Patek Philippe

The Caliber 240 is a Beautiful Thing!

You have the perfect 240 collection.  

Don't get me wrong, I love the Cal 240, and I think that any serious PP collection should get a watch with a Cal 240 inside.

But when it comes to a brand such as Patek, I always was disturbed by seeing that the Cal 240 could be used in a simple Calatrava, up to a Celestial 5102.

Personally, one Patek, one movement, this is my theme, but I can agee that the 240 theme is captivating. So, your next one will be the 5102?

Best,

Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-02-20 23:33:04

Hard to justify the price of the 5102 whatever they tell us. Actually the skybridge the de bethune also reminded me of that. However much i love the 5102, it just doesnt feel right. While the de bethune is not only gorgeous, cheaper, but also follows the principal 1 watch 1 movement.

My guess is that you don’t have a Patek Celestial?

 

Look, … I don’t get defensive about watches because quite frankly it’s only important that they make me happy.  The obvious negative certainty you express in your opinion, however, leads me to believe that a different analysis from a “hands on” observation point might be in order.

 

Have you ever met a person you were sure you’d detest only to find that they’re nothing like you imagined them to be?  If you have, this experience might mirror what you’d find if you wore a Patek Celestial.

 

I’ve found that many who shop for watches in the Grand Complications category are enamored with the multitude of features and the wealth of data that’s presented on the dial.  Indeed, I might fit that description?  As a result, at first blush and without primary experience the Celestial might not seem to offer very much.  There’s no sound.  There’s no chronographic function.  Heck, you can’t even tell what month you’re in?  Ahhh, … but that’s the trap.  The dial of the Patek Celestial is actually wildly fun.  With the stars and the moon constantly moving at different rates, like the sky itself the background of the watch is truly unique each day.  In the 6102P the date around the periphery is simply a bonus.

 

It’s only my opinion, but when it comes to the Patek Celestial in order to “get it” … you have to get it.

 

... that my words hit a string. Actually i agree with you as well. Don't get me wrong, i love the watch, and the celestial sky is a complication by itself, much more interesting and appealing to me than a chrono for example. 

picture shows the beauty very well. Superb!

Thanks, for sharing!

Oliver

I am a big fan of these astronomical watches.

And of the Celestial.

But the fact that Patek used a Cal 240 for it disturbs me. Once again, this is just me and my conception of Patek Philippe.

Best, and enjoy yours, it is truly splendid. Especially in white gold.

Nicolas

The watch you're looking at is a 6102P-001. The case is Platinum.

To achieve the 3-D appearance of the constantly rotating sky and waxing and waning moon the movement clearly needs to be thin or the watch would be too thick ... which makes the 240 an excellent choice?

I hear your argument, but I don't agree. The difference between the most complicated Patek Automatic Minute Repeater and the least expensive Minute Repeater is MANY hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fact that they both employ the same R 27 Base Movement doesn't increase the value of the less complicated watch nor does it diminish the more expensive one? They are what they are ... and they ARE beautiful! Similarly, that the 6102P has the same base movement as less expensive Patek watches doesn't make the Celestial any less unique and fascinating in appearance. Indeed, if anything repair/maintenance should be more palatable? Look, ... I get it. The Patek Celestial is such a massive deviation from the look of a traditional Patek watch I understand totally why it is difficult to appreciate what makes it special. Trust me on this one. The 240 movement is absolutely NOT a problem

 

.

Enjoy, and thanks for defending your point of view!

Best,

Nicolas.

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which got your interest and therefore you had to go for them "all", or was it something else?

Hope you don´t mind my question, but I find it always very interesting to "understand" why somebody fall in love with something and started to collect it.

In any case, an outstanding collection. Congrats!

Oliver

I've fielded a few responses from others who don't seem to like the 240 or at least they don't like that Patek employs this base chassis in a number of different watches? I've written opposing responses NOT because I love the 240 so much, but because I don't have a problem with Patek using an engine that works over and over again. I am not convinced that a common movement makes a watch less fascinating or beautiful for an aficionado like myself or less valuable for others who consider themselves collectors?  I chose the watches in the picture from the original thread based on their individual appearance and features. To me each one of them captures beauty in very different ways. It is a comforting coincidence that they all depend on an extremely reliable movement.

No other words to say!.

Movement which has an excellent track record.