PeterCDE
10167
Watches ARE toys
Frank,
you?re pretty right.
Watches are toys, not limited to GP. Just like men?s are children, just with more expensive toys 
But seriously, i?m not sure there isn?t some added "value" (if there?s any value in any watch).
Have a look at their pieces over the past decade: GP?s own automatic movement, one of the thinnest around, is getting 10 years old this year. Have a look at a 1990?s and a piece of 2003/2004 and see what they are doing today. I think there?s an apparent difference.
So yes, they are expensive. But i see a very constant improvement and i?m amazed how far they came in such a time. To my understanding, they do focus on quality rather than quantity. And it is done without making a well-known name a cash cow.
Basically, no one needs a tourbillon or perpetual calendar. But IF considering a tourbillon, the GP pieces are among those very few manufactory-made pieces, they come with an outstanding tradition and they are made by a dedicated and passionate team of enthusiastic watchmakers.
So if putting down so much money for a tourbillon, of which there are in fact plenty on the market, i see there are some reasons to choose a GP piece.
As to the prices, i really agree. At least partially:
There are many watches today priced in Euro as they were in DEM only few years ago. And that?s probably a development which will not continue forever. I?m not happy with this either, but it seems to be a development across all brands and levels (not limited to complicated timepieces).
Yet, i see one basic difference in terms of GP/JeanRichard and that is independent development.
They are capable to do two movements and i know there are some fascinating other things to come. Therefore, the money is rather put into development than advertising/marketing. One should keep in mind the production totals; while GP supplies movements to various other brands, it?s still a relatively small number. Therefore, any new development is unlikely to create revenue by a huge number of pieces.
Making watches is a business, but unlike others i tend to believe there?s something in return with a GP piece.
Cheers,
Peter
GP 2004: The Haute Horlogerie line (in +50 pictures...)
The automatic Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges, Vintage45 XXL case
