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Patek Philippe watches appeal to men because of their elegant simplicity combined with innovative technical complications. “There is more status and prestige associated with a Patek Philippe than almost any other watch in the world,” says Peter. “If Rolex is the Mercedes of the watch world, Patek Philippe is the Rolls Royce.
It is not Ferrari – it is quiet and genteel, not racy.” |
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The advertising campaign for this watch points out that you never really own a Patek Philippe; you are just the custodian for the next generation. That says it all – heritage and pedigree come packaged with the watch. Almost all the royals in the last century have owned a Patek Philippe, which has added to the company’s allure. The most expensive watch ever sold was a 1945 Patek Philippe
Worldtime, which gives the time in 24 different time zones. It was knocked down for $4 million at an auction a couple of years ago.
Peter says that if he, as a collector could have 10 watches of any make, five would be Patek Philippe, the other five shared among other good brands. This is not only because of snob value, but because the company makes the most beautiful, high quality, complicated watches. Today there are 33 complications in its repertoire, including Moon Phases; a Perpetual Calendar that automatically registers a leap year (one wheel takes a full four years to make one revolution); a Repeater whose slide-activated alarm allows you to tell time at night; a Split-second Chronograph; and a Tourbillon that counteracts the effects of gravity with a carriage that swings round in a full circle instead of only from side to side. These complications are most beautifully summed up in a single watch such as the Caliber 89, which is the world’s most complicated portable mechanical watch.
The company’s heritage and preservation of traditional craftsmanship is complemented by openness to the future. Its maxim has always been “tradition and progress” and the Patek Philippe retains a classical, timeless style, “simplicity in its most complicated form”.
Buying a new Patek Philippe, however, is not so easy. There is only one designated retailer in South Africa licensed to sell them and if you want one of the more rare models, you could find yourself having to put down a hefty deposit and then waiting for up to a couple of years. But it is worth the wait.
On the other hand, you could do business with a specialist collectable watch dealer like Peter who promises to find the unfindable and will sell you the whole history and colour that comes with any fine wristwatch. |
