Comments:
Notice the blue/violet hue on the Silinvar Spiromax balance spring.
Notice some bad scratches between the hole and the writing, it came like this from the factory when the watch was new.
324 pictures
Recently my Aquanaut 5167 was sent in for service, but before doing so I removed the back crystal to try to get some better macro pictures of the movement.
Notice the blue/violet hue on the Silinvar Spiromax balance spring.
Notice some bad scratches between the hole and the writing, it came like this from the factory when the watch was new.
On some of the anglage it almost looks like there are milling machine marks (horizontal marks) but I know that the anglage was done by hand. Does anyone have an explanation for this? [nt]
Other than that, I am very happy with this movement's performance and looks from my own experience.
Because it is done with a machine! To remove them you have to use wooden sticks, which they only do in the upper bracket since quite some time. [nt]
Yes, we've seen machine finishing marks on PP annual calendar movements as well in past discussions, iirc.
Pateks are finely machine finished at their lower and mid-levels.
Thank you for the explanation....but
...I looked again at my own 324s pre and post PP seal and they do not show such milling marks under very high magnification. So, now I am even more intrigued whether there might be something else going on with this particular movement that was photographed.
Very nice and interesting pictures. Thanks for allowing us to have an idea on the level of finishings. [nt]
No message body
Nico, that sounds very diplomatic and not at all like a lawyer 😗 [nt]
No message body
Hehehe... If you want to be amazed by a Patek movement level of finishings, I fear you have to go in the high end segment... [nt]
No message body
No fear at all. I'd appreciate to go up in the darks as they're my main interests within brand.
5078P, 5372P, 5970P, 5531R
I have looked at a few PP perpetual calendar chronos and I was also underwhelmed by those...
Once you have seen what A. Lange & Söhne does in terms of movement finishing you forget everything else other than the very high end independents...
So much for “top-class hand-finishing”
. I get it: it’s the entry level sports Patek. But still, given the premium paid for these watches for their presumed top-class hand-finishing, I’d expect more.
It would be interesting if CBB or someone else who owns/have access to super high end pieces could take some pics to see the finish on those watches [nt]
No message body
3974 movement.
It seems to have a higher degree of finishings.
Credit picture: Phillips.
The finishing looks fine for the price
Considering that this is a mass-produced watch priced close to Patek's entry-level, the execution holds up well under such unintended magnification. There are plenty of brands selling watches at that price point that ship milling marks so large you can see them without optics. Patek does a pretty good job given the retail price of that watch.
I've seen plenty of AP and FP Journe watches above this price that look like their movement finish was one step above Panerai. And JLC movements under $100,000 almost all are mechanically executed.
Best,
Tim
I've seen plenty of AP and FP Journe watches above this price that look like their movement finish was one step above Panerai. And JLC movements under $100,000 almost all are mechanically executed.
Best,
Tim
Only 10… phew!
For a moment there, I thought I was opening a thread with 324 pictures to trawl through.
I mean, what sort of sick b’stard would link 324 photos in a thread?
I'd look at these amazing pictures for days, they should give you a Pulitzer prize for this! ;-) [nt]
No message body
It is a pity
that you are unable to see me at this moment bowing my head in respect at your excellent photography skills!! 
Great Post!
Not much harm in taking the caseback off for a little lens time if you know the watch needs service anyway. I hope we see more of this around here.