Should we wait to buy more Pateks?

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Karl I was asking why enjoythemusic said, "obviously there seems to be trouble brewing at Patek."

Seems to me, and this is only my opinion, that only the super rich buy six figure Pateks. Regardless of what happens to the world economy I don't ever see the super rich going away or reducing in number.

So is there something going on with Patek?

Ahhhh ..... Get it....and I do agree .....

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Karl I was asking why enjoythemusic said, "obviously there seems to be trouble brewing at Patek."

Seems to me, and this is only my opinion, that only the super rich buy six figure Pateks. Regardless of what happens to the world economy I don't ever see the super rich going away or reducing in number.

So is there something going on with Patek?

No trouble brewing aside from issues affecting the whole watch industry and even then Patek is set far better than most others to thrive in the present market.
'Enjoythemusic' has a constant downer on Patek - read what you will into all his posts where he takes any opportunity to criticise, mostly without any foundation. I now simply ignore them as life is too short.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Karl I was asking why enjoythemusic said, "obviously there seems to be trouble brewing at Patek."

Perhaps is it because i recall Patek's USA service from around 1990 until about 2012, which appears to be far more 'human' than they are today. Am curious how many here remember David Jarrod within the service department? For those who do remember David, how would you describe Patek's customer care then as compared to today? Service times?

FYI: One time i sent the service department in NYC an assortment of macaroons, etc from Payard. Would visit David (and Francine) when in NYC just to say hi and we'd catch up on things happening within our lives. It was more a 'family feel' at Patek NYC service center than a business transaction. When they moved from their longstanding location at Rockefeller Center to the current one, and David retired, that is when it seems things changed (not for the better) with Patek.

Have been noticing more apparent problems posted online. Agree online is 'more popular' now so perhaps we're just seeing more of it posted as a result, yet somehow i feel that doesn't explain it all. Now with the two year warranty debacle, it further supports my feelings that something is amiss with Patek. So am simply going by personal experience combined with what is appearing online in recent years.

Hope the above better explains my stance. Truly did enjoy having many Pateks years ago and it deeply saddens me to see the debates and troubles some are having today. Your point is taken and so odds are this will be my last post on this Patek Philippe section on TRF. Will always fondly remember the "good ol' days" and wish everyone at Patek Philippe all the very best.

Personally, have seen some amazing work by very talented independents, and maybe when you 'leave' the mainstream (Rolex, Patek, ALS, etc) you may find there are some very impressive offerings from a variety of craftspeople within the mechanical timepiece industry. Am sure we can agree other brands have also upped their offerings and quality to some degree, with even the mainstream Rolex brand offering five year warranty and now stating service intervals are ~10 years, which is very impressive and probably due to their use of modern in-house lubricants.

Apologies for the long post, as wanted to express my feelings in more detail as to the 'why'? If you read this far, thanks for reading (and understanding) as i truly do appreciate it. Again, wish everyone at Patek Philippe all the very best.

[KarlS]

I think the point Russell makes is that most your posts take a deliberate swipe at PP at every opportunity! In fact I believe you even started a thread on another forum concerning the warranty issue (even the actual claimant only got to comment half way down).. it would just be much more balanced if you could throw in positive with the negative. Patek definitely has flaws, it certainly should increase the warranty, I don't accept watches that leave the factory with defects but they make some wonderful watches.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Perhaps is it because i recall Patek's USA service from around 1990 until about 2012, which appears to be far more 'human' than they are today. Am curious how many here remember David Jarrod within the service department? For those who do remember David, how would you describe Patek's customer care then as compared to today? Service times?

FYI: One time i sent the service department in NYC an assortment of macaroons, etc from Payard. Would visit David (and Francine) when in NYC just to say hi and we'd catch up on things happening within our lives. It was more a 'family feel' at Patek NYC service center than a business transaction. When they moved from their longstanding location at Rockefeller Center to the current one, and David retired, that is when it seems things changed (not for the better) with Patek.

Have been noticing more apparent problems posted online. Agree online is 'more popular' now so perhaps we're just seeing more of it posted as a result, yet somehow i feel that doesn't explain it all. Now with the two year warranty debacle, it further supports my feelings that something is amiss with Patek. So am simply going by personal experience combined with what is appearing online in recent years.

Hope the above better explains my stance. Truly did enjoy having many Pateks years ago and it deeply saddens me to see the debates and troubles some are having today. Your point is taken and so odds are this will be my last post on this Patek Philippe section on TRF. Will always fondly remember the "good ol' days" and wish everyone at Patek Philippe all the very best.

Personally, have seen some amazing work by very talented independents, and maybe when you 'leave' the mainstream (Rolex, Patek, ALS, etc) you may find there are some very impressive offerings from a variety of craftspeople within the mechanical timepiece industry. Am sure we can agree other brands have also upped their offerings and quality to some degree, with even the mainstream Rolex brand offering five year warranty and now stating service intervals are ~10 years, which is very impressive and probably due to their use of modern in-house lubricants.

Apologies for the long post, as wanted to express my feelings in more detail as to the 'why'? If you read this far, thanks for reading (and understanding) as i truly do appreciate it. Again, wish everyone at Patek Philippe all the very best.

Measured response - can't disagree with anything. Keep em coming if they are all like this and a comparison to historical service levels is always helpful to gauge current service offerings.

[jc-watch]

For me, it is a buyer's market and a great time to buy. As to service, I had heard times were getting better? Last time I needed service was a Calatrava in 1993 that was losing time. I remember it was gone for almost 6 months. (It was under 2 years old and under warranty.)

But, I am a PP fanboy!

[Solicitor]

Originally Posted by jakemeister

-Any of you sitting back on purchases based on the economy and watch market?

I ask because every few years I'm fortunate to travel to Asia and have built a relationship with a dealer. This means I can score a blue 5711 or a 15202st and buy new below what these sell for used in the USA. At the same time, I already have a couple of PP and so I wonder...

Just curious,

J

Wow really? I'm impressed...a friend just got a brand new 5711 in HK also without difficulty but had to pay HK$ 230K.

Another friend just got a brand new 5712 at almost US $ 31K.
I guess they're not as lucky or as connected with a dealership as you are.

Congrats.

Hope you can give is tips on how to source those hard to get pieces.

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by Solicitor

Wow really? I'm impressed...a friend just got a brand new 5711 in HK also without difficulty but had to pay HK$ 230K.

Another friend just got a brand new 5712 at almost US $ 31K.
I guess they're not as lucky or as connected with a dealership as you are.

Congrats.

Hope you can give is tips on how to source those hard to get pieces.

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

That is surely with a grey dealer. I was in HK a few months back and every AD just laughed!!

[Solicitor]

Originally Posted by KarlS

That is surely with a grey dealer. I was in HK a few months back and every AD just laughed!!

Hahaha yes KarlS. If you walk in an AD in HK and casually inquire or ask about a 5711 or a 15202, they would just laugh at you.

They would think you're either a newbie (no idea about the market) or a joker.

I'm just curious what Asia AD is the OP referring to.

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

[Solicitor]

Originally Posted by texex91

Maybe time to jump up to something beyond 5711?

If you like 5711 then go for it...I'd take 15202 personally.

Or get both...a 5711 and 15202 combo is not uncommon among enthusiasts

Sharing mine sir



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[texex91]

Originally Posted by Solicitor

Or get both...a 5711 and 15202 combo is not uncommon among enthusiasts

Sharing mine sir



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Can't argue with that

[321Forever]

Originally Posted by Solicitor

Hahaha yes KarlS. If you walk in an AD in HK and casually inquire or ask about a 5711 or a 15202, they would just laugh at you.

They would think you're either a newbie (no idea about the market) or a joker.

I'm just curious what Asia AD is the OP referring to.

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

Is it ok to say? The Hour Glass. Turns out the same manager has been there since at least 1997, as that's when I first was there to get my 16710. Over the years, I've purchased nine watches from her, and most were for other family or close friends.

Someone was asking re the Aquanaut discount? In terms of the original discount on the 5167 with stainless strap...The original discount was 19% (relative to the US MSRP of $23,400 in Dec 2014, prior to the price drop). An additional 6% came through as well with a GST refund. Looking at my credit card statements, I paid $18,908. You can decide whether that was a good price or not. My 16710 cost SGD4000 ($2400).

I'm still on the fence over a purchase. -Don't want to sell what I have, and may want to keep the $ in the bank. Also, not sure what stock will actually be available when I go in March.

It's been fun to read all of the comments from the gang!

J

PS. I just got a copy of the Official PP Biography book through an online grey market dealer on eBay ($147.15 delivered). Even with a lot of bad ratings, the book came in absolutely perfect condition. It's really fun to page through...

[lapince]

Originally Posted by Exploradori

Should be a buyers market soon right? The watch industry is not doing well at all... will this translate to lower prices soon?


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Not for 5711's and 15202's IMHO

Originally Posted by jakemeister

Thanks...this is what had me wondering about the timing of a next purchase.

Part of the fun for me of spending a lot of dough on one of these timepieces is knowing I came out ahead in terms of price. On my 5227g, I paid close to MSRP (darn it, DARN it, DARN IT!!), whereas the 5167/1A-001 was 19% off. I still love both, but wish I had done more research.

This reminds me of a joke.

Two Russian friends bump into each other in the city and start to admire each other's Gold Rolex Presidents.

Elon says, "Vlad, how much did you pay?"

And Vlad says, "I paid twenty-five thousand dollars."

Elon says, "Vlad, you got ripped off!"

"I did?" asks Vlad. "How much did you pay?"


Elon says proudly: "Fifty thousand dollars!"

LOL, that's because for the rest of the world you are cooler if you paid the lowest price, not for Russians, the cooler is the guy who paid the most, I live in Odessa 12 years and never got used to this with them

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by KarlS

they make some wonderful watches.

I agree. In my opinion Patek is by far the best watchmaker in the world.

[321Forever]

Originally Posted by lapince

Not for 5711's and 15202's IMHO



LOL, that's because for the rest of the world you are cooler if you paid the lowest price, not for Russians, the cooler is the guy who paid the most, I live in Odessa 12 years and never got used to this with them

Here's another one that I heard about Russians. A pessimist is someone who says, "This is awful. The worst ever. It can't get worse than this." And an optimist says, "No; you're totally wrong. It CAN get worse!"

J

[321Forever]

Originally Posted by Solicitor

Or get both...a 5711 and 15202 combo is not uncommon among enthusiasts

Sharing mine sir



Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

Oh man; that's too sweet!!

[Sir Larry Wildman]

Just here to say no collection is complete without a Speedy Pro. Nice job sir!

Oh, and as a 15202 owner... it's everything youve heard and more. A sensational watch.