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Phileas Fogg

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Patek 3448 Perpetual Calendar (1976, first introduced in 1962)
View attachment 1642811

Patek 5396 Annual Calendar (current production)
View attachment 1642815

Speaking as a non Patek owner, if the 3448 were a rock star:
2478.jpg



And if the 5396 were a Rock Star:

6ojiZ50h.jpg
 

Drek Galloche

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I think someone just insulted PP 3448 comparing it to a musical poseur more famous for his style and pictures than his songs.

If Robert Plant wore a watch at a time it would have been Daytona. If he was peaking today he would have wore an RM or Big Bang.
 

Coxsackie

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My only problem with modern Patek is the size of the dress watch cases. The 5396 is not a particularly egregious example at 38.5 especially with the complication but doesn't releasing a 39mm Calatrava "diminish" both literally and figuratively the older 33-35mm watches from decades past?

The issue will be further compounded for collectors if trends swing back in the opposite direction toward smaller watches thus forcing Patek to one again release smaller dress cases. the 39mm Calatrava will look horribly dated in the same way the older 33mm ones do now.

I know trends are unavoidable at a certain point and a commercial enterprise like Patek has to keep up with these trends to sell watches and stay in business, but it seems like a truly long-term philosophy would have pumped the brakes at 37mm.
I suspect you may have missed a salient point: people are getting bigger.
 

pasadena man

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I suspect you may have missed a salient point: people are getting bigger.
Precisely. American men’s weight increased from 181 in the 1980’s to 196 in 2016 (about 8%). A proportionate increase in the size of watches would increase a 36mm diameter watch to 39mm.
 

Phileas Fogg

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Precisely. American men’s weight increased from 181 in the 1980’s to 196 in 2016 (about 8%). A proportionate increase in the size of watches would increase a 36mm diameter watch to 39mm.

interesting point. Somewhat ironic given the current fad of slim fit.

Something should also be said of the slow but steady revolution of tool watches displacing a true dress watch. The tool watch seems to now be the king of the hill.
 

Thrift Vader

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interesting point. Somewhat ironic given the current fad of slim fit.

Something should also be said of the slow but steady revolution of tool watches displacing a true dress watch. The tool watch seems to now be the king of the hill.
Yet, as much as this is a fashion site? we probably all look like a character from king of the hill.
giphy.gif
 

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