What makes Patek No 1

[Stensbjerg]

Most get them as a freebee to attract the legions of wannabes out there.

for sure but the effect is still the same,and it happens because the brands know what kind of power de hold.

[Dancing Fire]

Patek commands the highest demand and highest prices of any ultra luxury wristwatches at auction. I think it would be safe to say that Patek has fetched more at auction in the past decade than VC, AP, JLC and ALS combined.

Also in emerging markets like China, Patek is absolutely number 1 in this market segment.

If we are going only on celebrity endorsements then I suppose Rolex, Omega an TAG are the top watches. I don't know anyone outside of the watch community who knows what Richard Mille or AP are, but when talking about ultra luxury timepieces many will have heard of Patek.

Kindest Regards,
Portauto


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they have too much corruption money in their pockets so they just buy any expensive Pateks without any knowledges why a Patek is so expensive.

[portauto]

they have too much corruption money in their pockets so they just buy any expensive Pateks without any knowledges why a Patek is so expensive.

That's a really ignorant generalization. Are you being specific to rich mainland Chinese? Or by this logic anyone in the world who purchases an expensive Patek has too much corruption money and has no knowledge of why a Patek is so expensive?

Kindest Regards,
Portauto

[Tony A.H]

PP maybe Number 1 only if YOU Think it is .
it's like saying Mercedes Benze is the Best..! but we all Know that the're Better Cars than MB.
and that goes the Same for PP..

[HelloNasty1]

AP is also independent, but I have to say that the endless array of limited edition Royal Oak Offshores does cheapen the brand in my mind.

+1 +1 +1 did I mention +1?

[Navitimer]

What makes Patek number 1 in the world of haute horlogerie?

Let me illustrate:






The quality and finishing on a Patek is simply superb. This is all the more remarkable when you consider that this would only ever be seen by a watchmaker and not the owner of the watch. This finishing is very pretty but this is from a time when a lot of this would genuinely have been functional and contribute to the overall long term functioning of the movement.

Patek, Vacheron and Audemars have historically shared the same space in horology with Lange now biting at their heels. The real question is why has Patek taken off in image terms while VC and AP have languished?

Easy - marketing.

That's a short flippant answer but let me expand a little. Patek has a long illustrious history but really only came into their element when the Stern family took over in the 1930's. The launch of the Calatrava was probably the start of the 'new' Patek Philippe. Until fairly recently Vacheron was the number one watch brand by image, not Patek. Vacheron had a dark period from the 1970's and has not been anywhere near as aggressive in their marketing as Patek. AP have cheapened the brand by concentrating on the Royal Oak and it's many iterations.

The prices fetched by vintage Pateks at auction are a major source of this image and this seems to work in a similar way to the modern art market with often anonymous buyers and sellers. Draw your own conclusions.

Another major factor are the complicated watches produced by Patek. We're talking about the minute repeater, perpetual calendar tourbillons here. Amazing feats of miniature engineering but only available in tiny quantities and at incredible prices. These watches are not the money spinners for Patek. That would be the simpler Calatravas, Nautilus, annual calendars and their quartz ladies watches. The cache of the brand casts a warm glow on the rest of their products. Note that none of the other brands produce anything like the range and diversity of complex models.

Is a Calatrava a better watch than a Vacheron Patrimony, AP Jules Audemars or Lange Saxonia? Probably not but the perception of them is definitely higher.

[daviecooper]

I am in the market for a new Patek, can anyone recommend a good place to start looking? Im assuming prices are uniform.

[Watchbreath]

At your local AD.

I am in the market for a new Patek, can anyone recommend a good place to start looking? Im assuming prices are uniform.

[Janne]

I think that Rolex is the most regognised No 1 Luxury Brand.

Not by us WIS, but by the Hoi Polloi.

PP or ALS? Finishing wise of the movement - I can not see much difference (loupe 4X).

I think personally ALS is a smidgen above PP. Unless ALS are hiding unfinished parts with the stamp Made in Chine under the 3/4 plate.

[pifpaf]

What makes Patek No 1

The results of auctions.