F.P. Journe

JediWatchFool
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Value in what terms?...

As an owner of both the brands you've mentioned, I don't spend too much time deciding on the value of the pieces. Sure, it'll be nice, but it's not the be all and end all of watch ownership. Real value to me, is how it makes me feel when I wear it, but then again, I'm known among my peers for banging a Patek on a table or knocking it on a chair and not flinching. I wear my FP Journe Chronometre Souverain almost daily, and I'm just not fussed about whether it'll go up in value or not. They are all special to me.

Also, of the watches you've mentioned, they are all vastly different in terms of appearance, and function. If the different watches were more similar, say, all chronos, all tourbillons, all dual time etc etc etc then we can make some better comparative sense.

At the risk of offending the Patek-ites out there, I believe the following to be true:

- FP Journe watches are made by one watchmaker, from start to finish, in an elegant factory in the heart of the Geneva itself / Pateks are assembled in their beautiful factory in the Geneva outskirts

- One can still manage to meet with the founder of FP Journe and enjoy a close relationship with the company itself.

- Customer service is second to none at FP Journe

- I believe the finishing of FP Journes to have just that little bit more sparkle than Patek

It also sounds like your AD is charging you a premium for the Patek (which carries a long waiting list for the 5960P) and that is not right.

And, if you'd like to check on prices, then www.antiquorum.com is a good place to start to see how past auction results have shown up.

Finally: FP Journe has been around for less than a decade and are producing only around 900 watches a year. Patek have been around, what, 150+??, the time to develop and refine an image and reputation. I believe with Journe, you could be taking part in horological history as it unfolds.

If this doesn't satisfy your curiousity, then go buy whatever the AD tells you to, I'm sure he knows best.