Patek, It Always Comes Back To Patek
I was comparing and contrasting these two extremely similar QPs from AP and Vacheron, but a Patek 3940J kept whispering to me at an exhibitor’s booth. It said, pick me up and play with me. Since its dial said Patek Philippe, I obliged and took it next to AP and Vacheron.
Sure, it shares a complication with Vacheron Constantin and AP, but it has little else in common.” But that’s what makes it special for me,” it tells me. This particular Patek Philippe is a third series 3940J, meaning it is yellow gold and has a sapphire case-back. Unlike the Vacheron and AP, you can only see the movement through the sapphire case-back, and it’s Patek’s own 240Q movement. It’s a beautiful micro-rotor movement best rolex replica, and I have to say – although Vacheron Constantin and AP try desperately to impress with their skeletonized movements (and they do) – watching that little micro-rotor spin is probably the most fascinating mechanical activity of the QPs trio. I’ve always been fascinated by micro-rotors – from Polerouters to Baltic to Chopard and everything in between – but there’s nothing like watching a Patek micro-rotor, somehow, miraculously, power an entire QP movement.
Looking at it, Patek is completely different from AP or Vacheron. The latter two appeared wearing only a leather undershirt, while Patek Philippe always wore a full suit and tie. Patek made me realize that this is what I really wanted for QP.
Okay, that’s interesting, but which QP would it be?
Sure, skeletonized QPs are cool. But for me, the Patek Philippe 3940 is a bigger statement without trying as hard. Sure, everyone knows the trick to be cool is to try really hard in some ways, but then make it seem like you’re really not trying that hard. the 3940 does just that.
However, I still prefer the AP on the wrist, which is slightly smaller to wear due to its short lugs. The dial layout of the Patek Philippe is also familiar, probably to evoke the sporty three-dial chronographs that were very popular at the time. However, I actually prefer the AP’s four-subdial layout. This may be because I read too much in the early days of this site and was taught to think that the Universal Geneve Tri-Compax was the epitome of a cool and complicated vintage cheap replica watch.
So, after all this, I’ve figured it out. I want the best of Patek Philippe and AP. A simple yellow-gold AP QP. The descendants have hidden pushers, so the case is perfectly round and maybe a sapphire case-back so I can see the movement when I want to – without all this skeletonized stuff that constantly demands my attention. I think a reference 25657 or 25661 would be fine. Now, while I’m still young enough to read those subdials, let it be a reality.