Check out this amazingly cool video for the manufacturing process of Patek Philippe: You usually find with most watch company videos that unless t is an endorsement of sorts or features a celebrity, they do not put much money into the productions. The Patek Philippe watch is famed for its craftmanship and is one of the most carefully handmade watch, hence their vast purchase price.
The history of the brand dates back to 1839 by Anton Patek who began making pocket watches in Geneva. In 1845 Patek met and formed a company with watchmaker Adrian Philippe, hence the company named of Patek Philippe. They did not produce their first wristwatch together until 1868. By this time Patek Philippe were supplying watches to royalty such as Queen Victoria and her consort, the King and Queen of Denmark and later Pope Pius IX.
The company is currently owned by the Stern family and is famed for some of the most complicated watches ever produced, with many watch collectors regarding Patek Philippe as the best timepieces in the world.
For years the designer handbag has reigned supreme as the leader of fashion and has been the most sought after accessory for women worldwide. From Chanel and Dior to Louis Vuitton and Bvlgari, what women wore on their arms has dictated everything from cultural status to checkbook balance. No self deserving celebrity would dare to grace a red carpet event, bookstore signing or ladies lunch without the latest token Balenciaga tucked under her arm, or a vintage Prada hanging from a well toned shoulder. But enter the understudy to the bag fetish that every purse Princess is snapping up and snapping on ……The Designer Watch
In emerging luxury markets such as India, China and Russia, timepieces have come to be perceived as ultimate status symbols, with the Western world following suit and sales of designer watches soaring: The LVMH group that boasts brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer announced in 2006 that their profits had quadrupled with brands such as Gucci, Fendi and Versace making in roads to this most lucrative fashion business. Louis Vuitton is also set to introduce its first watch created by in house designer Marc Jacobs. Named The Emprise, the watch will have a sleek 70’s feel and no doubt a touch of the old Louis Vuitton classic styling that we have come to love in their handbags. Hermes have increased their stake holding in Swiss watchmaker Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, who currently produce high precision movements for Tiffany and Corum, in readiness for the next cult fashion trend that will be designer watches.
Even though we will continue to see our favorite celebrities toting their exquisitely expensive handbags, the designer watch is on par as the ‘must have’ accessory for 2008 and beyond. With the majority of designer timepieces beginning at $2000 upwards, it’s no surprise that fashion houses are all looking to cash in on this lucrative little earner that is the designer watch.
