Hello, Millionaires! When you think about exclusive luxury watches, what's the first
thing that pops in your head? Patek Philippe - exactly!
Without a doubt, it's one of the finest brands in the watch industry. It is among the world's
most-loved luxury watch brands, alongside Rolex and Audemars Piguet. Thanks to their rich history,
strong market performance, and technical brilliance, Patek Philippe watches are insanely
popular among collectors. Watch enthusiasts appreciate the incredible craftsmanship level
needed to create each Patek Philippe timepiece. The rich youngster demographic has discovered
Patek Philippe for themselves since it represents the ultimate luxury watchmaking.
As a prestige symbol, Patek Philippe watches also adorn the wrists of many celebrities
from the worlds of cinema, music, and sports. However, high quality and recognition come with
a price. In fact, the ultimate in luxury costs a lot. This raises the question - Are Patek Philippe
watches worth the money? And what's there that makes these watches so expensive? Make sure to
watch 'till the end to find out! Patek Philippe originated in 1839,
immediately setting the high-quality bar for watches. Their tremendous experience and a
high level of expertise come from one generation to another. It's written in their tagline - "You
never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely take care of it for the next generation."
Patek Philippe has mastered the art of fine watchmaking, with the production
process being highly conservative. For example, the case is made following
traditional methods from the 19th century! High standards and traditions brought many
wealthy clients, including - kings, queens, and nobility worldwide!
So, what's with the price? Before we dive deep into the
Patek Philippe creation process, there's an important disclaimer to make. Wait before
sharing your comments regarding the actual cost of Patek Philippe because the list price
and actual market prices highly differ. Their frontline models like Aquanaut or
the Nautilus are in incredibly high demand - forget about strolling into a Patek Philippe
boutique and buying them like a fresh croissant from the bakery. The demand for Patek Philippe
far outpaces supply, with the market prices rising drastically over the past few years.
Well, maybe you're not hunting for a frontline. In that case, Patek Philippe has a broad menu,
with models costing anywhere from just under $20,000 to $1.5 million and more!
For merely $18,940, you can buy the stainless-steel Aquanaut 5167A - but it's
still much more expensive than Rolex's entry-level 41mm Oyster Perpetual.
"Wait, I thought Rolex are luxury watches, too? Why do they cost less?
You see, Patek Philippe vs. Rolex is a rivalry in production styles. It's more
of craftsmanship vs. machine production. While Rolex relies on machines to make
their watches, Patek Philippe crafts most of their timepieces manually!
Patek Philippe also boasts incredible swagger calibers - each model is a work of art marked
by technical ingenuity, an astonishing level of detail, and spotless finishing.
Manual work demands production time. Patek Philippe produces merely 50,000
timepieces per year. At the same time, other brands generate around 1 million per year.
The detailed creation process is a tradition of the brand - that's why the number of pieces
is limited. Patek Philippe carefully handcrafts every watch element, every movement. What you buy
is not a watch - it's an incredibly complex mechanism, complied and finished manually!
Each watch has 252 parts. The tops are brushed and decorated, while every plate and bridge
is beveled internally and externally. The dials go through 200 separate processes.
Making one piece might take four to six months to complete, with conceptualization and design
of new models taking three to five years! Still not convinced Patek Phillipe is worth
the money? Then find out which of your favorite celebrities have Patek Phillipe!
Another cost factor is the detail level and finishing - a level much higher than almost
any other luxury brand. Achieving the blend of a brilliantly polished case with a glamorously
finished movement requires exceptional skill. Moreover, Patek Philippe generously uses precious
metals for their watches - most timepieces come in rose, white and yellow gold,
or platinum. The manufacturer applies stainless steel only for a small selection of watches.
The unique timepiece design is a trademark of Patek Phillipe. Every method and technique is
carefully carried out with genuine artistry and extraordinary craftsmanship. Many artisan
processes are included - inlays, enamel painting, the precious stones setting,
and highly delicate engraving. The hand-applied decoration
is seen in every particular part of the watch. A subtle feature like the wheels requires about 40
to 60 steps. Every intricate detail of a Patek Philippe watch is noticeable - from the dial,
the faceted batons, to the hands. Patek Philippe has also pioneered
many groundbreaking inventions. The brand has obtained 100 patents
for its complicated inventions in horology. It's the enigma of the brand - give customers the
feeling that they're purchasing something special, only for them, making them one-of-a-kind.
But does it all worth the money? With every detail in mind, it's understandable why Patek
Philippe watches are more expensive than most of their luxury rivals. But what you get in return
is not only watches - it's something peculiar that lasts a lifetime. More and more people have
recognized the brand and supported it with their wallets. Clients are used to buying Patek Philippe
well above the list - sometimes by two or three times the amount - and it is absolutely worth it.
This is precisely the case with Nautilus and the Aquanaut,
judging by their financial performance. These are the most popular models the brand produces now.
However, it's also worth checking out the watches from the Calatrava line
and some of Patek's more breathtaking annual calendar and perpetual calendar pieces.
Just remember that market prices for timepieces will always be governed by supply and demand.
With the current prices of the Aquanaut and Nautilus skyrocketing, it's clear that there
are crowds of buyers waiting in line. Patek Philippe is also a good investment.
Unlike other watchmakers, their pieces have a good resale value. That's why buying Patek Philippe is
buying a watch for the rest of your life, and maybe the lives of your kin - the value will
only increase over time! You can find modern and vintage Patek Philippe watches on the secondary
market, trading for a fortune. For example, a 1970 Nautilus
now costs more than $50,000 from its initial retail value of less than $3,000! The perpetual
chronographs of the 2499/100 fourth series are now worth over $400,000, in contrast with its
price of merely $20,000 in the 1980s! And how about a vintage watch like the 5131 Cloisonn
Enamel that cost more than $4 million at auction! Some of the world's wealthiest people boast their
status holding Patek Philippe watches in high regard. Many top elite celebrities and influential
people claim they only wear this exclusive brand. Hip-hop and rap artists often reference Patek
Philippe watches in their songs, regarding the watch as a symbol of money and power.
The Beatles, Brad Pitt, Walt Disney, Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Prince
Charles of Wales, and even Queen Elizabeth II - these are just a few names of the long list.
The quality of Patek Philippe is sealed until the end of time - literally! The brand introduced a
seal of its own in 2008 called the Patek Philippe Seal as a commitment to excellence. It was done
after a deal with the Geneva Seal Bureau, signed for 123 years. The Geneva Seal Bureau accepts
only the highest standards, preserving the city's reputation as the home of the finest watchmaking.
At the same time, the Patek Philippe seal establishes rigid requirements
for all aspects and components of a watch and the timekeeping accuracy.
Besides watches, Patek Philippe also sets high standards for training their staff!
Everyone should be a specialist - the watchmaker, the salesperson,
and even the customer support service. High skill pays good - Patek Philippe
offers the first-ever lifetime service pledge worldwide. This indicates that
any Patek Philippe watches made from 1839 to the present can be restored and maintained!
We live in a free market, where the customers set the price. They vote with their money,
choosing Patek Philippe for a good reason. It's an exceptional brand with a fascinating
and rich history that creates some of the best and most exquisite timepieces of all.
With their remarkable, sometimes astonishing watches and company ancestry, it's probably
safe to say that they're worth every penny - if you can afford them. Only when you buy
a piece can you witness the real magic of the Patek Philippe brand and choose for yourself
whether the money you paid is worth it. But what do you think? Do Patek Phillipe
worth the colossal money they cost? Share your opinion in the comment section!
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