Patek Philippe - I don't count Patek out yet.

I don't count Patek out yet.

May 08, 2014,08:08 AM

Patek has a wonderfully beautiful caliber in their lineup, employed in their 980 series of hunter-style or Savonnette pocket watches. On their website they call it 'Caliber 17''' SAV PS'. At 17 lignes, it's just a hair over 38.5mm and 3.8mm thin. It would fit perfectly in a slim 8-9mm, oversize Calatrava-style case of 42-43mm, exactly perfect for my wrist. I have thought many times about contacting Patek directly to commission a special wristwatch for myself using that Savonnette caliber, a rose gold or platinum case specially machined for it, a white dial with Romans, slightly domed sapphire crystal and flat display-back crystal in a screw-on back, possibly T-lugs... I practically dream about it at night. I have no idea what t might cost, their pocket watches are over $32K US. But it would be unique. I would be willing to forego a lot of other watches for one of those. (Maybe they will read this and take the hint?)

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Patek movements

By: chris russell : May 6th, 2014-14:05

It occurs to me that, while Patek is updating the sizes of many of their new 3-handed watches to close to 40mm, they have not updated the movements to match. Thus their HW/small seconds models have their seconds hands snugged up close to the center, looki...

I completely agree with you. However,...

By: jimjenkins : May 7th, 2014-19:34

from PP point of view making new cases and fitting them with old movements is a sure money maker. When people snap up PP even if it has a disproportional dial, there is no reason for PP to change its mode of operation. That is why there is a group of PP e...

Pateks getting boring

By: tom2517 : May 8th, 2014-02:54

And I have basically lost all my interests for Pateks and turned my attention to independents.

I don't count Patek out yet.

By: chris russell : May 8th, 2014-08:08

watch movements

By: watch-er : May 13th, 2014-13:58

are somewhat limited in size by the size of standard parts which has not changed since early wrist watches of 30mm cases. From there the goal was to go thin over the years and increase the power reserves beyond 24 hours. All this resulted in standardized ...

you have a point...

By: sam1234 : May 13th, 2014-17:45

...but consider for a moment a comparison of 2 storied watchhouse, Patek and Vacheron. While Patek has chosen to recycle their time proved but diameter challanged cal. 215 as the powerplant for their Calatrava 5196, Vacheron has gone a different route ent...

photos

By: sam1234 : May 13th, 2014-18:46

Actually there's some excellent photos now on the Vacheron Constantin forum on this same site for anyone who's interested. Easier than a google search.

Not a bad idea to upgrade the movements...

By: patrick_y : May 16th, 2014-15:25

You propose a good idea. However, consider the consequences of your idea... When Patek Philippe does re-design their movements, they will quite likely find methods to reduce costs, especially designing parts that require less assembly and finishing time. ...