Blue and White
297
Strategically, an excellent move!
Jun 18, 2020,02:58 AM
It is interesting to follow the reactions in this forum and elsewhere about this new watch.
I think it is an excellent move from Patek.
This watch has enough ingredients to be called "original Patek" and not to be mistaken with other brands. At the same time, it is a move away from the traditional setting of the Calatrava line which in the eyes of many stands for the rather conservative approach of the brand. And that approach is simply not very en vogue for many buyers.
The strap material, the design of the dial with the "fresh" numerals, the design of the hands and other stylistic cues etc, all that brings a bit more of a modern, more progressive vibe to the brand.
Do not get me wrong, I admire the traditional Calatrava line and many other watches of PP.
But for Patek, it is important to not get reduced down to their two sports watch lines, Nautilus and Aquanaut, in the product suite and to avoid the risk of becoming a mono-product brand sometime in the future (see AP and its Royal Oak trap).
This watch could maybe usher in a different design approach of Patek and diversify its suite successfully.
Only down-side for me is indeed that date integration but then again, this has rarely been a strength of Patek ever, e.g. with the 5396 as a dreadful example of how the date can mess up the whole concept.