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Old 23 November 2022, 02:55 PM   #1
D_Rolex
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How was your Patek journey?

Looking to get my first Patek… Have a small purchase history with a jewellery story in my city who is Patek AD and carry’s other watch brands.

How was your journey?

- What did you get as your first piece?
- What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
- How long did it take?


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Old 23 November 2022, 03:28 PM   #2
Ichiran
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My first Patek was the 5296G sector dial Calatrava. I did not have to wait for it as it was in the display case for sale. I chose this watch because I could only afford entry-level Patek then and while there are other Calatravas available, I like the unique looking sector dial, blue accents and hands. I have, prior to that, research online and stared at the catalog for hours for comparatives before I pulled the trigger. I did fall in love with the 5296G the moment I saw it in the display case though.

I bought it from an AD despite the cheaper used pricing because there was no other 5296G sector dial available in the secondary market then. I remember my SE told me the 5296G would not be my last Patek and it is prophetic to this day.

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Old 23 November 2022, 07:31 PM   #3
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I started off with the 5172G. I'm not an impulse purchase kind of person so I read about it, researched it, and stared at pictures of it for more than a year before deciding to go for it. Unfortunately by that time it was early 2022 and as everyone knows the watch market had gone nuts.

As I did not want to get caught up in the market hype, I told myself that I would try my best to get the watch from an AD but if it doesn't happen then so be it. So I visited nearly every AD in town, most just said nothing is available and put me on the interest list, one AD laughed me out of the store. Then somehow 2 weeks later one of the ADs called and said the watch was available. I had zero purchase history with them.

To this day I still have never heard back from any of the other ADs I visited.
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Old 23 November 2022, 07:33 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ichiran View Post
I remember my SE told me the 5296G would not be my last Patek and it is prophetic to this day.
Mine told me something similar and I'm still trying to get the second piece.
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Old 23 November 2022, 07:42 PM   #5
Ubiquitous1984
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How was your journey?
Very smooth. The journey is based on honesty on the part of the AD, which I think is essential to any business relationship. They told me what they expect, I told them what I wanted in return, and both parties have been happy ever since.

- What did you get as your first piece?
5146r. This was purchased very much to get on the ladder to get what I really wanted. AD was honest with me that buying such a piece would allow me to get my desired sports watches. Over time I secured the sports watches and have recently picked up my first Grand Complication, and I'm now waiting for my next one.

- What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
I had spent approx £100K on Rolex across six years with them before I purchased the 5146r.

- How long did it take?
The 5146r was in stock immediately. It then took less than six months to get my 5712/1A-001 (which is what I truly wanted). From there if I've expressed an interest in a piece I've had it anywhere between six/twelve months.
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Old 23 November 2022, 08:01 PM   #6
Ichiran
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ButtButt View Post
Mine told me something similar and I'm still trying to get the second piece.
Excellent choice for a first Patek! That's a peach of a chrono

Your 2nd Patek should not be too long from now since you already got the 5172 which is not an entry piece.
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Old 23 November 2022, 08:29 PM   #7
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First Patek? 3998P preowned. 0 prior spend. Impulse purchase, 0 wait.
First Patek new from AD? 5711/1A blue. 0 prior spend. 2.5 year wait.

The journey? I prefer the look of now discontinued complications over the current catalogue, such as 3940P over the 5327s, the 5110s over the 5230s, and 5170P over 5172G. And I'll not buy stuff I don't want 100%.

The one current Patek I very much like is 5740/1G but I got on the list only 12 months after launch and as a result it remains years out at best.
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Old 23 November 2022, 08:34 PM   #8
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Excellent choice for a first Patek! That's a peach of a chrono

Your 2nd Patek should not be too long from now since you already got the 5172 which is not an entry piece.
I hope so, SG still feels quite tough to get desirable watches. I also asked to be put on the list for a couple of Rolexes and in the meantime bought my wife a Cartier she's been wanting for a few years... but still no news
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Old 23 November 2022, 11:33 PM   #9
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All amazing journeys!! Thank you for sharing everyone.


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Old 24 November 2022, 12:01 AM   #10
SoylentGreenChi
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Been working with the only AD in town for just over a year. We check in with each other regularly, it’s a good relationship and I enjoy working with them.

October 2021: Bought a 5196P platinum Calatrava out of the case.
November 2021: Bought a 5227 G that another customer turned down.
April 2022: Bought a preowned 5146G they had just come in from service, so like new. Super happy my AD flagged it for me!

AD has offered me a 6119R, which I turned down and a ladies Nautilus for my spouse, which I turned down (my spouse is a watch collector, but does not collect Patek).

Since my first meeting with them over a year ago, I expressed interest in the 5167A and the 5712. They have told me that the 5167A should be in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023. The 5712 I joke about, saying “look, I know it’s never happening” but they always say to me, “don’t say never, you never know.” Those are the only two “hot” models I am interested in, I am mainly a dress watch person.

P.S. I also bought a preowned 5127G from Watchbox in September 2022. Like I said, I like dress watches. On my radar now: 5107R and a 5170G.
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Old 24 November 2022, 12:32 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ubiquitous1984 View Post
How was your journey?
Very smooth. The journey is based on honesty on the part of the AD, which I think is essential to any business relationship. They told me what they expect, I told them what I wanted in return, and both parties have been happy ever since.
Can you expand on this? This is the most obfuscated part of the process. Thanks great watches!
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Old 24 November 2022, 01:33 AM   #12
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Going off the path but when I knew I wanted to step into the Patek arena, I went straight to the secondary market with no regrets. Been enjoying before all the talks of price, hype and acquiring strategies.
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Old 24 November 2022, 02:07 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D_Rolex View Post
Looking to get my first Patek… Have a small purchase history with a jewellery story in my city who is Patek AD and carry’s other watch brands.

How was your journey?

- What did you get as your first piece?
- What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
- How long did it take?


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No experience with an AD as I went to a salon, but the journey was smooth and the experience exceptional.

- 5905/1A
- $0
- 6 months
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Old 24 November 2022, 06:51 AM   #14
Ubiquitous1984
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Can you expand on this? This is the most obfuscated part of the process. Thanks great watches!
Of course - I told them that I was new to the brand, didn’t know too much about PP compared to Rolex, but that I was interested in some of their sports watches. I told them the watches that I wanted. In return they made it clear that buying a sports watch would be impossible unless I bought something else first - they pointed me in the direction of various options, all less popular pieces that had no wait list, which were probably languishing in their safe. They told me if I bought one of those, I could then apply for the 5712 that I wanted, and I’d probably get it within four years (this ended up being closer to four months than four years!) they also that that once I got the 5712 I could then apply for a 5168G if I wanted to.

They also made it clear that if I was buying watches to sell on for profit, they wouldn’t do any further PP business with me. Since I don’t sell any of my watches that wasn’t a problem and I appreciated that they actively work against flippers.

I really appreciate the AD for their honesty and integrity in their dealings with me.
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Old 24 November 2022, 08:16 AM   #15
uniqueMR
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How was your journey?
--> Its been very good. Relationship is everything and a must!

What did you get as your first piece?
--> It was year 2018, turned 31, and wanted to treat myself. I always focused on Rolex so my AD pointed me to Patek world. I bought my first Patek, 6006G, with a 10% discount, same day :)

What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
--> $0. My 6006G was my first Patek. But been buying Rolex with same AD prior to Pateks.

How long did it take?
--> Few minutes, my AD had 6006G in stock :)


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Old 24 November 2022, 11:09 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uniqueMR View Post
How was your journey?
--> Its been very good. Relationship is everything and a must!

What did you get as your first piece?
--> It was year 2018, turned 31, and wanted to treat myself. I always focused on Rolex so my AD pointed me to Patek world. I bought my first Patek, 6006G, with a 10% discount, same day :)

What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
--> $0. My 6006G was my first Patek. But been buying Rolex with same AD prior to Pateks.

How long did it take?
--> Few minutes, my AD had 6006G in stock :)


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very cool pic and nice strap combo love it
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Old 24 November 2022, 07:03 PM   #17
George58
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1999 walked in AD liked the 5066 which was not well liked got fpr $3825 wore it ever since never polished all paper work and boxes even have the shipping package. Never will sell it but goes for $30000k now
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Old 25 November 2022, 07:01 AM   #18
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2017 - 5170P - 1st Patek - no wait - 20% off MSRP - AD is no longer an AD
2018 - 7300/1200A (wife)
2019 - two 7200R (daughters), 5167A (son-in-law), 5990A, 7234R (wife)
2020 - 5164A, 5711A
2021 - 5168G
2022 - 5167R, 5269R (wife), 7118A (wife), 5270J

2018 forward have all been with the same AD who is not only a great, solid AD, but a great, solid person, as well.

Work with a reputable AD and you can get what you want.
Be patient.
Be kind.
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Old 25 November 2022, 07:25 AM   #19
dauster
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2017 - 5170P - 1st Patek - no wait - 20% off MSRP - AD is no longer an AD
2018 - 7300/1200A (wife)
2019 - two 7200R (daughters), 5167A (son-in-law), 5990A, 7234R (wife)
2020 - 5164A, 5711A
2021 - 5168G
2022 - 5167R, 5269R (wife), 7118A (wife), 5270J

2018 forward have all been with the same AD who is not only a great, solid AD, but a great, solid person, as well.

Work with a reputable AD and you can get what you want.
Be patient.
Be kind.

Holy moly that’s all sports models but two and then a few ladies pieces


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Old 25 November 2022, 01:21 PM   #20
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Great hearing everyone’s story!! Today I emailed an out of town AD I met in person back in April. We have a video call tomorrow morning… let’s see how this goes…


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Old 25 November 2022, 04:15 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Ubiquitous1984 View Post
How was your journey?
Very smooth. The journey is based on honesty on the part of the AD, which I think is essential to any business relationship. They told me what they expect, I told them what I wanted in return, and both parties have been happy ever since.

- What did you get as your first piece?
5146r. This was purchased very much to get on the ladder to get what I really wanted. AD was honest with me that buying such a piece would allow me to get my desired sports watches. Over time I secured the sports watches and have recently picked up my first Grand Complication, and I'm now waiting for my next one.

- What was your spend prior to be offered a piece?
I had spent approx £100K on Rolex across six years with them before I purchased the 5146r.

- How long did it take?
The 5146r was in stock immediately. It then took less than six months to get my 5712/1A-001 (which is what I truly wanted). From there if I've expressed an interest in a piece I've had it anywhere between six/twelve months.

How long ago was it when you got your allocated a 5712? Asking because im thinking if I should buy a piece from the local PP AD to start a relationship and then wait and hope I'll get a 5712 SS eventually and it ends up getting discontinued or go gray and pay 15mil JPY for a 2021 5712.. really want to think this through since it's a lot of money ...
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Old 25 November 2022, 05:27 PM   #22
LJubel328
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Originally Posted by ButtButt View Post
Mine told me something similar and I'm still trying to get the second piece.




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Old 25 November 2022, 11:59 PM   #23
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Journey: I was given a vintage 1963 5406J Patek after the death of a great uncle. It was his 2nd best watch, his best going to a protege of his [along w/ a pinkie ring]. While not directly in organized crime, let's just say my uncle rubbed shoulders.

Received in 1986.

Zero prior spends.

[borrowed pic]
dP
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Old 28 November 2022, 02:01 AM   #24
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So here’s the update…

Had a video call with the out of town Patek AD. She showed me what they had on display but they were “already purchased” by clients. When asked if they’ve already been paid for she said yes. They will release them to the client when they get another watch to replace it in their display. That way their displays don’t look empty…

Showed my interest in a 5167A and she said that won’t happen as a first Patek… lol. She then suggested that I look into the 5524G and hinted that she can sell me one… declined because I’m looking for sporty, stainless steel pieces. I explained my current collection and she understands why I want the 5167A. The call ended with her saying let’s wait till they release the new models next year and see…

I love the chase and hunt of getting pieces!! It’s part of the fun with the hobby (obsession). Lol.


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Old 30 November 2022, 09:51 AM   #25
norcalgt3
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For those who have started relationships with ADs after 2019, did they come out and say what you needed to buy?

Mine is indicating a GC and not just a complication is needed to really get a desired steel aquanaut or nautilus reference. I've already purchased a calatrava for myself and one for the wife totaling over $80k and have been waiting for over 1.5 years, but that's not enough.
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Old 30 November 2022, 10:57 AM   #26
patlex
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My AD was quite specific that a GC will perhaps bring me a step closer to a sports model, be it a Nautilus or an Aquanaut. Having said that, the ultimate decision still lies within their ‘office’, which my sales indicated it’s beyond her control. She can only push for it.
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Old 30 November 2022, 04:15 PM   #27
ButtButt
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Mine is always vague when I ask, just the standard "I'll let you know if anything is available"
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Old 30 November 2022, 04:35 PM   #28
GK12345EMAIL
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For those who have started relationships with ADs after 2019, did they come out and say what you needed to buy?

Mine is indicating a GC and not just a complication is needed to really get a desired steel aquanaut or nautilus reference. I've already purchased a calatrava for myself and one for the wife totaling over $80k and have been waiting for over 1.5 years, but that's not enough.
For me, it has become a moving a target for a steel Aquanaut.

Sometimes it is jewellery, or other watch brands (not desirable to me). The relationship started out at much less requirements and has kept growing, so I have given up.

I spent nearly $75k this year on 2 calatravas - men’s and women versions

My local Rolex AD is no better. I don’t even bother stopping in there anymore

I couldn’t even get a OP 31/34 for my daughters college graduation despite asking a year ago.

The last 2 years have ruined the experience for me, at least
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