done.. so much more refreshing, daring and envelope pushing than the many calatravas or nautilus re-rehashes that seem to be. From this point of view, it was nice for me to see the Zeitwerk from Lange not that I like it for the watch itself but that they offered something different and perhaps out of their comfort zone but yet, still maintaining strong Lange DNA... to me at least.
While I can see continuity as a challenge for them (and servicing issues for owners not insurmountable but inconvenient), I will still credit them (for what it is worth) for their contributions to horology even if their companies are not around in 20 years time.
Patek, for example, being around in 20 years is a level bet at best but have they, in recent years, advanced horology (the patek seal? J)as much as some of the names mentioned above or have they as part of their very sound business strategy, played it safe and re-hashed models as they seem to have done with many this year so as to pander to safe money? Now this is not wrong from a pure business point of view, in fact correct but from a collectors’ point of view, will a company like MB&F, DuFour, Halter not being around in 20 years be any less significant that Patek? I don’t know.. not for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I still like watches from Patek and the more established brands and find the 5170 nice for some reason as do I the HM3 but this fossilized watch.. a bit too much for me too soon but clearly not for someone like Bernard who has been around the block more than once and seems to have seen everything. I have not. Different strokes for different folks .. hmmm… I seem to have strayed some what from your point of company continuity LOL.