I'm definitely getting a 5522A, Wait a minute I'm not getting a 5522A?!?!?!?!

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The hype surrounding this watch has been unlike anything I've ever seen in my 10 Years of collecting. I am curious what some members experiences have been in trying to procure this piece. My goal of this post is to vent some frustration and get recommendations for a new AD to start a relationship with.
I have known what used to be "My AD" for 10 years. I was basically introduced to watches through them and bought brands such as Panerai, Rolex, Patek and also referred some friends and family throughout the years and helped the staff sell some pieces as well. I found out that the World Exhibition of Watches would be held in NYC when I was invited to a Patek Minute Repeater Event at HSWA that my AD's store mgr/minority owner kindly invited me to. While at lunch on a break during the event I was sitting next to the Patek sales rep (Jim is amazing!) and he mentioned there would be some special pieces being made for the US market only to celebrate the Exhibition. After the lunch, My AD made a point to say to me "Be sure to set some money aside for one of those special exhibition pieces."
Let's fast forward 10 months and the Exhibition is almost upon Us. In that time period, I had constantly been telling My AD that I definitely would like a piece to remember the Exhibition by, regardless of what it may be. I was reassured no problem and that they would take good care of me. Two days before the opening of the Exhibition, Esquire Magazine shows this special Pilot watch confirming this would be available to the US Market. I texted My AD immediately and let them know that this is the piece that has just leaked and I will gladly pay in advance to procure mine. Myself and a few watch friends as well as our wives all met in NYC and had a wonderful weekend and took in the Exhibition and a special Private Purist Pro Event on site as well. When I returned from the Exhibition, I spoke to the store mgr and sales associate numerous times as I considered them close friends as we've known each other for years and even hung out socially reiterating how badly I wanted this watch. I received an update in August via voicemail from the store mgr stating "I am very confident we'll have the watch on your wrist and am being told by Patek sometime in September." Mid-September comes and I noticed several incomings on the forums and Instagram and was anticipating the arrival of mine. I received a text message from my sales associate stating, "Hi Mike, talked to (mgr's name), you are definitely getting the piece, we would like a substantial jewelry purchase along with the purchase of the watch. The watch is being sold for $58000 on Chrono 24." When I asked what a substantial jewelry purchase meant I was told somewhere between $22,000-30,000 on jewelry in addition to the purchase of the watch which was $21,547. In the 10 years of knowing the staff at this store on a personal as well as professional level I had never been given such an absurd request. I politely told them that I had no use for jewelry but would be willing to purchase a watch such as a 5712/1A or 5164A and should someone already be on the list for those references I would have no problem waiting and prepay for either as well as the 5522A that I was told I was definitely getting via voicemail and through text message confirmations. A couple days had passed and I assumed they were checking on the availability of the watches I offered to purchase in order to get the 5522A, but instead I received a random phone call from (an out of state majority owner) who I met a few years ago for about 5 minutes. He said he wanted to introduce himself to me and let me know that I would not be getting the piece and also regarding any sports models it would be at least a year for any type of Nautilus or Aquanaut variation but if there was anything else I needed to please reach out to him on his cell phone.
To say that this whole experience was insulting would be a huge understatement. People I have known for over 10 years tried to extort money from me and then had a complete stranger who doesn't even work at the store contact me to tell me sorry pal you aren't getting the watch and I can't sell you any sport watches for at least a year but if there is anything else you need then I'm your man. SMH! I let Patek know about this incident and they said they would take it up with the Retailer. They also let me know that my name was in fact never even submitted by the AD for this piece which I found jaw dropping. The idea of a retailer guaranteeing a piece then later saying you can have it under the condition you purchase an additional $22,000-30,000 in jewelry was distasteful and something I definitely would not associate with Patek as I truly love the brand and all it stands for. It was my understanding that Mr. Stern created this piece as a Thank You to existing US customers and he had also hoped it would possibly go to new owners as well.
These are certainly 1st world problems and in the end it is just a watch but it sickens me when retailers choose to act in such poor form. At this point the only thing left for Me is to work with another AD and start a new relationship. Any recommendations of honest and ethical ADs that any members could vouch for would be greatly appreciated. Mr. Stern and HSWA if you happen to read this, Please know that my love for the brand has not changed due to this unfortunate incident and I look forward to buying my next piece some time in the future. I may sound like a broken record having said this many times but I truly believe this...The only thing better than the watches are the people behind them.

Kind Regards,

Mike

***I may not have come away with anything from the US Exhibition but was fortunate enough to get my Salmon 3940 LE made available for the previous London Exhibition***



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