Jay (Eire)
12295
C6 (again) and some 6196P / Calatrava thoughts
In a week where Patek is being lauded for their 6196P let’s be sure we all really have our eyes open when we look at the landscape and what it means to spend US$50k on a watch.
Yea, the new Calatravas (starting with the 6119 a few years ago) are an upgrade, and this weeks release continues that albeit in Platinum. But “eff me” it took them a long long time to get to this point.
It’s of course unfair to compare Romain Gauthier’s C to a Calatrava, the C6 and the 6196P are similar price points with the 6119 being cheaper than the prior C versions which were themselves cheaper than the C6.
But I’m not sure people place that premium on platinum as they had before. And the offset when comparing these watches is that the Gauthier and its titanium movement is notably harder to work on than that of the Patek. These one could argue bring the “value” of these two watches closer together.
But which watch offers more? Which, for a consumer, has a higher intrinsic value, a higher input in terms of actual “work”.
I don’t think it’s even close.
C6 (again) and some 6196P / Calatrava thoughts
In a week where Patek is being lauded for their 6196P let’s be sure we all really have our eyes open when we look at the landscape and what it means to spend US$50k on a watch. Yea, the new Calatravas (starting with the 6119 a few years ago) are an upgrad...
Im in the same boat as you...but when looking at price...
I think liquidity is another factor/part of it. A LOT of people spending $$$ on a watch are comforted by the fact they can sell their Patek in a few days if they want to. Patek is a brand that many non-enthusiasts buy. Independents are really only for ner...
No argument on the importance of liquidity.
And this is why Rolex and Patek remain the king and prince of watchmaking. This “liquidity premium” absolutely drives interest in both brands, and so it should for the every day collector.
I totally understand your point.
With Patek there is also the design element, the 6196P will most probably be classical and coveted in 30-40 years time. The C6 might or might not, it probably will but most people are not aware of that. My choice between the two would be your C6, but I al...
This point and the one above by m2 are valid counterpoints.
And they are intertwined as durability of design (which the Calatrava will have) also impacts liquidity. For the C6 I don’t think there is anything “out there” in terms of design that would prevent this watch from being “relevant” in 20 or 30 years. But i...
There's no match
The C is far superior to the Calatrava, which is undoubtedly the same beautiful watch from the 1950s. Upgrading the movement was necessary and eventually they did it, but it's nothing more than doing your homework, I don't see any emotions. The C is pure ...
I think that’s part of my frustration with the press coverage on this one.
They finally upgraded the movement, and now they also released a good looking classic iteration. I feel the plaudits are a little excessive. (Again, it’s a good looking watch, platinum case, nice size, new movement.) And even with these improvements it wo...
Yes.
And I don’t want to take away for great marketing. I’m a Rolex fan, and Rolex is arguably the greatest marketer of all. The distinction I draw between Patek and Rolex is that dollar for dollar there is far more value with Rolex.
After W&W I've been thinking about this $40k-$50k price segment. It's a lot to spend on a watch but also with all the price hikes you don't get that much, especially from the big brands. It's crazy.
Your comparison is really poignant and at the same time, I'm not sure what to make of it as a customer. The range in what you get for the money at this price segment is really really wide and I think that's happened because it's a real chunk of money by a...
You make a great point.
While it makes me smile for the incredible variety of mechanical timepieces we can choose from, it seems some brands have chosen 'aspirational' x 150% new pricing in 2025. i remember when $5k was Rolex money... and now it is merely Tudor money. On the plu...
Excellent points all around.
I do think that certain differentiating factors for certain manufacturers like Romain Gauthier, MB&F, FPJ, etc. are the outside investors. I think that they can remain independent yet have longevity that will help keep their pricing where it should be wit...
This post is likely to make me about as popular as a fart in a lift (Elevator for the Americans)
Please remember this is nothing more than how I feel and my opinion and absolutely no one else has to feel or think the same way. I really don't like much from Rolex and even less so from their modern catalogue. Having said that of course I'm not stupid a...
Dress watch vs. dressy sportswatch
I absolutely love the latest C6. 100% I would chose it for my collection over the 6196P, but that's because I don't dress up regularly. With respect to value delivered, Patek comes with a high brand premium.
Agreed on the brand premium.
As others have commented above this is a big factor when looking at watches objectively (as I’m not ascribing much to brand value).