Patek Philippe

Hello all,
 
first,sorry for posting this really not horologically "high end" question here,still I'd like to hear Your advise.

Owning one or two timepieces I realised a my last summer vacation that my nice croco straps were ready for the dustbin after several days at 40°.So I took a vintage piece with bracelet but realised that leaving it in the sand (being not really sufficiantly waterproof )while swimming left me a bit uncomfortable.Skiing in winter is a tough problem too,so is biking in summer,no sports really ideal for delicate movements and in autumn I plan an Atlantic crossing on a big sailing ship....
Seems I have to look for something that is 100%waterproof,sweat resistant,bullet proof movement that has no problems at all with heavy shocks at skiing and biking,all activities I cannot use my nice dress watches.

Is this the right forum for this question,probably watch rap would be better,PP is not really famous for tough,rugged movements.

So,what do You think?Is an Aquanaut rugged enough for driving a bike at 40mph downhill??

The only watch that comes into my mind I would consider robust enough is Rolex.My girl friend's pretty lady's Datejust works flawlessly under water and everywhere,but I still have problems with the idea wearing a Rolex because of the usual commonplace prejudice,"look at the braggart showing off with a Rolex" etc.There are some Datejusts looking not too bad and clumsy(I don't like nor need Chronos and don't like the Sub),but still being used to fine watches a Rolex is a psychological problem for me ;-)

thanks for opinions,
Lutz

Good question. 

I'd like to hear this answer from those who have actually owned Aqunauts and/or Nautilus models.

Hi Lutz-
From what I can tell, I am one of many here who feel that their love of Patek does not prevent them from recognizing that a Rolex here and there can make sense. Like you, I have ambivalence regarding the message of a Rolex. And like you, I don't care for some of the more popular ones, such as Subs and their chrono. I do have a YG Prez and a bi color Datejust. I also have sports, warm weather, and beach habits, where my Pateks make no sense. When I am in those situations, more often than not I wear my Datejust , as ocean swimming,  surf fishing, ... could frequently be the event of the moment. Evening events in the same climate might go with my President, wherein I am comfortable enough with myself to not be worried that someone might draw poor conclusions regarding my character, based upon my watch. Additionally, I really do not care for the Patek sport watches. That said, these are simply one man's opinions.
                                                                               Best regards,
                                                                               William

I wear my Rolexes - Explorer II or Submariner.  The Rolexes are far more rugged.

a  "contradictio in re"  for me.  For watersports I wear a vintage Rolex sub (5508) on Zulu-strap; from contemporary I would recommend a small Explorer; if you choose a Zulu, too, probably nobody will recognize the Rolex, and it's very comfortable, too.

Best,
Jochen

I wore a Patek Nautilus 3700/1JA for 20 years. It took a "lickin' and kept on tickin'". I had it serviced every 4 or 5 years and finally sold it. Most fun was when someone would say to be "I thought for sure you would wear a Rolex" I always told them I couldn't afford one. Now that I am older and less brash, I wear an Omega Seamaster everyday and save the Lange and Patek for those dress-up days. Miki

..as for the straps - there are some options starting from rubber lined leather straps to rubber straps to bmetal bracelet - but that's most likely no nnews to you.

As for overall "robustness" - IMO there is a lot of mythique,  rumours and also misinterpretations out there. 

Rolex, often quoted as the "arche type" of rugged sports watch - but one should consider the conditions for this "competition for the most rugged sports watch". For example, is it important how the movemnet survives frequent  downhill biking  - or is it just important that it doesn't stop running at all?
Have a look at some Rolex movements frequently worn during likely activities - don't be surprised to see lot's of brasssing scratchmarks on plates/bridges caused by constant contact with the rotor. And same on the rotor itself and even visible in the inside of caseback. That's quite natural for automatic watches and  not a big deal at all: the rotor is simply replaced duirng routine service and due to the fact that there is no  display back, only the watchmaker will see the rest

Different story with PP here, the rotor of precious metal  alone will add substantial costs when in need of replacement and there is a display back as well.....
Besides the fact that one would expect a llarger/thicker movement to be more robust compared to another one around 2mm slimmer,
it's more a question if  one would be willing to explore the robustness of an Aquanaut -  at heavy costs and  considerable servive time -personally  I wouldn't  (but  I wouldn't be surprised too much, if it wouldn't "stop" as well).


To be honest - I  wouldn't even think of an automatic when asked for a mechanical watch to withstand something like downhill biking - I'd go handwound. Due to the nature of an automatic winding rotor - high mass, as few as possible fricton (likely delicate "mounting"), that's  almost "worst case" for all heavy shoock/vibration duties. 
All this no issue with handwound movements - the balance wheel area  is the only shock sensitive part and sufficiently  guarded by the typical shock protections. 

How about something like a handwound Grand Seiko? I'm not sure about water resistance, but you'd have a real manufacture piece, beautifully finished case, dial and  metal bracelets. 

Best regards
 Suitbert

 

 

I have worn the watch mountain biking, swimming, snowboarding, working on my cars and have yet to service it. It still works perfectly. I have always used it as my weekend and vacation watch. The watch is pretty beat up but I will get it serviced and give to my son on his 10th birthday. I just received a 5065A to replace it.  I think it is great watch for sports!

for a beater. If I go to a really harsh environment, I have a faux rolex presidents strap in rubber made by Tag that I put on. Without the Gold bracelet the watch has a very down to earth look and still is tight as an oyster.

JMHO

Jay