Would you say that there is a specific philosophy, within the company, that keeps it in the position it’s in?
I grew up in a family that was always working with watches, so the philosophy … it’s more about an education I received. More important, it was also about passion, so if you look at Patek today and how I’m looking at it, I’m not looking at Patek as a business in one sense. I’m looking at it as a passion.
It’s only about beauty. And this is really what is the most important with Patek. I strongly believe that if you have a fine product that is beautifully done, that will last, maybe go from one generation to the other one, there’s no need really to have a very clear marketing brief and to think about the future. Do what you believe is the best for the brand. That’s what my grandfather at the time also told me. He said, “Enjoy what you are doing. Propose a design that you’re going to like. Travel the world and listen, also, to your customers. It’s going to help you also to make great designs.” And that’s what I do today.
And so the strategy of Patek Philippe cannot be read in any books. You are not going to be able to go to the best school in the world and try to understand that. Because, even myself, I do not understand exactly how it works. It’s just a matter of having this passion in your heart and being willing to do the best and finest watches in the world. And most of the people working at Patek, that’s how they are also.
You have to transmit this type of vision to your own people. To say, “Forget about selling, we’re going to have to manage maybe the opposite. The anger of people who are not able to buy it because we don’t have enough. But on the other hand, look how happy and proud we can be because we have the finest product.” This is the key. So, even if people hate me because I do not make enough, on the other hand, they say, “But, you have the finest watches in the world,” and this is much more important for me.
I mean, Patek Philippe is maybe the only brand today that is able to bring between 15 to 25 new models every year. I know it’s too –there are too many of them. I mean, everybody is telling me that. But, try to say that to somebody who is really passionate, it’s not easy to listen to. But that’s the way we are, and I do not believe we’re going to change. Not under me, and I hope not under my sons either.
from Best Watches For Men http://bit.ly/2By8Nlw