I have always thought that Patek Philippe stood at the apex of all watch manufacturers.It was somewhat of a major step for me when I was finally able to purchase one. Since that time I have seen some new and exciting watches brought forth. If there is one company that has dominated the pinnacle of the world of watch making it most definitely has been Patek Philippe.
Lately, I feel things have changed and I have lost confidence in their product line.This is just one man's opinion but it seems that Patek has lost it's focus.
Take for example the Calatrava Ref.5120.A beautiful 18k, hand-guilloched hobnail-pattern bezel, black roman numerals and baton hands against a beautiful pure white dial. The inimitable elegance of this ultra thin watch,feels like a feather on the wrist and is undisputedly Patek Philippe.It is almost as if the watch has a life of its own.
It is not a watch with an oversized case,chunky bezel,or an elaborated, decorated colored dial.To me this watch represents pure classicism.
The new releases,however complicated, each seem to me to posess a minor flaw.
Again,I apologize,I do not wish to offend anyone.
However,complicated colored dials, odd hour hands, overly large sized writing, dials that are so busy they take away from the ease of viewing the actual time,these to me are not items that I equate with a name such as Patek Philippe.
I humbly suggest that the marketing staff at Patek take a long step back and be absolutely sure that they have not been caught up in a little spin and a lot of retail hype.