Any thoughts around finish quality vs comparably priced watches? I really like that they use hand guilloched dials everywhere instead of stamping like Journe and AP do (on the overseas).
Breguet movements are hand finished, Patek are not.
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : December 20th, 2021-17:42
As has been discussed elsewhere, Pateks are machine finished from annual calendars and below and do not deserve to be in the conversation.
On a Breguet, the finishing is done correctly. The anglage, for example, may be more narrow on an entry or mid-level piece (particularly a Marine or Type XX), but is done right. The original A.L. Breguet wasn't obsessed with finishing, so modern Breguet basically does not make a fetish out of finishing but does demonstrate the fine art.
A.L.S. level of finish, particularly in the entry and midlevel, tends to be overstated by collectors but they definitely hand finished and done right. They eat Pateks for breakfast at every level. Chopard L.U.C. is another example of a line that is superior to Patek at any equivalent model.
Having said that, finish level itself is only one factor in what speaks to a collector.
But i have an additional question: When i compare my entry level PP with cal 324 SC to a Breguet thats around 30K too, the PP movement looks way more impressive and does shine more. Is there something that PP does better with the knowledge you told us beeing said?
They are better at fooling customers with cheaper mechanical finishing.
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : December 20th, 2021-21:45
But first, I should say that your personal Patek is very nice and please enjoy it. I have no intention to make anyone feel even a moment of challenge about their own watch. These are all lovely watches.
Okay, now back to it:
For Patek, you don't go from 5k pieces produced to 60k+ pieces without corners being cut! It could be that larger cheaper, machine anglage looks more impressive than a more narrow, actually hand finished movement when given a quick glance at a distance. I've bought an entry level classique and the movement is lovely with two interior angles which you won't find on a Lange or even much higher end Pateks. I think Patek is far superior over Breguet at building hype in the brand. I would consider an older geneva seal Patek to be a different story, of course. A calatrava from 2007 or something similar would make a lovely watch to own and gives up nothing to any equivalent watch.
And again, enjoy what you have, these posts are just nit-picking, ultimately.
Thank you for your reply, and no worries, i love to hate Patek.
By: Reuven Malter : December 21st, 2021-05:50
I still havent seen what you like at Breguet (automatic) movements though. It might be just the architecture and the rotor movement that looked "eta-like" for me (i have last seen a breguet like 5 yrs ago) i will look closer the next time and WILL enjoy it more!
Yes, of course, but at that price point, you find ALS and Breguet will compete on those terms, or thereabouts, with higher end finishing and interesting movements.
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : December 20th, 2021-21:51
People do seem to overlook RG, but they are very nice.