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This thread has brought up some interesting topics like,
1) What does it mean to have a good relationship with your AD?
2) How much do you trust the AD's words?
3) How can one get a LE piece if you have only purchased pre-owned Pateks from the secondary market?
4) If you are young and new to Patek, how do you get one of these watches in demand?
The first question is the most complicated one because AD's vary widely from huge ADs to small local jewelers. If your AD is located in one of the 10 largest cities in the country and/or has more than 2-3 branch locations, more than likely they will have some big customers and most of us here on this forum are small fish.
As for the second question, I think it is with any business relationship. You have a gut feeling as to if you can trust someone and what he/she says. Unfortunately times change and people change too. Their livelihood (and take home pay) may be more important than the relationship they have built over the years.
The third question is the hardest to grapple with for those who buy and sell a lot of watches. We can infer from the SS Daytona thread that it is hard to develop a relationship with an AD and get allocation of hard to find pieces if you have not purchased anything from them.
The new customer that TS speaks about are really those who have explored other Swiss watch brands and are starting to realize what is special with Patek. They are the future customer base that Patek is trying to attract and not those who are new to the world of Swiss watches. They will be introduced to Patek by a friend, a business colleague or a family member and will appreciate the brand and want to get a special piece like the 5522A. I do not feel Patek will alienate this group of people as long as they sense a true interest in the brand and not someone looking to make a quick buck on flip.
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