Rolex vs. Patek

[Captain Kirk]

i have thought about getting a Patek, but they are so expensive. Why? Are they that much better than Rolex?

[perpetualman88]

its not a matter of being better its a matter of being different.

Rolex= durable, status, tool ect

Patek= Timeless elegance, hand crafted, a company that has made less watches in its entire history than rolex makes in a single year.

The complications Patek can pull off no other watch company including rolex can copy such as the skymoon tourbilion by patek.

People by a Rolex for an entirely different reason than a person would by a Patek for.

David

[boogiebot]

the PP is really a HUGE step up in class from any Rolex. for all the reasons already stated by perpetualman88.

[zeuloa]

I dont think there is a simple answer for this one.... the best way to come to this conclusion is to do plenty of research by searching on this and other forums. I have a DJ that my wife now wears, and a SD. Ideally in the future I will buy a PP in rose gold and that's it for me!

I don't know if this helps you but is a Rolls Royce Phantom much better than a Mercedes-Benz S600? Yes and no....

[rosspanics]

In general, yes, Patek is a "better" watch than Rolex. Hand crafted, in house, limited production and distribution.

My advice would be to buy a Rolex for daily wear and PP for special occassions.

[BarkMaster]

All the above, plus the exclusivity that comes with the cost.

[Captain Kirk]

Thanks David!

[DCGuy1965]

I adore the PP too but the $$$ required to get one with a complication or two makes it almost prohibitive. DOn't get me wrong I would absolutely love to be able to afford my 5980 Nautilus Chrono but 45K for a SS watch is too much coin for me.

HOwever, if you do go all in and buy one and happen to get something exclusive you never know if it could be worth a fortune in the future. PP holds pretty much all the records at auctions.

Just be aware a PP watch is like pearls - last thing you put on, first thing you take off. They are not a water resistant watch and from what I've read fragile is an understatement. A strong golf swing could mess up the movement. Good luck.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Captain Kirk

i have thought about getting a Patek, but they are so expensive. Why? Are they that much better than Rolex?

Because they can.

Patek has the reputation of being number one or King. Patek is in the top tier of the luxury watch brands, where Rolex is more third tier.

Patek makes a different kind of watch than Rolex. Patek - Classy, dressy and Complicated. Rolex generally makes a sportier, durable, rugged, and non-complicated watches. Rolex's bread and butter is SS Sports watches.

Patek production run is limited to about 40,000 watches a year all of which are in precious metal. Rolex makes between 700,000 to 800,000 watches a year.

[Timber Loftis]

Huge step up with Patek, notably for the brand name for an entry Calatrava, but the price goes up quickly with complications, which Patek excels at. Patek also makes a watch with a much thinner profile that has more going on inside a smaller movement. Of course, if you drop your Rolex you probably don't have to worry about breaking it. You can also get just about any Rolex wet, since the notion of waterproof is something they have really perfected.

[Captain Kirk]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll stay with Rolex. When I get ready to buy a Rolls (not going to happen), I'll stop on the way home and pick up a PP...

dk

[dddrees]

An AD once explained it this way.

A Rolex is a rainy day watch, something a contractor would buy. You can wear it anywhere.

A Patek is a sunny day watch. Something you wear with suits and behind a desk.

True you can wear a Rolex behind a desk, but you can't wear a Patek on a construction site.

[jenniferjanef]

Patek maybe a better watch in terms of complications, however, one must look at what are your own needs and wants. I personally have a few pp locked in the safe (gifts from my wife) and I use another gift from her, the day date 2 pt as my everyday watch. To me the rolex meets my requirement. I feel comfortable and safe with my dd2. And frankly my pt dd2 due to the weight, feels more luxurious than any of my pp. Size wise, it is a perfect fit for my 7.25 wrist. It is robust for my daily swim and golf. Elegant enough for my boardroom. I always tried wearing my pp for more than a day but I consistently feel it is too fragile for my daily activities and I know maybe just a mental block but I just can't get over it. So if you are buying a watch, always know what are your own requirements. Good luck and cheers! james

[Mockingbird]

Patek occupies the 2nd tier of watch manufactures. This is the highest rank a company of it's size can occupy. PP houses one of the best R&D teams in history and create awe inspiring complications.

The only reason they aren't first tier is because there are small independent manufactures with production numbers so low that an insane amount of time is spent on each watch.

PP represents the upper echelon of mass market watchmaking.

[patek97]

When you purchase a complicated patek like the 5035 annual calendar would be a good starting point .Unless you can buy a good vintage calatrava is a good buy too,they hold there value like no other watch for the quality it is.
What patek does is very understated ,for example i was at a party wearing a 3940 perpetual calendar patek and the person next to me had a two tone date-just rolex,a girl came up to us and said to the person wearing the rolex wow what a nice watch,then she looked at mine and said nothing.
HEHE that's the beauty of owing a patek ,she really never know what it was and what its worth.
Look patek is the way above rolex ,but rolex has it good points,its hold it value to a point and is a good everyday watch to wear and durable.

[43builder]

i feel comparing the two are apples to oranges. they are very different in the approach and even the quality i feel. Patek makes rolex seem like a dime store however in their prices.

[eric23]

I like Patek for its movements but I like Rolex for its cases.

I would love to get a Patek but they are so pricy!

[Submarino]

You just can't and shouldn't compare. These two brands play in totally different arenas. Patek="Haute Horlogerie" while Rolex="Functional Horlogerie". To get into a brand new entry point Patek Philippe you need at least $13K+.

Apples to Apples and Oranges to Oranges.

[Megalobyte]

Are the nautilus and aquanaut fragile? I assumed they were fairly robust sport watches, each with a sporty design, and a WR of 120m. I'm sure a Sub is more rugged, but are these PP sport watches at least close?

[perpetualman88]

by the way captain kirk I am currently on the hunt for my first patek I am looking to get a 5107j and I cant wait to get it more so than my first rolex

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Megalobyte

Are the nautilus and aquanaut fragile? I assumed they were fairly robust sport watches, each with a sporty design, and a WR of 120m. I'm sure a Sub is more rugged, but are these PP sport watches at least close?

I wouldn't say they are fragile but they are clearly not as rugged as a Sub or any other Rolex sports model. I wouldn't do home improvement work wearing a Patek, however, I see no problem doing the same while wearing my SD or GMTs.

[gwalker]

I would say think of it like a Chevy truck vs. Ferrari. One is great for everyday use, not nearly as complicated, can take a beating, ok to "drive" in the rain. The other is much more complicated, much more expensive, much more rare, and shouldn't get wet. I think that about sums it up.

[SWIMPRUF]

It would be like comparing a BMW/Audi to a Rolls Royce.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SWIMPRUF

It would be like comparing a BMW/Audi to a Rolls Royce.

Welll BMW does own Rolls Royce and like any high end product no matter what it is, you pay 70% for the name and 30% for the product.

[SWIMPRUF]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well BMW does own Rolls Royce and like any high end product no matter what it is, you pay 70% for the name and 30% for the product.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by patek97

When you purchase a complicated patek like the 5035 annual calendar would be a good starting point .Unless you can buy a good vintage calatrava is a good buy too,they hold there value like no other watch for the quality it is.
What patek does is very understated ,for example i was at a party wearing a 3940 perpetual calendar patek and the person next to me had a two tone date-just rolex,a girl came up to us and said to the person wearing the rolex wow what a nice watch,then she looked at mine and said nothing.
HEHE that's the beauty of owing a patek ,she really never know what it was and what its worth.
Look patek is the way above rolex ,but rolex has it good points,its hold it value to a point and is a good everyday watch to wear and durable.

The Rolex gets the girls talking to you, the Patek doesn't.

[Shelby-villian]

Rolex is to omega as Patek is to jaeger or audemars. Both are kings of their class.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Captain Kirk

i have thought about getting a Patek, but they are so expensive. Why?

same reason a dog licks its nuts, because it can

i'd love a Patek but for the price of one i can get 5-6 really nice and diverse Rolex watches...

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by The Joker

The Rolex gets the girls talking to you, the Patek doesn't.

that's it mate!
my gf says Patek is too old man, camel slippers and corn pipe

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by Captain Kirk

i have thought about getting a Patek, but they are so expensive. Why? Are they that much better than Rolex?

Yes, but they are not as durable, ( imho ).