What are the different types of Patek Philippe watches? Introducing their appeal and features

2020.09.24

The Swiss luxury watch brand Patek Philippe offers many collections, including the Calatrava and Nautilus. Let's delve into the allure of Patek Philippe and learn more about the brand's signature collections.


Patek Philippe Watches

There is no watch enthusiast who is unfamiliar with the name Patek Philippe. Let's take a look at the brand's history and value.

The salon in the Geneva flagship store in Switzerland was once the company's headquarters.

From birth to now

Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is now Geneva's oldest manufacture. As an independent family business, it has maintained a high level of integrity while pursuing a philosophy of excellence to this day.

With a mission to create the world's finest, rare and unique timepieces, the company has acquired over 100 technical patents since its founding, of which approximately 20 are inventions that have left their mark in the history of timepieces.

The current collection includes over 200 watches, each produced in small quantities of up to a few hundred pieces, and all of them are equipped with movements developed and manufactured entirely in-house.

Many Patek Philippe models have been given the status of objects that symbolize their respective eras, and their value has increased over time to the present day.

The Value of a Patek Philippe

As an extremely luxurious watch brand, Patek Philippe has had an impressive list of famous clients, including Queen Victoria, Einstein, and Emperor Showa.

One of the reasons why Patek Philippe is loved as a reliable asset is its high resale value. Popular models are often sold for more than the purchase price.

It can be said that what creates such high asset value is the value of the watch itself, backed by its history.

The stunningly beautiful designs, outstanding performance, and in-house developed movements that are described as works of art are all things that only Patek Philippe, with its unrivaled technical capabilities, can produce.

Discover the history of Patek Philippe: its origins and collection lineage
http://www.webchronos.net/features/44075/


What are the appeals and characteristics of Patek Philippe?

The Patek Philippe emblem, the Calatrava Cross, is the name of a 12th-century Spanish knightly order that symbolized the qualities of knighthood: courage, courtesy, and independence.

We will explain the appeal and characteristics of Patek Philippe, one of the world's leading watch brands. Noble design and a commitment to quality are major factors that enhance its appeal.

Highly refined design

Patek Philippe offers a wide range of collections, most of which feature simple, timeless designs that are understated yet exude a refined beauty.

Many models use high-quality materials such as gold and platinum, but beauty does not depend solely on the materials.

The highly refined design is achieved through meticulous attention to detail, including a harmonious shape, well-balanced combination of parts, use of color, and polished materials.

Patek Philippe Seal and Permanent Repair

Patek Philippe now stamps all of its mechanical products with the "Patek Philippe Seal," a guarantee of enduring quality and a symbol of the company's pride.

Patek Philippe's strict quality control, which comprehensively guarantees quality and after-sales service from the exterior to the movement, is one of the reasons why it has established such a solid position.

Another major feature is their "lifetime repair" policy. Even if a watch has been manufactured for decades, they will accept repairs under the concept that "a Patek Philippe watch is a lifetime product."


Representative Collection

We will introduce some of the representative collections that support the value and appeal of Patek Philippe. All of these are famous collections that are essential to understanding the brand.

Grand Complication: A crystallization of technology and art

Grand Complications

This watch features a blue enamel dial crafted by traditional Genevan artisans. The split-seconds chronograph, one of the most difficult complications to produce, can measure multiple lap times. The three-dimensional platinum case and sapphire crystal back are also highlights. "Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 5370P." Manually wound (Cal. CHR 29-535 PS). 34 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve: minimum 55 hours, maximum 65 hours (when the chronograph is not running). Pt (diameter 41mm). Price: 2866 million yen.

The essence of Patek Philippe is its complicated mechanisms, and the Grand Complications collection is a top-notch collection that brings together numerous complicated mechanisms.

Since the company was founded in 1839, the Grand Complications collection has earned immense acclaim as one of Patek Philippe's most representative models, thanks to its high technical skill and artistry.

There are a variety of complex mechanisms installed, and each of these mechanisms is further divided into smaller series.

The classic round watch, the Calatrava

calatrava

This current model inherits the details of the Calatrava while adding refinement. The lugs and case are connected more smoothly, and the sides are carved out to create a richer look. The sapphire crystal back is covered with a hinged cover. "Calatrava Ref. 5227". Automatic (Cal. 342 SC). 29 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 45 hours. 18KYG (diameter 39mm). Price: 3,960,000 yen.

The Calatrava is a classic round watch that represents Patek Philippe. It is characterized by its pure beauty and elegance.

The design is said to be based on the German Bauhaus philosophy of the early 20th century, faithfully reflecting the idea that "function determines form."

The dials, which are based on two- or three-hand models, are highly visible, and they are popular for their high design quality, such as models with elegant Dauphine hands and slender lugs that are integrated with the middle case, as shown in the photo above.

The famous octagonal bezel "Nautilus"

nautilus

The original Nautilus, released in 1976. Nicknamed "Jumbo." Automatic. Stainless steel (42mm diameter). First released in 1976. The list price at the time was $2350.

The Nautilus was introduced in 1976 as a sporty watch with a stainless steel case. Its octagonal bezel was inspired by the portholes of the Nautilus submarine.

In the original, the protruding parts called "ears" on the left and right sides of the case served to connect the two-piece case. Even after the change to a three-piece case in 2006, the "ears" remained an iconic detail.

The watch was designed by Gérald Genta, known as the "Picasso of the watch world." While primarily a sporty watch, it is also notable for its elegant thinness, making it suitable for use as a dress watch.

"Aquanaut" based on the Nautilus

aquanaut

The Aquanaut Ref. 5065A, released in 1998. To ensure water resistance to 12 bar, the bezel and middle case are formed as a single block. Automatic movement (Cal. 315 SC). 30 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 48 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 38.8mm). Reference product.

The Aquanaut is a relatively new collection that was derived from the Nautilus in 1997 and promotes "sports elegance." It features a rounded octagonal case design and a textured lattice dial.

This highly practical model is highly water resistant and features luminous Arabic numerals that can be read even in the dark. The slim, elegant case and unique dial design make this a one-of-a-kind watch.


Patek Philippe: A watch enthusiast's dream

Patek Philippe is a world-class watch brand that attracts watch collectors and celebrities worldwide. Its unrivaled strengths include its mechanisms and beautiful designs.

The current collection is also rare, as not many were produced. Although the price is high, it has a corresponding asset value.

Text by Ken Kawabe


Introducing Patek Philippe's features and must-see models

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Introducing the appeal of the Aquanaut, its types and representative models

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The characteristics of Patek Philippe pocket watches, along with their main collections

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