Harvard Business Review - 2010.05.pdf

PATEK PHILIPPEGENEVEBegin your own tradition.Ofcourse,the acoustics ofall minuterepeaters have to be tested.In ourfamily-owned watch company,thePresident does it.”Every Patek Philippe wristwatch with a minute repeater must pass a final test before it is handedover to its owner.Ever since we began making these treasured timepieces regularly,not a singleone has left the workshops before the President has listened to its chime.My grandfather did it;then my father.Today,this task falls to me.In the tranquility of my office,I listen to the chimes of each watch tomake sure it has the inimitable richness of timbre that is the hallmark of a Patek Philippe minuterepeater wristwatch.Of course,in a family-owned watch company,this personal involvement in the craft of watchmaking is business as usual.And this determination to protect the integrity of our watches is nowexemplified by the Patek Philippe Seal.This emblem of horological excellence goes beyond any existing standards of the Swiss watchindustry and uniquely applies to the completely assembled watch.Most importantly,it is evidencethat we will never compromise the quality of our watches and that the role of guardian will alwaysbe personal not corporate.Thierry SternPresident,Patek PhilippePatek Philippe S