New WG Aquanaut 5168

[locutus49]

I just visited our local AD, C.J. Charles in La Jolla, picked up the new Patek magazine. they have 2 photos, one very large of the first ever WG Aquanaut (with date), 5168.

The 5168 has rubber band and very nice blue dial, which reminds me how Rolex's blue dialed sub only comes in WG. Interesting.

They did not have one in the shop (they had YG one with dark gray or black dial), but I will go back today and see the price and availability. Brandon, the main guy at the store, told me my friend Sensui still has not got his 5711 that he paid a deposit for months ago,
and the waiting list for Nautilus is out of this world.

For Panerai fans, Brandon said they are making a 38mm model for those with smaller wrists. Can't wait to check that out.

I'll report back with any new details on the 5168. You guys should feel free to stop by the shop and pick up the free glossy Patek magazine.

Also, and finally, there is a several page report on how Patek realizes the repair backlog and they are aggressively hiring qualified people to go through their NYC training center, which takes 2years.

They just graduated 5 repair experts, and out of the 2019 400 qualified applicants, only 6 were selected. So maybe no aggressive as we understand the word, but they are only training the best.

This is an outstanding AD, they did have some PP sports watches and a ton of ALS but we were enroute to dinner and did not have enough time to study all the selection. Feel free to google them and email them, they are honest.

[kultschar]

Sure someone here will tell you the US price for the 5168 - think a few people here grabbed one last year

[GB-man]

iirc it is in the low 30s. Well for now anyways!

[locutus49]

Thanks. Do you think the AD would give me any kind of discount? I have never bought a watch there, but I brought another TRFer who bought one (once it arrives).

My decision will be between the 5168 blue dial and the Rolex WG blue dial sub.

Any thoughts on these two would be much appreciated. The wife likes both but wants to see the Patek in the flesh, and then go back to Ben Bridge to look at the WG rolex. After all, she will inherit it, as well as the Platona that is her favorite of all.

Originally Posted by GB-man

iirc it is in the low 30s. Well for now anyways!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Thanks. Do you think the AD would give me any kind of discount? I have never bought a watch there, but I brought another TRFer who bought one (once it arrives).

My decision will be between the 5168 blue dial and the Rolex WG blue dial sub.

Any thoughts on these two would be much appreciated. The wife likes both but wants to see the Patek in the flesh, and then go back to Ben Bridge to look at the WG rolex. After all, she will inherit it, as well as the Platona that is her favorite of all.

no way they are letting a 5168 go with a discount. Especially since prices are probably going up significantly soon anyway. If you can get at all, and also at retail that is a win right there.

secondary pricing vs a (current) retail of $38,557... https://www.chrono24.com/search/inde...ccessoryTypes=

[locutus49]

Thanks much, Tyler. I'm stopping by in an hour.

Originally Posted by tyler1980

no way they are letting a 5168 go with a discount. Especially since prices are probably going up significantly soon anyway. If you can get at all, and also at retail that is a win right there.

secondary pricing vs a (current) retail of $38,557... https://www.chrono24.com/search/inde...ccessoryTypes=

[Vipes]

You already have the platona so I would go for the PP5168. I would ask for a 12% discount. Doesn't hurt to ask. IMO, it is not as hot as the 5167 so a discount should be possible.

[Victorx88x]

I have been told from my AD that start from last year Dec’17, especially for Nautilus and Aquanaut model will be selling at full retail price.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Vipes

You already have the platona so I would go for the PP5168. I would ask for a 12% discount. Doesn't hurt to ask. IMO, it is not as hot as the 5167 so a discount should be possible.

i guess you can ask. Some people ask for a discount on a ceramic daytona too i guess

Its selling for well over 10K over retail price and i assume most AD's are aware of the market. It might not be as mass market popular, but its new and its scarce. Its not as hot because its way more expensive than a ss 67 to begin with but its in much lower quantities. The supply/demand equilibrium is probably the same as a SS 5167 at worst but i suspect the 68 is probably the winner here in the hard to get category currently.

either way OP won't lose money even at retail. the Rolex will need a huge discount and still won't retain the same amount of value. IMO with the patek (currently) you can have a no risk trial period and sell it if you dont like it.

[nyc2la]

5168g over the Rolex you’re considering, especially since you already have the Platona. If they have the 5167r, you should consider that one, too. I love the size 5167, and having a little colored metal in your collection would be a nice change up.

[AK797]

Hope you go for the Aqua, Jon, you have a great Rolex already so this would pair really well and the blue dial is nicer than the flat blue of the Smurf's, not to mention the superior feel and finish of a Patek. Ask for a discount but don't expect one.

[HL65]

I know Brandon pretty well...Good guy! As for 5168 chance of discount slim and even getting one slim. AD's lucky to receive one over course of a year and most spoken for. If you have a chance to get you should without a doubt as they are also selling for major premiums in secondary market!

[locutus49]

Brandon was off today but Donnish told me there was zero chance of buying a 5168, they were not even taking names or deposits.

Originally Posted by HL65

I know Brandon pretty well...Good guy! As for 5168 chance of discount slim and even getting one slim. AD's lucky to receive one over course of a year and most spoken for. If you have a chance to get you should without a doubt as they are also selling for major premiums in secondary market!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Brandon was off today but Donnish told me there was zero chance of buying a 5168, they were not even taking names or deposits.

Not surprised as they just aren't shipping many of these nor many sports models to begin with.

[tng11]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i guess you can ask. Some people ask for a discount on a ceramic daytona too i guess

Its selling for well over 10K over retail price and i assume most AD's are aware of the market. It might not be as mass market popular, but its new and its scarce. Its not as hot because its way more expensive than a ss 67 to begin with but its in much lower quantities. The supply/demand equilibrium is probably the same as a SS 5167 at worst but i suspect the 68 is probably the winner here in the hard to get category currently.

either way OP won't lose money even at retail. the Rolex will need a huge discount and still won't retain the same amount of value. IMO with the patek (currently) you can have a no risk trial period and sell it if you dont like it.

I knew I should have picked up one of these puppies when the local AD had one in stock unspoken for.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by tng11

I knew I should have picked up one of these puppies when the local AD had one in stock unspoken for.

your joking right? They had a 5168 and you passed. nooo

Im not sure i would love it, but i doubt i could pass up the opportunity to find out.

[tng11]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

your joking right? They had a 5168 and you passed. nooo

I'm dead serious - this was at the AD in Toronto back in October. They had one customer who ordered it, two came in, and I was offered the opportunity to buy the other one even though I never purchased anything from them before.

I wonder if I'm going to regret this as much as passing on a 5726/1A that was offered to me from the vault at a Chicago AD 2 days before Christmas.

[sensui]

I'm not even a fan of Aquanauts but I think 5168 would be the one to get over the blue WG sub....I just don't think you'd ever wear the sub over the platona to be honest. But the 5168 would be a welcome change and good diversification in your arsenal.

Either way, going to be a hell of an incoming whichever you choose!

[Tay821]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

your joking right? They had a 5168 and you passed. nooo

Im not sure i would love it, but i doubt i could pass up the opportunity to find out.

I passed on two of them. One in the states and one abroad. Frankly I love the concept of the blue but if I was to spend that kind of $$ on a blue sports watch it would be a 5712. I think the 40mm size is perfect for what the aqua is...and i've got a sub 6.5" wrist too

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Brandon was off today but Donnish told me there was zero chance of buying a 5168, they were not even taking names or deposits.

Wow. I didn't know how in demand this piece is since all the topics are about the 5711 and 5712.

[FlyinM3]

Originally Posted by Tay821

I passed on two of them. One in the states and one abroad. Frankly I love the concept of the blue but if I was to spend that kind of $$ on a blue sports watch it would be a 5712. I think the 40mm size is perfect for what the aqua is...and i've got a sub 6.5" wrist too

Yes I had two opportunities stateside and abroad as well and passed.
I could have bought and flipped for a premium but wanted them to find a good home.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tng11

I'm dead serious - this was at the AD in Toronto back in October. They had one customer who ordered it, two came in, and I was offered the opportunity to buy the other one even though I never purchased anything from them before.

I wonder if I'm going to regret this as much as passing on a 5726/1A that was offered to me from the vault at a Chicago AD 2 days before Christmas.

Regrets, you've had a few, but then again, too many to mention...

[Hairdude1]

I want one, but the lists are crazy.

[CamSLC]

Might as well get the 5167r if they're sitting on it. :)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by tng11

I'm dead serious - this was at the AD in Toronto back in October. They had one customer who ordered it, two came in, and I was offered the opportunity to buy the other one even though I never purchased anything from them before.

I wonder if I'm going to regret this as much as passing on a 5726/1A that was offered to me from the vault at a Chicago AD 2 days before Christmas.

i would have bought and flipped. I normally dont advocate that as a sole motivation for buying, but in retrospect it may have helped your buying history with that AD since i know you are having a tough time securing your 5712. I wouldn't mind that strategy as long as i was not losing money getting some Patek purchases.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Vipes

Wow. I didn't know how in demand this piece is since all the topics are about the 5711 and 5712.

if they flooded the market I doubt they would all sell where as a 5711 would. IMO this one is in demand based primarily on quantity available.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

if they flooded the market I doubt they would all sell where as a 5711 would. IMO this one is in demand based primarily on quantity available.

This makes sense.

[tng11]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i would have bought and flipped. I normally dont advocate that as a sole motivation for buying, but in retrospect it may have helped your buying history with that AD since i know you are having a tough time securing your 5712. I wouldn't mind that strategy as long as i was not losing money getting some Patek purchases.

Tyler, I thought of that too. The 13% sales tax on top of an already inflated Canadian MSRP, combined with the lower price I would have gotten from a dealer (would be hard to sell privately) made it somewhat unappealing. Plus the owner's a very temperamental guy and can be a complete jerk, such that I don't really want to patronize his business either.

[Victorx88x]

Blue Aqua today.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Victorx88x

Blue Aqua today.

that is awesome

Would love to see more of the 5990 too.