Can I be a True Watch Fan (Collector) if I don't l like Patek Philippe?

[MILGAUSS88]

Ah, the Patek. Like the lure of the siren's song, never what it seems to be, yet who among us can resist?

If you are really into watches the call of the Patek is hard to resist.

I think I have been through your stage.
Step 1. You get into (better) watches and find you like a Rolex, Omega or watch of similar stature.

Step 2. You hear that Patek is the Pinnacle of watch making. You see auction results in the news that affirms this status.

Step 3. You start thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice to have at least one example?"

Step 4. You start looking at them, but you just can't quite find that "one". The one that makes you say yes this is it.
So you just try to figure out what the best you have to offer.

But if I search deep down in my soul and be honest, I find AP and Vacheron to be more attractive, an Lange eats there lunch when it comes to quality. (It looks like they made some improvements this year, bit they are still chasing Lange.) Not to mention the quality and design of numerous independents.

For disclosure I own 6 PP 1 VC, no Lange's no independents. So I am not a PP hater.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

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. (It looks like they made some improvements this year, bit they are still chasing Lange.) Not to mention the quality and design of numerous independents.

For disclosure I own 6 PP 1 VC, no Lange's no independents. So I am not a PP hater.

I also think Patek’s chattering mark on the anglage is now less obvious. They used to be easy to see under a good loupe, now I have to look harder on my friend’s recent examples.

[QuantumOceanLawyer]

I think liking any brand has nothing to do with being a collector. This is a hobby. To actually be a hobbyist you have gone a hell of a lot deeper than just aesthetics. I think it would be exceedingly difficult to be a collector, I mean to be fully immersed in the hobby, without appreciating what Patek is and has made. In the same way that I don’t like a Rolex has a cooperate entity, I don’t really appreciate them as a piece of horology, but I know what they’ve accomplished as a brand and what they’ve done for the rest of the watch industry. Whether I appreciate the aesthetics and the feel on wrist is another thing.

I often find myself saying the same thing about art. I feel like I can’t be considered a proper educated gentleman because I hate Renaissance art (there are number of other reasons I might not be a gentleman but let’s not get into that). I took a semester in college to live in the Netherlands and studied art restoration. I also took another semester to live in Germany and then travel Italy and France for two months. I have seen almost every museum in Europe twice. I just had my fill of the Renaissance. I finally realized that I can still be a sophisticated person while hating Renaissance art as long as I appreciated it and appreciated what that time period did for human history.


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[rolexpatek363]

I don't like brussells sprouts, therefore I don't like all other foods. Or something.

No-one cares very much about what some other guy likes, or do they?

[CountryBoy]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

I don't like brussells sprouts, therefore I don't like all other foods. Or something.

No-one cares very much about what some other guy likes, or do they?

Fair. We have had people who did not like broccolis and still managed to become the presidents of most powerful nation in the world.

[JorgeCCW]

trolling


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[0xalate]

I think it's worth visiting an AD and taking a look at a couple pieces in person. And then do that a couple more times. Some brands, imo, get boring fast, but somehow Patek gets more interesting the more you spend time with it. Pateks also don't look as good in pictures as in person for some reason. Weird enough it's the opposite for Lange. They look fancy in pictures but quite underwhelming in person (aside from the movement - no doubt they are currently best in class when it comes to the caseback part), but it's just my taste.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by tom2517

I also think Patek’s chattering mark on the anglage is now less obvious. They used to be easy to see under a good loupe, now I have to look harder on my friend’s recent examples.

That good news, thanks for the PP update. Are they offering a proper five-year warranty yet, as anything less would keep me from getting anything from Patek nowadays. It is also good to hear their standard service times are now 8 to 12 weeks.

There's no doubt Patek has established itself as a sold mid-tier manufacturer for high-end timepieces today. We all know ALS, FP Journe, and quite a few other true independents have superseded Patek. Decades ago PP was considered the best... yet time has passed them by. Sure Patek can sell great work, sadly it's just not available within their mainstream pieces.

[CountryBoy]

I've always loved FP Journe's aesthetics.

A multi-brand AD I gallop to regularly and have purchased many watches from has always discouraged me from purchasing the brand. They say they send most of the FPJs back for bug repairs.

My info is pre-covid and perhaps things have changed for the better. I'm also certain many pardners here have had no issue with their FP Journe.

I know that FP Journe as an investment is good, and certainly gorgeous/magnificent pieces.

[Stevez]

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

I think it has more validity if you experience Patek and then you form your opinion/conclusion that is not for you.


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[tom2517]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

That good news, thanks for the PP update. Are they offering a proper five-year warranty yet, as anything less would keep me from getting anything from Patek nowadays. It is also good to hear their standard service times are now 8 to 12 weeks.

There's no doubt Patek has established itself as a sold mid-tier manufacturer for high-end timepieces today. We all know ALS, FP Journe, and quite a few other true independents have superseded Patek. Decades ago PP was considered the best... yet time has passed them by. Sure Patek can sell great work, sadly it's just not available within their mainstream pieces.

Yeah sadly, but with some Nautilus selling for more than grand complications on the secondary market, maybe finishing is overrated.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by tom2517

Yeah sadly, but with some Nautilus selling for more than grand complications on the secondary market, maybe finishing is overrated.

Very true, the market is about always higher and higher pricing. The underlining 'actual intrinsic value' doesn't matter any longer.

We live in interesting times.

[Sisyphus]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Very true, the market is about always higher and higher pricing. The underlining 'actual intrinsic value' doesn't matter any longer.

We live in interesting times.

I would take the view that the "intrinsic" value remains a valid argument for pricing when looking at retail prices.

Doesn't play any role whatsoever when looking at second hand/auction...

[ryehn]

There is one for everyone. You are not forced to like it!