Patek Philippe are not as well made as you’d expect.
Discussion
This article has appeared on a Watchpro thread-
very interesting read regarding the machine finishing on Patek movements.
Considering Patek’s status as the Rolls Royce of watchmakers evidently Vacheron Constantin
and Breguet both have finer looking hand finished movements than the more expensive Pateks.
However, most Patek buyers couldn’t care less about the movements and nothing alters the fact the residuals on Breguet and Vacheron are crap compared to Patek.
https://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-...
very interesting read regarding the machine finishing on Patek movements.
Considering Patek’s status as the Rolls Royce of watchmakers evidently Vacheron Constantin
and Breguet both have finer looking hand finished movements than the more expensive Pateks.
However, most Patek buyers couldn’t care less about the movements and nothing alters the fact the residuals on Breguet and Vacheron are crap compared to Patek.
https://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-...
Disclaimer: not an expert on the topic, but do enjoy reading about nice watches
Al three of the brands you name there are at the absolute pinnacle of watch building. I particularly like Breguet. PP has, to my mind, always been very conservative in design; both the other brands are equally elegant but perhaps not as understated. This characteristic is more pronounced at the less expensive end of the ranges in my opinion, where a PP can look very simple. I would also give a mention to Lange & Sohn for exquisite timepieces
Al three of the brands you name there are at the absolute pinnacle of watch building. I particularly like Breguet. PP has, to my mind, always been very conservative in design; both the other brands are equally elegant but perhaps not as understated. This characteristic is more pronounced at the less expensive end of the ranges in my opinion, where a PP can look very simple. I would also give a mention to Lange & Sohn for exquisite timepieces
I found opening the bracelet clasp catch of the 5711 was a royal pain in the arse.
Heard others saying the same.
On plus side it was very comfortable on the wrist. Almost 'invisible'.
No regrets selling it.
Owned many other cheaper watches I personally liked more and it didn't make the keepers list when I dumped the collection.
Heard others saying the same.
On plus side it was very comfortable on the wrist. Almost 'invisible'.
No regrets selling it.
Owned many other cheaper watches I personally liked more and it didn't make the keepers list when I dumped the collection.
Groat said:
I found opening the bracelet clasp catch of the 5711 was a royal pain in the arse.
Heard others saying the same.
On plus side it was very comfortable on the wrist. Almost 'invisible'.
No regrets selling it.
Owned many other cheaper watches I personally liked more and it didn't make the keepers list when I dumped the collection.
I tend to agree. I sold my PP largely because it was invisible on the wrist actually - too flimsy feeling and I prefer a more robust watch. It doubled in value, so I bought a Sky Dweller with the profit and don't regret selling it at all.Heard others saying the same.
On plus side it was very comfortable on the wrist. Almost 'invisible'.
No regrets selling it.
Owned many other cheaper watches I personally liked more and it didn't make the keepers list when I dumped the collection.
I am not really sure I noticed a massive difference in quality between the Patek or some of the other watches I own and that was another reason I sold. Nicely made, but not quite the pinnacle of horology I thought.
I'm not sure exactly what to expect from PP, but I do expect them to be very good indeed for the price they charge. When you start considering these sorts of watches then it is impossible to make a rational justification for such extravagance IMO, you either want one and are prepared to pay for it or you don't. I have a 5205G and do think that it is a very nice watch, cost aside, and for me this is the sort of watch that PP are all about. I also like that it isn't too ostentatious, well, at least I don't think so.
I mean this is no way to criticise the taste of others, but I simply do not 'get' the Nautilus at all, particularly the SS versions, so cannot comment on expectations or feel of these. I would of course buy one at list (as if that's likely!) to immediately sell and totally understand those that do/did, but that's another little can of worms... Who actually pays the prices asked for these at the moment!?
I sold a WG Daytona to fund the PP and feel this was a good move, just as a slight aside and a direct comparison, quality wise both watches felt very high to me, but I was getting a bit uncomfortable with the high profile nature of Rolex and the slightly flashy appearance of the Daytona making me less willing to wear it so often (still have an LV though, so who knows what that says about my taste!). Whether or not the PP is a 'better' watch than the Rolex (for example) is probably subjective - I'm sure that the movement is 'better' and certainly prettier to look at in the PP (although I've never studied it through a loupe so couldn't comment on the scale of imperfections identified in the article and probably wouldn't notice them anyway TBH).
At some point I'm going to buy a Lange (probably an 1815 Chrono) and so it will be interesting to see how the perceived quality of the two brands compares.
I mean this is no way to criticise the taste of others, but I simply do not 'get' the Nautilus at all, particularly the SS versions, so cannot comment on expectations or feel of these. I would of course buy one at list (as if that's likely!) to immediately sell and totally understand those that do/did, but that's another little can of worms... Who actually pays the prices asked for these at the moment!?
I sold a WG Daytona to fund the PP and feel this was a good move, just as a slight aside and a direct comparison, quality wise both watches felt very high to me, but I was getting a bit uncomfortable with the high profile nature of Rolex and the slightly flashy appearance of the Daytona making me less willing to wear it so often (still have an LV though, so who knows what that says about my taste!). Whether or not the PP is a 'better' watch than the Rolex (for example) is probably subjective - I'm sure that the movement is 'better' and certainly prettier to look at in the PP (although I've never studied it through a loupe so couldn't comment on the scale of imperfections identified in the article and probably wouldn't notice them anyway TBH).
At some point I'm going to buy a Lange (probably an 1815 Chrono) and so it will be interesting to see how the perceived quality of the two brands compares.
I turned down a 5711 at list in 2019, because I wanted to buy a Patek to keep not flip and having tried it on I really didn't like it. No offence to anyone who does, obviously these things are subjective, but it just did nothing for me to be honest.
I thought I'd turn it down to keep the relationship with the AD and ask for a 5167 Aquanaut instead, which they promptly got me. I kept it a year before selling it, again I just didn't click with it at all. It felt a big fragile, ended up replacing it with an Omega Seamaster in blue on rubber and genuinely prefer wearing it (size, wrist presence, robustness etc all suit me personally better).
I appreciate to many that's a bonkers move and the Patek 5167 is clearly seen as "better". But who knows what that even means, there are so many hype watches now that people are buying the hype not the watch. For example are people REALLY paying more for a pre owned Daytona than a Royal Oak Chronograph or VC Overseas?
I thought I'd turn it down to keep the relationship with the AD and ask for a 5167 Aquanaut instead, which they promptly got me. I kept it a year before selling it, again I just didn't click with it at all. It felt a big fragile, ended up replacing it with an Omega Seamaster in blue on rubber and genuinely prefer wearing it (size, wrist presence, robustness etc all suit me personally better).
I appreciate to many that's a bonkers move and the Patek 5167 is clearly seen as "better". But who knows what that even means, there are so many hype watches now that people are buying the hype not the watch. For example are people REALLY paying more for a pre owned Daytona than a Royal Oak Chronograph or VC Overseas?
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