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Old 15 October 2020, 12:02 AM   #1
mcch2233
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First Patek Experience

As the name of the forum suggests, I've largely been interested in Rolex and didn't quite "get" the allure of Patek for a while. Then as any modern watch enthusiast's life goes, I wandered down the YouTube rabbit hole and fell in love with the travel time movement that Patek has. The Aquanaut would be my grail, but most likely unattainable given my budget for watches, especially on the secondary market.

On a visit to Vegas, I stopped in at the WoS at the Wynn to take a look at Pateks in person for the first time. Of course, all they had out were Calatravas and Twenty~4s, and wouldn't admit to having any sport models in the back. However, they did have the 5524 in both colors and a 7324R as well.

Trying them all on definitely solidified my love for the travel time movement. However, I could definitely tell why the Pilot is so polarizing to Patek collectors.. its design definitely did feel out of place compared to everything else they had, but I did still find it to be a handsome watch. And not surprising to anyone here, the SA was urging me to make a purchase so that I could get on her list for a 5164A. I declined to part with my money for one, but all in all it was a great experience.

For now, I'll live vicariously through the collectors here
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Old 15 October 2020, 02:46 AM   #2
dauster
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Originally Posted by mcch2233 View Post
As the name of the forum suggests, I've largely been interested in Rolex and didn't quite "get" the allure of Patek for a while. Then as any modern watch enthusiast's life goes, I wandered down the YouTube rabbit hole and fell in love with the travel time movement that Patek has. The Aquanaut would be my grail, but most likely unattainable given my budget for watches, especially on the secondary market.

On a visit to Vegas, I stopped in at the WoS at the Wynn to take a look at Pateks in person for the first time. Of course, all they had out were Calatravas and Twenty~4s, and wouldn't admit to having any sport models in the back. However, they did have the 5524 in both colors and a 7324R as well.

Trying them all on definitely solidified my love for the travel time movement. However, I could definitely tell why the Pilot is so polarizing to Patek collectors.. its design definitely did feel out of place compared to everything else they had, but I did still find it to be a handsome watch. And not surprising to anyone here, the SA was urging me to make a purchase so that I could get on her list for a 5164A. I declined to part with my money for one, but all in all it was a great experience.

For now, I'll live vicariously through the collectors here
welcome to the rabbit hole:) 5524 now goes for 58k after price increase and including taxes, you can probably snatch one up on the secondary market for around 37k or so - I have been seriously considering this as well - I am in the same situation as you.
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Old 15 October 2020, 05:01 AM   #3
Mr. Miami
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Originally Posted by mcch2233 View Post
As the name of the forum suggests, I've largely been interested in Rolex and didn't quite "get" the allure of Patek for a while. Then as any modern watch enthusiast's life goes, I wandered down the YouTube rabbit hole and fell in love with the travel time movement that Patek has. The Aquanaut would be my grail, but most likely unattainable given my budget for watches, especially on the secondary market.

On a visit to Vegas, I stopped in at the WoS at the Wynn to take a look at Pateks in person for the first time. Of course, all they had out were Calatravas and Twenty~4s, and wouldn't admit to having any sport models in the back. However, they did have the 5524 in both colors and a 7324R as well.

Trying them all on definitely solidified my love for the travel time movement. However, I could definitely tell why the Pilot is so polarizing to Patek collectors.. its design definitely did feel out of place compared to everything else they had, but I did still find it to be a handsome watch. And not surprising to anyone here, the SA was urging me to make a purchase so that I could get on her list for a 5164A. I declined to part with my money for one, but all in all it was a great experience.

For now, I'll live vicariously through the collectors here
welcome mate! my grail is a 5167a so somewhat similar to the watch you want aquanaut wise. i first started off in my head thinking i would want one at AD and build relationship. then a awhile back i just said i’d save up for it and pay grey price because it would be cheaper in long run. yes it will take me about 10 months from not to to save in order to work for my budget, but it will be sweet when i get it. personally, i would just save and stick it out for the travel time aquanaut on grey. who knows by the time you save up for it, the price on gray could be different. good luck!
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Old 15 October 2020, 11:33 PM   #4
jon_jon
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There was a time when the 5524 was first introduced, demand was greater than supply and secondary market prices were higher than AD list price by a good amount. This lasted for a couple years until supply met up with demand. The leather strap is a sporty version compared to traditional Patek dress watches.

If you really like the travel time and want a Patek, the 5524 is a reasonable option if the 5164 is a bit out of reach.

I remember when I purchased my 5164A way back from an AD, the AD had 2 of them in their display case. But times have changed quite a bit since then.
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Old 16 October 2020, 05:21 PM   #5
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On the numerous times I’ve stayed at Wynn, I’ve always wondered with the Rolex boutique (and now the Patek) that they must have say steel Daytona’s in the back for when a casino host comes calling. Surely when a high roller dropping 6 or 7 figures is asked what he/she wants a £10,000 watch is doable?
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Old 17 October 2020, 01:21 AM   #6
mcch2233
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On the numerous times I’ve stayed at Wynn, I’ve always wondered with the Rolex boutique (and now the Patek) that they must have say steel Daytona’s in the back for when a casino host comes calling. Surely when a high roller dropping 6 or 7 figures is asked what he/she wants a £10,000 watch is doable?
Yep that’s exactly what happens. I almost got lucky once when my wife was looking at a rose gold w/ diamonds DJ, but the SA said they just sold the Daytona to a guy who bought a bunch of other things. Does seem to be more of “if youve got the money right now to drop a lot, and your timing is good, things can happen” situation vs a typical AD.
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Old 17 October 2020, 01:37 AM   #7
mcch2233
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Originally Posted by Vivalas View Post
On the numerous times I’ve stayed at Wynn, I’ve always wondered with the Rolex boutique (and now the Patek) that they must have say steel Daytona’s in the back for when a casino host comes calling. Surely when a high roller dropping 6 or 7 figures is asked what he/she wants a £10,000 watch is doable?
That seems to be exactly what happens. I almost got lucky once when I asked for a Daytona as my wife was looking at a rose gold w/ diamonds DJ, but they said they just sold it to someone else who bought a bunch of other things. Seems like a timing and money thing for sure.
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Old 18 October 2020, 03:31 AM   #8
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That seems to be exactly what happens. I almost got lucky once when I asked for a Daytona as my wife was looking at a rose gold w/ diamonds DJ, but they said they just sold it to someone else who bought a bunch of other things. Seems like a timing and money thing for sure.

Yes sadly. It’s mostly money. Hardly timing. But I guess now and then people get “lucky” haha!


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Old 24 October 2020, 11:50 AM   #9
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About to start the YouTube rabbit hole....how far down does it go?
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Old 28 October 2020, 12:04 AM   #10
mcch2233
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^ Not nearly as far as the Rolex one goes from what I've found, but fairly deep nonetheless haha.

And overall small update on my little story here. Stopped by my AD where I have a small purchase history to see what they had Patek-wise.. similarly had the 5524 in both colors and 7324R as well, said they hadn't received any 7324G's yet. Figured I'd ask to get on the list for a 5164A expecting a similar sort of runaround of needing to buy a Calatrava first, but my AD overall said it was a lesser requested model than say the 5167 and said he could let me know if one comes in.

We'll see how much leg pulling happened though
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Old 1 November 2020, 10:22 AM   #11
JSolution
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcch2233 View Post
As the name of the forum suggests, I've largely been interested in Rolex and didn't quite "get" the allure of Patek for a while. Then as any modern watch enthusiast's life goes, I wandered down the YouTube rabbit hole and fell in love with the travel time movement that Patek has. The Aquanaut would be my grail, but most likely unattainable given my budget for watches, especially on the secondary market.

On a visit to Vegas, I stopped in at the WoS at the Wynn to take a look at Pateks in person for the first time. Of course, all they had out were Calatravas and Twenty~4s, and wouldn't admit to having any sport models in the back. However, they did have the 5524 in both colors and a 7324R as well.

Trying them all on definitely solidified my love for the travel time movement. However, I could definitely tell why the Pilot is so polarizing to Patek collectors.. its design definitely did feel out of place compared to everything else they had, but I did still find it to be a handsome watch. And not surprising to anyone here, the SA was urging me to make a purchase so that I could get on her list for a 5164A. I declined to part with my money for one, but all in all it was a great experience.

For now, I'll live vicariously through the collectors here
I know how you feel, I’m patiently waiting to buy one. We’ve just gone into lockdown again in the UK so it’s hard to condone a purchase at the moment.

Tried On some SS nautilus and don’t really think it’s a watch that suits me. Then I was sure I wanted the 5711R (still would love to). But decided upon the 5205r with black dial. Fits into the collection well and would be my first patek.

So same as you, ill enjoy appreciating other members on here for the meantime!
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Old 22 November 2020, 01:51 AM   #12
mcch2233
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Mini update here.. not particularly positive, but at least honest haha.

Talked a bit more with my AD, who does still have me down for a 5164.. but it turns out that they’ve only received ONE over the past two years. Not sure if I’ve drawn the short straw with this AD, or if it maybe means they’re due to get one in soon haha.. but regardless, my expectations are tempered.
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Old 22 November 2020, 05:38 AM   #13
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you guys are preaching to the choir
i feel like we need a kind of AA thread for "want to own sport patek" folks.
til then, a bit cathartic enjoying the forum for now
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Old 22 November 2020, 01:39 PM   #14
Mr. Miami
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Mini update here.. not particularly positive, but at least honest haha.

Talked a bit more with my AD, who does still have me down for a 5164.. but it turns out that they’ve only received ONE over the past two years. Not sure if I’ve drawn the short straw with this AD, or if it maybe means they’re due to get one in soon haha.. but regardless, my expectations are tempered.
wouldn’t hold my breath.
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