Patek Philippe

...  

So, you see, I still didn't see the light... Best, Nicolas

Aie, aie, aie!! Caramba! Cheers Francois from Down Under

I am waiting for Patek to fix my brand new but faulty annual calendar before answering. Cheers Stan

I did, at one time, believe Patek was at the apex of the industry ... the cat's meow. I truly felt no other brand could do what Patek did, no one built a watch to the level of Patek Philippe ... but that was thirty-three years ago and I was biased because... 

and there is going to be a lot of traffic....light!!! Cheers Francois from Down Under

...  

.....you state that it was during a factory visit and at lunch that you discovered that you felt that Patek was the best watch manufacturer. What happened over this very short period (1 day?) that led you to think that?

Cheers Francois from Down Under

Cheers Francois from Down Under

.....for it to be a "road to damascus" type of experience....i would really like to hear what happened....what Aussie saw, what was said etc etc

right now! Well, perhaps with more salad;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

They so make a fine watch. They so have a rich and stories history. But in the modern age I think Lange rivals PP in terms of innovation and craftsmanship.

Is their watches are hockey pucks

Well, some like it that way. For sure it doesn´t really fit to the approach of classical Swiss watchmaking, but they are German ... :-) Still there are quite a few Swiss Made hockey pucks, as well. Oliver

people with poor eyesight, like myopia, these kind of things;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

round, thick and heavy coaster like thingies that hockey players push around on an ice rink? Didn't get it, I must be myopic! Cheers Francois from Down Under

Lange watches are big and tall. Hamburgers, hockey pucks, macaroons...not something one could comfortably wear on your wrist and under a sleeve. There may be beautiful craftsmanship and innovative design but big and bulky wins no prizes. These are, after ... 

That is the reasons why I put Lange over PP, plus only about 8000 pieces per yr. vs 30,000 pieces for PP mechanical watches.

They have competition, but my visits to the museum and salon (2nd floor) on Saturday wowed me. Most of the modern high complications are never seen but in photos, but to see them all in one place was mind blowing. ...  

in Geneva is also mind blowing!! ........ as it should read Musee Patek Philippe!!! Cheers Francois from Down Under

What means best to you? What are the defined criterias behind that statement? Is it based on one point of view or several? ... For me there is nothing like a best brand, because I don´t like that kind of generalizations. It is for marketing people and "fo... 

Did I miss something? When and where was this announced? It is a very good and prestigious brand which used to make delightfully nice, elegant and extremely well executed time-pieces. Once upon a time. Cheers Francois from Down Under

They might have been 15 years ago but their lack of innovation and their constant re-hash of old designs and concepts has left them in Lange's wake.

Jaeger LeCoultre in that ligue and some Independents as I am sure someone will remind me that Patek Philippe is, after all, an Independent;) Cheers Francois from Down Under

They have no doubt produced some amazing watches (the gyro's spring to mind) and their Reverso's are absolute classics, but I am not sure they could be defined as 'best' in terms of quality. F.P Journe is also producing some incredible stuff, but they hav... 

Yes, but that was how many years ago?! By the way: Freeman, welcome at PuristSPro! Just in case, have you seen our (new!) "New Members" forum? Oliver

He may have said it years ago but he re-asserted the claim 8 months ago in a video he did for Hodinkee.

surprised;) The fact that you would not put JLC in the top ligue or the group of the "best" is surprising to me. Of course I am not arguing about any Brand been the "best" because it is so subjective as to not possibly been realistic. Yes, I agree with yo... 

Absolutely, you make some very good points and I am in no way doubting JLC's innovations; they have been among some of the most prolific innovators of the watch world. In some ways I think they have fallen victim to (1) their pricing which is really very ... 

actually thinking the same. The Richemont Group is the one leading innovation today and I wouldn't be surprised to see exquisite and novel pieces coming out from Montblanc, they already have an marvellous movement (Minerva) and a beautiful finish which is... 

I like Patek very much, but I also dislike the 'best' label that most people slam on it, without them providing their reason(s). I also dislike people who reason the other way around; Patek is better, because all Lange watches are hockey pucks. You can't ... 

In many respects this is true. It is very difficult to say something is the best, but then human's have been doing it since the start of time (pun not intended). There are many companies that have produced great things. Jaeger/Journe/Patek/Lange/AP/Bregue... 

How do you measure best? Patek is not the most valuable watch brand (Rolex is), they no longer makes the most complicated watches out there, nor the most creative. But they are the king of the auction market, I give you that. However, with that said, they... 

.... and turned back to swap watches and put a patek on. Then when i got bored of most of my watches from other brands, and ended up selling them to build my patek collection. When the next piece was haunting me at night...etc... i realized that brand is ... 

Mr. Stern told be himself over lunch. lol

... of purist pro fans. It might be judged as too subjective. But you sure got a good sense of humor :) P.s: You should have asked him about the Jay Leno chin of the new dial of the 5270G,... is it worthy of the best brand of the world ;)

and with the full bench! The jury been the Stern family, I cannot see how this statement could possibly not stand in the court:) Cheers Francois from Down Under

for this inside, great scoop:) Cheers Francois from Down Under

my take on this great question: Perception is reality! And I don't think many will argue that broad-based perception is that indeed Patek is the best watch brand...and therefore reality. And what Patek does so well is precisely managing perception: i.e. a... 

...  

It is hard to say that Patek is the "best". I would certainly put it at the top three or four... My list is as follows 1. Patek/Lange (I think they are really close or equal).... 2. Audemars Piguet 3. Vacheron 4. Rolex

I once read a wristwatch book with great analogies about great watches considered the "best". 1. Patek (the king)--royal, classic, steady, no need to be flashy or daring, the creme de la creme... The Old kings were once Breguet and Vacheron, but they did ... 

There are several qualities that individually or in combination might justify describing a watch brand being described as "best". Some could be: 1) Technical superiority of the movement 2) Innovations in movement design and functions 3) Case design 4) Fin...