Patek’s Quiet Downgrading of the new Nautilus and Aquanaut

[Gandor]

This is simply a cost saving measure for patek. Stop trying to defend them. It's super tacky for a brand at this level to do this.

[kaiserphoenix]

Originally Posted by Gandor

This is simply a cost saving measure for patek. Stop trying to defend them. It's super tacky for a brand at this level to do this.

And honestly how much is Patek really gonna save from this it’s just bizarre. Furthermore considering the probably fairly large number of calatravas and calendar watches that are now gonna come in for water damage during warranty period will surely outweigh any minimal cost savings…Because mark my words the perpetual calendar will not withstand swimming.

[Crazywis]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

And honestly how much is Patek really gonna save from this it’s just bizarre. Furthermore considering the probably fairly large number of calatravas and calendar watches that are now gonna come in for water damage during warranty period will surely outweigh any minimal cost savings…Because mark my words the perpetual calendar will not withstand swimming.

Some time back (well before W&W) I was advised by someone at HSNY that it's perfectly fine to wash and rinse my 5270 PCC under a running tap after popping off the QR straps in order to deep clean. I don't recall exactly how the conversation went before getting to this point but needless to say, I haven't had the guts to actually try that suggestion out

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by Crazywis

Some time back (well before W&W) I was advised by someone at HSNY that it's perfectly fine to wash and rinse my 5270 PCC under a running tap after popping off the QR straps in order to deep clean. I don't recall exactly how the conversation went before getting to this point but needless to say, I haven't had the guts to actually try that suggestion out

If it reassures you, I have been cleaning my 5270 this way for ages. With any watch, crown and pushers face down.

[kaiserphoenix]

Originally Posted by Crazywis

Some time back (well before W&W) I was advised by someone at HSNY that it's perfectly fine to wash and rinse my 5270 PCC under a running tap after popping off the QR straps in order to deep clean. I don't recall exactly how the conversation went before getting to this point but needless to say, I haven't had the guts to actually try that suggestion out

Thats honestly surprising and Im not sure if I should feel impressed or scared! Like under running water!?? But your source is a very official source so I cant imagine them lying to you either...Its very different to what I've been told about dress watches. Perhaps I have been under a mistaken illusion that 3ATM for the dress watches means that they can actually withstand running water and swimming. I always though rain splashes or equivalent was the maximum it could withstand.

[scurfa]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

And honestly how much is Patek really gonna save from this it’s just bizarre. Furthermore considering the probably fairly large number of calatravas and calendar watches that are now gonna come in for water damage during warranty period will surely outweigh any minimal cost savings…Because mark my words the perpetual calendar will not withstand swimming.

I think the saving will be made in time, I’m guessing when a Patek watchmaker completes a watch it will be sent to another department for water resistance testing, I can imagine now it’s put into a bench tester that has its own built in compressor and is safe to use and the standard version tests to the 30m now stated by Patek, I have my own diving and sports watch company and have the 100m version myself.

I’m sure the Nautilus and Aquanaut haven’t changed in design but are now only tested to 30m because it’s quick and easy for the watchmaker to do so.

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by scurfa

I think the saving will be made in time, I’m guessing when a Patek watchmaker completes a watch it will be sent to another department for water resistance testing, I can imagine now it’s put into a bench tester that has its own built in compressor and is safe to use and the standard version tests to the 30m now stated by Patek, I have my own diving and sports watch company and have the 100m version myself.

I’m sure the Nautilus and Aquanaut haven’t changed in design but are now only tested to 30m because it’s quick and easy for the watchmaker to do so.

I agree. There is a perception that PP is some artisanal unicorn where in reality most of its models are mass produced. Given that majority of production are Nautilus and Aquanauts, standardized production allows for a greater scale.

[Eyas]

Visited my AD at the weekend and spoke to the manager of the watch department who had been at W&W - they seemed as confused as everyone else as to why Patek have done this. Seems to have a change directed from the very top down and not a lot of logic to it other than being able to say you can swim in most of the watches now.
Personally I think it's bad PR and makes the sports watches look under specced against the competition but Patek will sell every piece anyway so I guess they aren't bothered!

[DavidSB]

In June, 2023 I brought my 5164a into HSWA for a new strap and while waiting I asked and they did a pressure test and all was good. I assume they tested it to its then stated 120m WR.

[turfmanjon]

I’d always washed my 5960 under running water and scrub with soap and a brush. Same 30m water resistance. Never an issue.


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[CM333]

New line will be Diver models , hence the reduction of WR
across all models and Stern saying new line will compete with Nautilus and Aquanaut

[Will_NL]

Worth readng:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/pa...ter-resistance

And

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/wh...can-trust-them

In summary therefore we can see that except for specific cases: (a) 100 meters is more than enough; (b) your watch may be a lot tougher than just the numbers tell you; and (c) you can't swim fast enough to defeat your dive watch depth rating, not by a long shot. In the last case I assume that hitting the water fast enough would of course at a certain point cause enough of an increase in pressure to be an issue (one wonders about jet skis) but at that point, you probably have other problems.