Question on service cost for a Patek Ellipse from the 70's

[A_Torres]

Dear Forum members,

Happy 2021!

I am thinking about adding to my collection what will be my first Patek. I really like the vintage Ellipse models and I am thinking about buying either reference 3598 or 3548 which are both manual winding models.

Before pulling the trigger I would like to understand if the service cost for these vintage pieces can be kind of high considering the price of the watches (around 7,000 - 8,000 EUR).

If any of you have experience on this matter, I would highly appreciate to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance and regards from Luxembourg!!

[ts3]

Check this if you haven't done so...

http://www.patek.com/contents/default/en/costs.html

I paid EUR 1.2k or 1.3k for a 1990s automatic Calatrava a few years ago.

[A_Torres]

Cheers mate! I did have a look, however as they quote classic watches (over 20 years) on request it was not quite clear to me...

Thanks for the info on your Calatrava!

[jfriedkin]

I have had several vintage watch serviced by Patek Geneva. If it is just a basic service (no hand made parts) My service cost have ranged from $1400-1700 (depending on Model)

[A_Torres]

Excellent, thanks for the info!!

[1William]

My AD is a PP dealer and my SA tells me about not only the cost but the time needed to do a lot of repairs and service. I have been close on a PP purchase before have never done it. The Service cost does figure in that for me. I do like the model you selected.

[A_Torres]

Cheers William!

That is good to know and as you that's the only thing which is pushing me back too. From a cost perspective the prices are reasonable but I don't want to spend more on services than on the actual watch!

[Pouring2010]

I have an early 70s manual wind calatrava.

They are not complicated watches. If it’s basic service without requiring parts - I am strongly considering a competent watchmaker rather than PP for a number of reasons

A) €400 cost from a watchmaker / dealer (and well known in my city - Dublin) who sells second hand PP versus circa €1600 sending it to PP

B) the watchmaker / dealer who I trust will tell me if it needs parts when estimating - so I can send to PP if I want

C) the time difference. Could be months away with PP. weeks with local lad

It’s not a top end complicated PP....

(For my overseas Chrono - I send to richemont as more complicated movement and more expensive investment by me buying it...)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fsprow]

The telephone is your friend. Just ask.

[A_Torres]

Originally Posted by Pouring2010

I have an early 70s manual wind calatrava.

They are not complicated watches. If it’s basic service without requiring parts - I am strongly considering a competent watchmaker rather than PP for a number of reasons

A) €400 cost from a watchmaker / dealer (and well known in my city - Dublin) who sells second hand PP versus circa €1600 sending it to PP

B) the watchmaker / dealer who I trust will tell me if it needs parts when estimating - so I can send to PP if I want

C) the time difference. Could be months away with PP. weeks with local lad

It’s not a top end complicated PP....

(For my overseas Chrono - I send to richemont as more complicated movement and more expensive investment by me buying it...)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for your interesting feedback. I do agree that probably makes more sense to have it checked with a trusted local watchmaker rather than PP knowing that it's quite a simple movement.

Cheers!!

[scurfa]

Depends what you want for £1500 I got, the service, crown, refurb, crystal and strap