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> If a similar Chinese sweatshop were to make a perfect functional replica of this Patek Philippe watch then the costs would be in the same ballpark as the act

> If a similar Chinese sweatshop were to make a perfect functional replica of this Patek Philippe watch then the costs would be in the same ballpark as the actual watch. The reason these watches can be used as a "super"-currency for the very rich is that it is impossible to duplicate (so to forge) easily.

snowwrestler 9y ago
A Seiko autowinder will keep time as well as a Patek Philippe. Even Rolexes, which are much better made than PP, are cheaper. PP is just one of those brands that gets away with being so expensive because it is so expensive. The point of owning a PP watch is to demonstrate to the world that you can own a PP watch.
- craigsmansion 9y ago
  Timekeeping is not the objective of grandes complications. Artisanship is, making them hard to duplicate economically.
- eo3x0 9y ago
  I noticed that the commentary in this thread seems to be full of untruthful statements being thrown around as facts. This probably betrays the fact that the audience here is not very knowledgeable about mechanical watches, which was part of the curiousity mentioned in the original post. No, a run of the mill mechanical Seiko (say a Seiko 5 or even a SARB) will not run as accurately as a modern Patek. That's silly. Patek have their own Seal of quality guaranteeing a certain range of drift per day and performs well beyond COSC requirements. The typical Seiko wouldn't come close unless you're starting to get into Grand Seiko territory or Spring Drive movements which is a different league. Rolex vs PP on a typical 3 handed watch will have similar performance, with the Rolex probably fairing better due to the typical Rolex being designed (and QAed) for more extreme conditions. However, the most complicated Rolex is an annual calendar and this is where PP shine.
  - snowwrestler 9y ago
    > The typical Seiko wouldn't come close unless you're starting to get into Grand Seiko territory or Spring Drive movements which is a different league. But still nowhere near the PP league, price-wise. I think you're the one who is being untruthful by introducing qualifications like "run of the mill" which I did not. > This probably betrays the fact that the audience here is not very knowledgeable about mechanical watches There are two aspects to understanding mechanical watches: the mechanics and the culture. People who buy a PP want not just a functional, quality timepiece--they want exclusivity. PP is not just a watch company, it is a luxury brand. And luxury brands create exclusivity via high prices--much higher than is strictly justified by the costs of manufacturing. All this is to say that if another company wanted to replicate a PP, they could do it for less than the retail price of a PP. But there would be no point, because no one would buy it. Because there is nothing cool or exclusive about owning a Chinese knock-off of a Patek Philippe, no matter how well it works.

snowwrestler 9y ago

A Seiko autowinder will keep time as well as a Patek Philippe. Even Rolexes, which are much better made than PP, are cheaper. PP is just one of those brands that gets away with being so expensive because it is so expensive. The point of owning a PP watch is to demonstrate to the world that you can own a PP watch.

craigsmansion 9y ago
Timekeeping is not the objective of grandes complications. Artisanship is, making them hard to duplicate economically.
eo3x0 9y ago
I noticed that the commentary in this thread seems to be full of untruthful statements being thrown around as facts. This probably betrays the fact that the audience here is not very knowledgeable about mechanical watches, which was part of the curiousity mentioned in the original post. No, a run of the mill mechanical Seiko (say a Seiko 5 or even a SARB) will not run as accurately as a modern Patek. That's silly. Patek have their own Seal of quality guaranteeing a certain range of drift per day and performs well beyond COSC requirements. The typical Seiko wouldn't come close unless you're starting to get into Grand Seiko territory or Spring Drive movements which is a different league. Rolex vs PP on a typical 3 handed watch will have similar performance, with the Rolex probably fairing better due to the typical Rolex being designed (and QAed) for more extreme conditions. However, the most complicated Rolex is an annual calendar and this is where PP shine.
- snowwrestler 9y ago
  > The typical Seiko wouldn't come close unless you're starting to get into Grand Seiko territory or Spring Drive movements which is a different league. But still nowhere near the PP league, price-wise. I think you're the one who is being untruthful by introducing qualifications like "run of the mill" which I did not. > This probably betrays the fact that the audience here is not very knowledgeable about mechanical watches There are two aspects to understanding mechanical watches: the mechanics and the culture. People who buy a PP want not just a functional, quality timepiece--they want exclusivity. PP is not just a watch company, it is a luxury brand. And luxury brands create exclusivity via high prices--much higher than is strictly justified by the costs of manufacturing. All this is to say that if another company wanted to replicate a PP, they could do it for less than the retail price of a PP. But there would be no point, because no one would buy it. Because there is nothing cool or exclusive about owning a Chinese knock-off of a Patek Philippe, no matter how well it works.