... i've tried so many times to figure it out. Especially, that in the 1st place, i found ALL patek meaningless. How did they grow on me, i have absolutly no idea. I think there is 2 kind of beauties in this world.
1st, the WOW effect, that often tend to fade with time
2nd, the more subtle kind of beauty that grows on you. This tend to be more of a timeless kind of love story.
I have recently got a 5070R, a watch i desired for a long time. Until now, when i look at it, i still try to figure out from where comes the attraction? The proportions? the details? What?? So to get back to what you were saying, I love JLC as a brand and so many models, i own a master tourbillon Rg ( one of my favourite watches ) and i've put them side by side. As much as i love my jlc, the Patek feels a good notch above the JLC, in term of finishing, and... i don't know why!!! I took around 20 pictures of it, and honestly, there isn't 2 pics that look the same. The dial clearly interact with its surrounding, the light, like no other.
The bezel , its thickness, the way it sits on the case... And the crown, its almost nothing, but it feels like a world of difference.
Thats the danger with watches like the 5070,... it makes your best watches feel almost ridiculous 
to summarize, this topic reminds me of the "golden number"... the perfect proportion to the eye, for god knows which reason. Useless to try to rationalize as the heart has its reasons that the reasons cannot understand 
Again, good question your asking, can't wait to hear what other purist think about it

