As our watch ranking indicates Patek Philippe is in a whole different category when compared to Rolex. While Rolex is the most well known watch brand in the world, Patek Philippe is at a whole different level of sophistication and class.
Rolex is great because it makes everything in its watches in-house and at the highest level of quality. They achieved remarkable quality levels even though they mass produce watches. They build a great product and were very successful to market their brand name worldwide.
Patek Philippe also makes its parts in-house, but they go the above and beyond. Patek Philippe’s watches are much more refined in terms of detail in the movement and in complications.
For example they polish every part in their movement whether it is visible or not. Also, they’ve kept records of every watch they made and as a result are the only manufacturer who can restore any of thir watches – even those dating as far back as 1839. With a Patek Philippe you know you’re getting the finest possible craftsmanship.
While everyone in the world knows about Rolex only those with some horological knowledge know about Patek Philippe.
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Thanks for the comment. The only issue with Patek and why they are not in the Ultra Luxury category is that they make so many pieces which results in a lack of exclusivity. If you look at their website, there are so many watches to pick from. If you have $250K to spend, you have to make that “tough” decision on going with a custom Ultra Luxury watch that most people never heard about or buy a “me too” watch as a Patek. Tough decision!
In a word, agreed.
I inherited a Patek in 1996 and it has been in storage since. Anyone know a good dealer who can give me an estimate of its value? It was made in 1965 and is 18k.
Dear Laurie,
You are a lucky person to acquire such a fine time piece and I admire the person and persons who thought so highly of you to entrust it to you because that was what a Patek (and most other mechanical watches) were designed and made to do – to last nearly forever. Please do yourself a favor and not worry about what your watch is worth if you intend to keep it except for estate and insurance purposes. You must, however, send your Patek back to the company for them to service it with a cleaning a oiling that only Patek should perform though it will be quiet pricy – I suggest you watch the Youtube video of how Patek services your watch from start to finish. But a word of advice – do not have Patek or anybody else especially polish the case since such will take too much metal off the casing but let your watch and metal bracelet develop a natural patina. When you get your watch back from them you will in effect – have a brand-new watch and fully warranted by Patek as though it were new. Not to ramble but you will see the special equipment Patek uses as well as the many different lubricant (synthetic oils to assure the lowest viscosity possible) oils Patek uses on various parts and purposes; most watch service stations will not go to the effort or expense to use such an array of highly specialized lubricant’s as Patek, Breguet, or even Rolex, etc. insist on. Then after you have your Patek serviced and you are wearing it for a few more years – then you may want to know what it is worth but why would you.I do not understand what you are trying to point out. A Patek was made for the person to wear so to know the time by a nearly flawless mechanical mechanism. All this vain talk about Luxury and here Ultra Luxury only cheapens the watch and insults the watchmaker who made it. A Patek as well as a Breguet, Rolex, Seiko, and Timex are horological time pieces to be respected as such – nothing more except if you need something for a purpose such as the Rolex Explorer or Submariner/Seadweller, etc. In 1978 my $550.00 Rolex DATE (some call entry-level Rolex) together with a brass sextant, without flaw, aided in my navigation under sail across the North Atlantic from Cape May to Den Helder and I admit the Submariner would have been a better choice due to wrist band security and crown protection. But the DATE 15000 chronometer inside her oyster case did the job which has been serviced only once in 1990 by Robert Mills in Philadelphia and still keeps under two seconds – slow per day nearly fully would. Yes, I have a collection of Rolex’s as well as the Patek Calatrava’s and a Breguet that are necessary to a collection that I hardly consider luxury.
I can help/guide you. Where are you located? If I’m not in the office, leave a message with your name, contact info and “Patek inquiry”. Visit our website, too! Happy Holidays,
Lynn Magnusson, ASA, AAA
TheMagnussonGroup.com
973-425-1550You are super blessed and from a lineage of financially literate thinkers to be inheriting Pateks! Happy for you
I do not understand what you are trying to point out. A Patek was made for the person to wear so to know the time by a nearly flawless mechanical mechanism. All this vain talk about Luxury and here Ultra Luxury only cheapens the watch and insults the watchmaker who made it. A Patek as well as a Breguet, Rolex, Seiko, and Timex are horological time pieces to be respected as such – nothing more except if you need something for a purpose such as the Rolex Explorer or Submariner/Seadweller, etc. In 1978 my $550.00 Rolex DATE (some call entry-level Rolex) together with a brass sextant, without flaw, aided in my navigation under sail across the North Atlantic from Cape May to Den Helder and I admit the Submariner would have been a better choice due to wrist band security and crown protection. But the DATE 15000 chronometer inside her oyster case did the job which has been serviced only once in 1990 by Robert Mills in Philadelphia and still keeps under two seconds – slow per day nearly fully would. Yes, I have a collection of Rolex’s as well as the Patek Calatrava’s and a Breguet that are necessary to a collection that I hardly consider luxury.
Many watches get stolen.sophisticatoon is a state of mind.wearing designer clothes doesn’t make you sophisticated.even lifeless dummies in the window wear designer clothes.I dated an Italian women many years ago.alone,aloof, unparalleled.she had many Patel Phillip timepieces which I never noticed until she told me it makes her feel like a lady.so if it makes you feel your best and it’s already a cut above the rest then wear with pride that’s sophistication.Going everywear pompous,and telling everyone that your a lady means your not?some things in life are just so refined but not all people pecieve them .Patek phillipe is unequivocally a master piece of design ..better to buy old masters they fetch much better than old mistresses!