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23 April 2024, 02:29 PM | #1 |
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Eyeing a Patek, how difficult are they to attain?
I’ve been collecting Rolexs for over a decade and have stumbled across the Aquanauts.
With no purchase history, how difficult would it be to attain an Aquanaut such as the 5167A? Is it similar to Rolex where I may have to purchase less desirable models before getting one? |
23 April 2024, 03:22 PM | #2 |
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Virtually impossible. PP only produces approx 60k watches/year vs. Rolex 1mm+ Yes it's exactly like Rolex where to get allocated the desirable pieces, you'd need to have an extensive purchase history with the AD. And if your AD is located in an affluent large city, the competition makes it even harder to compete with those with very very deep pockets.
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23 April 2024, 06:56 PM | #3 |
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Worth it though. My 5167 has ruined future watches for me. Everytime I put it on I can't believe how good it is
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23 April 2024, 08:21 PM | #4 |
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It’s attainable but you’re in for a long road ahead and it won’t be your first PP purchase. Be sincere, check in, and start with a Calatrava and express your interest in PP and why the brand speaks to you. I’ve seen miracles happen. But, it is extremely difficult to get a 5167a at retail. It’s worse than walking in and asking for a Daytona as your first purchase to give some perspective.
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23 April 2024, 08:29 PM | #5 |
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There's a grey market for that. Don't waste your time.
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23 April 2024, 08:45 PM | #6 |
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Pretty interesting everyone knows the nautilus is unobtainable so no one asked if its possible to get it as first purchase, but somehow would think there's a chance for 5167a...
I mean it's always possible, but if you have to ask you're probably not the one lol |
23 April 2024, 09:03 PM | #7 |
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I am in a similar boat here. At 36 I would like to start building some purchase history with my AD to have some long term Patek goals. Am I basically knowing that any of my first couple pieces that would be obtainable I am just losing money on as they can be had for less on the grey market? Like the base Calatrava is 10-15k less than MSRP on grey
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23 April 2024, 09:03 PM | #8 |
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Thanks all!
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23 April 2024, 09:25 PM | #9 |
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80-90% for returning customers, that’s how their inventory goes ..
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23 April 2024, 09:38 PM | #10 |
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I’ve seen cases of people getting a 5168 as their first Patek, with prior jewelry and spend on other brands. Perhaps chances are better for a 5168 or 5968?
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23 April 2024, 10:22 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
I mean…if you’re going to start the relationship with an AD, spend $$$ on ?? you may not want, possibly wait years, and that’s a a BIG possibly, as you may never see one, ever….good luck. Me personally…..if I were going to spend lots of dollars on things i don't want….just to “get a chance” …I’m going grey, getting a new one with the money I would’ve spent building the relationship/kissing a**/schmoozing, and have it within 24-48hrs. |
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23 April 2024, 10:38 PM | #12 |
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My favorite color: grey
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23 April 2024, 11:23 PM | #13 |
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23 April 2024, 11:58 PM | #14 |
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An argument against grey would be if you wanted your name on the papers, which many people seem to desire/care about. What other brands list the customer's name?
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24 April 2024, 12:29 AM | #15 |
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The 5167a was my second Patek from the AD - I bought a Calatrava first, and I think key was that I did not ever mention the 5167a at that stage (as I actually and genuinely wanted the Calatrava). I think it helped that they saw that, and when my Calatrava was on my wrist I asked them if I could be put on the list for a Patek sports watch to make a great duo with the Calatrava. My AD really seemed to want to help and in due course the Aquanaut did arrive. There was no jewellery spend, though admittedly a number of Rolex pieces also acquired from the same AD - but I always got the impression that the way Patek pieces are allocated is more about your interest in Patek, then Rolex spend.
Oh another thing - I went on the Patek museum tour which my AD arranged - that helped!
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24 April 2024, 09:38 PM | #16 |
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As others have said - practically impossible without major spend history on other items ... I know one client of my AD who got a 5740 as his first Patek but he had a serious spend history with them on other items and his second piece was a Grand Comp. If you just want that piece go Grey and avoid all the building relationship games.
In another "how times have changed" back about 9 or 10 years ago the first Patek the AD offered me was a 5167A as they had one in the window. I turned it down as I found it felt a bit too lightweight for me and said I'd rather wait for a blue SS 5711 which they delivered about 18 months later ... don't think we'll ever go back to that! |
8 May 2024, 01:28 AM | #17 |
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very difficult
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8 May 2024, 08:46 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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8 May 2024, 11:09 PM | #19 | |
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Quote:
There’s no point building an AD relationship unless you want the stuff you’re buying along the way. If you don’t, and you’re really after one or two hype pieces it will be much faster and more cost effective to buy them on the secondary market. As an example, I built up a history and received application pieces from Patek only to have the AD status pulled by Patek. I still have the watches because I wanted the watches but I’m back to zero in terms of new Patek. So since I already have a 5116, 5146, 5960 and pieces like that, I don’t need them again. So there’s no reason for me to get back on the AD train unless I want to pay new prices for a PCC which I wouldn’t have done anyway. For a brand my AD doesn’t sell I just go secondary or gray if there are BNIB floating around. |
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8 May 2024, 11:43 PM | #20 |
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14 May 2024, 04:32 AM | #21 |
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I have a friend who got a Nautilus complication as a third purchase from an AD in a very busy and competitive watch city, and within 12 months of the first purchase. However, the first two purchases were one Patek perpetual and one non-Patek limited edition from a sought after smaller brand.
On the first time buyer, I would go gray regardless if the watch you want at that point in life is available well below retail. Presumably you are not making a major watch purchase each year and have no need to queue with the whales! It helps if you have felt out your tastes and they are not set by what is desirable this year. I would love to have a Nautilus complication, but am wary that I live in Singapore and there are several Nautilus perpetuals on the secondary market as though owners are trying to catch the top and sell. |
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