Hope's Corner - Patek Philippe

Hope's Corner Vol. 3 « hope's corner

Last year I had the privilege of being Patek Philippe’s guest for a week in Geneva, Switzerland. It was an incredible opportunity! I was taken thru all of the Patek Philippe workshops, where no Americans have gone before! For those of you who don’t know me personally, I was beside myself with joy! Patek Philippe is the end-all be-all in the watch making world.

They are the pinnacle of what others aspire to be. Patek holds the most patents for innovation, and holds the highest, and most, auction records for both pocket and wristwatches. Patek remains the only family-owned business in the major watch making community. They have the highest quality standards in the industry, and most importantly, they are some of the nicest people to deal with!

The biggest impression, as a whole, is the immense pride every employee who works for Patek Philippe has for the company. I say this, because it is so visible. It almost seems silly to highlight this, but I’d like you to think about people you know here in Corporate America. Do you notice groups of people (not an individual here or there) but the vast majority, who work for a particular company who are so passionate about what they do and who they work for, that it makes an impression on you? I’m talking about the guy whose only job is to hand polish small screws, to the gal who applies the ‘perlage’ decoration on bridges inside a watch.
I commented, “How can they do this day-in and day-out year after year, I know I’d go nuts.” One of the directors told me, they feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing they had their part in the building of each and every one of the world’s finest timepieces!

There was so much incredible information, but I will try to cherry pick some things that might interest you.

• The dial factory - the color of a Patek dial is a science. Patek has an expert chemist, only a few at his level in Switzerland. In one day he can have 4 variations of color in his baths depending on the time of day and humidity, so he has to constantly adjust. If there was a group of dials that came out a little different for a particular model, people would go crazy trying to buy one, for the rarity, so it is critical that all dials are exact.
• There are between 50 and 100 steps to make an average dial. A dial has between 12 to 20 bath treatments.
• In Perly, they make the cases and bracelets. Polishing a single case, which houses the movement, takes on average 1 ½ to 2 hours. Platinum cases average 4 hours.
• All bracelets are hand polished. The Nautilus bracelet for example takes a tremendous amount of time. Each link is cut out 1 at a time and it takes 6 minutes and 45 seconds per link to cut. It is then hand assembled and takes a whopping 7 hours to hand polish one complete bracelet!
• The production of a single movement’s components, depending on its complexity, requires the expertise of highly skilled people and involves 1,200 to 1,500 individual steps.
• It takes 3 to 5 years of research to develop a new model.
• 1,035 employees are involved in the production of 1 timepiece!

~ Hope Wixon

 

Never wind your timepiece when it is on your wrist. It can bend the crown. Never set the other functions on your watch between 10 am/pm and 2 am/pm - this can ruin the gears. The best rule to follow is to set the hands to 6:30 pm, set the other features then lastly, set the time. Always make sure your winding stem is screwed down or closed completely. This will prevent water and dust from getting in. The majority of chronographs are not meant to run 24 hours, this causes extensive wear and tear to the parts because it’s designed for timing events - not continuous use. Be sure to have your timepiece serviced every couple years - it will perform much better if it has regular maintenance. In using correct watch terminology - refer to the “dial” not the “face” and use the words “strap” or “bracelet” not “band.”

Be sure to have your timepiece serviced every couple years - like a fine automobile, it will perform much better if it has regular maintenance. Wixon’s highly trained and certified watchmakers provide exceptional care for your timepiece. Our state-of-the-art watch facility allows us to repair your watch in-house, so you can rest assured that it’s in good hands. Here is a list of our complete watch services: • Battery Change* • Water-Resistance Testing* • Bracelet Sizing* • Testing for Amplitude and Calibration • Complete Refinishing of Case and Bracelet • Regulation of Mechanical Watches • Complete Overhaul - Full estimate provided before service As well as...Crystal Replacement, Bracelet & Clasp Repair, Engraving, and Insurance Appraisals (verbal or written). *While you wait on most watches.. Click here to view a complete list of the watch services we provide on premise.

COMING SOON from Patek Philippe... Ref. 5167R: To commemorate its 10-year success story, the design of the extra large Ref. 5167 Aquanaut was subtly refined in 2007. Now, this signature model is also available in a rose gold version with a chocolate brown dial and strap. The combination of warm hues adds a touch of class to this casually elegant timepiece. Ref. 7011/1: Three years after the successful launch of the new men’s Nautilus collection that marked the 30-year anniversary of this cult watch, Patek Philippe presents the new Nautilus collection for ladies. The latest interpretation of the feminine Nautilus comes in white or rose gold with a silvery white or charcoal gray dial with or without a diamond bezel. The new case with the slightly enlarged diameter of 32mm is water resistant to 60m and runs with quartz precision. Ref. 4907/1: To celebrate the 10-year triumph of the famous Twenty~4® collection, Patek Philippe presents the first yellow-gold model of this iconic ladies’ line. To underscore its timeless elegance, the new model in yellow gold is the only Twenty~4® timepiece without a diamond-set case. Three dial color choices are available: “Night Glow” and “Autumn Brown” – two hues created especially for this yellow-gold model – and the endearingly classic “Timeless White."