3-Watch Thursday #7
Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe and Patek Philippe?
Hey Team,
You can probably see from the subheading, but this week is 3 articles about Patek Philippe.
I didn’t sit down and write this with the intention of this week being 3 Patek articles, but when the first two were I felt it rude to differ with the third.
Maybe thematic newsletters can be a thing going forwards. Who knows?
Please let me know if you enjoy it though!
Business News: Patek Philippe Acquires Stakes in Geneva Gem-Setting Giant
Last week I wrote 3-Watch Thursday on Wednesday at lunchtime.
By the evening I spotted this news on SJX. Sometimes being early doesn’t pay off.
This piece was a bit too big to forget about though.
In short Salanitro S.A. is the largest gem setter in Switzerland catering for watchmakers with annual revenues into “into the high nine figures”.
It’s not a long read, but the last bit caught my attention:
His [Stern’s] company’s stake in Salanitro essentially protects the supply chain for a lucrative part of Patek Philippe’s business, particularly complicated and men’s watches set with gemstones.
Loaded?
I think so.
The whole article is available here.
Understanding the Patek Philippe 3940
When I went for my weekly browse of ACM to find an article to share (it’s inevitable so I might as well accept it), I came across this article about rare Calatravas.
But wait, that’s not the image or title of this section.
At the bottom, there was a link to this week’s article about the 3940.
I love it.
It’s one of those pieces you read that goes deeper and deeper and includes almost anything you might want to know about the 3940.
I can identify my understanding of Patek Philippe with this Hodinkee In-Depth article by Cara Barrett about the 3970. A reference that was a bit of a sleeper 4 years ago, but is a sensation now.
This by ACM is everything Cara’s article was, just about the sister 3940 without the chronograph.
So do yourself a favour if you never read this 2.5 years ago and read it this weekend.
You’ll find it right here.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5060A: The '90s Start Of Something New (Kind Of)
After two articles about Patek Philippe, it felt wrong to write about anything else this week.
Luckily, James Stacey had us covered at Hodinkee.
The early Aquanaut references are hands down some of my favourite steel sports watches.
From the texture of the dial to the colour of the tritium lume and the way that it all comes together.
It’s just perfect.
Refined is the only word I’ve got for it.
If you’re interested in the story behind the aquanaut, this one is for you.
It’s here.
That’s all from me this week.
If you’ve got any thoughts or comments, please drop them below or send a DM my way.
Other than that, have a great second half of your week and a lovely weekend.
Catch you next Thursday!