Help a lost lady

[baglady]

Hi everyone--just wanted to introduce myself as a noob on this forum, and as newly rich, I've acquired a dangerously expensive interest in buying a Patek.

I'm looking to make my first acquisition(s) by December/January/February. On my list are:

5164R (lol I know right?)
5205R

I'm curious if anyone had thoughts on the suitability of the 5205R for women? I'm not a huge fan of the "womens" watches in general, and the 5205 seems so classic.

I'm also wondering if anyone has advice for how to snag the 5164 from an AD. I travel quite extensively (and can go anywhere pretty much at a moment's notice for this). I'm also willing to purchase both as a package deal.

Even if no one as any advice, I'm glad to be part of this community and happy to say hello :-)

[locutus49]

Just to say welcome and best of luck on your purchases. You can check with an AD but for a 5164 I would go grey market. I'll let a Brit tell you about reputable greys in your area.

FYI, you have good taste.

[baglady]

Thanks! I was thinking to establish a relationship with the PP salons in Paris. I have a place down there and that's where I also keep my Hermes SA relationship (hence why I'm BAGLADY!).

So if there are reputable gray market dealers down there I'd also be all ears.

Grey market deals I've seen on this forum are actually not horrible for the 5164, so I'm open to it. I'm also patient. I want the watch, but can chill for a few years before I get my hands on it.

[irish john]

Hi and welcome to the forum ,they are both great choices but if i was a newly minted lady
i would aim higher and take alook at the 7150/250R

[baglady]

Originally Posted by irish john

Hi and welcome to the forum ,they are both great choices but if i was a newly minted lady
i would aim higher and take alook at the 7150/250R

This (bag)lady is one of the few who doesn't like diamonds

[baglady]

Thanks. This lady is one of the few who abhors diamonds :-)

[MadSpaniard]

Newly rich? Maybe you should get an iced-out Richard Mille instead to unmistakably flaunt the nouveau status :-).

Kidding aside, I own the 5205R with opaline white dial, great watch with undeniable substance and gravitas, classic and elegant but with a modern and forward-looking touch. It's 40 x 11.4 mm which makes it somewhat large by traditional Patek standards, but it wears notably smaller than it is due to the wide and sloped bezel.

I would say that even on smaller wrists it wears comfortably, because the lugs curve downward, ensuring a curved fit, unlike some other Pateks which are more flat like a pancake even at a similar diameter/size. I would say try it on at an AD and see what you think, here's mine:

[dauster]

I would choose a local AD/ salon - one you can frequent relatively often, buy the 5205R ASAP and hope to get the aquanaut allocated over the next years. I assume that you will need to buy a few more watches before you get the aquanaut but maybe you will get lucky. Not sure if it matters to you but usually cities like NYC, Paris and London are "more competitive" when it comes to the hot models. So if possible choose an AD elsewhere. actually would be curious to know if other forum user have had a similar experience.

[baglady]

So I'm second down the waitlist for the 5205 at the Bond Street salon and I'm told I should expect the watch in December or January. Is there anything else I can or should do on this? I'm happy to go on more waitlists but that might hurt me I think.

[dauster]

They have a waitlist for the 5205? Have you asked them how realistic it is that you will get the aquanaut any time soon? There must be tons of people that have spend upwards of a couple 100k there - probably more, given that it is London. No experience with Patek in London but I suggest maybe finding an AD with less billionaires around... Tough to compete I would say... best of luck.

[jag32]

5205R black dial is my favorite current Patek. Just amazing.

[baglady]

Originally Posted by dauster

They have a waitlist for the 5205? Have you asked them how realistic it is that you will get the aquanaut any time soon? There must be tons of people that have spend upwards of a couple 100k there - probably more, given that it is London. No experience with Patek in London but I suggest maybe finding an AD with less billionaires around... Tough to compete I would say... best of luck.

I haven't bothered asking about the Aquanaut. Literally every AD in London has laughed me out the store and refused to add me to any list.

That's why I'm leaning toward Paris but that's probably just as bad.

[1688]

I believe Paris will be just as full in terms of their waitlist. If it was me and I’m starting off in Europe...I would go direct to the source, Geneva! The sales there are very friendly and getting to know one personally can open doors for you. On the other hand, you may want to check if they are able to take you on as a client. Some salons will only allocate to home country clients. I’ve heard Paris is somewhat like that...they will only allocate hard to source references to their home clients.

[dauster]

No idea about Paris but I assume just as bad. Fly to my AD in the San Francisco/ Bay Area... Small city but still Silicon Valley, but much better than the touristy cities like NYC, Paris or London... Since you don't like diamonds I assume you don't have a huge spending history at Tiffany?

[baglady]

Thanks! I might just try Geneva then. I have a friend who lives there.

[baglady]

Originally Posted by jag32

5205R black dial is my favorite current Patek. Just amazing.

Originally Posted by dauster

No idea about Paris but I assume just as bad. Fly to my AD in the San Francisco/ Bay Area... Small city but still Silicon Valley, but much better than the touristy cities like NYC, Paris or London... Since you don't like diamonds I assume you don't have a huge spending history at Tiffany?

I don't. All my spend is with Hermes :-).

Who is your AD? I'm in SF about every other month for work.

[dauster]

just sent you PM

[AK797]

Originally Posted by baglady

Thanks! I was thinking to establish a relationship with the PP salons in Paris. I have a place down there and that's where I also keep my Hermes SA relationship (hence why I'm BAGLADY!).

So if there are reputable gray market dealers down there I'd also be all ears.

Grey market deals I've seen on this forum are actually not horrible for the 5164, so I'm open to it. I'm also patient. I want the watch, but can chill for a few years before I get my hands on it.

Glad you cleared up why you are called baglady and after Pateks as we have had some banned members return here as trolls and you were looking suspect.

In London try Watchfinder, Watchclub, Chronext and Watchcentre on Bond St.

[Fat_ninja]

Welcome. Personally I’d go get a RM as a lady. RM 67-01 red gold on orange alligator strap. That would match the Hermes.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by 1688

I believe Paris will be just as full in terms of their waitlist. If it was me and I’m starting off in Europe...I would go direct to the source, Geneva! The sales there are very friendly and getting to know one personally can open doors for you. On the other hand, you may want to check if they are able to take you on as a client. Some salons will only allocate to home country clients. I’ve heard Paris is somewhat like that...they will only allocate hard to source references to their home clients.

In my experience the salon in Geneva is the same. They can't satisfy the needs of their local customers and are not exactly swimming in a sea of Aquanaut and Nautilus either despite being close to the source. Staff are very helpful though and will let you handle pretty much any model of the current collection. Definitely worth a visit when in town.

[TooWoundUp]

Originally Posted by baglady

Thanks. This lady is one of the few who abhors diamonds :-)

a breath of fresh air!

[irish john]

Check out some of the watches Ellen wears for idea's she has some real beauties

[Berettameier]

Just order and buy the 5205R first, start a relationship to your AD with it. Then, order the 5164R.
5164R is quite easy to get. At least at smaller family operated ADs outside of bigger cities.

[baglady]

Originally Posted by dauster

just sent you PM

Thanks!

[baglady]

Originally Posted by Berettameier

Just order and buy the 5205R first, start a relationship to your AD with it. Then, order the 5164R.
5164R is quite easy to get. At least at smaller family operated ADs outside of bigger cities.

I didn't realize it was easier to get. Any suggestions on smaller cities in the EU I should try? I am headed to Barcelona and Rome in the next few months so can try there. I did try a dealer in Florence but was laughed out the shop there. And was also laughed out of the Tel Aviv AD (which I know isn't EU but fits with the smaller town theme).

Thank you :-)

[baglady]

Originally Posted by AK797

Glad you cleared up why you are called baglady and after Pateks as we have had some banned members return here as trolls and you were looking suspect.

In London try Watchfinder, Watchclub, Chronext and Watchcentre on Bond St.

thanks. just to be transparent, i have trollish ways as this isn't my first internet forum rodeo, but ive never posted on rolexforums before.

currently my watch collection consists of a rolex date (I think 34) SS with white gold crown bezel and a blue face. i love it to death.

I also have a more niche watch by Guilianno Mazzuoli made of Tuscan marble. Just loved it when I saw it. Cost me 3k EUR, but it's probably not worth much.

My bag collection on the other hand.... :-)

[Mike Jab]

Originally Posted by baglady

Hi everyone--just wanted to introduce myself as a noob on this forum, and as newly rich, I've acquired a dangerously expensive interest in buying a Patek.

I'm looking to make my first acquisition(s) by December/January/February. On my list are:

5164R (lol I know right?)
5205R

I'm curious if anyone had thoughts on the suitability of the 5205R for women? I'm not a huge fan of the "womens" watches in general, and the 5205 seems so classic.

I'm also wondering if anyone has advice for how to snag the 5164 from an AD. I travel quite extensively (and can go anywhere pretty much at a moment's notice for this). I'm also willing to purchase both as a package deal.

Even if no one as any advice, I'm glad to be part of this community and happy to say hello :-)

Since you are newly rich and want to have your name with Patek, i'd suggest you purchase one or multiple of their grand complications pieces which are dwelling in the cases in the shops (because no one wants them) - problem solved ;)

[baglady]

Originally Posted by Mike Jab

Since you are newly rich and want to have your name with Patek, i'd suggest you purchase one or multiple of their grand complications pieces which are dwelling in the cases in the shops (because no one wants them) - problem solved ;)

I am newly rich, but that's out of my own (I'd like to think) smart financial decisions, although I'm not going to pretend that there's been a weird element of dumb luck in some of my best investments.

And with that preface, I'll say that a Grand Complication is out of budget. Whether or not I can afford it, I draw my own lines for what makes sense to me. And those lines have served me well in life so far.

To clarify: Not just looking for a Patek because of the brand. The brand (in my mind) helps with value preservation (and perhaps some appreciation). I like what looks good (on me). This is why I buy Kellys and Birkins--they're beautiful bags. And this is why I don't buy monogrammed garbage bags. This is also why I'll never want or buy a Nautilus. The watch just doesn't appeal to me :-/

[jfriedkin]

You need to look at establishing the same relationship with PP as with you Hermes SA. The aquanaut is like buying a Birkin. Good luck!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by baglady

thanks. just to be transparent, i have trollish ways as this isn't my first internet forum rodeo, but ive never posted on rolexforums before.

currently my watch collection consists of a rolex date (I think 34) SS with white gold crown bezel and a blue face. i love it to death.

I also have a more niche watch by Guilianno Mazzuoli made of Tuscan marble. Just loved it when I saw it. Cost me 3k EUR, but it's probably not worth much.

My bag collection on the other hand.... :-)

Yeah you don't sound like those banned members unless they have gone deep state for their cause.