What do you say when a non WIS asks you

[LitzDoc]

Originally Posted by de66

Because its a hand made piece of art that you can take with you for your enjoyment anywhere you go.



Its amazing to see a handmade hand finished product that by todays standards looks so perfect that it could well have been made with the precision of a machine. It is generally accepted that there are modern machine made watches that offer better accuracy. But these have no soul, for me comparable to the difference between having an actual painting made by an artist versus a print or a machine made reproduction.

It doesnt stop there. The same people who do not understand the cost of certain watches are the same people who DO understand that clothes carry different prices, or that home furnishings carry different prices, or cars have different prices, etc. Its everywhere and all around all of us but certain things are more accessible and thus more accepted



Why do we pay to go to a concert? Downloading is much cheaper

Why go to a michelin restaurant? McDonalds sells cheaper to exacting standards

Why pay for a perfect/restored old timer? New cars are more reliable



For those asking a sincere questions they will be fascinated by a sincere answer and we will potentially have gained new members to "our" community







Its a great question that I had to explain to my parents, who thought I was irresponsible when I bought my first high(er)end watch.

Excellent discussion. Thanks. I am at work today with a nice IWC Big Pilot. Every time I look at it I smile. To me that is worth the cost.
You can't use your boat or motorcycle at work to make you happy. ( unless you are a boat captain or Motorcycle racer )


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[hbk25]

Originally Posted by LitzDoc

Excellent discussion. Thanks. I am at work today with a nice IWC Big Pilot. Every time I look at it I smile. To me that is worth the cost.
You can't use your boat or motorcycle at work to make you happy. ( unless you are a boat captain or Motorcycle racer )

Sold the race bike, bought a watch (paid more for the watch).

[lapince]

Originally Posted by hbk25

Sold the race bike, bought a watch (paid more for the watch).

Cool bike. I have a Harley 48, and with the cheapest of my watches I can buy 2 bikes, I love riding but as was said you can't be on your bike 24/7, but you can wear a watch 24/7, and yes when I look a the watch I am wearing it usually puts a smile on my face

[codecow]

I guess I should share a bit from my trip to PP.

Take something as simple as a gear. The teeth have a specific shape which is semi rounded. This is accomplished by hand using a machine that spins a wooden disk. The shape cannot be seen perfectly clearly even with magnification while it's being formed, feel and sound is important to achieve quick results. This skill of just polishing gear teeth takes 5 years to master. PP has a room in their second building at Plan les Ouates with about 5 stations or so running where workers polish all day. The final results are checked nearby optically by projecting a magnified part against a scaled template drawing. A human does each step.

Every part of the watch and assembly is treated with this care. When I left, I was thinking base calibers are underpriced based on the labor going into them.

[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yeah, putting it into car terms is the easiest way for a normal person to get it, even they don't expect a Bentley to cost similar to a Ford. I wouldn't give a money amount just the car comparison and then use your imagination.

Ditto!

[Paul_I]

I agree with those of you that have said that you can take it with you. My work sometimes requires extended overseas travel and time aboard vessels at sea and I cannot take too much with me on these trips. A fine watch is a small token I can carry with me at all times that always serves to help keep me sane in some austere settings and remind me of the finer things in life. I can't take a car with me but I can take my Patek. It is now a constant companion, and a reminder of home as my significant others photo is stored safely in the officers' caseback. :)

[sarey]

Hi.. not really answering the question directly but when I bought my 5712g from my AD, the PP salesman admitted to me that in his opinion after visiting the factory etc etc they were not expensive enough... highlighting the work going into development, manufacturing and everything else I suppose. This was all said to me as I was making the purchase... not a sales pitch from the PP salesman.
I still can't help looking at it like the day I was in the store with it in my hands for the first time.

[Racerdj]

I'll attempt several minutes of general conversation but not get into specifics. I try and promote without overkill.

[LitzDoc]

Originally Posted by Paul_I

I agree with those of you that have said that you can take it with you. My work sometimes requires extended overseas travel and time aboard vessels at sea and I cannot take too much with me on these trips. A fine watch is a small token I can carry with me at all times that always serves to help keep me sane in some austere settings and remind me of the finer things in life. I can't take a car with me but I can take my Patek. It is now a constant companion, and a reminder of home as my significant others photo is stored safely in the officers' caseback. :)

That's awesome. What reference do you have. I had a 5054 with an officers case. I loved it.


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[arejay]

When asked "how much does xyz cost?" I prefer to give a cryptic and rhetorical statement such as "probably a lot."

I don't think anyone has been daft enough to bother asking me. If they see I have nice things, they usually want some career advice or the what do you do question.

[Kaapu]

Tell him/her to google "brand management" or read stuff like
http://www.skipprichard.com/7-brand-...e-best-brands/

[FTE2014]

I am not really sure if I would defend the pricing levels for a Patek (same for most other swiss pieces). I have a few high-end pieces, including Pateks, while I think most higher end swiss brands are crazy overpriced and there is no justification behind the current price tags and service prices.
I tend to see my hobby as an expensive addiction, and don't see any investment value on most of these pieces. I will continue to buy more pieces as I enjoy it, but I don't see any myself defending the price levels :)