Took macro shots of my brand new 5164a. Very disappointed

[yellowfinger]

Inspired by the other thread on the quality of 5167a. I decided to give macro shots a try for my 5164a. I figured more efforts will be put it to a less "entry-level" model of Aquanaut.

I took time to align all three hands so that their back and sides could be seen on one shot.

To my surprise, all three hands have issues. Hour and minute hands sides seems unpolished and "stamped". Second hands just looked like painted by a three years old. Also for lume, i have two different shades of brightness for the numbers. No. 5 1 8 2 was much brighter than the rest

Let you gents judge by the pictures.

[Murcielagoboy2]

I’m not sure what you expect.
That Patek’s entry level sports watch. I think the finish is consistent with that .

[IBDOC]

This is the level of finish for all of Patek’s watches that don’t come out of the high complications or rare handcrafts departments. If you want beautiful macro go Lange. Or Grand Seiko.

[yellowfinger]

Originally Posted by IBDOC

This is the level of finish for all of Patek’s watches that don’t come out of the high complications or rare handcrafts departments. If you want beautiful macro go Lange. Or Grand Seiko.

So I should expect Grand Seiko a watch which is 83% cheaper to have better finishing?

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[WWC]

I would tend to agree with the OP on this one. For that amount of money, even entry level Patek’s we’re talking about lots of money here. I would expect there to be higher QC and if we’re comparing it to Grand Seiko, then yes, I’d expect much more on the 5164a.

I haven’t put either one of my Patek’s under the macro, so who am I to say whether these flaws are coming across all models and pieces?

[IBDOC]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

So I should expect Grand Seiko a watch which is 83% cheaper to have better finishing?

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To avoid disappointment; yes.

[Murcielagoboy2]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

So I should expect Grand Seiko a watch which is 83% cheaper to have better finishing?

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With PP stamped on the dial you’re not, at this basic level of Patek, paying for finishing.
I bet the Grand Seiko probably has more than 83% absolute deprecation than your Patek too.

Not intending to inflame the OP, but I sincerely believe you’re expecting too much. This isn’t a 5370.
And other posters are quite right, Lange do it better at this level.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Murcielagoboy2

With PP stamped on the dial you’re not, at this basic level of Patek, paying for finishing.
I bet the Grand Seiko probably has more than 83% absolute deprecation than your Patek too.

Not intending to inflame the OP, but I sincerely believe you’re expecting too much. This isn’t a 5370.
And other posters are quite right, Lange do it better at this level.

I would sincerely expect a Patek finish on a Patek watch.

That looks like a knock off.

The finish on the hands is unbelievably bad.

[Soondooboo]

are you sure that's not a fake? If it's real then that's pretty disappointing.

[IBDOC]

Originally Posted by yellowfinger

So I should expect Grand Seiko a watch which is 83% cheaper to have better finishing?

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Yes. But if you can’t stand it in all its disappointing crappiness I graciously offer to dispose of it for you, free of charge

[sgwatchguy]

Wow, that is disappointing. Second thread like this in just a few days.

[AG23]

Originally Posted by Murcielagoboy2

With PP stamped on the dial you’re not, at this basic level of Patek, paying for finishing.
I bet the Grand Seiko probably has more than 83% absolute deprecation than your Patek too.

Not intending to inflame the OP, but I sincerely believe you’re expecting too much. This isn’t a 5370.
And other posters are quite right, Lange do it better at this level.

I can’t afford this forum, but lurk with an appreciation for PP aesthetics and I am amazed by your comments regarding not paying for finishing. I absolutely respect your opinion as someone with a lot more brand knowledge and accept it as true, but it does put me off the low end watches that I may have been able to aspire to.

As a company, do they really think they don’t need to have as decent a finish as GS as they’ve built a reputation and hold value? I don’t think you were inflaming the OP at all, and I am always learning on this forum, so absolutely appreciate the input and I suppose I now mentally downgrade PP to a watch I can’t afford but wouldn’t buy!

[Ichiran]

Would you have macro shots of other pateks please?

[Sveng]

The quality of this delivery goes against Patek standards. No, it has nothing to do with "entry level" and is unacceptable. Feel free to disagree but this is not my opinion, this is backed up by Patek's own philosophy.

Moreover, this is not the only post out there pointing at this below par execution. Google is your friend.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Would you have macro shots of other pateks please?

Not sure these help much and not as close up as the OP’s.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Not sure these help much and not as close up as the OP’s.

Looks perfect to me.

However, OP and above comments seems to be on entry pieces. I wouldn't consider the 5212 an entry watch, but how is the finishing on your 5212, Russell?

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Not sure these help much and not as close up as the OP’s.

Stunning

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Looks perfect to me.

However, OP and above comments seems to be on entry pieces. I wouldn't consider the 5212 an entry watch, but how is the finishing on your 5212, Russell?

Well to be truthful I’ve not looked beyond a simple visual check which looks perfect. But I don’t doubt it would show some flaws at 1000%+.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Well to be truthful I’ve not looked beyond a simple visual check which looks perfect. But I don’t doubt it would show some flaws at 1000%+.

[ts3]

Never took macro shots of my entry level Patek and for piece of mind I will probably keep it that way. Inconsistent lume would be unacceptable for me though. I'd have them fix it on a brand new watch.

[1William]

That is disappointing for a PP. Grand Seiko is a different watch but typically does better than that.

[jamerson80]

Not sure I would consider the 5205G an entry piece, but mine has the same paint issues on the second hand as posted above. Another poster in another thread had posted numerous pictures of different models and stated PP outsources some of their hands, hence the shoddy finishing. Hard to believe, but after seeing pictures I am inclined to agree...

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[Tay821]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Well to be truthful I’ve not looked beyond a simple visual check which looks perfect. But I don’t doubt it would show some flaws at 1000%+.

Russell - What macros lens/camera do you use to get these? iPhone + a lens?

Thank you

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Russell996

[Heff]

Maybe something people aren’t realizing here is that if entry Patek isn’t comparable to Grand Seiko or the like at a lower price point, then maybe GS is a better value than the Patek.

I’m sure I’ll get grief for that because a lot of people put brand reputation before the actual watch itself, and can’t understand how a GS might be better.


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[Becweb]

No matter what we say, it is indeed a tad disappointing as you are paying top money for a stainless steel watch, and not much extra effort is needed in making the hands look better than that.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Tay821

Russell - What macros lens/camera do you use to get these? iPhone + a lens?

Thank you

I have a Nikon with a macro and ring flash and also iPhone with LoupeSystem mounted.
These were done with Nikon and Macro.

[learningtofly]

The fact that an Aquanaut is an entry level Patek doesn't make it an entry level watch per se. The standard of finishing in the OP's photos is actually pretty surprising, and not in a good way (and I say that as someone who has owned and loved both an Aquanaut and a Nautilus).

[subtona]

The hands are unfinished on the sides, kind of like sweeping the dirt under the rug.
I noticed this on my perpetual calendar “grand complication” as well.
There is no excuse, it is disappointing.

[BNABOD]

Originally Posted by IBDOC

This is the level of finish for all of Patek’s watches that don’t come out of the high complications or rare handcrafts departments. If you want beautiful macro go Lange. Or Grand Seiko.

What a load of horse manure ....excusing this just because it is an ‘entry level PP’ . Grand Seiko anyone

For a LOT less


Picture borrowed