Of Time and Money

I recently read an article in "Details" magazine, titled "Why This Watch Costs $128,000". It was an interesting article but I have to be honest . I found the title to be the most interesting thing about the entire piece. Although I was impressed by the authors detailed attempt to argue the affirmative - discussing the watches heritage, aesthetics, movement, function and construction, what I found most provocative was the fact that the very title of this piece suggested that the watch in question, a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 5970 (or any watch for that matter) could very well be worth every penny of the $128K that it commands.

Now, before we get into my thoughts on this I have to be upfront in saying that it is well known, by watch enthusiast and laymen alike, that Patek Philippe is one of the most heralded watch brands in history. The Top 10 watches ever sold at auction bear the Patek Philippe marque; in fact many of those watches were forebears of the 5970. The brands craftsmanship is unrivaled and the construction of the 5970 is described best as "blood, sweat and tears". It takes one master watch maker, using 353 hand finished parts, two and a half years to complete the watch. Not the mention the fact that the poor guy does his work in a casing that is just 12.8 millimeters thick. It is a truly amazing time piece, no question...but it still costs almost triple what most American households gross in a year.

Thus, the question...is a device used, primarily, to tell time ever really worth that kind of money? To truly answer that question I think we have to evaluate one word in the previous sentence..."primarily". Yes, time keeping is a watches primary function but the last time I checked 10:10 on a Fossil watch looked exactly like 10:10 on a Rolex. Same round face, same 12 numbers, same hour, minute and second hand. Why then the vast difference in price? I believe it's because the wrist-watch, particularly for men, is as much about form as it is function. It is an accessory that is equal parts fashion and utility. Good bad or indifferent, a man says something about himself with the watch he wears. Sure, your watch may say 10:10 but if my watch has a sapphire crystal face, a platinum bezel and diamond hour markers my 10:10 might be a little "brighter" then yours. Not to mention that there might be more people watching my watch when it peeks out from under my shirt cuff as I check the time to remind myself, and everyone else, that what I have on my wrist will never be as important as the irreversible item it keeps track of.

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte