What's In A Name

[Marciano490]

Curious what others think, though it's ultimately an individual decision. I'm considering one more major Patek purchase for the year (5270). I have the option to buy new with my name on the papers or one version sealed with someone else's name or a third mint (obviously, again, with someone else's name).

Essentially, the privilege of being the named owner will run me about $20k. Part of me thinks that's an absurd vanity, but part of me believes this will be an heirloom piece I'll someday hand down to my son or grandson (unborn as of yet), and I'd like to avoid the awkwardness of explaining why the family name isn't on the papers and also can't imagine missing the money that far down the road.

What do people here feel?

[RussW]

Everything else being equal, I'd save the $20k and have someone else's name on the papers. Put the money aside for your son.

[toucan]

Kids are expensive! Save the cash!

[Jetkopite]

I wouldn't worry not having your name on papers especially saving 20k. Best to enjoy your watch for years to come and im sure in that time you wont even look at the papers... Great watch the 5720 :-)))

[Vipes]

I would save the 20K and go pre-owned; as long as it is mint and complete with box/papers.

[Peterandwatches]

Pocket the 20K and change your name the original owner. Problem solved.

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by Peterandwatches

Pocket the 20K and change your name the original owner. Problem solved.

That's clearly the winning solution - only what do I do with my other papers!

[kneedeep]

Originally Posted by RussW

Everything else being equal, I'd save the $20k and have someone else's name on the papers. Put the money aside for your son.

Yep

[jschmidtdmd]

spend the 20k....don't be cheap

[77T]

If you just lose the papers any of your 3 choices will be equal some 20-30 years from now. And without papers would your heir lose any sentimental value?
I agree with your sentiment that "missing the money that far down the road" may gall you later on.


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[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by jschmidtdmd

spend the 20k....don't be cheap

Oh hush. I had a line on a bnib AP 44mm titanium at that price! It's a bit of cash.

[toucan]

NYC private school's are pricey!

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by toucan

NYC private school's are pricey!

I don't love my future kid enough to write 10 essays to get him into private school. He can just inherit the Pateks and call it even.

[archer75]

Save the cash grandpa


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[toucan]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

I don't love my future kid enough to write 10 essays to get him into private school. He can just inherit the Pateks and call it even.

Mine will get the watches and school. :)
It's all in the interview my friend !

[Hairdude1]

I would buy and my name on all the paperwork

[AK797]

Head says save the cash, heart says name on a legacy piece; these days I go with my heart.

[HorologyK]

Save it. 20K is a lot of chickens.


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[Jay (Eire)]

For me, it's not worth it. That said, if it's not a stretch for you and you don't think the $20k could be better spent elsewhere (for the benefit of your son/grandson) then why not?

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

For me, it's not worth it. That said, if it's not a stretch for you and you don't think the $20k could be better spent elsewhere (for the benefit of your son/grandson) then why not?

Just to clarify. I have no kids, much less grandkids. I've also never kept a watch for more than 2-3 years. All of this is very aspirational.

[mps354]

Out of curiosity, is it the 5270r?

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by mps354

Out of curiosity, is it the 5270r?

Depends, do you have one for sale and what's your last name?

Jokes aside - yes.

[GB-man]

Preowned and pocket the 20k. Let's get real you likely won't keep this thing 10 years let alone until your demise.

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Preowned and pocket the 20k. Let's get real you likely won't keep this thing 10 years let alone until your demise.

Yeah - I just realized even if I have a boy in 9 months, it'd still be like 25 years before it even made sense to hand over to the little brat.

[mps354]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

Depends, do you have one for sale and what's your last name?

Jokes aside - yes.

Hah, just curious. I love that reference!

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by AK797

Head says save the cash, heart says name on a legacy piece; these days I go with my heart.

Agree.

If it's a watch that you know you'll keep then you need your name on the papers and not someone elses. Whatever money you would have saved today is long forgotten 20 years from now.

How many times have we read posts where folks are more than willing to spend extra for boxes and papers. Meaningless to those governed by logic and reason, but as AK797 points out - this is a matter for the heart, not for the head.

Buy new with your name on the papers, unless you can afford the lifetime of regret seeing a stranger's name on your grandson's watch.

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

Yeah - I just realized even if I have a boy in 9 months, it'd still be like 25 years before it even made sense to hand over to the little brat.

What if you end up with only girls? Then what?

[Marciano490]

Originally Posted by texasmade

What if you end up with only girls? Then what?

Just keep sending my wives to the Tower of London until I have a boy.

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by Marciano490

Just to clarify. I have no kids, much less grandkids. I've also never kept a watch for more than 2-3 years. All of this is very aspirational.

If you have never kept a watch for more than 2-3 years, I would take the discount and get the watch with someone else's name on the paper.

The 5270R is a nice watch though.

[codecow]

If you think you want your name on the papers personally I'd spend the 20k. As for heart versus head, nobody needs a 5270 it's an expensive piece of art.