Do you prefer to buy from AD or private sales?

[polarinda]

For PP, that is..



Share your experience please.

[HL65]

AD for me for sure--Find a good one and build a solid relationship with them!

[Tzehou]

For me, I prefer to buy it from Ad or Patek Salon (whenever possible). The experience is different and when there are special events hosted by the Ads, one would usually be invited. For a businessman, the networking sessions during the special events are indeed a useful tool to know more people and to better understand the watches.

[samuelhuntington]

For a pp I would like my name on the papers. But if I can do that with a grey dealer and save some $$$ I'm going that route.

If I was looking for hard to get, big dollar pieces I see why it's important to build a relationship with an ad. Sadly I don't have the bank account for that at the moment.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by hl65

ad for me for sure--find a good one and build a solid relationship with them!

x2

[raclaims]

Yep...AD for me...but if you have a private seller you know and trust I wouldn't hesitate.

[unknown]

Only AD
unless you're looking for a discontinued piece ofcourse

[drhr]

Always grey first as long as the savings amount is meaningful to/for me.

[jon_jon]

Patek production numbers are not as high as Rolex, so definitely not as many private sellers or gray dealers and often the prices are not that great. So for me, AD all the way, unless it is a discontinued piece.

[FlatlineEF9]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Patek production numbers are not as high as Rolex, so definitely not as many private sellers or gray dealers and often the prices are not that great. So for me, AD all the way, unless it is a discontinued piece.

I feel the same. Id rather wait for the piece to come into the AD and pay a tad more for something new.

[JorgeCCW]

AD for sure. But there are exceptions like everything in life.

[GB-man]

AD but only because the price was lower than what the greys could come up with at the time.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy PP from trusted sellers. Then again, I have no plans to acquire multiple Pateks.

[martinr]

AD for me and because of repeat business and relationship prices have been lower for new than for preowned from grey. Free swag doesn't hurt either.

[yjfang]

I almost always buy Private Sale (trusted). I hate losing money when reselling and the times that I have lost money is when I bought brand new from AD.

[Passionata]

Ad

[Time Exposure]

I completely understand why Patek collectors prefer buying from an AD. Establishing a relationship can be very beneficial for collectors of contemporary pieces.
My strict watch budget usually keeps me from acquiring contemporary pieces. The few I have had I was only able to get within my budget by buying used (discounted from new retail) from trusted sellers.
I think it's a carry-over from buying other makes (Rolex, etc.). It is now my M.O. to let "original owners" take the depreciation hit. I'd rather have a higher-end used model than a new one at retail. And most of what I like is what others like (think Nautilus 5711, Aquanaut 5167). When those finally show up at the AD, they are seldom if ever discounted.

[samuelhuntington]

Originally Posted by Time Exposure

I completely understand why Patek collectors prefer buying from an AD. Establishing a relationship can be very beneficial for collectors of contemporary pieces.
My strict watch budget usually keeps me from acquiring contemporary pieces. The few I have had I was only able to get within my budget by buying used (discounted from new retail) from trusted sellers.
I think it's a carry-over from buying other makes (Rolex, etc.). It is now my M.O. to let "original owners" take the depreciation hit. I'd rather have a higher-end used model than a new one at retail. And most of what I like is what others like (think Nautilus 5711, Aquanaut 5167). When those finally show up at the AD, they are seldom if ever discounted.

Completely agree. I originally trued the ad route to purchase my 5167. I was lucky enough to stop by a shop in Florida that had one in that someone else had passed on. I was stoked to try it on but they would not budge on the retail price. I emailed Davidsw that night and two weeks later had a bnib registered to me for about 2k below retail. To me that 2k was really nice towards my next purchase.

[iazrollie]

Mainly AD. I just prefer that extra piece of mind.

[texex91]

For Patek, I appreciate having an amazing AD that bends over backwards for me.

As stated by others it's very important to have that strong relationship with Patek.

HOWEVER, it's always a great option to have DSW or others in the back pocket to find certain Patek pieces without the wait.

[gtbguy]

AD, I think a continued relationship is more important than saving (maybe) a few bucks. When you need something done and not necessarily a watch purchase, they will bend over backwards to help you. Of course, peace of mind is equally as important.

[Jabberjaw]

Originally Posted by gtbguy

AD, I think a continued relationship is more important than saving (maybe) a few bucks. When you need something done and not necessarily a watch purchase, they will bend over backwards to help you. Of course, peace of mind is equally as important.

Agree but that depends on the AD. Some AD's I've bought from just suck. After they have your money, they could care less unless they sense you will make another purchase from them. Really counterintuitive. Others, not so much.

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by Jabberjaw

Agree but that depends on the AD. Some AD's I've bought from just suck. After they have your money, they could care less unless they sense you will make another purchase from them. Really counterintuitive. Others, not so much.

I agree that AD experiences can vary. So it is that much more important to find the AD that you can work with.

[snipermaverick]

Seems like most of the members here prefer Ads. Don't get me wrong, I would also go to an AD to buy a brand new Patek. For e.g if I was going to buy the newly released 5975, its definitely an AD for me.

But for younger generation Patek collectors like myself (i.e those who are aged below 30 and have started working not long ago), we have missed the boat in some of the iconic pieces. Ref 2499, 3970, 5004, 5970 etc.... The only way for us in acquiring some of these pieces which were produced when we weren't in a position to buy is through auction houses, private collectors and grey dealers.

[neurotichamster8]

After spending time with my AD, I don't think I'll ever buy grey. You might save some money, but the overall experience and connection is worth it; IMHO.

Cheers

[autohorology]

There are ways to get grey market prices thru Authorized Dealers, you just have to know the right people. It can be done.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by HL65

AD for me for sure--Find a good one and build a solid relationship with them!

This for me...I probably paid a little more than grey market / private seller the first time, but over the long run its more than paid off

[polarinda]

good info!

Im leaning towards AD for current pieces( 5127G) but is also planning to get the 5107G from a trusted seller online.
The price difference is 8k~USD between the two. Not exactly the same watches, yes, but the price difference is quite huge.

Really hard decision.

[lapince]

well I have only 1, a 5712-1A, went to the AD and was told 3-6 months wait and of course didn't ask but obviously no discount, found a grey dealer in Germany who had one from 2102, sealed, so brand new, at 2000 euros less, and of course no wait, so I went for it, even if it's not under guarantee I consider that the 2000 I saved will be enough to service it if needed, plus I got it 5 days after sending the money...

[benlee]

I prefer to get from AD. At these price levels that PP commands, it's mostly for peace of mind. YMMV.

[srvrf]

I don't own a Patek but do have a Nautilus 5980 on my radar. Of course my only options for that model are an AD with NOS or Used. I'm not at all a fan of the only AD within an hour of me. I know I'm not alone in this. There are a lot of great sellers here and it's part of what makes TRF so great.

The other consideration is the relationship with the AD. I know that there are a few people here with the means for multiple PPs, APs, but I'm guessing most here will not be buying multiple new Pateks. So if you plan on being a repeat customer, then an AD is a great way to go. Otherwise, I'd personally prefer to have extra money