Interesting analysis on the Cubitius

[Rollieo]

https://youtu.be/3SiMyO6qKPg?si=yq5cRxUrFPtI-x_H

A lot said that’s been said, but well put together.

A few highlights that I haven’t heard anyone mention:

1. Maybe Patek was going for a good watch, but not a watch that would be so desirable as to be another 5711. TS did after discontinue the 5711 so Patek wouldn’t be a one watch company.

2. It’s a slow evolution in design, which is safe and expected from Patek. Similar to Rolex.

3. First iterations of new lines are hard to be wide crowd pleasers and it takes future iterations.

No one is giving Rolex shit for making the YM which was derivative of the Sub. Maybe they did when the YM was released. Also personally I think the Aquanant was quite ugly in its early iteration, it has similar design aesthetics today but is much more refined.

[Armis]

Interesting points about how a model slowly evolves in its refinement, perhaps as we are even seeing to some extent with the AP Code line. Although in the case of Cubitus, despite negative or lukewarm comments, this new release appears to be on fire in terms of desirability from the start.

[Ichiran]

Patek is not MB&F or Urwerk and it has never attempted to be one. The "new" Nautilus line in 1976 was closely based on the 1972 Jumbo and the 1997 Aquanaut was a simplified Nautilus case with a rubber strap. Both "new" lines were hardly revolutionary then.

Even then, Legacy Machines and Urwerk models all have similar aesthetics in their subsequent releases. Maybe it's due to the same design language for both brands applied to their watches.

The Cubitus is also not meant to be a replacement for the Nautilus and Aquanaut and it is a complement to the existing line up.

[nyc2la]

The Nautilus looked (in 1976) and looks (for the recently retired 5711) different in nearly every way than the Royal Oak. The case shapes are different. The bezels are different. The dials are different. The bracelets are different.

The wearing experience of the two watches is very different as well. The Nautilus is softer and silkier, the RO is very industrial and rigid.

Aside from them both being designed by the same, renowned third party designer, they were, and are, different.

Regardless if the Nautilus is “an evolution” of the Royal Oak, they are very different watches. The same can’t be said of the Cubitus when compared to the Nautilus. The Cubitus is simply a squared off (and lazy) copy of the Nautilus.

As a fan and owner of Patek, it’s a very disappointing release.

[Ichiran]

Imagine the hoo-ha today if TS releases the 3700 4 years after the 5402 and call the 3700 a new model line. Imagine both the 3700 and 5402 side-by-side in the same Patek catalogue. Obviously they are designed by the same person and they have the same octagonal case shape, brushed bezel, integrated bracelet, same dimensions, same 2-hander and even the same JLC-based movement.

I struggle to look at the Patek 3700 and call it a revolutionary release. It's a matter of perspective and we can agree to disagree. We look at watches differently.

[vliberman]

The issue is depth of bench and willingness to tap it at PP to improve upon design. If TS considers this design as successful then there is nothing to improve upon. Mkt won’t send a signal as people still buy PP on strength of perception. However, significant portion of collectors is turned off and goes elsewhere. At that point, salvaging situation gets tough as anyone internally who can design is gone to setup indie shop or works for MB&F and you are left with “yes” men who can’t design.

Remember, PP didn’t design its most successful offering in the first place! It has made many right decisions along the way to capitalize on the design which is great. However, ability to design is in question.

[Calatrava r]

This model is a home run for Patek. People who try them on love them. Although big, I suspect they balance very well and are a joy to wear. Regrettably, I will never be allocated one.

[smugtech]

https://youtu.be/3SiMyO6qKPg?si=kg-mRfRKENZOfknn

Interesting review of the Cubitius

[Russell996]

https://youtu.be/XPMR5-0GI7w?si=rlHUcMDElU4amjVx

A balanced review, what ever next.

[LJubel328]

Hairspring did a good episode on the Cubitus as well. Some diehards may find it too harsh; though, I believe a number of Patek’s and Stern’s decisions over the years warrants a discussion.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000674537869


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[ts3]

Originally Posted by LJubel328

Hairspring did a good episode on the Cubitus as well. Some diehards may find it too harsh; though, I believe a number of Patek’s and Stern’s decisions over the years warrants a discussion.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000674537869


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Interesting one, thanks for posting.

[Uros]

Originally Posted by LJubel328

Hairspring did a good episode on the Cubitus as well. Some diehards may find it too harsh; though, I believe a number of Patek’s and Stern’s decisions over the years warrants a discussion.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000674537869


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Thanks, good one


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[ajw45]

Originally Posted by LJubel328

Hairspring did a good episode on the Cubitus as well. Some diehards may find it too harsh; though, I believe a number of Patek’s and Stern’s decisions over the years warrants a discussion.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...=1000674537869


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Thanks, that was a great listen! It inspired me to revisit some macros of modern PP over $100k, always figured that finishing at the higher end of PP was still fine but found some really rough shortcuts even over $200k....

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by ajw45

Thanks, that was a great listen! It inspired me to revisit some macros of modern PP over $100k, always figured that finishing at the higher end of PP was still fine but found some really rough shortcuts even over $200k....

Double assembly starts at Rattrapante and above.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

This model is a home run for Patek. People who try them on love them. Although big, I suspect they balance very well and are a joy to wear. Regrettably, I will never be allocated one.

I tried it on (green dial, date and time only) and did not love it.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

1. Maybe Patek was going for a good watch, but not a watch that would be so desirable as to be another 5711. TS did after discontinue the 5711 so Patek wouldn’t be a one watch company.

I've never ever ever heard of a luxury brand putting out a product that they wanted to be less than as desirable as possible.

That's NOT a strategy -- "we dont want it to be TOO good" . . .

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Bartolo

I've never ever ever heard of a luxury brand putting out a product that they wanted to be less than as desirable as possible.

That's NOT a strategy -- "we dont want it to be TOO good" . . .

Seems counter intuitive, but so was discontinuing the 5711

[Gamut]

Originally Posted by Bartolo

I've never ever ever heard of a luxury brand putting out a product that they wanted to be less than as desirable as possible.

That's NOT a strategy -- "we dont want it to be TOO good" . . .

It is a very common and basic strategy for a brand to design their lower-end products so that they would not cannibalize their higher-end products which are more profitable.

It's usually much more challenging to design lower-end products within a brand's product range because they need to be inferior than their higher-end products while being superior than the products of other brands in the same price-range.

[Willyjo]

Tried these on today. Nice

They didn’t have the steel,Long waiting list for this one.

Prefer the platinum. Seems that I could get the platinum as my first PP. Price is punchy though…





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[Golfbone]

This thing is just hideous. An abomination. The emperor has no clothes. When it was first leaked everyone thought it was a hoax, a parody or a joke of some sort. The reality has sunk in that it's real and it's a spectacular fail. If you have to think in abstract terms to make something you are tasting seem palatable, it's not very tasty and it might be in fact be spoiled. Go with your first instinct and spit it out rather than thinking about it and swallowing. You may avoid getting sick that way. The Cubitus is a brick that looks awful in pictures and even worse on the wrist. It takes everything graceful and interesting about the Nautilus, reminding one of a ships porthole, and deconstructs it into a square with NO nautical reference and no design interest. I can't believe how ugly and stupid it is. Embarrassing really that they could release this crap and think that they can ride their reputation right through the criticism. That is the path to descent of a brand. No plane flies high enough to deny that there is ground below.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Bartolo

I've never ever ever heard of a luxury brand putting out a product that they wanted to be less than as desirable as possible.

That's NOT a strategy -- "we dont want it to be TOO good" . . .

What made sense was to keep the SS Nautilus in production exactly as it was. It is like Rolex discontinuing the Submariner.

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

What made sense was to keep the SS Nautilus in production exactly as it was. It is like Rolex discontinuing the Submariner.

I’d arguably say Rolex discontinuing the SS Submariner would be like Patek discontinuing the Calatrava in gold.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Willyjo

Tried these on today. Nice

They didn’t have the steel,Long waiting list for this one.

Prefer the platinum. Seems that I could get the platinum as my first PP. Price is punchy though…





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They are certainly growing on me. Very nice.

[Ichiran]

Big interest in my country. VIP were told "thanks for your interest, we are registering you in the interest list" without any committed date just like the other sport models. I'm surprised this took off so well, but it is what it is.

First few big clients have just gotten their green Cubitus. @Danblink posted his in IG.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Big interest in my country. VIP were told "thanks for your interest, we are registering you in the interest list" without any committed date just like the other sport models. I'm surprised this took off so well, but it is what it is.

First few big clients have just gotten their green Cubitus. @Danblink posted his in IG.

Asia?


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[321Forever]

It's definitely a dog of a watch. If it was any good, I'd have major envy right now because I am not anywhere near an important customer to PP when it comes to something new or steel.

Of course it being both a PP and a steel Nautilus, there will be some demand all over the world for the thing, no matter how unattractive and uninspiring it is.

Regarding the criticism to date, it says a lot when sites like Ablogtowatch.com and Fratello are willing to go on the record criticizing Stern and PP over their approach and the design. That's not trivial.

I know some of you own one already or are on the list. That doesn't mean the thing looks any good. Someone here probably likes the Neptune, too. Yuk.

[Bartolo]

Here's a good way to test yourself; just a mental exercise:

If you could buy a Cubitus at MSRP, but CAN NEVER SELL IT OFF . . . would you buy one today?

"No" for me.

[metallic]

Originally Posted by Bartolo

Here's a good way to test yourself; just a mental exercise:

If you could buy a Cubitus at MSRP, but CAN NEVER SELL IT OFF . . . would you buy one today?

"No" for me.

Good way to look at it. A definite NO.

But that may also be the answer for a number of other watches from famous brands. I have made many bad purchased that I regretted and sold off...typically at a loss though.

[NYG1121]

Tried them on today. I didnt care much for the steel 3 hander. Too much empty space, could’ve looked better without the ears. I actually did like the platinum model. The complications and date fill in the space nicely and I think it just looks better on a strap.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Asia?

I'm in Singapore