Rolex vs. Patek

[hrlgst]

The quality of Rolex is undeniable. So much so that one could ask, "How much more round can you make a wheel?" That's why I don't really understand why the price of the simplest Patek Philippe model can be so astronomical (Their triple complication model costs almost 1 million dollars US!). Some PP models aren't even very attractive compared to Rolex. When you buy a Patek, are you just buying the name and reputation?

[opaline460]

for show!

[chronoman]

Google image : "patek philippe movement" & "rolex movement."
It's pretty interesting. Worth is what somebody will pay. Somebody's buying.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by chronoman

Google image : "patek philippe movement" & "rolex movement."
It's pretty interesting. Worth is what somebody will pay. Somebody's buying.

I just took your advice - holy cow, those Patek's are unbelievable.

However, they're simply not worth it to me. And, I don't think they look as beautiful as Rolex on the outside. Rolex has always just spoken to me as THE watch to have, even after I found out about the "ultra-watches" out there.

$30K is enough for a watch for me, not $500K or even $1M, or more.

Just like the $100K Mercedes CLS I just bought my wife is beautiful and luxurious - we don't need an RR Phantom; and my $70K M3 is fine and exceedingly fast, I don't need a Ferrari.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

$30K is enough for a watch for me, not $500K or even $1M, or more.

There're quite a few beautiful Pateks under $30K, e.g. 5067, 5119, 5127, 5296, 5711, etc. Spending $500K or $1M is of course on a whole another level, but when it comes to comparing the price tags of all-gold Rolexes to similarly not-so-complicated steel or gold Pateks, the difference is not that huge. Take a DD and a 5127, they're quite similar in price. Of course there's a pretty big gap when it comes to comparing entry-level pieces, like AK against 5067.

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by Fiery

There're quite a few beautiful Pateks under $30K, e.g. 5067, 5119, 5127, 5296, 5711, etc. Spending $500K or $1M is of course on a whole another level, but when it comes to comparing the price tags of all-gold Rolexes to similarly not-so-complicated steel or gold Pateks, the difference is not that huge. Take a DD and a 5127, they're quite similar in price. Of course there's a pretty big gap when it comes to comparing entry-level pieces, like AK against 5067.

Some good points your raise.

Most importantly, I just don't particularly 'like' any PP's the way I 'love' my DDII. None of them make any kind of emotional connection with me, and I don't find them terribly interesting or beautiful visually, either. A gold AP Royal Oak is about the only other model I'd consider, but I fear that may become dated.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by JustABreathAway

I just took your advice - holy cow, those Patek's are unbelievable.

However, they're simply not worth it to me. And, I don't think they look as beautiful as Rolex on the outside. Rolex has always just spoken to me as THE watch to have, even after I found out about the "ultra-watches" out there.

$30K is enough for a watch for me, not $500K or even $1M, or more.

Just like the $100K Mercedes CLS I just bought my wife is beautiful and luxurious - we don't need an RR Phantom; and my $70K M3 is fine and exceedingly fast, I don't need a Ferrari.

I think we have moved pretty far past "need" here,

[JustABreathAway]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

I think we have moved pretty far past "need" here,

I concede your point.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by hrlgst

The quality of Rolex is undeniable. So much so that one could ask, "How much more round can you make a wheel?" That's why I don't really understand why the price of the simplest Patek Philippe model can be so astronomical (Their triple complication model costs almost 1 million dollars US!). Some PP models aren't even very attractive compared to Rolex. When you buy a Patek, are you just buying the name and reputation?

I agree. There was a member on here who was going to buy a 13k stainless steel and QUARTZ model Patek....13k! Now that is astronomical for SS and Quartz movement if you ask me. (There were some diamonds on the bezel but still).

Patek keeps a high brand integrity to which I interpret as the "best of the best". People pay it so they'll keep making them and keep charging prices that are out of this world.

[ktmd]

Rolex watche are nice enough for what they are intended to do, but they in no way embody perfection. Take a loupe to your Rolex to see for yourself. Dial imperfections, sloppy paint on the hands, bits of lume floating inside the crystal. In addition, Rolex movements are not showpieces. Robust and accurate yes, pretty no. If you want perfection as offered by PP, you have to pay up. Is a PP worth the price of admission? Not to me, but lots of other disagree.

[elevensheep]

rolex is good at making simple watches, PP specialises in more elaborate pieces

quality wise, i dont think Rolex is as good as PP

[capote]

Marketing helps to keep up the prices. They also are known for excellent movement and finish. I'm not a big fan of their designs. The Nautilus and tripple date chrono are unbelievable though

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by capote

marketing helps to keep up the prices. They also are known for excellent movement and finish. I'm not a big fan of their designs. The nautilus and tripple date chrono are unbelievable though

+1

[jake]

I agree that Patek Philippe is the Rolls Royce of watches, and Rolex is the Mercedes of watches.

The movements in Patek Philippe watches are the opposite of Rolex. Rolex movements are very simple and plain, with little ornamentation or decoration. Patek Watches are typically dress watches, and Rolex watches are typically tool and sport watches.

Patek Philippe moments have 18kt Gold Rotors and exhibition case backs that showcase the movement, Rolex has never made a exhibition case back nor a rotor made out of precious metal.

Patek Philippe movements tend to be more intricate and finished, in the sense that Patek Philippe adhered to the standards of the Geneve Seal, which among other things required no parts with right angles. In other words, every single part of the Patek Philippe movement has to be radiused.

In recent years, Rolex has stepped up their game with the accuracy and timekeeping of their movements. Patek Philippe conversely had some challenges with the out-of-the-box calibration of some of their movements.

Also, Patek Philippe watches–at the high-end–have much more complicated movements.

While it is true that owning and wearing a Rolex represents the International Mark Of Success, I would argue that owning and wearing a Patek Philippe represents the Internal Mark of Success.

Obviously I am madly in love with both brands since I publish Jake's Rolex World and Jake's Patek Philippe World.

You can learn much more about both brands by visiting:

http://patekwatch.blogspot.com

http://rolexblog.blogspot.com

I hope I helped shed light on this subject.

Happy Holidays!!!

Jake

[eric23]

I like P.P. movements better then Rolex movements but I like Rolex cases better then P.P. Cases.

Also a P.P. will starts at 20K new (SS Aquanaut), basic Rolex Air-King under 5K new.

[SLRdude]

Because Pateks are hand made by a handful of people and Rolex is machine made by a sea of robots.
Rolex movements are also among the simplest out there.

[le_baroudeur]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Because Pateks are hand made by a handful of people and Rolex is machine made by a sea of robots.
Rolex movements are also among the simplest out there.

Are you REALLY sure? Can you see this superb machined angling? (numeric command machine) This shot comes from a french "haute horlogerie" forum, where it was discussed that PP was probably not as high as some can think..

Rolex is THE manufacture for everyday watches, in my opinion.

[novan3]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Because Pateks are hand made by a handful of people and Rolex is machine made by a sea of robots.
Rolex movements are also among the simplest out there.

Patek uses robots too..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dwBk7-uPmc

[stephentross]

one is world class and the other is out of this world.

[Roxas]

The same question why you buy a Rolex instead of a Timex.

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by Roxas

The same question why you buy a Rolex instead of a Timex.

Exactly. Comparing the purchase justification of one vs the other is a slippery slope.

[Paladin]

Noooooooooooooo not AGAIN!

Rolex vs. Patek.... REALLY??????????????

[Welshwatchman]

Let's not kid ourselves.

Both brands use state of the art computer controlled cutting machines to manufacture their cases and parts.

There is a lot more human interaction in the finishing process on a Patek piece but handmade?

No.


They do manufacture spare parts by hand for older pieces where the original parts are depleted.

That's why Alcan's PP pocketwatch came in with a $11,000 estimate to get it running again.

[Roxas]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Let's not kid ourselves.

Both brands use state of the art computer controlled cutting machines to manufacture their cases and parts.

There is a lot more human interaction in the finishing process on a Patek piece but handmade?

No.


They do manufacture spare parts by hand for older pieces where the original parts are depleted.

That's why Alcan's PP pocketwatch came in with a $11,000 estimate to get it running again.

I believe he means movement finishing part. Constructing an entire watch by hand only is practically impossible. I cannot see how to make a watch case without using a machine.

[chronoman]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Let's not kid ourselves.

Both brands use state of the art computer controlled cutting machines to manufacture their cases and parts.

There is a lot more human interaction in the finishing process on a Patek piece but handmade?

No.

Indeed. Mintage-wise still a production piece. Another level are people like Dufour that make 6 watches a year. Fine serpentine spokes on the large wheels. Fine carving on the smaller. Unbelievable.

[Melanotaenia]

Didn't we just go through this? Oh yeah, we did:

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.ph...ighlight=patek

[Le Chef]

The simplest way to find out why is to visit a Patek dealer and ask them for information about what makes the brand so special and get them to show you the movement under a loupe. Go to their website and you will gain more information. If after you have learned how Patek do things, and you don't think they're worth it, no one is going to force you to buy.

[bigterpsfan]

Mobile phone keeps the best time, so in my opinion it is an expression of one's self. If you want accurate time, stick to the mobile phone.

[horseco]

Is a Rolls Royce Phantom really better than Mercedes S600??? Very much like the Patek, Rolex comparison, the answer is simple... Yes & NO...

[dddrees]

There are a number of reasons why one would pay more for a Patek versus a Rolex, just like why someone would pay more for a Rolex versus a Timex. There is a perception that you are getting something that is worth more. If there weren't enough people that had that perception then they wouldn't sell as many watches as they do.

There's alot that goes into deciding how many they make and how much they sell their watches for. Patek has chosen to make a certain type of watch and sell them for a higher price than most, just like Rolex has chosen to make certain types of watches and target a different type of market.

It is what it is. Not all are willing to pay for a Patek, but not everyone is willing to pay for a Rolex either.