Patek Philippe

PP_Geneve
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yes, BUT...

sure, let's talk about watches. but please let us not forget that a watch is not simply a watch, not merely a physical object. a watch has many aspects attached to it (tradition, history, values, etc.), and the price -or let's say prices in general- is also one aspect of it, whether we like it or not.
as i understand -and agree with- this forum is not about talking about the price or price range of one specific watch. there is a "collectors marketplace" section where anyone willing to buy a certain watch can get the informations he want, if buying a specific watch is his concrete aim.
however, if it pleases patek philippe to increase their prices three times within one single year, we -collectors, aficionados, or purists- have no reasons not to "talk about it". why? because the politics of the company patek philippe (be it marketing, pricing, supporting public events, etc.) DO have an impact on the brand, and the watch itself (at least the perception thereof). of course, we can try to limit ourselves discussing the timeless beauty and perfection of a patek philippe watch, but patek philippe -the watch company- and patek philippe -the physical watch- are two distinct, yet interrelated things.
unless patek is our sacrosanct religion, we should be able to love its watches yet maintain a critical gaze towards the people making it (not necessarily those who design or build it, but those leading and marketing it). for example, if Mr. Stern says something like "we are not motivated by money" or "we don't focus on the chinese market", i have serious troubles accepting his statements without qualifications or elaborations. if PP raises its prices 3 times a year, i doubt it happens only because of economical reasons, and discussing these issues in depth on this forum could appease my doubts.  in fact, any censure, taboo theme, or premeditated locking of topics on this forum -unless the aim is to discuss a specific price or find out where/how to get a specific watch at a specific price- just contributes to create further doubts.
i love patek philippe and have great respect for its watches and the Stern family, but i also respect diverging views and criticism thereof.
besides fantastic wristshots and precious technical information, i'd also like to see discussions about historical and social aspects of patek philippe. how the brand developed, how indeed patek and other brands are (or are not) status objects (for the few?), etc. also, i believe that most purists here are old enough and capable to discuss "uncomfortable"(?) topics with dignity and abstain from sarcastic or inflammatory comments.

"you never really own a patek philippe..." yes, but that statement also is applicable to the watch company of the same name! the marketing strategy of the company patek philippe -including price policy- should be open to serious inquiry and discussion. why? because we care!

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