Patek Philippe

stultus77
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Re: It depends how you define "outperform"

I also far prefer the vintage look of the VC Historique over the unbalanced and needlessly gigantic 5070, which I have never been a fan of. 

That being said, the PP version of the Lemania-based movement has significant improvements over the VC version, which mainly differs from the movement used in the old Speedmasters in terms of cosmetic finishing.  PP reworks the movement extensively, including improving the power train to increase power reserve to 65+ hours and adding a Gyromax free-sprung balance.  Based on a casual visual comparison of the two, it is also obvious that PP has replaced many of the chronograph-related parts with its own, including the intermediate chronograph wheel bridge, fourth chronograph wheel and chronograph bridge.   The PP also features a classic polished steel cap for the column wheel.  Nearly all these are features found on historical PP chronos.

Whether those improvements enable the PP to "outperform" the VC version depends on one's defninition of the word (not to mention whether they justify the 300% price premium for the PP), but personally I like and admire the improvements.  But not enough to want a 5070, so I bought a 3970 instead.  And now I am looking for a VC chrono.  Go figure... =)

- Daniel