Buying an Aquanaut without papers, advice?

[huncho]

i wouldn't worry about fakes in the diamond district, those guys know their stuff and with the amount of competition all on that 1 block there's zero chance of surviving if you let fakes get by. my only worry would be buying something stolen and obviously overpaying since 47th street prices are high

[Sinanamus]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Am yet to own a patek. However own a few Rolex without papers. No big deal.

It really isn't a big deal. Papers give an illusion of peace of mind. I say illusion because it is far easier to fake the papers than to fake a watch such a Rolex.

If you are buying from a trusted seller with good reputation and lots of online reviews, you should be OK. You are even more OK if your brother plans to keep the watch for life and never sell. If he thinks there's a decent chance he will sell (like most people) he should look for papers to make selling easier.

If the watch without papers does turn out to be a stolen watch, the reputable dealer will be the one to go to in this unlikely scenario.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[youthagainsttt]

I actually live near Shenzhen, China which is where the fakes come onto the market straight from the factory. The Aquanaut is very easy to fake, I've handled $100 reps which could be mistaken for geniune from arm's length, and $500 reps that would need someone well versed in Patek to distinguish between that and the Gen.

DO NOT DO IT, esp with this model

[huncho]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I actually live near Shenzhen, China which is where the fakes come onto the market straight from the factory. The Aquanaut is very easy to fake, I've handled $100 reps which could be mistaken for geniune from arm's length, and $500 reps that would need someone well versed in Patek to distinguish between that and the Gen.

DO NOT DO IT, esp with this model

47th street won't sell fakes...its an entire block of diamond and watch shops and nothing else. it's not just a random jewelry store in the middle of nowhere, they're not stupid over there

[tonysoprano100]

Originally Posted by huncho

47th street won't sell fakes...its an entire block of diamond and watch shops and nothing else. it's not just a random jewelry store in the middle of nowhere, they're not stupid over there

The owner send me a video with tons of AP, PP, Rolex etc in the showcase.

The area of the store is first class as you said

[huncho]

Originally Posted by tonysoprano100

The owner send me a video with tons of AP, PP, Rolex etc in the showcase.

The area of the store is first class as you said

yep. the amount of money displayed in those stores daily is insane. they are all legit. sleazy but legit. i saw your pm and definitely try to negotiate because theres no papers and go elsewhere if you don't like the price, but don't worry about it being fake or anything

[aj_tucker]

Absolutely not - buy it from Scott at HQ Milton. He'll meet you on a lower price, too.

[chows99]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I actually live near Shenzhen, China which is where the fakes come onto the market straight from the factory. The Aquanaut is very easy to fake, I've handled $100 reps which could be mistaken for geniune from arm's length, and $500 reps that would need someone well versed in Patek to distinguish between that and the Gen.

DO NOT DO IT, esp with this model

Hi,

Care to share more about the $500 fake watch? Can they even replicate the movement with the same rotor and seal?

I am seriously concerned about such fakes which can scam people easily.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by chows99

Hi,

Care to share more about the $500 fake watch? Can they even replicate the movement with the same rotor and seal?

I am seriously concerned about such fakes which can scam people easily.

the movement will look fake

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

I see nashvillewatch has 5167A 2019 complete set (box& paper) for $37,750. Cheaper with complete set. Something to think about....

I'll bet it's gone. They have a 5712 advertised that's been sold, talked to Chase yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Mr. Miami]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I'll bet it's gone. They have a 5712 advertised that's been sold, talked to Chase yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

interesting. Chase reputable guy? i saw that 5167a and it was price good from what i could tell.

[GeraldGentaFan]

I bought watches with Chase, very good experience.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by Sinanamus

It really isn't a big deal. Papers give an illusion of peace of mind. I say illusion because it is far easier to fake the papers than to fake a watch such a Rolex.

If you are buying from a trusted seller with good reputation and lots of online reviews, you should be OK. You are even more OK if your brother plans to keep the watch for life and never sell. If he thinks there's a decent chance he will sell (like most people) he should look for papers to make selling easier.

If the watch without papers does turn out to be a stolen watch, the reputable dealer will be the one to go to in this unlikely scenario.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

yes and no , on papers theres a retailer name (in Patek world) you may can make a call and check if that s matters .

[ts3]

Originally Posted by Sinanamus

If the watch without papers does turn out to be a stolen watch, the reputable dealer will be the one to go to in this unlikely scenario.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Problem is if you find out the watch was stolen many years later, say at the next service. The reputable dealer may long be gone by then...

For piece of mind I like to get preowned watches serviced unless they come with a recent service. Many on here will deem this a waste of money (and time) but if I spend 20+k on a watch I don't mind spending an extra 1k on service to give the watch a clean start.

[VacherObsessive]

A watch of that value should be sent off to Patek for a service and an extract from the archives and bobs your uncle there are your ‘papers’

New service papers are better than original papers if it’s only the scam you’re worried about

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by Mr. Miami

interesting. Chase reputable guy? i saw that 5167a and it was price good from what i could tell.

SOLID..

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Mr. Miami]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

SOLID..

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

may have to look into him further for when i make a move in the future.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by chows99

Hi,

Care to share more about the $500 fake watch? Can they even replicate the movement with the same rotor and seal?

I am seriously concerned about such fakes which can scam people easily.

I don't think I can post on here the website links, but it's well known that fakes are getting to be 1:1 on certain models. As I mentioned before, even if you are a Patek expert some of these reps are so close it's not even easy to tell when theyre side by side

There many levels of fakes these days. Some models may have only a few levels, but some reps can get up to USD3-5k, the super-super reps & frankens

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by Mr. Miami

interesting. Chase reputable guy? i saw that 5167a and it was price good from what i could tell.

I've sold to Chase and have bought from him, most recently a blue dial 15400st. Nothing but good things to say

OP, dealer looks legit with plenty of reviews etc, but as others have said, if you can find similar or better pricing with everything then why not

[Partekular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faTFFSsOJ7o

Here is a warning YouTube from Jenni Elle.

[Partekular]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4cKJp5cpn8

This one is even more worrying if buying from a non AD.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Partekular

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faTFFSsOJ7o

Here is a warning YouTube from Jenni Elle.

dial is a dead giveaway. if you think that one will get past major resellers then idk ...

[liborguy]

Almost all PP collectors I know will insist on “original certificate of origin” papers for the watch to be considered complete, and will not even accept “extract from the archive papers” ........ this is especially true for modern PP

[Watchflair]

I wouldn't at that price point - the price point would need to be significant enough to justify it -20%+/- seems about right to me.

If the price was right and you planned on keeping it long term with no intention of resale then sure why not - you can get an extract from the archives if you'd like. Savings could justify it if you don't plan to resell - after all you can't wear the box and papers.

Personally I'd want a full set and would be willing to pay more to get one.

[Calatrava r]

Papers are no big deal if the price reflects they are not included. Then its just a decision to decide whether to pay more for a full set. Buy the seller and discuss the provenance of the watch where their are no papers. The box is generic and is easily switched out. Papers are unique to the watch.

[Mr. Miami]

curious to know what you guys end up doing OP

[tonysoprano100]

Originally Posted by Mr. Miami

curious to know what you guys end up doing OP

Finally I dont want to make the deal. i will continue looking.

good decisions must to give peace, if not, thats not a good decision.

Thats only my point of you.

Thanks for all the opinions guys,

Apologies for my horrible english also

[jb335]

I would never buy a new watch without box and papers. Too suspicious.

When going vintage, I prefer no b&p for the savings.

Makes total sense a 30 year old watch would not have b&p, it does not make sense on a new modern watch. Especially a brand new PP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk