Patek Philippe

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Mark in Paris

Hi Mark:

Thank you for your most comprehensive note...very impressive. I can see now that this forum is for "real" (transient) connoisseurs, where the conversation is mostly about pros and cons (if any) of different watches. Fair enough, that is the right probably enshrined in some mission statement of the site. I am sorry, again, as I seemingly violated some tenants mentioning prices, etc.,. I apologize.

I offer some other thoughts, in the spirit of continuous improvement, for the consideration of this community, as follows:

After all we are talking about a timepiece, an object, regardless of how "close to the heart" the object is, it is a commodity.

Two implications among many other follow; First, commerce (and its vile complications, such as price, competition, personal preference, etc.) apply. They are the essential ingredient of any commodity( again sorry to call Watches a commodity), second, Creative Destruction, since time leaves a lot of commodities( and associated business models) in its wake. After all, we are not talking about the Taj Mahal, The Great Wall, etc. Therefore, let's agree that we are talking about a consumable that is subject to normal market dynamics, e.g. price of gold, demand in China, strength of the Dollar, to name a few influencers.

I should think that if this energized community really wants to serve PP(and in the process retain owner exclusivity, enjoy branding, protect investments and the quiet satisfaction of the aesthetics these watches represent) the commerce part needs to become a part of the overall conversation and (as unpalatable it may be for the purists) cannot be divorced from the object itself.

So then must we do? The answer may lie in a growing ( and especially younger) market with an ever expanding product line that produces more cash flow and yes, profits, enabling more investment by PP in their business.

Who knows, a company with more known( and desired) products will have more flexibility and resources to expand, experiment and perhaps have the freedom to reimagine, design and craft products that may not be possible today (even the companies have an R&D budget).

The sales strategy would be similar to MB, ranging from model A to S class, all more aspirational to the users, without diluting brand exclusivity.

All the foregoing because I have read 2 posts that seem to divorce the object from its economics.

Personally, such reception to a simple inquiry is discouraging to a novice. And here I was already looking forward to acquiring more complicated (of course more expensive) watches over my lifetime, with affection, admiration and as a custodian (yes I even like the PP slogan of "you never really own it ...).

Philosophically, I thought of Groucho Mar'x famous quip " being a part of a club who would want them as a member".

I don't see much evidence from the comments (except for Dr. Kol) welcoming new(sometimes younger, uninformed and with limited means) members in the community.

For the sake of creating a more vibrant community Perhaps the strictures of this sites need a reflective revisit.

Even Adam Smith discussed Supply and Demand..So did Euripides, but that would be a bridge too far....