Purchase gray and tell AD?

[Aboutderntime]

Hi all, looking for a little advice. I have a patek model that I’m interested in, the 5212 A. I’ve expressed interest. I have purchased a 6119R last January. I don’t get a good sense whether this is something I’ll be eligible for or not, but haven’t been guaranteed a yes or no. My question is this: I have the opportunity to buy a new watch for just under retail. If I’m not realistically under consideration for 5212 A, I would purchase gray. If I am, I’ll wait it out to build purchase history. Would you recommend that I pose this question (diplomatically) with my SA or approach another way? Thanks in advance.

[sensui]

If you cared for more Pateks the answer is pretty obvious, wait and work with your SA. If all you're wanting in the foreseeable future is the 5212a buying secondary is the obvious answer. Your SA should really be understanding of this.... It's a 2 way street and they're supposed to work for your business. Writing is on the wall now that the correction is taking place in multiple sectors. ADs that still want to play the nasty games should prepare for immediate consequences from their customers.

[Chiboy]

Seems more like you're doing your AD a favor by trying to buy through them than vice versa. I'd let them know that you'd like to build history with them and see what they say.

[ufboy73]

I'd let them know about the history to see what they say.

[SoylentGreenChi]

Be patient and work with your AD for the 5212. Patience is your friend. You’ve already bought one Patek this year, it’s not a race.

[Coolcamden]

You will be buying it under retail. More if adding in Taxes (providing the grey doesn’t charge you). So what are you waiting for? Do it.

I have bought grey and sent pics of it to my AD. My way of rubbing it in their face that if they don’t fill my needs, I’ll spend money elsewhere.

[Aboutderntime]

Thanks all. I decided to make the phone call today to speak with my SA. No promises made but I got a sense of the number of people who have expressed earnest interest in the watch. Could be 2 to 3 years. Hopefully they don’t discontinue while I wait! Eventually, I would like to get into some of the more desirable pieces, so waiting might be the best way forward.

[Nico81]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

Thanks all. I decided to make the phone call today to speak with my SA. No promises made but I got a sense of the number of people who have expressed earnest interest in the watch. Could be 2 to 3 years. Hopefully they don’t discontinue while I wait! Eventually, I would like to get into some of the more desirable pieces, so waiting might be the best way forward.

Reality is it is not what pateks you buy to get to more desirable pieces rather which slow moving watches and jewelry to buy.
I was offered 5167r in mexico if i purchase gold $18k watch of non popular brand
I passed


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[Henkan]

It’s a retail outlet, not your mother.

[Goldilock]

Originally Posted by Henkan

It’s a retail outlet, not your mother.

This 🙂

[ChetBaker]

Exactly. 2-3 years wait for something that’s readily available at a discount. Don’t let them put you on a leash.

[srvrf]

I see no harm in waiting since you're also wanting more difficult to obtain models. If you're really ready to buy and they haven't offered, then you could always decide to go gray market at that time. Also keep in mind that there is a possibility they lose AD status while you're waiting. Many of us here have built up relationships with ADs that subsequently lost their status.

[brandrea]

I suppose it depends on your longer term collecting goals.

If you plan to build a large Patek collection, I’d be inclined to work with your SA.

If not, I’d go gray, especially since your can buy it under retail.

[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by Henkan

It’s a retail outlet, not your mother.

Point well taken and true.

[Booth9999]

Why would you wait longer and pay more? The answer seems simple.

[mickyd329]

It all depends on what you are out to achieve. If you plan on expanding the Patek collection long term, it would be wise to stick to the AD relationship. If it's just this piece you want, then just go grey. Save money and time.

I think the answers you are getting from your SA is pretty typical. My AD gets just over 100 pieces a year. At most 2 pieces per non specialty reference. It makes it a difficult process to give clients a firm answer. I too have a 5212 on request. I think it should be a very doable allocation in due time. I'm in the same shoes as you with just 1 PP purchase from my AD.

[Tools]

Sales staff are not usually your friends to banter with and confide in all the ways you have not fattened their commissions. They want to sell you their stuff, not hear about what you got for a better deal elsewhere.

Why ever would you tell them anything about yourself?

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by Booth9999

Why would you wait longer and pay more? The answer seems simple.

Not only this, but the biggest issue with "working" for the AD's business is no guarantees either... You may not even "get" the opportunity and "call" to pay more... a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush IMO

[~JJ]

2-3 years to get the 5212 (if this iteration will still be around ), then what another 2-4 years for the next piece… that’s a long play. 4-7+ years for maybe a watch you may or may not even like anymore. Seems like a silly game, but perhaps I’m missing something here.

Why not… go buy 5212 grey (save $) > get on list for a different desired piece > rebuild watch fund and burn honeymoon phase of 5212 > get the call and enjoy new PP and still maintain relationship. Win/win.

[Aboutderntime]

A lot of good advice and opinions here. Appreciate all of you weighing in. It is kind of an interesting and frustrating game that is played with the authorized retailers. I thought Rolex was bad… I will probably never be the collector that is dumping hundreds of thousand dollars in to various Patek pieces. Might be best to just pull the trigger.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Tools

Sales staff are not usually your friends to banter with and confide in all the ways you have not fattened their commissions. They want to sell you their stuff, not hear about what you got for a better deal elsewhere.

Why ever would you tell them anything about yourself?

You have the wrong AD’s. I often tell and show my Patek, Lange, VC, FPJ and MB&F AD’s pieces from other brands. Without exception they have a genuine interest in horology and are always keen to see special pieces.

OP. 5212 is a great piece, I would build a relationship and get it from an AD - Ideally from a family concern (but you already have an AD?)

[Aboutderntime]

Originally Posted by Russell996

You have the wrong AD’s. I often tell and show my Patek, Lange, VC, FPJ and MB&F AD’s pieces from other brands. Without exception they have a genuine interest in horology and are always keen to see special pieces.

OP. 5212 is a great piece, I would build a relationship and get it from an AD - Ideally from a family concern (but you already have an AD?)

I do. Purchased a 6119r in January from a family owned AD here in the US. I wish my Rolex pieces were bought from the same, but those were purchased elsewhere. In this big city, I’m a pretty small fish. Would love to get into a sport piece down the road, but I think it would be a longshot, and 5+ years down the road.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by sensui

If you cared for more Pateks the answer is pretty obvious, wait and work with your SA. If all you're wanting in the foreseeable future is the 5212a buying secondary is the obvious answer. Your SA should really be understanding of this.... It's a 2 way street and they're supposed to work for your business. Writing is on the wall now that the correction is taking place in multiple sectors. ADs that still want to play the nasty games should prepare for immediate consequences from their customers.

A lot of Patek models are under retail at the moment, and as you say, ADs should realize this and work with customers. Unfortunately, they may cater to the folks who want the SS sports and have to step up to buy the non-sports models to keep in the ADs good graces.

[zionongch@gmail.com]

Building a long-term relationship with your patek AD is a good idea. I just don't think patek ADs are here to stay unfortunately. For example, Patek is taking away Chong Hing Jewelers as their AD here is Los Angeles area. Just imagine how many small fishes are screwed...

[dauster]

Originally Posted by zionongch@gmail.com

For example, Patek is taking away Chong Hing Jewelers as their AD here is Los Angeles area. Just imagine how many small fishes are screwed...

Really but CH Premier keeps Patek in the Bay? Interesting, is that confirmed?

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by dauster

Really but CH Premier keeps Patek in the Bay? Interesting, is that confirmed?

That is what I've heard as well.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

That is what I've heard as well.

ok I guess they have Geary's in BH and maybe another AD so Chong Hing will get the axe - thanks for confirming

[russ86]

Listen, I bough plenty of watches grey, why not. When my AD offered that same watch to me, I said that I cooled off towards that model and asked for something else instead.

[bob101]

Look after yourself and not the ad would be my advice. AD won’t necessarily offer to you before it gets discontinued plus prices are going up 5-7% every year. Ads are losing relationship with Patek frequently these days so don’t count on them being around for years.

Makes more sense to buy grey. Perhaps you just say, I’m looking to add this piece before it’s discontinued, I’d love to buy it with you continue relationship and have name on paper etc. but if can’t buy new I may have to see if I can try catch one elsewhere before it’s discontinued. See what their response is.

[EEpro]

Unless your end game is to have $500k to $1M+ in Patek then go grey. Under no circumstances should you ever tell an AD you went grey if you are already working with them.