Is there a brand that you think is superior to Patek Philippe?

[Samui]

And why do you think so?

[Jack Cassidy]

Yes. It depends on the specific watch.

ALS has some watches were the finishing is close to perfect.

RM has some watches that are perfect in their segment without competition.

[KarlS]

Roger Smith and probably 10 other independents I can think of that make less than 100 watches a year with meticulous attention to detail and the avoidance of mass production

[Robert993]

Depends what "superior" means.

[Stuxnet]

Stradivari and Guaneri for sure.

[brookish]

Originally Posted by Robert993

Depends what "superior" means.

adjective

= better, higher, greater, grander, preferred, prevailing, paramount, surpassing, more advanced, predominant, unrivalled, more extensive, more skilful, more expert, a cut above (informal), streets ahead (informal), running rings around (informal) • " a woman greatly superior to her husband in education"

[Passionata]

ALS or JLC are comparable in quality but I cionsider PP cooler since they not belonging to any group,
independents are different ,making 10watches annual not comparable to serial production.

[WhatTheDeuce]

Rolex is superior at making more watches.


Sent from half way through the Kessel Run using Tapatalk

[AK797]

I think AP generally do pure sports watches better, and Lange decorates and beautifies some of their chronograph movements better.

[el1125]

In horology, no.

[YoureTerrific]

I find the finishing on several brands to be superior, or at least more interesting. For example, here's a photo I took of an F.P. Journe.

[Hollister]

Another vote for Journe, here's why - 10 patents on this watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6WMenS141A

[Le Chef]

Most in house movements? More decorative finishing? Unique features? Most patents? Most historic?

I like AP, Roger Dufour, Lange because of my perception of superiority, but since there's no hard metric around superiority without a definition it remains solely a personal preference.

[jon_jon]

I have visited a couple of FP Journe boutiques (Tokyo and Geneva) and they make some really nice watches. However nothing has really wow'ed me. Tantalum is an interesting metal and their petite and grande sonnerie watches are actually very good. And I have nothing but great respect for Francoise-Paul Journe.

I have also tried on RM, MB&F, GF, Urwerk and ALS at several high-end watch stores. Each of these manufacturers have their niche market. But they seem to run parallel to one another in creating their own special line of watches. The workmanship of the movement and the case is usually quite superb.

But I can't quite say if any of these brands are "superior" to Patek Philippe. They are, on their own, prime examples of haute horology. But when you get to this level, it is often difficult to say if one is better than the other. One is attracted to watches from one brand or another, not because it is better than another or the "best", but rather because a specific watch from a certain brand draws you in in a special way. It is really a person thing IMHO.

[watchucallit]

Superior is very subjective as proposed. I would say in the ALS datograph has the most visually appealing movement I have seen. I think Lange and some of the other high end independents make nicer moon phase watches. I think Patek makes the best Chrono/Annual calendars-- albeit perhaps not a lot of high end competition.

[RUK]

Superior can be in different aspects

Movement finishing - Independents/ FPJ/ALS/ others are superior to PP
Value for money in horology - JLC is superior to PP
Value retention and collectability - Patek is superior to others
Daily wear and serviceability - Rolex is superior PP

[ggencer]

Well. For saving value, finishing and quality Patek is always best.

For the quality and mechanism we can say that ALS can match Patek.

As a RM owner I should admit that RM is just a new boy. Not fair to compare with those grandmasters...

JLC is good brand but it is not playing in the same league of Patek, ALS, VC, AP and even Breguet.

[RolexAuthority]

Pateks top complication watches cannot be touched especially with their company heritage and what they as a brand have given the world. Put Pateks best people against any other competitor and if there is no limitations they would create something so incredible that couldn't be matched. Patek have the skills, the knowledge, the heritage, the back catalogue of design and brand dna that is unmatched.

[watchucallit]

I agree.. nice summary

Originally Posted by RUK

Superior can be in different aspects

Movement finishing - Independents/ FPJ/ALS/ others are superior to PP
Value for money in horology - JLC is superior to PP
Value retention and collectability - Patek is superior to others
Daily wear and serviceability - Rolex is superior PP

[subtona]

There is competition but All things considered, my answer is No.

And I like looking at the little gear things.

[Hollister]

Originally Posted by subtona

There is competition but All things considered, my answer is No.

What things did you consider? I'm a PP fan, but there are niche brands which arguably spank PP on finishing quality, exclusivity and innovation. Dufour, Roger Smith, De Bethune, Laurent Ferrier, Journe, Lange, and no doubt others.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Hollister

What things did you consider? I'm a PP fan, but there are other niche brands which arguably spank PP on finishing quality and innovation. Dufour, Roger Smith, De Bethune, Laurent Ferrier, Journe, Lange, and no doubt others.

consider everything that will be mentioned in this thread, then give those things your personal weight, for me patek sits above the crowd.


many of those smaller niche brands may produce quite a good product but they also have to appeal to me… some do, but many are ruled out by what i think are undesirable design characteristics… i could go down the list and bash the heck out of many of their design choices but that is not what this thread is for and of course this is only my subjective answer

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

Most in house movements? More decorative finishing? Unique features? Most patents? Most historic?

I like AP, Roger Dufour, Lange because of my perception of superiority, but since there's no hard metric around superiority without a definition it remains solely a personal preference.

Philippe or Dubuis?

[Hollister]

OK, well it is a personal thing I guess. There is a perception that PP seem to be losing their way recently, resting on their laurels.

[Hollister]

Ignore, my mistake. Definitely time for bed.

[perpetualman88]

Philippe Dufour finishing is the best IMO

[malarky_hk]

Your questions is asking which "brand" is superior to PP; and depending on how you define "superior" the answer will vary. But in terms of brand recognition, definitely Rolex.

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Philippe or Dubuis?

its a new hybrid brand

[cervantes]

Agree with Gus, taken all together, no - Patek reigns supreme.

[masyv6]

I suppose the answer is subjective based on how you weigh the components of what makes up a watch brand (finishing, horological significance, accuracy, cost, provenance, production quality, serviceability, etc)

I think Patek is the top brand in the world, all things considered.