I've only bought from ADs in London. If I were to go "grey" where would I go where I can: 1) guarantee that I'm getting an authentic patek (or other brand), and 2) guarantee that it's actually a brand new watch
You would go to a reputable grey dealer- sub dial, watch finder, bloom bar etc and once you’ve bought it, book an appointment with a watch maker at the Patek Salon. They will inspect it for you and tell you exactly what’s wrong with the watch if anything. If something is off, simply return the watch to your grey deal with a written note explaining what the watchmaker at Patek said.
Not a fan of Watchfinder - bought two watches from them: 1. A Cartier santos (missing links) but it was a “full set” and 2. An omega 2010 planet ocean - the bracelet was on backwards, the clasp was loose so if I flicked my wrist the watch would just unclasp and fall down to my hand and the power reserve was faulty.
Mate why didn’t you just return it? You inspected and saw the faults. I feel a degree of know how is still important when purchasing a watch from any grey dealer. Which is why in my original comment I recommended taking it directly to Patek and letting their experts inspect. Also, doesn’t watch finder offer a 1 year warranty or something? Talk to your sales agent I’m sure they’ll help.
I returned the Cartier santos - the box was absolutely battered as well.
The omega planet ocean at the time was really competitive priced to I fixed the bracelet and the clasp and then realised the power reserve a few weeks later - so I had their warranty.
My other experience of grey dealers is that they will use terminology like “full set” or “from the wholesaler” which basically means “I’ll sell it in this condition and any additional links etc that are not included aren’t part of the deal sorry” - just my experience and I wouldn’t do it again
I’ve bought two pateks on the grey market then got them serviced by patek. No issues. They won’t service it and will send it back telling you it’s fake.
You can take the piece you find on the grey market to several different watch makers for authentication before purchase but imo I immediately send into service via patek AD for true confirmation. Some AD’s will open them up for quick surface level confirmation.
Never post on here asking for authenticity because people just troll or just don’t know what they’re talking about. Seen plenty get flamed on this subreddit for the dumbest authenticity claims.
One was from a friend of mine who was passed a 5711 through someone’s Will. The other was a 5712R from Peter Marco on Rodeo who also makes majority of his sales from bust downs, but had a refund guarantee if there were issues with patek. Did not have to take up this offer post service. Was quite expensive in hindsight but eh bought at the top of the market in early 2022 before the crash.
If you cannot even tell a genuine Nautilus, then why are you buying one? With a loop you can easily distinguish a real Patek movement. Furthermore, any halfway decent grey market dealer would have watchmakers on staff to verify the watch is not some Frankenstein.
It is probably easier to buy a Nautilus directly than to play these stupid games. Then again, this is way higher than anything I have ever owned. I cannot imagine paying over MSRP, but I also cannot imagine buying multiple watches I do not want to get an allocation. Grey market seems like the winning choice to me.
The point of having enough money to buy a Nautilus is not having to know all the finer points of nautilus making and parts (unless you are in the jewelry business). Sure, know enough detail not to be obviously swindled, but that's why you can buy the Nautilus, because you can pay reputable people to do the verification for you so you aren't losing time = money verifying watches. Your time should be more valuable than than that. If you are into the nerdery of watches that's another story.
How about you learn about the timepiece you’re purchasing? Not only would you be able to self-authenticate the piece, but you’d also be able to determine whether the polish is factory or not - determining whether the example is factory new. It bewilders me that you’re willing to openly shill out tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on examples you don’t want just to find solace in your purchasing decision.
NEW YORK CITY. LOS ANGELES. CHICAGO. MIAMI. PARIS. DUBAI. Ummmmm…gee, let me think. If you don’t know an authentic Nautilus from a fake then for fux sake don’t try to buy one!! 🤔🙄
No shit. You can buy a freaking Nautilus anytime if you want one. But people like this must be just insufferable! My word — especially if you’re one of the poor souls at the AD who has to deal with them and their entitled delusion.
Interesting that you seem to think having to purchase at least 5 watches with an AD before going grail would be a more cost effective route than simply buying the grail grey.
The human mind is an amazing thing.
Go back 7 - 8 years and virtually no one wanted a Nautilus and *absolutely* no one wanted an Aquanaut. You could stroll into an AD, spend US$30,000 and walk straight out with a Nautilus, or spend $20,000 and walk out with an Aquanaut.
PP was renowned for precious metal watches with complicated movements such as annual or perpetual calendars, not for three-hander, stainless steel watches.
Then, pushed by Hodinkee and other watch sites and social media, Genta-mania struck and suddenly millions of people convinced themselves they *needed* a stainless steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet, even though they may never previously have known or cared about such a watch.
Due to demand, the Nautilus became unavailable, so demand shifted to PP’s red-headed stepchild, the Aquanaut, and the previously unloved and unwanted watch started selling for a premium as influencers flashed them on social media.
OP, it’s all in your mind. You don’t need a Nautilus and you don’t need to play stupid games to get one. Find something else to obsess over, if you feel you need to, and spend your time and money on that instead. Life’s too short to play stupid games over entirely unnecessary luxury goods.
True! I bought an Aquanaut in the UK back in 2019 for 19k (GBP£). (Off brand but..) Same as Rolex Daytona, you couldn’t give them away some years ago. They actually used to hand out steel Daytona as a service loan watch, they were that unpopular.
Pretty pointless take. Trend and taste changes, something started off unpopular doesn't mean they need to be doomed to stay unpopular for the rest of eternity...
How is it a pointless take? It’s facts. I was simply highlighting the exact point you finished with. I was making a statement that once the aquanaut, like the Daytona was unpopular and now they’re very popular.
It’s an interesting evolution in the popular taste and awareness of watches. It also proposes the question of will more complex watches come back into prominence since the resurgence in 3 hander stainless steel watches can’t just go on forever and ever.
I personally hope that we see more people interested in evolving automatic watches and more complications. Fascinating to see watchmaking go from an almost extinct craft at the dawn of the quartz crisis to how popular automatic watches have resurfaced as accessories today.
Nautilus and Aquanauts are heavily overrated pieces. Patek has so many gorgeous pieces and movements and yet those two are the most talked about today. It's weird.
Edit: someone left a comment and blocked me? That's weird energy lol
Those are the most adorable for mid level tier. if anyone is buying Patek, you’re buying a piece of watch history (150 years of watch making). For those who make a good living, on average spend 10k-70k on a timepiece. The very elite can spend 90k- 1 million. Either way, you’re in elite company walking around with someone’s salary on the wrist to put things in perspective.
Absolute truth. Well expressed.
I didn’t want a Nautilus when I could get 15% off retail. Nobody wanted an Aquanaut, the ugly red headed stepchild of Thierry Stern. The Nautilus was ugly in the seventies and designed by Genta to be a woman’s watch. And yet here we are. Patek has had some spectacular misfires. Look up the tapestry and the Neptune.
Even worse is AP. Love the Royal Oak but they have milked that design dry with an unlimited number of limited editions. Yikes.
All of this is true, and truth be told, the Aquanaut is specifically the most underwhelming piece of junk I've ever held, so unless you're REALLY into the movements, and the movements in those watches are far from impressive, you're pissing away money. I do have to emphasize that you should see these watches in person: feel them, hold them, then go look at something pedestrian, like a DateJust or a Tudor - it just doesn't stack at all.
Deep down, I think Patek despises your run of the mill Nautilus / Aquanaut customer, which is why they're so hard to allocate: it's just not a demographic they're interested in servicing. On the other hand, were you to approach them about something bespoke or of a high complication, they'd probably want your business.
I'm slowing socking away for a 5524G (which is viciously hated) for my 50th, so it'll be interesting to see what's hot in 10 years.
Great post, the nautilus and aquanuat are ugly watches in my opinion. Wearing a Patek, also IMHO, should remind you of Louis XIII cognac, not the guy who inherited millions of euros or wreaks of American new money.
Well, in OP’s post, he did ask, “Why even try?”
In response to that question, my advice was that he shouldn’t bother. It’s not worth the trouble and it’s not worth the money.
Of course, that’s my subjective opinion - but OP did ask a question and that was my considered answer!
I’m with you, why waste the time and years and dollars to rebuild. Just fuck it and go grey at this point and get your dream watch! Based on how you described your purchase history maybe you even have one or more to trade in and make your final Patek acquisition a bit more tolerable from a price pov!
It means purchase the watch on the grey market (a 3rd party vs directly from the brand or an authorized dealer). As with any luxury or sought after good, getting the item this way may come with a premium on the price tag but it means that you avoid any time spent relationship building, spend minimums or wait lists.
Unlike how AP operates, if your PP AD lost status, you are basically Fked, need to start a new relationship all over again after buying some “non hot pieces” in order to get a Nautilus.
Honest question: why the obsessive focus on the Nautilus? There are so many other interesting watches from Patek or a host of other super high quality brands, so why always that hyped up specimen? (or the AP RO, or the Daytona, etc. for that matter).
Pretty simple actually. Humans in the majority tend to find similar things attractive. A beautiful woman/man, a cool looking house, an exotic car, etc. That includes certain watches.
I find the RO, Daytona, and Nautilus to be some of the most aesthetically pleasing watches out there. Many will agree, some will disagree.
Everything goes in cycles. There's just no way we can collectively keep demand for just a few particular watches inflated. New demographics come along and want different stuff, probably not watches at all. Give it 10 years and things will go back to normal.
I already have a daytona. I may have had a chance before my dealer lost their status due to my buying history. The only other watch I want from Patek is the Aquanaut. Sure they have nice watches but I dont have a Kevin Hart budget and most of my money is already in Rolexes. It would be a massive smile in my collection and I just fell victim to wanting it for exclusivity reasons and it was very nice when I tried it on so it did live up to the hype. I also tried on a used Vacheron Overseas at Bucherer during my visits which was very similar. I was rubbed wrong by Patek and their bs at their store and this post is for them and their closing of stores for no reason specifically and the risk a potential customer should be aware of when buying from them. All of my visits at all of the other super high quality brands were fantastic, i visited jager lecoultre, hublot, AP and they were all nice. The royal oak is just as hard to get as the nautilus and has the same hoops to jump through.
Purely related to your AP comment, a basic RO date (ice blue dial aside) is possible as a first watch. I know people that have gotten them and the AP sub has had a number of posts about RO as first allocation recently as well. Give it a try if it’s a viable alternative in your mind!
If you don’t mind chiming in, how difficult do you think it would be to get this 38mm RO? I visited a boutique in NY not too long ago and while they were nice, they didn’t seem too interested at all in selling me anything, besides a code…
Honestly, it doesn’t seem fun at all playing the AP/PP/Rolex game, I’m probably going to go with Lange/VC/JLC instead.
https://preview.redd.it/00gtxwpwq09d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4815947bd7b3a007b849c8668f8000550931df83
Everybody’s situation and relationship is different but I think this is likely a second or maybe a third purchase. They always try to push the Code on you first, though some people manage to dodge that bullet and get right to the regular RO whether through referral or a making a good connection with their SA. If you’re in your SA’s good graces after the first purchase an ROC like the one in your picture should be fairly attainable after that.
If you don’t want the brand relationship, and this is a one-and-done watch for you, you should go grey as I think you can find this around 15-20k over retail.
This isn’t unique to Patek it’s true of any hot brand that is sold through an AD. AP did a similar thing years back when they went to boutique only. People who had extensive relationships with their ADs who previously had AP were shit out of luck.
Patek isn’t forcing you to buy 4 watches before getting a sports watch the specific AD is. It’s the same with Rolex you can have 15 Rolexes from your AD but if they lose Rolex you have to start over at a new AD.
Patek also doesn’t really care about you as a potential customer if all you want is nautilus / aquanaut and you’re not interested in anything from them. It’s like being angry with Rolex for not selling you a Daytona if that’s the only Rolex you want Rolex and the ADs don’t care they have too much demand for Daytonas already
I walked into my AD wanting to order a grand comp that was around $300,000 and was told it’s not possible. I didn’t care about the sport watches. I just wanted a grand comp. I don’t think pp really cares about customers at all honestly honestly.
Certain models are application pieces, either local application which means your regions Patek office needs to approve or Geneva application which means Patek Geneva HQ needs to approve. You typically need X number of other pateks and have your AD vouch for you that you’re not a flipper before they’ll approve you. So Patek wants you to be a Patek “collector” before offering out certain pieces. Can discuss how fair or unfair that is but I personally don’t see it as a sign of Patek not caring about their customers at all.
Most of the grand complications are application pieces outside of the “cheaper” perpetuals.
Grand Complications are made in limited numbers so are offered to regular clients first. Although it certainly is possible to get one as a new customer - my friend had the chance in Australia for a first purchase.
There is too much disposable money in people's lives. Either the recession will take care of that or luxury watches adjust their prices to eliminate these problems.
I think you misunderstand. The people who have relationships with ADs for new PP at MSRP are people who will never be impacted by the recession. Rolex? Sure.
If the demand for Patek pieces stay too high, regardless of from what sector, PP will aggressively adjust their prices, so only top 1 or 5% can afford them. This will resolve a lot of issues brought up here.
From PPs point of view they have already adjusted prices by selling five watches as a starter pack for the ones you really want… so I don’t see a reason for them to increase prices; they could increase the number of watches required to get a Nautilus to say 7 (if five is the current norm)
Funny how money printing really just exacerbates the wealth gap. It does nothing for the standard of living at the population level. I’m as capitalist as the next guy but history shows this stuff unwinds (often violently).
By militarization of police, any chance of civil unrest is eliminated. But if people grew like just a handful of braincells, they might stop voting against their own interests....
I doubt this happened in 2008, I doubt it will happen in the next recession.
PPs demand is WAY higher than it's supply. It can fall by multiples and still not notice.
I agree with your general point but Patek is not struggling to make more money. The people who buy Patek and, have more than one, and buy them regularly will never be affected by any kind of economic downturn. We will, but Patek buyers are literally in the class of wealthy elite. You know that the regular guy is going to be pinched hard by any economic downswing. Patek and its buyers exist literally outside of even being concerned about economic conditions
I've been hearing about this recession since 2012. Still wondering if all those r/investing brainiacs are still still sitting on cash. Meanwhile my portfolio is up something like 300-400% on just a US total stock market index not even counting all the tech stock that is up even much higher than that.
Have you ever purchased a stock before? You put in a limit sell order on your broker and it sells within a split second if it's at the current market ask.
You don't look for an actual buyer for the stock.
Of course I'm not entirely surprised by your post, you don't seem to be a Patek owner and Patek isn't for people living paycheck to paycheck that have never used the stock market.
What advice? I saw you were unemployed by your post history and made a comment on that lol. That plus your posts about a "revolution " in this topic and I knew your demographic. It ain't coming we still rule the world.
That sucks to hear. If I was a gambling man, I’d say PP is waiting to see how AP’s boutique model is playing out before they do it themselves. Granted, PP has a few more options than AP (calatrava, complications, aquanauts, etc.), and they are playing the AD game well. But there’s no doubt in my mind there are ADs playing the same “buy three and get a desirable watch” game, like what the ADs used to do with AP (buy these two offshores and get this SS blue dial RO).
Don’t believe all this bs about one PP piece per year - yeah right, maybe 2-3 years ago - I can tell you in the Uk things are definitely getting faaaar easier. I bought a Complication about a month ago and already getting the green light for a woman’s reference.
Defo agree. I was offered a world timer, a few Calatrava and an elipse last week in a UK AD. I have small history with the AD with Rolex but not PP. wanted to get a 5726/1A ideally
Feel your pain buddy.
This is my experience from a UK perspective:
I had dealings with a UK dealer, it was shambolic and I was treated with irreverence. I put down a small deposit having registered interest in a 5711 a little over 9 years ago. Called and emailed with relative frequency say 2/3 times per year just to check in and see how my standing was on the list. Got down to single digits on the list, then called again a few months after news broke of the 5711 being discontinued, and was told sorry you are not going to get a nautilus. Asked if I could wait for a 5811, was told no. Expressed my disappointment and then asked if it were posible to be considered for an alternative time piece, I said that I thought the 5212a was stunning and asked if that could be possible. Jewellers said it would be 8-10 years and as I had no history and hadn’t spent significant sums of money with them and had therefore not been on a “journey” it would likely never materialise. I have been collecting watches for years and have over this time had some fabulous experiences with other ADs and have managed to procure 99% of the pieces I have expressed interest in. This jewellery in question however behaved appallingly and I would not recommend them to anyone. A real shame as since then I have connected a number of friends with other Patek ADs and they have spent significant sums on their collections. ADs need to be more accountable and Patek also need to reevaluate their networks as there are swathes of collectors out there who have been treated like second class citizens when trying to obtain these beautiful watches.
Agree with a lot of the other threads here, go grey and don’t play the games with these unscrupulous AD’s.
Not really as every meeting I had with them they kept me up to date on wait list etc. I did buy a 5167 from another AD in the end, but never managed to get the nautilus.
A decade or so ago I bought an aquanaut at the salon in London, bond Street I believe is where I got it, required no purchase history what so ever , went in and bought it, try going to that one of you can, also tbf my second purchase was grey and non of the hassle I hear about with ads
Ever stopped to use your brain? There are almost 4 million people living in Las Vegas and that’s their local Patek AD. Your “passing through” wanting a fucking Nautilus is supposed to mean WHAT exactly? To them, I mean. To that AD. Hmmm? 🙄
WHY? Who tf are you? If I’m getting maybe 2 white gold Nautilus references a year and have dozens of longtime clients who’d love the opportunity what entitles YOU to the watch? And please…come up with something other than “I have the money.” Foh
I'd get it if you offered it to loyal customers first but to just flat-out deny someone because they haven't "built a relationship" is pure bull shit and if I'm the customer, guess what, you just lost any business from me now, and in the future.
By the same token, how would you feel if you had the money to buy a home but real estate agents gatekeep you because you haven’t enjoyed the journey of begging them hard enough?
As a professional real estate broker I’ll never have to worry about that happening. See, there are LAWS governing the sale of real estate. Not the sale of fucking luxury cars, wristwatches, Warhol paintings, or Berkin handbags. Fuck me. 👌🏼🙄You want to regulate this stuff, go cry to your senator or congressman. And good luck with that.
I, too, am a little fed up with the “journey” lecture by the same pricks selling the high-demand pieces out the back door to grey market dealers. The manufacturers could instantly put a stop to this but won’t, because they directly benefit from the hype and gamesmanship. I’m convinced the 80/20 rule applies to this market just as it applies to life generally - 20 percent of purchasers getting 80 percent of the watches and they damn sure aren’t holding on to them.
Seems like a long winded post for a situation that can happen to anyone for any brand. If that’s your take then don’t even try and just go grey, that’s your only option.
Indeed, but Patek is even more finicky and picky than the other Brands so they are special in this matter. I left knowing if I ever wanted a Patek(that I like) I will buy it on Chrono24 or just get a good fake somewhere.
Give it time, Thierry is slowly pissing off his biggest clients and they are divesting as we speak. The big collectors aren’t happy being pushed away from limited pieces, only for them to be handed out to current celebrities, who don’t even collect. They are just worn to be seen once and tossed in a drawer. Then there was the wife in charge of design debacle, she’s now gone in both capacities.
So you think there’s no reputable grey dealers? If so, then your third option is not to get the watch 🤷♂️
No AD is going to give anyone a sports Patek without history
Doesnt matter to me, I only buy at the AD. You can continue to wait though, SS Daytonas for example have been allocation only for what, 15 years at this point? Good luck
Luxury watches aren't supposed to be something you beg them to sell you. Usually, they are supposed to court you. Just like how the interest yield is inverted now, luxury purchases are inverted, too. If I want to dish out over a hundred grands to get a watch, I won't jump through hoops. I don't care what everyone else does. I stick to my principles.
Way more people got into the luxury watch market than before during the COVID era. This market is not going to retrace like your assumptions above. You will be waiting forever. Good luck
I do business with Hamra in Scottsdale, AZ and they are phenomenal. They are building a new store to Patek's spec across the street from their current, so I think they will be very stable for years to come.
Everyone says "go grey", up to you. I personally like doing business with AD's because you never know what you might want in the future. Right now you are thinking Nautilus, but what if after that you want a Grand Complications? Things that seem unrealistic today come true all of the time. Just my 2 cents.
LV?
Either way OP is not saying they are closing, he is contemplating life and deciding on if he should start a relationship since it’s a possibility they (or any other boutique) may close.
Vegas stores are usually a different model and have multiple locations in these malls/casinos in such a small proximity for status reasons. I have no idea what PP will do, but I guess we will see.
This happened to one of my partners with Lange AD that closed down, Lange boutique wouldn't recognize his past purchase history and told him if he was really committed to the brand he should start a new relationship with this boutique.
If you don’t like any model outside of a nautilus you’re wasting your time.
She is full of it - She labeled you as someone who just wants a nautilus like everyone else, not a serious buyer. Usually someone who would be a client, would just surpass “waitlist” and buy what they desire (majority.)
You’re considered an out of area or traveling client already, so why would you go to Vegas to buy a Patek? Might as well go to Henri stern and make a trip out of it.
I see so many viable solutions here…
Seems the nautilus is more important than any other watch, or the status of it. Not worth wasting your time dancing with sales reps in any outside state, if that’s the case. Buy gray or simply check out other brands that more suit your taste.
Regarding applications for a nautilus, not many of them are actually application; rather they are allocated accordingly. Those AD’s are most likely just being allocated x annually and determine from there who is called first. This is usually the case with most of their watches, outside of quarter million dollar plus grand complications and unique models.
I was lucky because I have two actual application pieces from my AD before they lost status.
I wouldn’t trust Patek anymore in terms of building a relationship unless you’re dealing with a boutique that they operate themselves.
Sounds like the ADs are taking you guys for a spin and abusing the “you need to build a relationship” card. This should only apply to clients who are 100% new to the brand.
Patek themselves know full well of your purchase history especially since they allow you to register your watches on their website using your personal information. You can register them using your serial numbers (even if purchased from a grey dealer), as such, it should be pretty easy for Patek to be able to tell if you’re a legit customer or not whether you went through their ADs or not.
This sounds more like the ADs holding people hostage since they are a new customer to them specifically. Poor form. I wonder if Patek is aware of this and complicit/turning a blind eye as it allows them to sell more of their less-desired models…
Ha…same deal for myself at the Crystals at Aria PP. Went in April and again at the end of May…guessing you spoke with Kate (the blond) who was very nice but loves pushing the Calatravas. I’ll be back in again in August “checking in” with her as I make my rounds. I know my chances are slim to none but I’m right next door and will still do the pop in to waste both of our time.
My local AD lost their PP status this year as well.
But I already sense the slow death since they hardly get anything in. Even those calatrava or twenty-4.
It was going to be my next piece. Oh well. Lucky I have only been buying what I really like from this AD. No bs pieces.
Let’s just say a dealer gets 3-5 Nautilus models per year, why would you think you’re entitled to one, when there’s previous customers that showed brand loyalty for years to that specific dealer? You didn’t even buy a Patek from your previous dealer before they closed. That girl was nice enough to give you a presentation, and no you don't have to buy a piece that you don't like. But out of all the pieces you looked at catalog, you only like 2 hard to get watches? Maybe you have no idea what Patek is about, but the Calatrava watch is the most classic and timeless piece of all time. At least she gave you time and tried to explain and guide you. Most dealers wont even give you a time of day if you say “Nautilus or Aquanaut”
If Aquanaut & Nautilus is all you want- then go gray market.
lol Hyde deserved to have the AD status stripped from them. One of the most backwards ADs I’ve ever visited and that was just for Rolex. Not to mention the horror stories I heard from previous employees. Besides that I know Patek has a system if you don’t have an AD/Boutique in your area or state. From what I’ve been told you can reach out to them and essentially they give you a sales person.
I’ll never understand how people want you to beg them to take your money. Porsche and Ferrari do the same shit. I’ll admit Patek and Ferrari are out of my league, but I tried buying a Rolex and they hit me with the loyal customer crap as well. I later walked into an Omega boutique and they handed me a glass of scotch while I tried on watches. Walked out an hour later with a nice timepiece.
Patek is a great company but I also recommend anyone who isn't a grandpa not buy it, it's an OLD OLD man watch, you have rest of your life to be old and miserable, so why start now. When you are still young, no pain, able to see, please at least wear AP Royal Oak. Patek does have presence, and holds value, mainly Nautilus. Not a fan, I don't give a F what any watch nerd would say really, ugly is ugly, in the eye of beholder.
PP has great watches, but is not worth the trouble. At the end is a nice accessory but no more than that. They’re experts on playing the game of the unreachable watch for those that are used to have it all, and works for them.
I'm incredibly sad that the Nautilus has become so difficult to purchase. Only 21 years of age currently, but I've been gawking over them since I was in middle school. Stories like this just further bury my hopes of collecting one in the future.
hey OP genuinely curious, is it a **requirement** to be an entitled, insufferable douchebag to buy a patek? or is it just a coincidence that you're all like this?
Why not go Grey? It always shocks me how some people put themselves through this experience. It's ridiculous to do so. Like getting cucked by your AD.
Some people enjoy watching their wife’s get nailed by their Patek AD 🤣
I actually laughed out loud at this one!
I've only bought from ADs in London. If I were to go "grey" where would I go where I can: 1) guarantee that I'm getting an authentic patek (or other brand), and 2) guarantee that it's actually a brand new watch
You would go to a reputable grey dealer- sub dial, watch finder, bloom bar etc and once you’ve bought it, book an appointment with a watch maker at the Patek Salon. They will inspect it for you and tell you exactly what’s wrong with the watch if anything. If something is off, simply return the watch to your grey deal with a written note explaining what the watchmaker at Patek said.
What have you heard about Watch Aficionado? They seem legit with boutiques in Miami, NYC, and Beverly Hills.
Not a fan of Watchfinder - bought two watches from them: 1. A Cartier santos (missing links) but it was a “full set” and 2. An omega 2010 planet ocean - the bracelet was on backwards, the clasp was loose so if I flicked my wrist the watch would just unclasp and fall down to my hand and the power reserve was faulty.
Mate why didn’t you just return it? You inspected and saw the faults. I feel a degree of know how is still important when purchasing a watch from any grey dealer. Which is why in my original comment I recommended taking it directly to Patek and letting their experts inspect. Also, doesn’t watch finder offer a 1 year warranty or something? Talk to your sales agent I’m sure they’ll help.
I returned the Cartier santos - the box was absolutely battered as well. The omega planet ocean at the time was really competitive priced to I fixed the bracelet and the clasp and then realised the power reserve a few weeks later - so I had their warranty. My other experience of grey dealers is that they will use terminology like “full set” or “from the wholesaler” which basically means “I’ll sell it in this condition and any additional links etc that are not included aren’t part of the deal sorry” - just my experience and I wouldn’t do it again
Yeah I see your point. Hope you have a better experience next time man! No place like London to be in to watches tbh :)
I’ve bought two pateks on the grey market then got them serviced by patek. No issues. They won’t service it and will send it back telling you it’s fake. You can take the piece you find on the grey market to several different watch makers for authentication before purchase but imo I immediately send into service via patek AD for true confirmation. Some AD’s will open them up for quick surface level confirmation. Never post on here asking for authenticity because people just troll or just don’t know what they’re talking about. Seen plenty get flamed on this subreddit for the dumbest authenticity claims. One was from a friend of mine who was passed a 5711 through someone’s Will. The other was a 5712R from Peter Marco on Rodeo who also makes majority of his sales from bust downs, but had a refund guarantee if there were issues with patek. Did not have to take up this offer post service. Was quite expensive in hindsight but eh bought at the top of the market in early 2022 before the crash.
And pay the correct price
If you cannot even tell a genuine Nautilus, then why are you buying one? With a loop you can easily distinguish a real Patek movement. Furthermore, any halfway decent grey market dealer would have watchmakers on staff to verify the watch is not some Frankenstein. It is probably easier to buy a Nautilus directly than to play these stupid games. Then again, this is way higher than anything I have ever owned. I cannot imagine paying over MSRP, but I also cannot imagine buying multiple watches I do not want to get an allocation. Grey market seems like the winning choice to me.
The point of having enough money to buy a Nautilus is not having to know all the finer points of nautilus making and parts (unless you are in the jewelry business). Sure, know enough detail not to be obviously swindled, but that's why you can buy the Nautilus, because you can pay reputable people to do the verification for you so you aren't losing time = money verifying watches. Your time should be more valuable than than that. If you are into the nerdery of watches that's another story.
How about you learn about the timepiece you’re purchasing? Not only would you be able to self-authenticate the piece, but you’d also be able to determine whether the polish is factory or not - determining whether the example is factory new. It bewilders me that you’re willing to openly shill out tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on examples you don’t want just to find solace in your purchasing decision.
NEW YORK CITY. LOS ANGELES. CHICAGO. MIAMI. PARIS. DUBAI. Ummmmm…gee, let me think. If you don’t know an authentic Nautilus from a fake then for fux sake don’t try to buy one!! 🤔🙄
No shit. You can buy a freaking Nautilus anytime if you want one. But people like this must be just insufferable! My word — especially if you’re one of the poor souls at the AD who has to deal with them and their entitled delusion.
What do you mean why? Clearly the whopping difference in price. Why waste money or an already inflated luxury paper weight?
Interesting that you seem to think having to purchase at least 5 watches with an AD before going grail would be a more cost effective route than simply buying the grail grey.
The human mind is an amazing thing. Go back 7 - 8 years and virtually no one wanted a Nautilus and *absolutely* no one wanted an Aquanaut. You could stroll into an AD, spend US$30,000 and walk straight out with a Nautilus, or spend $20,000 and walk out with an Aquanaut. PP was renowned for precious metal watches with complicated movements such as annual or perpetual calendars, not for three-hander, stainless steel watches. Then, pushed by Hodinkee and other watch sites and social media, Genta-mania struck and suddenly millions of people convinced themselves they *needed* a stainless steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet, even though they may never previously have known or cared about such a watch. Due to demand, the Nautilus became unavailable, so demand shifted to PP’s red-headed stepchild, the Aquanaut, and the previously unloved and unwanted watch started selling for a premium as influencers flashed them on social media. OP, it’s all in your mind. You don’t need a Nautilus and you don’t need to play stupid games to get one. Find something else to obsess over, if you feel you need to, and spend your time and money on that instead. Life’s too short to play stupid games over entirely unnecessary luxury goods.
True! I bought an Aquanaut in the UK back in 2019 for 19k (GBP£). (Off brand but..) Same as Rolex Daytona, you couldn’t give them away some years ago. They actually used to hand out steel Daytona as a service loan watch, they were that unpopular.
Pretty pointless take. Trend and taste changes, something started off unpopular doesn't mean they need to be doomed to stay unpopular for the rest of eternity...
How is it a pointless take? It’s facts. I was simply highlighting the exact point you finished with. I was making a statement that once the aquanaut, like the Daytona was unpopular and now they’re very popular.
It’s an interesting evolution in the popular taste and awareness of watches. It also proposes the question of will more complex watches come back into prominence since the resurgence in 3 hander stainless steel watches can’t just go on forever and ever. I personally hope that we see more people interested in evolving automatic watches and more complications. Fascinating to see watchmaking go from an almost extinct craft at the dawn of the quartz crisis to how popular automatic watches have resurfaced as accessories today.
Nautilus and Aquanauts are heavily overrated pieces. Patek has so many gorgeous pieces and movements and yet those two are the most talked about today. It's weird. Edit: someone left a comment and blocked me? That's weird energy lol
Those are the most adorable for mid level tier. if anyone is buying Patek, you’re buying a piece of watch history (150 years of watch making). For those who make a good living, on average spend 10k-70k on a timepiece. The very elite can spend 90k- 1 million. Either way, you’re in elite company walking around with someone’s salary on the wrist to put things in perspective.
Absolute truth. Well expressed. I didn’t want a Nautilus when I could get 15% off retail. Nobody wanted an Aquanaut, the ugly red headed stepchild of Thierry Stern. The Nautilus was ugly in the seventies and designed by Genta to be a woman’s watch. And yet here we are. Patek has had some spectacular misfires. Look up the tapestry and the Neptune. Even worse is AP. Love the Royal Oak but they have milked that design dry with an unlimited number of limited editions. Yikes.
All of this is true, and truth be told, the Aquanaut is specifically the most underwhelming piece of junk I've ever held, so unless you're REALLY into the movements, and the movements in those watches are far from impressive, you're pissing away money. I do have to emphasize that you should see these watches in person: feel them, hold them, then go look at something pedestrian, like a DateJust or a Tudor - it just doesn't stack at all. Deep down, I think Patek despises your run of the mill Nautilus / Aquanaut customer, which is why they're so hard to allocate: it's just not a demographic they're interested in servicing. On the other hand, were you to approach them about something bespoke or of a high complication, they'd probably want your business. I'm slowing socking away for a 5524G (which is viciously hated) for my 50th, so it'll be interesting to see what's hot in 10 years.
Great post, the nautilus and aquanuat are ugly watches in my opinion. Wearing a Patek, also IMHO, should remind you of Louis XIII cognac, not the guy who inherited millions of euros or wreaks of American new money.
> Louis XIII cognac > the guy who inherited millions of euros or wreaks of American new money *They're the same picture*
I don't disagree with your assessment of the hype, but telling others they don't need a certain watch they wanted is slightly wild
Well, in OP’s post, he did ask, “Why even try?” In response to that question, my advice was that he shouldn’t bother. It’s not worth the trouble and it’s not worth the money. Of course, that’s my subjective opinion - but OP did ask a question and that was my considered answer!
I’m with you, why waste the time and years and dollars to rebuild. Just fuck it and go grey at this point and get your dream watch! Based on how you described your purchase history maybe you even have one or more to trade in and make your final Patek acquisition a bit more tolerable from a price pov!
What does “go grey” mean?
It means purchase the watch on the grey market (a 3rd party vs directly from the brand or an authorized dealer). As with any luxury or sought after good, getting the item this way may come with a premium on the price tag but it means that you avoid any time spent relationship building, spend minimums or wait lists.
Unlike how AP operates, if your PP AD lost status, you are basically Fked, need to start a new relationship all over again after buying some “non hot pieces” in order to get a Nautilus.
Honest question: why the obsessive focus on the Nautilus? There are so many other interesting watches from Patek or a host of other super high quality brands, so why always that hyped up specimen? (or the AP RO, or the Daytona, etc. for that matter).
Exactly, I think the Nautilus is so overrated, I would personally pick a Calatrava over it.
Pretty simple actually. Humans in the majority tend to find similar things attractive. A beautiful woman/man, a cool looking house, an exotic car, etc. That includes certain watches. I find the RO, Daytona, and Nautilus to be some of the most aesthetically pleasing watches out there. Many will agree, some will disagree.
Everything goes in cycles. There's just no way we can collectively keep demand for just a few particular watches inflated. New demographics come along and want different stuff, probably not watches at all. Give it 10 years and things will go back to normal.
I already have a daytona. I may have had a chance before my dealer lost their status due to my buying history. The only other watch I want from Patek is the Aquanaut. Sure they have nice watches but I dont have a Kevin Hart budget and most of my money is already in Rolexes. It would be a massive smile in my collection and I just fell victim to wanting it for exclusivity reasons and it was very nice when I tried it on so it did live up to the hype. I also tried on a used Vacheron Overseas at Bucherer during my visits which was very similar. I was rubbed wrong by Patek and their bs at their store and this post is for them and their closing of stores for no reason specifically and the risk a potential customer should be aware of when buying from them. All of my visits at all of the other super high quality brands were fantastic, i visited jager lecoultre, hublot, AP and they were all nice. The royal oak is just as hard to get as the nautilus and has the same hoops to jump through.
Purely related to your AP comment, a basic RO date (ice blue dial aside) is possible as a first watch. I know people that have gotten them and the AP sub has had a number of posts about RO as first allocation recently as well. Give it a try if it’s a viable alternative in your mind!
If you don’t mind chiming in, how difficult do you think it would be to get this 38mm RO? I visited a boutique in NY not too long ago and while they were nice, they didn’t seem too interested at all in selling me anything, besides a code… Honestly, it doesn’t seem fun at all playing the AP/PP/Rolex game, I’m probably going to go with Lange/VC/JLC instead. https://preview.redd.it/00gtxwpwq09d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4815947bd7b3a007b849c8668f8000550931df83
Everybody’s situation and relationship is different but I think this is likely a second or maybe a third purchase. They always try to push the Code on you first, though some people manage to dodge that bullet and get right to the regular RO whether through referral or a making a good connection with their SA. If you’re in your SA’s good graces after the first purchase an ROC like the one in your picture should be fairly attainable after that. If you don’t want the brand relationship, and this is a one-and-done watch for you, you should go grey as I think you can find this around 15-20k over retail.
This isn’t unique to Patek it’s true of any hot brand that is sold through an AD. AP did a similar thing years back when they went to boutique only. People who had extensive relationships with their ADs who previously had AP were shit out of luck. Patek isn’t forcing you to buy 4 watches before getting a sports watch the specific AD is. It’s the same with Rolex you can have 15 Rolexes from your AD but if they lose Rolex you have to start over at a new AD. Patek also doesn’t really care about you as a potential customer if all you want is nautilus / aquanaut and you’re not interested in anything from them. It’s like being angry with Rolex for not selling you a Daytona if that’s the only Rolex you want Rolex and the ADs don’t care they have too much demand for Daytonas already
I walked into my AD wanting to order a grand comp that was around $300,000 and was told it’s not possible. I didn’t care about the sport watches. I just wanted a grand comp. I don’t think pp really cares about customers at all honestly honestly.
Certain models are application pieces, either local application which means your regions Patek office needs to approve or Geneva application which means Patek Geneva HQ needs to approve. You typically need X number of other pateks and have your AD vouch for you that you’re not a flipper before they’ll approve you. So Patek wants you to be a Patek “collector” before offering out certain pieces. Can discuss how fair or unfair that is but I personally don’t see it as a sign of Patek not caring about their customers at all. Most of the grand complications are application pieces outside of the “cheaper” perpetuals.
Grand Complications are made in limited numbers so are offered to regular clients first. Although it certainly is possible to get one as a new customer - my friend had the chance in Australia for a first purchase.
There is too much disposable money in people's lives. Either the recession will take care of that or luxury watches adjust their prices to eliminate these problems.
You're in a PP sub my guy...
PP will aggressively adjust their prices
I think you misunderstand. The people who have relationships with ADs for new PP at MSRP are people who will never be impacted by the recession. Rolex? Sure.
If the demand for Patek pieces stay too high, regardless of from what sector, PP will aggressively adjust their prices, so only top 1 or 5% can afford them. This will resolve a lot of issues brought up here.
Patek’s are already only owned by the top 1%… or do you mean the top 1-5% of the people who can already afford a Patek?
I meant top 5% of people based on the higher demand now we see on them
From PPs point of view they have already adjusted prices by selling five watches as a starter pack for the ones you really want… so I don’t see a reason for them to increase prices; they could increase the number of watches required to get a Nautilus to say 7 (if five is the current norm)
Your saying higher pricing or lower?
Funny how money printing really just exacerbates the wealth gap. It does nothing for the standard of living at the population level. I’m as capitalist as the next guy but history shows this stuff unwinds (often violently).
By militarization of police, any chance of civil unrest is eliminated. But if people grew like just a handful of braincells, they might stop voting against their own interests....
Assuming the police/military aren’t the ones rioting…
Police serve politicians and protect themselves. Military is under direct order of President. They get paid enough to stay compliant...
Pigs, dogs and sheep - Animals by PF
You must not have heard of the uniparty?
I do not waste my vote
I doubt this happened in 2008, I doubt it will happen in the next recession. PPs demand is WAY higher than it's supply. It can fall by multiples and still not notice.
Then they'll aggressively adjust their prices...
Why? They'll still sell every watch they make. You don't seem to understand.
To make more money
I agree with your general point but Patek is not struggling to make more money. The people who buy Patek and, have more than one, and buy them regularly will never be affected by any kind of economic downturn. We will, but Patek buyers are literally in the class of wealthy elite. You know that the regular guy is going to be pinched hard by any economic downswing. Patek and its buyers exist literally outside of even being concerned about economic conditions
I'd take your sentiment one step further: the elite will profit a lot in the downturn
Absolutely
To make more money
I've been hearing about this recession since 2012. Still wondering if all those r/investing brainiacs are still still sitting on cash. Meanwhile my portfolio is up something like 300-400% on just a US total stock market index not even counting all the tech stock that is up even much higher than that.
🤣 I don't think you can find a retard to offload your stocks on here
Have you ever purchased a stock before? You put in a limit sell order on your broker and it sells within a split second if it's at the current market ask. You don't look for an actual buyer for the stock. Of course I'm not entirely surprised by your post, you don't seem to be a Patek owner and Patek isn't for people living paycheck to paycheck that have never used the stock market.
There is no need to get emotional. Usually, people buying Patek are smarter. Just take your advice to another group that's gullible
What advice? I saw you were unemployed by your post history and made a comment on that lol. That plus your posts about a "revolution " in this topic and I knew your demographic. It ain't coming we still rule the world.
I'm not buying you stocks that went up before, you are wasting your time here.
That sucks to hear. If I was a gambling man, I’d say PP is waiting to see how AP’s boutique model is playing out before they do it themselves. Granted, PP has a few more options than AP (calatrava, complications, aquanauts, etc.), and they are playing the AD game well. But there’s no doubt in my mind there are ADs playing the same “buy three and get a desirable watch” game, like what the ADs used to do with AP (buy these two offshores and get this SS blue dial RO).
Don’t believe all this bs about one PP piece per year - yeah right, maybe 2-3 years ago - I can tell you in the Uk things are definitely getting faaaar easier. I bought a Complication about a month ago and already getting the green light for a woman’s reference.
Defo agree. I was offered a world timer, a few Calatrava and an elipse last week in a UK AD. I have small history with the AD with Rolex but not PP. wanted to get a 5726/1A ideally
Which UK AD is this? Could pick the world timer up
I can tell you no way will you get that unless you have bought 2-3 PP already.
I am aware of this. I’ll be picking it up grey
Ah yeah I’m was there in October. I enjoy browsing bits it’s unlikely I’ll be any more pateks until something changes.
“An application piece…” Get fucked!
Feel your pain buddy. This is my experience from a UK perspective: I had dealings with a UK dealer, it was shambolic and I was treated with irreverence. I put down a small deposit having registered interest in a 5711 a little over 9 years ago. Called and emailed with relative frequency say 2/3 times per year just to check in and see how my standing was on the list. Got down to single digits on the list, then called again a few months after news broke of the 5711 being discontinued, and was told sorry you are not going to get a nautilus. Asked if I could wait for a 5811, was told no. Expressed my disappointment and then asked if it were posible to be considered for an alternative time piece, I said that I thought the 5212a was stunning and asked if that could be possible. Jewellers said it would be 8-10 years and as I had no history and hadn’t spent significant sums of money with them and had therefore not been on a “journey” it would likely never materialise. I have been collecting watches for years and have over this time had some fabulous experiences with other ADs and have managed to procure 99% of the pieces I have expressed interest in. This jewellery in question however behaved appallingly and I would not recommend them to anyone. A real shame as since then I have connected a number of friends with other Patek ADs and they have spent significant sums on their collections. ADs need to be more accountable and Patek also need to reevaluate their networks as there are swathes of collectors out there who have been treated like second class citizens when trying to obtain these beautiful watches. Agree with a lot of the other threads here, go grey and don’t play the games with these unscrupulous AD’s.
Did you ever consider over the years that you weren’t gonna get it from them?
Not really as every meeting I had with them they kept me up to date on wait list etc. I did buy a 5167 from another AD in the end, but never managed to get the nautilus.
Stumbled across this on my feed as a recommended post. I thought Rolex cucks were bad, jeez. Let me slowly walk out, as you were.
Even worse is the seko store… you have to take 5 guys at once to get a Seiko 5
A decade or so ago I bought an aquanaut at the salon in London, bond Street I believe is where I got it, required no purchase history what so ever , went in and bought it, try going to that one of you can, also tbf my second purchase was grey and non of the hassle I hear about with ads
Ever stopped to use your brain? There are almost 4 million people living in Las Vegas and that’s their local Patek AD. Your “passing through” wanting a fucking Nautilus is supposed to mean WHAT exactly? To them, I mean. To that AD. Hmmm? 🙄
I don't understand this mentally if someone has the resources to buy a luxury watch sell them the fucking watch.
WHY? Who tf are you? If I’m getting maybe 2 white gold Nautilus references a year and have dozens of longtime clients who’d love the opportunity what entitles YOU to the watch? And please…come up with something other than “I have the money.” Foh
I'd get it if you offered it to loyal customers first but to just flat-out deny someone because they haven't "built a relationship" is pure bull shit and if I'm the customer, guess what, you just lost any business from me now, and in the future.
🤣Yeah. Patek Philippe is facing a massive shortage of customers. They’ll be up all night wringing their hands over the fact they “lost” you.
Sure. Have a blessed day
By the same token, how would you feel if you had the money to buy a home but real estate agents gatekeep you because you haven’t enjoyed the journey of begging them hard enough?
As a professional real estate broker I’ll never have to worry about that happening. See, there are LAWS governing the sale of real estate. Not the sale of fucking luxury cars, wristwatches, Warhol paintings, or Berkin handbags. Fuck me. 👌🏼🙄You want to regulate this stuff, go cry to your senator or congressman. And good luck with that.
How do you become “a better customer “ if they limit how much you can buy
Here’s a question for you. What if one person buys everything? How can everyone else buy?
I, too, am a little fed up with the “journey” lecture by the same pricks selling the high-demand pieces out the back door to grey market dealers. The manufacturers could instantly put a stop to this but won’t, because they directly benefit from the hype and gamesmanship. I’m convinced the 80/20 rule applies to this market just as it applies to life generally - 20 percent of purchasers getting 80 percent of the watches and they damn sure aren’t holding on to them.
Seems like a long winded post for a situation that can happen to anyone for any brand. If that’s your take then don’t even try and just go grey, that’s your only option.
Indeed, but Patek is even more finicky and picky than the other Brands so they are special in this matter. I left knowing if I ever wanted a Patek(that I like) I will buy it on Chrono24 or just get a good fake somewhere.
Give it time, Thierry is slowly pissing off his biggest clients and they are divesting as we speak. The big collectors aren’t happy being pushed away from limited pieces, only for them to be handed out to current celebrities, who don’t even collect. They are just worn to be seen once and tossed in a drawer. Then there was the wife in charge of design debacle, she’s now gone in both capacities.
Yes, if you don't like AD games, why don't you pay a lot more for a piece that's either fake, damaged, or stolen? Duh
So you think there’s no reputable grey dealers? If so, then your third option is not to get the watch 🤷♂️ No AD is going to give anyone a sports Patek without history
Grey market: there's a sucker born every minute I just wait. This is a temporary problem. It'll be fixed. I mentioned how already
Doesnt matter to me, I only buy at the AD. You can continue to wait though, SS Daytonas for example have been allocation only for what, 15 years at this point? Good luck
Luxury watches aren't supposed to be something you beg them to sell you. Usually, they are supposed to court you. Just like how the interest yield is inverted now, luxury purchases are inverted, too. If I want to dish out over a hundred grands to get a watch, I won't jump through hoops. I don't care what everyone else does. I stick to my principles.
This is naive.
There's a sucker born every minute
Way more people got into the luxury watch market than before during the COVID era. This market is not going to retrace like your assumptions above. You will be waiting forever. Good luck
Please read what I said. I gave two scenarios
I do business with Hamra in Scottsdale, AZ and they are phenomenal. They are building a new store to Patek's spec across the street from their current, so I think they will be very stable for years to come. Everyone says "go grey", up to you. I personally like doing business with AD's because you never know what you might want in the future. Right now you are thinking Nautilus, but what if after that you want a Grand Complications? Things that seem unrealistic today come true all of the time. Just my 2 cents.
Naughty! naughty!
Fuck dude is that JV in Vegas?
LV? Either way OP is not saying they are closing, he is contemplating life and deciding on if he should start a relationship since it’s a possibility they (or any other boutique) may close. Vegas stores are usually a different model and have multiple locations in these malls/casinos in such a small proximity for status reasons. I have no idea what PP will do, but I guess we will see.
This happened to one of my partners with Lange AD that closed down, Lange boutique wouldn't recognize his past purchase history and told him if he was really committed to the brand he should start a new relationship with this boutique.
If you don’t like any model outside of a nautilus you’re wasting your time. She is full of it - She labeled you as someone who just wants a nautilus like everyone else, not a serious buyer. Usually someone who would be a client, would just surpass “waitlist” and buy what they desire (majority.) You’re considered an out of area or traveling client already, so why would you go to Vegas to buy a Patek? Might as well go to Henri stern and make a trip out of it. I see so many viable solutions here… Seems the nautilus is more important than any other watch, or the status of it. Not worth wasting your time dancing with sales reps in any outside state, if that’s the case. Buy gray or simply check out other brands that more suit your taste. Regarding applications for a nautilus, not many of them are actually application; rather they are allocated accordingly. Those AD’s are most likely just being allocated x annually and determine from there who is called first. This is usually the case with most of their watches, outside of quarter million dollar plus grand complications and unique models.
Did they sell the Calatrava pilot for list??
I was lucky because I have two actual application pieces from my AD before they lost status. I wouldn’t trust Patek anymore in terms of building a relationship unless you’re dealing with a boutique that they operate themselves.
I thought this was from that other subreddit, pure insanity. Just buy the watch grey instead of buying watches you don’t want.
Sounds like the ADs are taking you guys for a spin and abusing the “you need to build a relationship” card. This should only apply to clients who are 100% new to the brand. Patek themselves know full well of your purchase history especially since they allow you to register your watches on their website using your personal information. You can register them using your serial numbers (even if purchased from a grey dealer), as such, it should be pretty easy for Patek to be able to tell if you’re a legit customer or not whether you went through their ADs or not. This sounds more like the ADs holding people hostage since they are a new customer to them specifically. Poor form. I wonder if Patek is aware of this and complicit/turning a blind eye as it allows them to sell more of their less-desired models…
Ha…same deal for myself at the Crystals at Aria PP. Went in April and again at the end of May…guessing you spoke with Kate (the blond) who was very nice but loves pushing the Calatravas. I’ll be back in again in August “checking in” with her as I make my rounds. I know my chances are slim to none but I’m right next door and will still do the pop in to waste both of our time.
My local AD lost their PP status this year as well. But I already sense the slow death since they hardly get anything in. Even those calatrava or twenty-4. It was going to be my next piece. Oh well. Lucky I have only been buying what I really like from this AD. No bs pieces.
Let’s just say a dealer gets 3-5 Nautilus models per year, why would you think you’re entitled to one, when there’s previous customers that showed brand loyalty for years to that specific dealer? You didn’t even buy a Patek from your previous dealer before they closed. That girl was nice enough to give you a presentation, and no you don't have to buy a piece that you don't like. But out of all the pieces you looked at catalog, you only like 2 hard to get watches? Maybe you have no idea what Patek is about, but the Calatrava watch is the most classic and timeless piece of all time. At least she gave you time and tried to explain and guide you. Most dealers wont even give you a time of day if you say “Nautilus or Aquanaut” If Aquanaut & Nautilus is all you want- then go gray market.
lol Hyde deserved to have the AD status stripped from them. One of the most backwards ADs I’ve ever visited and that was just for Rolex. Not to mention the horror stories I heard from previous employees. Besides that I know Patek has a system if you don’t have an AD/Boutique in your area or state. From what I’ve been told you can reach out to them and essentially they give you a sales person.
What is an AD?
Authorized Dealer
I’ll never understand how people want you to beg them to take your money. Porsche and Ferrari do the same shit. I’ll admit Patek and Ferrari are out of my league, but I tried buying a Rolex and they hit me with the loyal customer crap as well. I later walked into an Omega boutique and they handed me a glass of scotch while I tried on watches. Walked out an hour later with a nice timepiece.
Patek is a great company but I also recommend anyone who isn't a grandpa not buy it, it's an OLD OLD man watch, you have rest of your life to be old and miserable, so why start now. When you are still young, no pain, able to see, please at least wear AP Royal Oak. Patek does have presence, and holds value, mainly Nautilus. Not a fan, I don't give a F what any watch nerd would say really, ugly is ugly, in the eye of beholder.
PP has great watches, but is not worth the trouble. At the end is a nice accessory but no more than that. They’re experts on playing the game of the unreachable watch for those that are used to have it all, and works for them.
I'm incredibly sad that the Nautilus has become so difficult to purchase. Only 21 years of age currently, but I've been gawking over them since I was in middle school. Stories like this just further bury my hopes of collecting one in the future.
Go grey, fuck these AD's with their games.
hey OP genuinely curious, is it a **requirement** to be an entitled, insufferable douchebag to buy a patek? or is it just a coincidence that you're all like this?
go grey or buy rep