Is Patek quiet luxury?
Some watch brands embody the quiet luxury ethos perfectly: Patek Philippe is almost archetypal here. The Calatrava is a symbol of understatement – and the famous brand message “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation” fits perfectly. The Trinity or ‘big three’ is a nickname given to the most luxurious watchmaking brands in the world. At the top of their game, the three watchmaking companies are Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe.Today, we are going to take a look at what some have dubbed the watch industry’s big four: Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Philippe. Each of these hallowed brands has its own distinct story, character, and style.
Is Patek more luxurious than Rolex?
Both brands represent exceptional quality in the luxury watch market. Patek Philippe wins for traditional craftsmanship and exclusivity, while Rolex excels in innovation, reliability, and accessibility. The “better” choice depends on your personal priorities, lifestyle, and budget. However, it’s not part of the prestigious Big Three of watches – why is that? Well, Rolex has always focused on producing larger quantities of durable tool watches. The brand prioritizes functionality and robustness over intricate designs and advanced complications.In some ways, Vacheron Constantin can be considered the brand that makes better watches because of its high complications. On the other hand, Rolex watches have better resale value and can make the best investments because of their ability to retain value and appreciate over time.The “big four” private watch brands—Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille—all gained market share in 2023, while several conglomerate-owned brands lost ground, according to Morgan Stanley’s seventh annual “Swiss Watcher” report, compiled in conjunction with LuxeConsult.
Does Rolex own Patek Philippe?
Since 1932, the company has been owned by the Stern family in Switzerland and remains the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva. Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its founding. Patek Philippe made a strategic decision to discontinue the 5711 to protect the brand’s long-term identity and exclusivity. Patek’s president, Thierry Stern, was concerned that the watch’s runaway success was starting to overshadow the brand’s reputation for creating a wide range of high-complication timepieces.
How many Patek Philippe are sold each year?
With even its most basic watches taking many months to produce, it’s no surprise that supply is limited. Patek Philippe reportedly releases around 60,000 new watches each year, a fraction of other luxury watch brands. Such scarcity increases demand, with waitlists stretching into many years for retail purchases. In 2021, when Patek Philippe discontinued its best-selling Ref. A-010 — the model with eight-year wait lists, for those who could get on the wait list at all — prices for the $33,000 stainless-steel wristwatch with a black-blue dial soared into six-figure territory on the secondary market.What is the cheapest Patek Philippe watch? The models in the Twenty~4 series are among the most affordable watches in Patek Philippe’s current range. The stainless steel reference 4910/1200A-001, which is equipped with a quartz movement, costs around 18,089. USD in unworn condition on Chrono24.A-010. The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. A-010 is arguably the most difficult Patek Philippe watch to obtain. Released to celebrate the brand’s 175th anniversary, this timepiece features 20 complications, making it one of the most complex wristwatches ever made.