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Moving on...not once, but twice...
The peak was much lower, but the original integrated steel sports watch trend waned in the 1980s. The square models had their time in the sun in the early 80s and it wasn't long ago that the Patek 5970/5270 was the Porsche 911 of collectible watches.
Of course the people who must clock in every day to earn their livings have looked to refresh everything that came after the Nautilus to see what will stick today, looking for success that does not require a stroke of genius. The chic gold watches that were promised have not gained traction, but the square integrated bracelet sports watches will now have their time in the sun. Unless the Cubitus really flops, the competition will be emboldened to beat a decent, but conservative design.
The clever market has learned to slow things down though and let the trend really burn its way through, but none of us expect the Genta-esque integrated bracelet sports watch to be the must have watch in five years. It just wouldn't surprise me if it was the Cubitus Mk II.
Unpopular Opinion: It’s time to Turn the Page on Genta.
Following on the Cubitus talk. It’s been 50 years and this man is in the grave now. Can we all agree he was a genius but it’s time to move forward? Vacheron have the Overseas line which is an homage to the 222 and I think AP and Patek should do the same. ...
I agree
Both the company should quickly remove the RO and Nautilus from their catalogue and draw new watches.
So you’re saying they are a one trick pony unable to evolve?
Or should I say incapable of evolving. The 911 is still around but not the same. You are basically saying these brands dont have smart enough people to do the same Vacheron and Porsche?
Never said that, even more for Patek that holds a broad catalogue
But I think that Stern's statements contradict his real actions. He complained that Nautilus was too famous and sought after, but who chose to create tens of Nautilus iterations in the last 20 years? Same reasoning for the Aquanaut. Then, he has just intr...
I understand, how about do both?
Keep the OG line and launch new designs also? Is that too far fetched?
You could phase out the old over 5-10 years.
It’s not about stopping one for another it’s about evolving gradually.
Absolutely
Interesting new designs and evolution are always welcome, in the Pen World it's common to have a Heritage Line and also Avant Garde as some put it. Keeps everyone happy.
I would just say that turning the page on Genta
isn't only the brands' responsibility: it's also ours, imho. If the demand wasn't that high on the Royal Oak, Nautilus (and 222, for that matter, even if I know it's a Hysek design), the brands would probably tend to renew themselves much quicker. Of cour...
It’s been 50 years now.
Surely that’s long enough for a product evolution. When is the right time? You run the risk of ending up like Rolex and having people fawning over idiotic changes. “Here’s some puzzle pieces”. “OMFG Puzzles!!”
To turn the page is fine, and that would have been a strong (though questionable) move
But you do not take a GG creation and just change the case shape. Un-aesthetic and wrong.
Porsche 911 still has the Ferdinand Porsche design features today.
No reason for these brands not to do the same.
The Cubitus would then be a 944
- a less successful quadratish offspring of the great 911. In my books, that is.
You do not want to try improving the Mona Lisa
by changing the face features in the Photoshop. Paint your own thing
Why not? Banksy did….
Furthermore, the Mona Lisa was an inconsequential painting 100 years ago. ...
Not my particular taste either but it’s evolution. Art evolves.
You dont get Picasso without Monet. Art evolves and should.
Hmmm :)
Banksy's version to the original masterpiece is like the Cubitus to the Nautilus, can one say?
So what are you saying: Is "Cubitus" moving forward?
... I don't think so. You are right, it would be a positive thing to do. But IMO they are not. It's a blatant attempt to milk the Genta design all over again. But this time with a clunkier, uninspired and inelegant watch.
actually, it is a blatant milking of the nautilus with the underlying idea..
....to erase the genta name from the design of the PP sports line and replace it by the amateur designer TS. the latter is really in urgent need of a basic design course, otherwise he could not have created this inelegant watch line.
Why must we turn the page ?
It’s been 927363826 years since the birth of the Rolex sub Omega Speedie and the list goes on. So do we need to phase ‘em all out? And for what? Best Gatsby
I understand that many ppl are very upset with the new PP collection.
But turning the page on genta is another extreme, IMHO. From the perspective of a brand, it feels like one can’t win. I hear all the time ppl say “a brand should draw from its heritage” when a brand tries something new and fails. And then I also hear “thi...
The market…
… will decide. Our opinions are just that - our opinions. As long as there is a new generation of Genta fans, the brands will keep going. As other brands/independents innovate and bring new design to the marketplace, we shall see whether the watch world a...
The Nautilus and Royal Oak are classics.
They should be regarded as such and will certainly always have a place in the brand's collection : same as the "Moonphase Speedmaster" for Omega or the Submariner for Rolex. This should however not prevent the brands from new design approaches : the Cubit...
IMO the Cubitus does have
Patek's sport line DNA. A while back, I wrote a post on AP forum regarding my take when I tried on the code 11.59. In my post, I said that I saw the lineage with RO in the code because the middle portion has the octagon shape. Linking successful history o...
Good point about the Code 11.59 design.
And I believe there were other subtle features such as the typography of the numbers that I later saw were used in historical models.
Yes! Unpopular, but yes.
I could not agree more. I have NEVER liked these designs. My opinion only: they are dated, stale, and no longer interesting.
Moving on...not once, but twice...
The peak was much lower, but the original integrated steel sports watch trend waned in the 1980s. The square models had their time in the sun in the early 80s and it wasn't long ago that the Patek 5970/5270 was the Porsche 911 of collectible watches. Of c...
I was never a fan.
Might have been important in saving the Swiss mechanical watch industry, but it seemed based on celebrity and marketing more than watchmaking finesse Never understood 'screws' on the bezel that aren't screws and don't need slots anyway 911 longevity is mo...
When you produce 65,000+ watches a year, you might be forced to limit your choices. You have very deep financial responsibilities to / too many.
A big heavy laden ship is far less nimble than a true 'sport' speed boat. 'Small' true independents do have their advantage. Perhaps Patek has grown so large, so self-sucessful, they simply can't afford to truly be daring. They can;t seem to afford to pro...
Well, for the past year or three-ish(?) i've discussed the possibility.
Many details, implementation, marketing, etc are "in my mind's eye" as it were for years. Something Prestigious. Self-evident, thus no need to 'explain why'.
Admittedly, this release has me confused about what TS did/didnt exactly say about ‘discontinuing’ the Nautilus…
but I do see the Cubitus as being well positioned for the new/next generation of collectors. I’ll be interested to hear any interviews that TS may give about the Cubitus line, but in the end you’re point is well taken regarding anyone looking for a radica...
Why would any company discontinue / change its best product?
I remember Coca Cola tried that one time. They're lucky they did not go out of business. It is a good post, and a great topic, but I'll be honest and say I would not discontinue / change these lines if I were CEO of either brand.
