Patek Philippe

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Beauty is not the “reason” why I love PP watches

Beauty can't be the “reason” why I love these watches, simply because Beauty isn't rational. Till now, I've written I love Patek Philippe watches for their rarity (here) and for their tradition (here). What about their Beauty? Well, Beauty is The Sense, The Meaning of my love for PP watches. However, it couldn't be different, since we're talking about imperfect objects: mechanical timepieces aren't so accurate and they require our best attentions as well as the tender loving cares of a watchmaker. Maybe, we see in a mechanical watch the embodiment of human imperfection?

I apologize for replying so late to this great thread, but I couldn't not participate! Among other things, in the past I've written about this matter, as well as I've respectfully played with PP watches, posting drawings inspired by or based on them. I've also criticized some designs, but I've done it always because I deeply appreciate the Beauty of PPs. Actually, their collections are the only one in the whole horology world that I like almost entirely: there must be something in the water the PP designers drink, that make me like their productions nearly always.

What, in my opinion, make the Beauty of Patek Philippe watches? A lot of thoughts come to me. Rather than listing specific examples, I prefer to list some key features.

- The Beauty of the Patek Philippe watches stands in the perfect balance between elegance, sophistication and understatement; for sure, they’re one of the best watches for a Purist.

- Beauty is the language spoken by the objects. Not only through their look, but even by every single stimulation of our senses. The Beauty of PP watches as surely a feast for the eyes as well as a pleasure for the sense of touch and (for the lucky ones) for hearing.

- The Beauty of a PP watch stands in realizing in every new proposal a step forward, but without denying the past. Of course, in the past there have been some flops (and PP didn’t insist on them indefinitely); of course, PP too have recently succumbed to the temptation of gratuitous case enlargements. On average, however, the new proposals are consistent enough with the important role the brand has in the market.

- The aesthetic harmony is particularly striking once the watch is worn, rather than merely observing it.

- The Beauty of the PP watches regards not only their "face". IMHO their cases are the most sought-looking and original; their buckles and their bracelets are the most attractive; the movements are among the most beautiful.

- Beauty can be ephemeral and set fire to one’s heart only for a short instant, or Beauty can be eternal, becoming day by day the material representation of human tension to the absolute truth. Yes, I'm exaggerating a bit (just a bit...): the Beauty of PP watches belongs to the second category.

- The PP designers wisely use both symmetries and asymmetries.

- You can often find small touches of surprising originality, in the PP Beauty.

- The combination of colors is appropriate to the message of the various timepieces: from the classics to the contemporary.

- PP is perhaps the only traditionally-inspired-Manufacture whose products are recognizable even without any signature.

- Unfortunately, I still miss the experience of possession of a PP timepiece, but I had 3 powerful experiences with these watches. The first brings back to 2008, when I met an excellent AD who educated me about the Beauty of these watches, pointing out that sometimes it may conflict with practicality. The second experience was in 2009, when I’ve visited the PP Museum in Genève: it is a very big hymn to the power of beauty, and this makes us feel smaaaaall and insignificant (I don’t want to be offensive using this word: it’s a “pilgrimage” for every watch-lover). The third experience began in 2010 when, willing to design new PPs, I had to study their style in detail.

- Finally, I would like to say that the Beauty of watches represents a good share of historic and artistic heritage of Switzerland.

Well, I nearly forgot to tell what is the most beautiful Patek Philippe watch. I’d like to suggest the Ref. 5207 for its boldness and perfection and the Ref. 130 for its elegance and functionality.

Thank you for reading, ciao!