Luxury watches: Combining precision and identity

These days, wearing a mechanical watch may seem pointless. Smartphones offer the exact time, and connected watches do much more than simply display the time. So why are we still fascinated by an object that, for many, seems old-fashioned and expensive? The answer lies in our relationship with our objects and what they say about us.

The appeal of the special object

Like children attached to their toys, we adults have our own special objects that become extensions of our identity. The phenomenon, known as the “endowment effect”, describes how an object becomes more precious simply because it belongs to us. For many, a mechanical watch embodies this notion. It’s not just a precision instrument, but also a symbol of our taste for excellence and craftsmanship.

Watches and cars: a natural affinity

The relationship between watches and cars goes back to the early years of the 20th century. At the time, watchmaking was becoming increasingly sophisticated, with military watches and increasingly precise chronographs. The automobile industry, in the midst of a revolution with brands such as Benz and Ford, came to share similar concerns: performance, innovation and, above all, precision. As early as 1903, brands like Heuer (now TAG Heuer) were introducing chronographs specially designed for cars, and later for motor racing.

The parallel between performance and aesthetics

Just as in the automotive world, where every component is meticulously designed to optimize performance, high-quality watches follow a similar logic. Like automotive engineers, watchmakers strive for perfection in every detail. This concern for precision, design and functionality is what links these two worlds.

The watch as heritage

Luxury watches can become objects of transmission, handed down from generation to generation. They carry with them not only exceptional craftsmanship, but also memories and stories. This is what makes them unique and precious, far beyond their mere market value.

A journey through time

Owning a mechanical watch is much more than a question of functionality. It’s a statement about oneself, a way of expressing one’s taste for performance. In the end, a watch becomes much more than a simple instrument for telling the time: it becomes a life companion, an extension of our identity, and for some, a future family heirloom.

At Philippe & Co. we celebrate this passion for precision mechanics through watchmaking, offering you watches that embody these values of excellence and durability.