Discussion
I love my world time, it is my main everyday watch. Got it in Rhodes at the Patek Agency Jeweller there along with a 24 for the (soon to be ex)wife. The exchange rate was great at the time and the Greeks do like to haggle as well so got it for a more reasonable price. Saw them in Vegas in the summer and they wanted $38,500 for them so I guess the UK has to be the best place to buy one at the moment.
Whilst I don't strongly disagree with the argument that Patek make the finest watches in the world... perhaps they're simply too subtle and I don't have the necessary breeding to appreciate them properly 
There isn't anything in Patek's current range that *excites* me or makes me feel 'I need to have that' - nothing that really sparks off any watch-lust.
I know the level of finish is superlative and the watch will outlive me, but I don't buy mechanical watches for the sole reason of having something to hand down to my grandchildren... I buy them so I can be amazed by the craftsmanship and engineering... Patek hide all of that away.
I'm sure that an argument from snobbery could be used to say that this means that I'm from some lower class or something, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Patek obviously have their market and are doing very well, still in private hands. But whilst it's easy to put Patek up there as a 'grail' watch because Patek are the 'best' - I'm not sure that they are really selling to the watch enthusiast. There's not much about many of their watches that directly appeal to 'enthusiasts' - they seem to be simply targeting the wealthy and those desperate to seek status (the 'heirloom' advertising is a shockingly unsubtle play at targeting the nouveau riche).
It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
There isn't anything in Patek's current range that *excites* me or makes me feel 'I need to have that' - nothing that really sparks off any watch-lust.I know the level of finish is superlative and the watch will outlive me, but I don't buy mechanical watches for the sole reason of having something to hand down to my grandchildren... I buy them so I can be amazed by the craftsmanship and engineering... Patek hide all of that away.
I'm sure that an argument from snobbery could be used to say that this means that I'm from some lower class or something, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Patek obviously have their market and are doing very well, still in private hands. But whilst it's easy to put Patek up there as a 'grail' watch because Patek are the 'best' - I'm not sure that they are really selling to the watch enthusiast. There's not much about many of their watches that directly appeal to 'enthusiasts' - they seem to be simply targeting the wealthy and those desperate to seek status (the 'heirloom' advertising is a shockingly unsubtle play at targeting the nouveau riche).
It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
cyberface said:
Whilst I don't strongly disagree with the argument that Patek make the finest watches in the world... perhaps they're simply too subtle and I don't have the necessary breeding to appreciate them properly There isn't anything in Patek's current range that *excites* me or makes me feel 'I need to have that' - nothing that really sparks off any watch-lust.
I know the level of finish is superlative and the watch will outlive me, but I don't buy mechanical watches for the sole reason of having something to hand down to my grandchildren... I buy them so I can be amazed by the craftsmanship and engineering... Patek hide all of that away.
I'm sure that an argument from snobbery could be used to say that this means that I'm from some lower class or something, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Patek obviously have their market and are doing very well, still in private hands. But whilst it's easy to put Patek up there as a 'grail' watch because Patek are the 'best' - I'm not sure that they are really selling to the watch enthusiast. There's not much about many of their watches that directly appeal to 'enthusiasts' - they seem to be simply targeting the wealthy and those desperate to seek status (the 'heirloom' advertising is a shockingly unsubtle play at targeting the nouveau riche).
It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
Interesting post and I think I agree with you. There isn't anything in Patek's current range that *excites* me or makes me feel 'I need to have that' - nothing that really sparks off any watch-lust.I know the level of finish is superlative and the watch will outlive me, but I don't buy mechanical watches for the sole reason of having something to hand down to my grandchildren... I buy them so I can be amazed by the craftsmanship and engineering... Patek hide all of that away.
I'm sure that an argument from snobbery could be used to say that this means that I'm from some lower class or something, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Patek obviously have their market and are doing very well, still in private hands. But whilst it's easy to put Patek up there as a 'grail' watch because Patek are the 'best' - I'm not sure that they are really selling to the watch enthusiast. There's not much about many of their watches that directly appeal to 'enthusiasts' - they seem to be simply targeting the wealthy and those desperate to seek status (the 'heirloom' advertising is a shockingly unsubtle play at targeting the nouveau riche).
It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
cyberface said:
There's not much about many of their watches that directly appeal to 'enthusiasts' - they seem to be simply targeting the wealthy and those desperate to seek status (the 'heirloom' advertising is a shockingly unsubtle play at targeting the nouveau riche).
It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
Well I'm an enthusiast and I think they're fantastic. Are you saying that you don't like them because a) they're 'too subtle' and b) because you can't see where you're money's been spent? Surely if Patek were targeting the nouveau riche (I'm sure their target market is everyone who can currently afford a watch as well as those who might in future be able to afford one) they're be big gaudy monstrosities like Audemars Piguet now make? Patek make a huge variety of watches, their catalogues are not the sum total of their production.It's almost as if Patek have made their designs too subtle to be desirable. Perhaps they're all slow-burners and it takes 10 years to fully appreciate them, I don't know. But I haven't got the 10 years to wait
Secondly, have you seen a Patek in the metal? Why not buy one with a sapphire crystal caseback? It would be so subtle only enthusiasts would spot it...
I think I agree mostly with the sentiments in this thread but I still had a patek itch that was scratched, unsatisfactorily, by a Travel Time. The 5070 Chronograph is a thing of beauty, however, and the more complicated you get the more they make sense as a watch but not necessarily as a purchase.
Every Patek compliaction I want to own is sidelined by the equivalent IWC,JLC etc at half the price so I follow and respect Patek, I rarely buy.
I also dont necessarily think that the advertising dumbs down the brand, I still think they sell to real watch enthusiasts, the buyer who want a status symbol will take a Rolex over Patek every day of the week.
Justin
Every Patek compliaction I want to own is sidelined by the equivalent IWC,JLC etc at half the price so I follow and respect Patek, I rarely buy.
I also dont necessarily think that the advertising dumbs down the brand, I still think they sell to real watch enthusiasts, the buyer who want a status symbol will take a Rolex over Patek every day of the week.
Justin
Wow! after looking at the website (www.patek.com) i'm considering selling an organ or two.
I like subtle watches that make sense the problem i have is when wearing an watch of such beauty and complexity i would never get anything done i get drawn into just watching it work.
This is my choice: Mens Grand Complications 5013R Rose Gold.
I like subtle watches that make sense the problem i have is when wearing an watch of such beauty and complexity i would never get anything done i get drawn into just watching it work.
This is my choice: Mens Grand Complications 5013R Rose Gold.
The only reason for myself to buy one would be so I can say I own a Patek. For the likes of chavvy old me, I just cannot see the point of buying their entry level watches. They look like crap (sorry) - Basic Calatrava's etc. A Breguet is so much more visually appealing and IMO built almost as well with 90% of the cachet (should you care about the latter!).
I think the magic of Patek is when you start spending north of £50K. Good luck.
I think the magic of Patek is when you start spending north of £50K. Good luck.
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