First Grand Complication Advice

[Texas Our Texas]

I’m looking for some wisdom from the assembled brain trust here on the forum. Though I haven't posted, I read a ton, and this has been an incredibly helpful community as I continue to learn and become a more informed collector. 

I had a nice business milestone occur, and I plan to mark the occasion with an exceptional timepiece. Right now, from the current line, the two primary pieces I am considering are the 5270P (green dial) and the 5370P, with the 5204G as an outside contender. This would be my first grand complication, and I would get the piece from my AD. From retired references, I also love the 5204R with the grey dial and strap.  I would also probably let my AD source this for me, as he has done so (and offered to do so) with other retired references.

My budget is approximately $300K or so. I buy a piece or so a year but not at this price point. I expect it will be 3-5 years before I am shopping at this level again. 

So my question is: which piece would you recommend and why? Are there pieces I’m not considering that I should? I’m not married to buying a current release Patek, so if there are other vintage pieces that I should think about, I’m entirely open to that. 

Aside from just enjoying the piece, I do care about the long term vision on collecting, including value of the piece, best way to build a collection, and building the relationship with the AD for special or application pieces down the road.  Not sure if it would affect anyone’s thoughts, but if I end up underspending the budget on the main piece, I’ll likely buy a 5172G (blue dial), a world time, or maybe a 5170P. All are on the roadmap for eventual purchase, but I’d use this as an excuse to do it at the same time. 

Thank you all in advance for the thoughts. 

[Chiboy]

I am tempted to think about this for, oh, 12 years or so, and then provide my insights.

[Coolcamden]

5370 for the Breguet numbers

5204. Love the chrono PC functions.

Not a 5270 fan, especially the green.

[Fishyfishy]

Would pick 5204R

[Russell996]

All lovely pieces and no wrong choices, if you are additionally looking to get recognised by Patek for future grand complications then 5370 or 5204, 5270 will not carry the same internal Patek recognition. 5370 + 5204 are both produced in the high grand comps department, are double assembled and produced to a higher level of finish. But, as always, buy what you like.

[Texas Our Texas]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Russell, I did not realize that there was an upper level of build within the grand complications team. That is good to know.

A follow up question: will buying a retired reference matter to Patek when it comes minute repeater application time, or will they dismiss the purchase since it wasn’t new?

[avilhena]

I do love the 5204, I think it is an amazing timepiece, truly special, but if I had a 300k budget to spend I would seriously consider a 5970p.

[arodstein]

What is the difference between 5970 and 5270?
Thank you

[arodstein]

Found the answer using ChatGPT .. interesting

[agsstructures]

5740G and save the remaining $100k

[nyc2la]

If your wrist size is big enough, the 5370p from the current catalogue is a great watch. I would not choose the 5204 because of the small chin and thickness.

Otherwise, find a mint, unpolished 5970p.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by arodstein

Found the answer using ChatGPT .. interesting

So funny


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[dauster]

Originally Posted by agsstructures

5740G and save the remaining $100k

Damn that crazy but makes you think - 5740 is a dream


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[bobernet]

I vote both.



If you stretch the budget a bit, you could get both pre-owned.

I’m not a fan of the 5204. Upside down moonphase, squished date numbers, thickness, etc.

[Vasco]

@Bobernet, asbolutely wonderful, thanks for the shot

[1William]

Originally Posted by bobernet

I vote both.



If you stretch the budget a bit, you could get both pre-owned.

I’m not a fan of the 5204. Upside down moonphase, squished date numbers, thickness, etc.

These are the ones. get both and then take a year off buying.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by 1William

These are the ones. get both and then take a year off buying.

Holy moly that's litterally 2 for 1 - combined this is the price of a new 5370P - prices are really attractive. Combined with the price for the MR I always wanted - what's the point of going straight to patek? Yes, I would love to get wined and dined + factory tour and also pick up a rare handcraft here and there but looking at this, it's tough to justify the journey at this point and that's coming from somone who has a good relationship with my AD and actual wants the lifetime patek journey.


https://diamondsourcenyc.com/product...ions-5178g-001

https://www.europeanwatch.com/watch/...el--52112.html

https://www.europeanwatch.com/watch/...18K-52078.html

[Tonski74]

Originally Posted by Russell996

All lovely pieces and no wrong choices, if you are additionally looking to get recognised by Patek for future grand complications then 5370 or 5204, 5270 will not carry the same internal Patek recognition. 5370 + 5204 are both produced in the high grand comps department, are double assembled and produced to a higher level of finish. But, as always, buy what you like.

This….


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[bob101]

Beautiful pieces. I would go for the discontinued black 5370p over the current production blue anyway and some “bargains” to be had.
The 5170p is a fine watch but the 5370p is a level or two above. I guess it depends if you’re looking for a “ one and done “ grand complication in which case a perpetual calendar chronograph may make sense over a split seconds chronograph.
Similarly for PCC would go for the discontinued white gold 5270g over the 5270j. A preowned G here is around 100 usd whereas current retail prices for the 5270j these days are around 200 usd which is too much. The green p is 235 usd vs 140s market for the lovely salmon dial preowned. I know which of these two I’d go for!

Have fun shopping around and enjoy the new timepieces.

[Demonoid]

Here’s a crappy picture but here’s a side by side. 5370P and 5204G



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[perpetualman88]

with a 300k budget I would highly suggest looking into the 5970P

[Patek3712]

Originally Posted by perpetualman88

with a 300k budget I would highly suggest looking into the 5970P

What are these trading for on the wholesale market today?

[cts]

5204P is classic and timeless.