Patek Philippe

Hi everybody,
It's been a while, but I've set my eyes on the 5167A... As i always do, I do try to know as much as is written about the pieces I like... And lately I have decided that it is about time to purchase a high end watch, though I am very happy with my Panerai... but is is something completely different in many ways, Anyway, I have been looking for a good review, and I didn't find anything worth commenting... well... maybe there is this mini-review (which I believe all of you have seen) in the Rolex forum... which is nice,,, but does not have any mechanical specifications or any horological information.... So, my dear friends... maybe you can help me out... I need to know your honest opinions about the 324 S C movement. I have heard Stern say that it is quite a simple movement, or as he says if I recall properly, a not complicated movement... Maybe he's just stating the facts, as, this movement has no major complicactions... and that we all know, but the answer is :
Is this movement worth the bucks or is it just an in house movement made by PP, and therefore the frim speaks for herself....???? I hope I am making myself clear enough... Let's not forget that for about 18000 grand one can purchase fantastic watches (non-PP)... Please help me out so I make my mind. I know that many of you will say something like, if you like it well buy it... it must be good, it is a PP, ot, meybe youo want it just because it is a PP... and that is my answer to you guys... First of all, I like the aesthetics of the watch, I have no problem with that, I like the sporty dressy capabilies of this piece.... I don't mind the rubber strap.... I even like it...
Please tell me your opinions about the watch and its movement so I make up my mind.
Thank you very much in advance.

Thank you very much for your kind response...    And, excellent photo...    It certainly does not look like you've been wearing it as an everyday even diving watch.,. it looks fantastic...     One more questions to you in that issue, does it scratch easyly???    I don't want to imagine a scratch in my Aquanaut...

This is a bargain compared to cars, boats ...

Kari, (once more) I like your point of view and your suggestions when we talk about ownership of watches.

Oliver

but one of the most expensive (percentage wise) Pateks to service. Take i.e. 5140P... Its service costs are just around 2% of the original purchase price. And after the service the watch should run perfectly for 5 years.

in previous threads. But, one thing to remember is that this watch is not as tough as it may appear and I would suggest you consider it as a dress watch in a steel case.

If you treat it in this manner, I think you will not experience any issues at all.

Is a great workhorse for many Patek watches, it replaced the 315 which beat at 21,000 compered to the 324 at 28,600 this made it slightly more accurate than the 315 but has to work harder for it.

about this: "Each movement is built with the same love, craftsmanship & precision as any other Patek movement"

Even on the very high PP-Level, there are differences when it comes to the conceptual design and the finishing.
No worries about this, even PP is not able to produce about 40.000 watches per year on the top, top, top level ;-)
Not every watchmaker at PP is able to produce someting like cal. CH R 27-525 PS ...

I guess, most of the customers are unable to see/explain the differences ... anyway.

All of them get great watches, but at the end you get what you pay for and some are superior - good or bad.

Oliver

PP are great watches of course, the brand is a legend but indeed all collections are not finished the same, even if they are excellent and not perfect.

But we love so much, do we^^

Cheers,

Mark


This message has been edited by Boréale on 2012-11-07 13:54:45

when it comes to watches?

You mentioned "for about 18000 grand one can purchase fantastic watches (non-PP)...".
Why do you think they are fantastic? Please help us to understand what is important for you, before we can give you an advice.

Did you try our search function - 5167, 324SC ...?

My choice would be 5065, because I prefer the "old style" - even when it is not good for 120m.

Oliver
This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2012-11-07 12:40:17

One of the main things I like about the Aquanaut is that it is a 120 m waterproof watch, meaning, you can handle it as a watch that can be wet by all means...  this does not happen in many PP.     Then, I really appreciate the efforts to make the watch beat at 28000 rev instead of 21000, of course, the price for that is that the movement has to work harder and power reserve goes down obviously...   I really like the aesthetics of the watch as well, as I mentioned before, but my main concern in mechanical watches will be the craftmanship of the movements and their reliability...  because, after all there are so many beautiful, really beautiful watches, that I find it really hard to decide which watch is better in this regard.So, as I appreciate craftmanship, precision, accuracy, those features overtake any other consideration.  That is why I have lernt to appreciate watches like Lange, PP, VC (mainly).  And then, after those ones, comes a much longer list of watches, one of my very appreciated ones in that second list will be definitely JD (so beautiful), IWC's (some of them), Rolex (which I appreciate very much but do not like the fact that it is mass produced and everybody has one). Hope I made myself clear in some aspects.

Thank you for reading theses lines.

and try to understand.

Waterproof does not mean "bombproof". The finishing on the case is too good/sophisticated for a "real" sportswatch. Please keep that in mind if you worry about (future) scratches and dings.

28000 or 21000 is not that important for a "simple" watch, but maybe important for the owner

Reliability and craftmanship of the movement - when we talk about the brands you mentioned (PP, Lange, VC) you shouldn´t worry about this, in general. The minimum you get is a top-notch industrial product and in some cases even more. Of course even from those brands you can get a "Monday" watch, but I never heard about one brand without any failures. Craftmanship is sometimes an "intelectual" discussion only, but once you got the bug ... it can be a never ending hunt - step by step

Precision & accuracy - Quartz is the king or the easiest way, to make it short

JD, IWC, Rolex ... - you can´t compare them, from my point of view. Don´t get me wrong, they offer (some) very nice/good watches. They are brands with different approaches, business cases ...

Your key information for me, is that you like the aesthetics (on your wrist?!!)? Perfect, what else do you need if you have the cash in you pocket!

Good luck with your decision and keep us updated!

Oliver

Thank you Oliver for your kind response.  I know that quarz is the most accurate, but i also know that I will never wear one...  So, it will be always mechanical...    I have a problem with you...   your response is so very logical without bias, that it makes it so much more difficult to decide which way to go...   Because of responses like yours, I have been waitting for the right watch for years... meaning, I know and understand what you mean...  and when I use intelect to buy a watch everything goes wrong...  and then, obviously I am not sure anymore...    And, the thing is, that I do not have good financial capabilities, but on the other hand, I like time machines so much, so, there it is.   Thank you very much again Oliver...   and if my line of thinking now continues in the same course, I do believe that I will let you know whenever I have my new 5167A on my wrist.

to jump and you will see any kind of experiences are part of the fun and better than any theories - only.

In any case you can´t make big mistakes with PP, but for sure you will have lot´s of great moments with something you love

Hope to read/see more from you at the PuristS, in the future.

Oliver

All I can say is that I've been very happy with my Aquanaut and its 324 SC movement.  I've never had any problems with the movement, and I can assure you, I don't baby it in any way.  I wear it when playing tennis twice a week, when swimming in the ocean, while bicycling, and for all general travel purposes. No issues at all so far.

I believe the newer 324 movements also uses the Patek's spiromax hairspring, made of silinvar, so it is not possible to magnetize it.  Closeup of my Aquanaut hairspring, notice the blue-ish color.

 

A watch put together by a Master Watchmaker, such as those who build the Grand Complications. What I was trying to instil upon the OP, is that they have nothing to fear from purchasing a Patek with the 324 movement, as is very adequately shown in w220 photos

extremly versatile, flies under the radar, i've timed it, on average it gains 1-2 secs/month!

the rubber strap is very comfortable, the sound of the rotor spinning music to your ears and i can only recommend you buy this watch if you're on the fence about it!

a few snaps of my aquanaut...

A 5167a is on its way to me in the next day or so (already have a 5065 for my fiancé). Have also read the mini review, etc and like the 5065 so the 5167a should simply be moreso due to the size/etc plus ability to use two different bands/bracelets

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pic below

Thank you very much...   Have already seen some photographs of yourself with this beautiful piece...   I appreciate your comments very much and...   I  believe I will recieve mine in about 10 days....    Very exciting news!!!!    Thanks again.  Hope to hear from you some more in the future.

many pics of it when it's arrived!!

Love the watch yet, and I posted this earlier and I think it may have been removed which concerns me..