Ditching Rolex for Patek.. Anyone?

[15400ST]

Has anyone on here ditched Rolex in favor of a Patek? Not that Patek is much better when it comes to the Nautilus, Aquanaut, etc., but I'm tired of the "buy this to get that" game from Rolex AD's and the second hand market pricing is unsustainable in my opinion. I've now started debating the "crazy move" of ditching my bluesy and pepsi (both 5 digit) to go to a APRO and Patek (5396, 5230, 5205?) only combo.

Has anyone done this? Any regrets? Did you miss the variety in your collection? Did you miss having a Rolex?

[jon_jon]

Some Rolex owners also own a Patek. Most Patek owners also own a Rolex.

You can own watches from both brands and enjoy them both. Patek has several ACs as you know, whereas Rolex only has one. Patek is known for the World Time, whereas Rolex does not make one. Patek makes a wider range of watches that will interest someone at one level or another.

[Flex368]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Some Rolex owners also own a Patek. Most Patek owners also own a Rolex.

So true.

[Platypus]

Why not own both?

[ufboy73]

If you are tired of ‘games’, I would say moving from rolex to patek is a lateral move, at best!

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by ufboy73

If you are tired of ‘games’, I would say moving from rolex to patek is a lateral move, at best!

True but at least with Patek you have some good buys on pre owned market for dressy pieces.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by ufboy73

if you are tired of ‘games’, i would say moving from rolex to patek is a lateral move, at best!

+1

[0xalate]

^^ This.

I have watches from both camps, but I have to say my focus is purely Patek now. As others have said, you can enjoy a Rolex for a completely different reason than a Patek.

Rolex is great but after "doing the rounds" for all sport models, It's...the same? lol.

To each their own...

[aj_tucker]

I’m in the middle of this myself, thought not necessarily just Patek. Dress watches are much more interesting: The complications are more varied, the cases have their own personality from each manufacture, and the vibe is totally different. All Rolexes, with a few exceptions, hit the same note and just look boring.

Unless you’re talking vintage, where it’s a bit of a different story. Would love a great reverse panda 6263 but can’t stomach the price.


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[AK797]

Both is the way to go.

[Bearxj86]

I think having both in a collection is a great thing (diversity). However if you are looking to avoid games and bundling, I don't think you'll be happy with the results at Patek.

I think overall, Patek might be a bit better than Rolex ADs as they always reserve some of their allocations for the "true" collectors, however the timeline to build a relationship the proper way is longer. The $ numbers are also much larger.

A true Patek lover and relationship builder is to start with a Calatrava or annual calendar. Most people coming from Rolex will have sticker shock paying $20-$50k for a first watch purchase with minimal discount. If you do this right, you may buy 1-2 dress pieces and perhaps get a Nautilus in 1-2 years.

If you want to go the bundling route (I do not suggest this), you can certainty do this - but it will likely determine the type of relationship you have with the AD. However expect to pay for a perpetual calendar or grand complication in the $80k-$200k and then get a nautilus almost immediately.

In both cases, they may decide to withhold the papers on the nautilus for a year.

Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by 15400ST

Has anyone on here ditched Rolex in favor of a Patek? Not that Patek is much better when it comes to the Nautilus, Aquanaut, etc., but I'm tired of the "buy this to get that" game from Rolex AD's and the second hand market pricing is unsustainable in my opinion. I've now started debating the "crazy move" of ditching my bluesy and pepsi (both 5 digit) to go to a APRO and Patek (5396, 5230, 5205?) only combo.

Has anyone done this? Any regrets? Did you miss the variety in your collection? Did you miss having a Rolex?

[jerryguo]

if you want to move to dress watches then definitely Patek is better brand. In terms of watch game, Patek sports models and some complication models are much harder to get, completely different ball games.

[15400ST]

Thanks for all the replies.

I realize that many have both in a collection and that it doesn't have to be all or nothing, I guess I'm just trying to decide if I'm at the point where I want to move on from Rolex to focus solely on higher end pieces and looking to see if anyone else who has done that had regrets?

While Patek definitely runs the same game with the Nautilus and Aquanaut, it doesn't seem to be as prevalent for the dress pieces I would be interested in.

[ts3]

Never owned a Rolex but lower-end kit and Patek can certainly co-exist. I love to wear my 20 year old IWC Mark XV tool watch just like I love to wear my 20 year old Calatrava and my more recent Nautilus. All keepers.

That said, I sold a few low- and mid-level watches over the years but never to fund a Patek or some other specific piece. I just did not love them (anymore) which means they had to go.

[Aquaholic_user]

I can hardly afford a rolex as it is. Patek is on another level of income thats not currently present for me. There also on another level of watch.

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[azizu]

I believe once you get used to the finishing of Patek Philiippe, AP and VC all of a sudden Rolex appear to be on a different level.
i'm sorry if this will offend some people, but i would never compare Rolex with the holy trinity. Rolex is more comparable to Omega.
I had a datejust and batman before i bought my first Patek. when i bought my first and secone patek the datejust saw no wrist time what so ever.
when i bought my VCOS my batman saw no wrist time what so ever (all of a sudden the batman felt very rough on the edges when compared to the amazing finishing of VC).
when i got my APRO 15500 i started really considering selling my Datejust (although it is my first real luxary watch).

[15400ST]

Originally Posted by azizu

I believe once you get used to the finishing of Patek Philiippe, AP and VC all of a sudden Rolex appear to be on a different level.
i'm sorry if this will offend some people, but i would never compare Rolex with the holy trinity. Rolex is more comparable to Omega.
I had a datejust and batman before i bought my first Patek. when i bought my first and secone patek the datejust saw no wrist time what so ever.
when i bought my VCOS my batman saw no wrist time what so ever (all of a sudden the batman felt very rough on the edges when compared to the amazing finishing of VC).
when i got my APRO 15500 i started really considering selling my Datejust (although it is my first real luxary watch).

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back in to your collection?

[edyu]

Originally Posted by 15400ST

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back in to your collection?

Nope. I do add FPJ and interestingly I start to also like microbrands but definitely not Rolex.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by 15400ST

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back in to your collection?

Duck yes, I’ve left Rolex before and it lasted about a week.

Never go Sans Rolex. It’s a mistake.

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Duck yes, I’ve left Rolex before and it lasted about a week.

Never go Sans Rolex. It’s a mistake.

This. My collection has evolved away from Rolex over time, but there are always a few Rolex around because for what they are, there is just no real replacement that I can find. A really nicely patinaed 16753 from the early 80's? I can't get that feeling in any other watch. So, while I mostly focus on FPJ now, I will never be able to leave Rolex in the rear view.

[Noak]

Originally Posted by 15400ST

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back in to your collection?

Having gone from Rolex to Patek, AP and FP Journe, I started to appreciate the finer details in the dial, case and movement of each watch that I own, including the Rolex but I didn’t feel a strong urge to add a Rolex to my collection. I was offered and accepted a Daytona white dial recently from my AD, but I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would and this is a watch that I was crazy about back when it was launched.

So it’s either the hype earlier that made me wanted a particular Rolex or the fact that I appreciate Patek/AP/FPJ more so I no longer feel an urge to add Rolex.

Between Patek and FPJ, I feel more for the latter.


IG: @marc.gmt8

[Sg6067]

Originally Posted by 15400ST

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back in to your collection?

I don’t have a large collection, but when I got my AP I was blown away by the level of finish. My Rolex stopped getting wrist time and I contemplated selling it. Though as time has passed I’ve realized that it’s nice to keep at least one Rolex. This feels awkwardly snobby to type but my Rolex has become the watch I wear when I don’t want to worry about scratching my RO. I have a one year old son so the struggle is real. I’d imagine people who have a Patek keep a Rolex for the same reason.
Moving forward my next big watch purchase will likely be a mildly dressy mid level Patek (possibly 5205g), which by the way is refreshingly easy to find at an AD (in my limited experience). To a lesser extent VC also has my attention. The level of quality the trinity watches achieve makes it very tough to look back.

[NYG1121]

Originally Posted by Sg6067

I don’t have a large collection, but when I got my AP I was blown away by the level of finish. My Rolex stopped getting wrist time and I contemplated selling it. Though as time has passed I’ve realized that it’s nice to keep at least one Rolex. This feels awkwardly snobby to type but my Rolex has become the watch I wear when I don’t want to worry about scratching my RO. I have a one year old son so the struggle is real. I’d imagine people who have a Patek keep a Rolex for the same reason.
Moving forward my next big watch purchase will likely be a mildly dressy mid level Patek (possibly 5205g), which by the way is refreshingly easy to find at an AD (in my limited experience). To a lesser extent VC also has my attention. The level of quality the trinity watches achieve makes it very tough to look back.

This is where I have ended up with my collection. Just need a nice mix of robust tanks (rolex), stunning finishing/beauty (AP) and a nice manual wind dress watch (I chose Lange). Each serves a different and equally important purpose

[cryptorx]

Originally Posted by Sg6067

I don’t have a large collection, but when I got my AP I was blown away by the level of finish. My Rolex stopped getting wrist time and I contemplated selling it. Though as time has passed I’ve realized that it’s nice to keep at least one Rolex. This feels awkwardly snobby to type but my Rolex has become the watch I wear when I don’t want to worry about scratching my RO. I have a one year old son so the struggle is real. I’d imagine people who have a Patek keep a Rolex for the same reason.
Moving forward my next big watch purchase will likely be a mildly dressy mid level Patek (possibly 5205g), which by the way is refreshingly easy to find at an AD (in my limited experience). To a lesser extent VC also has my attention. The level of quality the trinity watches achieve makes it very tough to look back.

You, sir, have very good taste! I did see a 5205g on display at a dealer on the weekend, which in a SoCal big city is no small feat! Imo it was the one that stood out best in the display case.

[ars1g09]

Originally Posted by 15400ST

This is more along the lines of what I was asking about. For those that have gone all Patek/AP/VC, do you ever feel the urge to add a Rolex back into your collection?

Personally speaking, I still love my Rolex pieces just as much as I love my Patek pieces. They are very very different beasts and I really appreciate the variety.

It's a bit difficult to explain but I imagine it's like eating out vs eating at home - each option has got its charms, and I can't imagine ALWAYS having to eat out or ALWAYS having to eat a home-cooked meal. In a similar way, I really cannot imagine JUST having my Pateks - nor can I imagine JUST having my Rolexes.

[sgfortino]

Originally Posted by azizu

I believe once you get used to the finishing of Patek Philiippe, AP and VC all of a sudden Rolex appear to be on a different level.
i'm sorry if this will offend some people, but i would never compare Rolex with the holy trinity. Rolex is more comparable to Omega.
I had a datejust and batman before i bought my first Patek. when i bought my first and secone patek the datejust saw no wrist time what so ever.
when i bought my VCOS my batman saw no wrist time what so ever (all of a sudden the batman felt very rough on the edges when compared to the amazing finishing of VC).
when i got my APRO 15500 i started really considering selling my Datejust (although it is my first real luxary watch).

While Patek is great, I certainly don’t think owning a couple has caused me to appreciate a Rolex any less. Frankly, the finishing on a Patek (and many others for that matter) is higher end but Rolex wins in other categories (durability, etc). To be honest, I wear my oysterflex Daytona 10-1 over either Patek I own (5712 and 5165) as I don’t have to worry about it in the same way.

Bought a couple of FPJs recently and those have definitely taken time away from others on the wrist...not because of finishing per se but just because they are so interesting (IMO).

To each his own but I certainly enjoying having variety on the wrist.

[cryptorx]

Originally Posted by azizu

I believe once you get used to the finishing of Patek Philiippe, AP and VC all of a sudden Rolex appear to be on a different level.
i'm sorry if this will offend some people, but i would never compare Rolex with the holy trinity. Rolex is more comparable to Omega.
I had a datejust and batman before i bought my first Patek. when i bought my first and secone patek the datejust saw no wrist time what so ever.
when i bought my VCOS my batman saw no wrist time what so ever (all of a sudden the batman felt very rough on the edges when compared to the amazing finishing of VC).
when i got my APRO 15500 i started really considering selling my Datejust (although it is my first real luxary watch).

Agreed, it is just on a whole other level

[tchaic]

You’ll be back. It’s a sickness.

[NYG1121]

Originally Posted by tchaic

You’ll be back. It’s a sickness.

Truth

[RoscoPico]

I like certain models from each brand. but yeah PP price range and availability has limited my current collection to a single calatrava lol