Patek Philippe

whit
558

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Jim, I read your post and the responses so far and I

do agree that Patek should offer some level of flexibility with respect to some limited changes as they did not so long ago.

There are reasons to allow this, the one that comes to mind immediately is dial changes. There are times, for example, when you get older and can no longer read the dial easily. There have been references produced with several dial variations, the 3520D probably had the most optional dials of any other reference as I recall, but there were many other references like 3796, 5022, 3802, etc. which are no longer made which had numerous dial variations. Those folks who have a rose gold 3796 with the rose dial and hands may have a tough time reading the dial now and need a silvered dial (which was offered) instead. I see no reason to not accommodate a request like this so the owner can enjoy his watch for his lifetime.

So why is it so hard for Patek to make an accommodation if the client is more than willing to pay that cost? The explanation told to me was that since Patek's meteoric rise to fame and glory, they were very sensitive to folks attempting to create special ("rare") pieces from ordinary pieces, and exploit the market asking more insane prices than they already are. They wanted to eliminate such activity...except of course, those pieces they make.


Many people here buy Pateks based on their longevity, history, etc.  That history includes those special pieces (where the clients wishes were welcomed) which they proudly display in their museum and represent a time when Patek was truly Patek...doing things that others couldn't or wouldn't do to accommodate their clients.  And, it is precisely that history and reputation that attracts many people to the brand.  Then you experience the door being shut in your face when you want a simple dial change. It's an absurd policy. Someone responded that they were finally successful in getting a dial changed, but look what it took to get it done.


I could go on for hours about this as I have been passionate of Patek for many, many years, but it is the recent changes in their philosophy that I find to be very dis-heartening and disappointing from a company that I have admired for all the qualities that their reputation was built upon that are slowly being discarded evidently for the sake of production and sales.