patekova
1423
Patek 3448J versus Patek 5496P. Vintage versus modern. Usually Patek collectors collect vintage OR modern, a relative few collect both. What do you prefer?
Oct 05, 2021,01:36 AM
For me it has been a journey. Starting in the mid 1980s it was exclusively vintage. Then starting in the mid 90s after the introduction of the 5035 leading to other incredible watches, I moved exclusively to modern. About another 10 years after that I moved to a mix of vintage (eg the 3448) and modern (eg the 5496P), with more of an emphasis on modern (eg 5131, 5970, Nautilus and Aquanaut).
What I love about vintage is rarity, a certain charm that comes with production from another era and and a style of beauty and workmanship that mostly is lacking from modern.
What I like about modern is reliability, practicality, ease of function (you cannot quick set a 3448). Also, when bought new from the AD, the condition is perfect and I am a condition fanatic. It is quite challenging to find a vintage watch that is unpolished, mint and complete with box and Certificate. I think we are in a golden age of watch making ushered in at Patek in the mid 1990s and which has continued to this day. I think many modern Pateks are incredibly beautiful. I include the 5496P in this category, although I suspect relatively few would agree with me.
I am confident the overwhelming majority of Purists would find the 3448 far more appealing than the 5496P. I love both, with each robustly satisfying different sensibilities - vintage versus modern.
How do you feel about vintage versus modern? And what has your collecting journey been?
Best, Patekova