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WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Patek Philippe

Seems I'm the only one.....

 

Hello, Jim,
although I'm far away from beeing in the position to even think about ordering a bespoke piece - I've to admit I don't like the the approach of a (factory) customized product so much - beeing more  precise,  I almost hate it  ;-).
Of course this is just my very personal view,  but I happen to like some sort of  despotism in all esthetical, design or even artistic aspects.
I'm not sure if there are any examples of  a really good esthetic achievements, born from a democratic or comitee  decision, but I surely know about legions of
poor or mediocree ones.  I've all respect for a person or in case of PP a company, more or less generally  denying customization. In my oppinion
this isn't arrogant at all.  
I know that there are great examples of "customized" art (be it custom ordered or chchanged/modified on demand...etc) in history - but I also believe
that almost any of the creators would have preferred to "create" without relying and beeing dependent on those special customs "wishes".

So, I see this less as arrogance, instead it's more the luxury on the side of PP not beeing economically forced to  accept those wishes.  Maybe this will change sometime,
as it has been different in the past.

If one really likes to have a customized watch - why not having it done on his own. I.e. cooperate with an independent watchmaker and modify your PP....
of course this has it's own difficulties, but it isn't impossible.  And if you don't like the idea of having a "non original, non factory authorized modification" than, loosing "value" etc...., than also think about the advantages of PP beeing so strict with customization nowadays. Some of the well known names - all had their  economically poorer
periods and times when those customizations and modifications were quite wildly abused - not in favor for their standing economically, IMO.

Hope above doesn't offend anyone - certainly not intended and my personal oppinio only!
Best regards
Suitbert


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19 Comments view entire thread 

Is there any hope to be able to order a customized Patek??

 
By: jimjenkins : May 14th, 2011-21:53
As forum members I do not know how much our collective voices mean to PP. Probably not much but I have to bring this subject up. We are all spending anywhere from $10,000 - $150,000 on our Pateks (I am excluding the minute repeaters here), yet we have no ... 

I thought like you do, too...

 
By: dr.kol : May 15th, 2011-00:46
I was totally sure that Patek does not change the dials to another type of dial... I wanted to do one change and asked the issue from Patek\s Boutique in Paris / they said that probably not. Then I asked the same issue from Patek\s Boutique in London and ... 

I do understand your point , but ...

 
By: Bruno.M1 : May 15th, 2011-01:52
Patek is imo art ( so are Breguet, Lange, ...) I mean not only Picasso , Van Gogh, Rodin, Michelangelo, Rietveld, ... made art. I really do prefer a Patek watch above a painting, a vase or a chair. To each his own I guess. But when you say : 'I can order ... 

I think Patek is an engineering achievement - not art.

 
By: jimjenkins : May 15th, 2011-22:22
Thank you for your thoughts. But, I cannot disagree more with your comparison of Patek watches to the paintings of Picasso or any other art work. Art works are truly unique. Even if the artist wanted to make another copy, it will not be identical to the f... 

but...

 
By: Bruno.M1 : May 16th, 2011-08:16
Art is not always unique. Are Fabergé eggs art ? Yes they are and I think they made some series with eggs who all looked the same. Their toppieces are indeed unique. And what about photography ? It can be art too , right ? Well I know somebody who ta... 

regarding other watch makers

 
By: cuibono : May 15th, 2011-04:38
you experts correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't vc initiate a special program that would allow people to customize their their watches or participate in the design of a completely personal watch? maybe the counter-argument is that it is different price ra... 

Quai de l’Ile

 
By: Bruno.M1 : May 15th, 2011-09:14
Indeed, VC allows to customize these watches but imo that is just a marketing gimmick. "owners can customize their Vacheron Constantin Quai de l'Ile with 400 styles and deterrents, like the embedded invisible ink plastic slips that are placed beneath the ... 

Not a marketing gimmick.

 
By: mkvc : May 21st, 2011-17:32
Vacheron recently made two truly exceptional watches in its custom manufacturing program. I hate to think what they cost, but they are truly unique and spectacular. They were recently written up on our Vacheron forum. I don't disagree with you regarding t... 

Porsche is a bad example

 
By: lobo : May 15th, 2011-07:56
I think we cannot compare a Porsche to a Patek in this case. Wouldn't it be better to say the colour combination for a Porsche is limited to those on offer by the factory? Lambo and Aston Martin all have their own colour coding and it is limited. You woul... 

Unless you are someone, someone, someone .....

 
By: tic-toc : May 15th, 2011-08:49
the chances that Patek will take special orders today is close to none. Those good ole days dont exsist anymore, the fact that Patek is already in maximum production, the concept of to accomodate things which isnt on the list is beyond Patek today. surely... 

I agree there should be a larger set of choices

 
By: =RWK= : May 15th, 2011-22:40
as there was many years ago. I am amazed at how many choices there were 100 + years ago. However, I do not think manufacturers feel it is worth their effort to offer them. Unfortunately, businesses today are managed mostly for maximum short term return. I... 

Seems I'm the only one.....

 
By: SuitbertW : May 16th, 2011-02:04
Hello, Jim, although I'm far away from beeing in the position to even think about ordering a bespoke piece - I've to admit I don't like the the approach of a (factory) customized product so much - beeing more precise, I almost hate it ;-). Of course this ... 

Kari, I hope that you will show us.............

 
By: Topcat30093 : May 16th, 2011-02:32
Some before and after photos of the changes that Patek have made to you piece? Also I am intrigued by what you meant, when you say that the AD inscribed something rude on the back of your Nautilus? Regards Tony

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

 
By: whit : May 16th, 2011-13:32
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 ge... 

Well said...and sadly things will not be improving.

 
By: jimjenkins : May 22nd, 2011-11:57
I regretfully agree with your comments. Since the Patek name become globally recognizable via internet and this combined with rising emerging markets (e.g. BRICK) the Patek suddently faced with a quantum jump in demand and thus became too valuable (simple... 

Stern changed the faces on my two Nautilus - NC...

 
By: MikiJ : May 17th, 2011-13:57
On the way to going broke, true to form after making my first "real" money, I took my wife to a Patek AD. I paid cash for "Ladies and Gents" two-tone Nautilus. They were identical models #3800/01JA and #4700/01JA. Their dials were ribbed gold with applied...  

3940 Experience

 
By: gaquist : May 27th, 2011-07:41
About 2 years ago, I got a great deal on a 3940 in yellow gold. I always admired that watch with the yellow gold (champagne) dial , mine of course had the standard, very often seen white dial. I called Patek in NYC, and asked if they could replace my "opa...