Sometimes a product can become bigger than the brand that created it, and that spells stormy weather ahead. Those of you above a certain age will recall the photocopier, and the phrase Xerox it. Well Xerox as a company is so successful at selling its famous product that people used the company name as a verb. This is an issue because the firm might lose intellectual property rights to the name Xerox if it enters the dictionary as a verb. Younger readers will by now be thinking of Google of course, but Alphabet too knows the story of the photocopier and has no excuses to be caught with its pants down in such a way.
No company in traditional watchmaking has this somewhat happy problem, but plenty have icons that define their brand in the 21st century. One such icon resulted in this story so yes, I am here to praise the Patek Philippe Ref. 5711/1A, and applaud the company for retiring it. I’m no watch nut, I confess, and that is one of the reasons I am penning this story. The editor wanted someone without vested interests or biases. The editor advised me that I should declare that I also am not interested in the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711, nor do I own any version of it. The recent news about its coming withdrawal from the brand’s catalogue has caused waves of consternation that will likely roil the depths of certain watch collecting pools for years to come. However, the broader sea of watch lovers is likely unperturbed. I am here to offer a very particular perspective on the possible whys.
This story is from the Spring 2021 edition of World of Watches.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Spring 2021 edition of World of Watches.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BRAND ELEVATION
On the sidelines of Geneva Watch Days, Bulgari CEO JeanChristophe Babin talks about the challenges of having one brand identity across all categories, and tells us what he really thinks of watch fairs.
EVEN MORE HANDS
For the third year in a row, the collective WOW team shares the watches we ponied up for. As always, we include a couple of fantasy pieces and more than a few fails.
CONCEPTS AND CONSEQUENCES
What is the legacy of concept watches? What happens when the show is over and it is time to actually manufacture them? How do these ticking research labs translate into actual, wearable timepieces...if they ever do?
THE QUESTION OF SUCCESSION
In the watchmaking industry, a company’s longevity is oftentimes measured not in decades but in centuries. What then happens to a brand beyond its founders? We speak to three CEOs to answer this question.
LEAPS AND BOUNDS
The quest to add one day to a month every four years may seem like a mundane task in the digital age, but achieving this mechanically is anything but.
FLIP SIDE
Omega celebrates the first human flight orbit the moon with a new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon.
SNAPPING BACK
A powerful showcase for a one-of-a-kind constant force mechanism, the Girard Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement is now available for everyone.
GO FOR GOLD
Forty-five years after Piaget released its allgold Polo 79 luxury sports watch to critical acclaim, the maison revisits this iconic collection with a new ultra-thin movement.
CLEAR WINNER
Hublot's fourth collaboration with Takashi Murakami puts the artist's joyful flower motif at the centre of a bold new case design.
HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
Parmigiani Fleurier launches a new version of their Tonda PF Hijri Perpetual Calendar with a vivid green dial.
