akitaishi
295
From the horses mouth...
Well, it's indicative that "many new collectors" like myself wonder about the reference numbers.
Since it's Mr Stern who said it, then the case is clear.
However it just makes us wonder if they ever run out of reference numbers to use. For a watch company with more than 1.5 century of tradition and having made so many pieces. It just amaze me how they keep track of their watch reference numbers especially when they have no system of numbering their watch models.
Richard Mille watches, being a fairly young watch company by comparison, numbers their watches in chronological order. RM-01 ~RM57 etc. so we are quite sure their RM-16 came before RM-28, for instance.
The reference numbering..... Is there a system ?
Do they mean anything ? I wonder. As in references come in the numbering like 3XXX, 5XXX, 6XXX etc. Is there any meaning to the watch that starts with 3, 5 or 6 etc ? Just a random thought that crossed my mind.
So what does the.
reference number say about the piece. Series starting with 5, do they mean anything ?
No system...
See this interview with Mr. Stern himself which covers the topic. amp;fi=11&pi=2374081&ti=397486
5919?
Now I'm really confused. In the link you provided Mr. Stern referenced the 5919 as the successor to the 3919. Makes perfect sense numericaly (larger version of 3919) but I thought the model he was referring to is the 5119. Was there a model 5919? His expl...
From the horses mouth...
Well, it's indicative that "many new collectors" like myself wonder about the reference numbers. Since it's Mr Stern who said it, then the case is clear. However it just makes us wonder if they ever run out of reference numbers to use. For a watch company...
Well said..
"However it just makes us wonder if they ever run out of reference numbers to use. For a watch company with more than 1.5 century of tradition and having made so many pieces. It just amaze me how they keep track of their watch reference numbers especially...
What also doesn't make sense is....
why Patek will sometimes use the same number for a different version of the watch, where the new version is quite different for the old one. For example, the 5134 'Travel Time' at one point has all arabic numerals. In a later version, used arabic numerals...
That is why ...
I raised this question. One that is fundamentally curious to anyone that takes an interest in the watch. It also makes us wonder , going back in time, how did they choose the reference numbers for their first watch and then subsequently decide the numbers...
Patek staff told me that ...
... there is some logic to it and that's why they all can talk about different numbers and know exactly which watches they refer to Let me find out some more and get back to you guys
No Logic
There is no logic to this and it comes from the horses mouth. If there is and they dont tell you, then they dont want you to know.... a bit like their production numbers. Just because they follow the 3919 with the 5919 means nothing. they followed the 511...