Aquanaut availability

[4rnold]

hello,

I know the Nautilus is impossible to get at an AD, but what about a steel Aquanaut? is it the same story?

thx for replies

[TimepieceRPP]

same

[JohnWilson]

3-4 years MIN for an unpopular model from a Boutique… unless you want to tie it to a load of other watches from an AD then it’s a LOOOOONG wait

[4rnold]

Ok thank you for the info, I am not familiar with Patek Philippe policy concerning waiting lists etc, I have had only Rolex so far. So I guess it's pretty much the same situation.

I know someone who knows a manager from an AD on a personal level. So I wanted to try my luck, but I don't want to look like a fool so I am aware that it's foolish to ask for the green Nautilus. But I tought maybe an aquanaut is amongst the possibilities. Without putting the integrity of anyone on the line off course.

But I guess, it's like everything in the world: if you know the right person??

The watch would be strictly for personal use, and a heirloom piece. I'm not a flipper. I hope I can convince them

[dauster]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

Ok thank you for the info, I am not familiar with Patek Philippe policy concerning waiting lists etc, I have had only Rolex so far. So I guess it's pretty much the same situation.

I know someone who knows a manager from an AD on a personal level. So I wanted to try my luck, but I don't want to look like a fool so I am aware that it's foolish to ask for the green Nautilus. But I tought maybe an aquanaut is amongst the possibilities. Without putting the integrity of anyone on the line off course.

But I guess, it's like everything in the world: if you know the right person??

The watch would be strictly for personal use, and a heirloom piece. I'm not a flipper. I hope I can convince them

I think 100k plus spend history and ideally including one or pieces they have trouble moving and should at least get a 5164R steel might be tougher at least that’s the guidance I’m operating under

[4rnold]

Ok thank you, that has been very informative!

[QuantumOceanLawyer]

I got one as my first Patek. Almost no spend history with that AD. Waited about six months. It was more about telling them I’m passionate about watches.


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[azizu]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

hello,

I know the Nautilus is impossible to get at an AD, but what about a steel Aquanaut? is it the same story?

thx for replies

for nautilus and aquanut, everyone go for the simple time-date reference because it is the cheapest references at retail.....hence the long waiting list

if your AD allow you to be on a list without prior purchase history, then go for a complicated nautilus/aquanut because the waiting list will be shorter (5726 or 5164 for instance)

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

hello,

I know the Nautilus is impossible to get at an AD, but what about a steel Aquanaut? is it the same story?

thx for replies

I suspect a SS Aquanaut is harder to get than a SS Daytona or a SS SkyDweller at the moment. Production numbers are a lot lower and less Patek ADs compared to Rolex ADs.

Get it pre-owned if you really want one

[4rnold]

Thank you all for the replies, it's kind you are willing to share the info.

For years I admired Patek, I should have gotten on a waiting list years ago.

But I'm a satisfied man, I have some watches that about 90 per cent of the world population can only dream about. So I forgot about Patek.

But now I know someone who does know a manager on a (very good) personal level. So i tought, maybe I can try and get a Patek from an AD.

I know the grey market, and been there a lot, but no thx, I like to support local, family based stores, so I prefer to buy at an AD, I will convince them, I have all the evidence that i'm not a flipper of watches.

But I'm not going to spend 300 K on other watches that I don't really want.

I think of the situation like this: Patek advertises with certain watches, ok, so I'm going to an AD and say: I would like the watch your advertising for and keep it for future generations, as you say it should be, in this case my daughter.

I'm collection watches for 18 years, so I know the answer.

But, I'm sure, there will be one moment in their minds, they will think:
this is how it should be, a hardwordking man who comes to a store and wants to buy a watch we are advertising for to preserve is for future generations. That's the moment I would like to grasp.

If it doesn't work, like i said, i'm a satisfied man :)

[Lordofrolex]

Same

[malba2366]

SS Patek watches are almost unobtainable at the moment for a first purchase. You may have better luck if you can spring for white gold models, or wait until the 5711 replacement is unveiled, but then you may want that one too...

[Mattt]

You have a very nice story and great intentions OP.

Hopefully, the world is great and you receive the piece.

Best of luck

[JSCP]

Originally Posted by QuantumOceanLawyer

I got one as my first Patek. Almost no spend history with that AD. Waited about six months. It was more about telling them I’m passionate about watches.


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Same timing, etc. for me in 2018, after that, look at my collection in signature ,
these watches mostly from same AD in the DCMdVa scene….(after the Aquanaut was first).

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by Mattt

You have a very nice story and great intentions OP.

Hopefully, the world is great and you receive the piece.

Best of luck

Thank you for your kind words

[azizu]

Patek produce around 60,000 pieces a year. they have roughly 540 retailers if you divide the production by # of retailers you get aroun 133 pieces a year (men/women/PT/WG/RG/YG/ST etc). so you can get an idea that the number of steel models is really limited every year.
Patek ADs have heard all the stories and if you come to them asking for steel model most probably you will be viewed in the same way as others people asking for steel.
my advice to you (if my advice is welcomed) is to think about precious metal

[brkn]

Originally Posted by QuantumOceanLawyer

I got one as my first Patek. Almost no spend history with that AD. Waited about six months. It was more about telling them I’m passionate about watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

what's the date on this story?

[QuantumOceanLawyer]

Originally Posted by brkn

what's the date on this story?

Last year


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[4rnold]

Originally Posted by azizu

Patek produce around 60,000 pieces a year. they have roughly 540 retailers if you divide the production by # of retailers you get aroun 133 pieces a year (men/women/PT/WG/RG/YG/ST etc). so you can get an idea that the number of steel models is really limited every year.
Patek ADs have heard all the stories and if you come to them asking for steel model most probably you will be viewed in the same way as others people asking for steel.
my advice to you (if my advice is welcomed) is to think about precious metal

Your advise is very welcomed!

I'll surely discuss your idea about PM with the manager

I don't want to put the integrity of anyone on the line, so I wont name locations or names. But the owners of the AD are really looking at the story of the cadidate buyers, if you have the integrity, I believe there is a chance

But I heard your advise, thank you very much

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by azizu

Patek produce around 60,000 pieces a year. they have roughly 540 retailers if you divide the production by # of retailers you get aroun 133 pieces a year (men/women/PT/WG/RG/YG/ST etc). so you can get an idea that the number of steel models is really limited every year.
Patek ADs have heard all the stories and if you come to them asking for steel model most probably you will be viewed in the same way as others people asking for steel.
my advice to you (if my advice is welcomed) is to think about precious metal

As per Patek's website, 376 ADs around the world at this time. It used to be closer to 400 a few years ago, but some lose their AD license and others become new Patek ADs. US lost a lot of ADs going from ~100 ADs down to ~ 65 ADs now. Many reasons why ADs lose their Patek license, but I suspect many were not selling their inventory to retail customers and were selling through gray dealers.

I agree that many ADs are wary of new customers looking for any "hot watches" that can be flipped for 2-3x retail pricing. They know even "genuine watch enthusiasts" flip watches for a profit.

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Many reasons why ADs lose their Patek license, but I suspect many were not selling their inventory to retail customers and were selling through gray dealers.
.

I know hat has been an issue for ROlex dealers, I know a grey dealer who plainly said that to me. His best friend is a famous AD manager with several stores. He said he gets new Rolex watches from him.

The reason why is obvious off course.

My AD is a family based store, they are aware of the issue but they are more than correct. They won't step one foot aside, because they losing their license would be a huge blow to their reputation and their store.

I once had my 1675 serviced trought them, so they told me that they have the obligation to send it to Rolex, although they can do it themselves.They even have an expert on vintage rolex as an employee.

But it is the new policy. I said: for me, you can have it serviced by your specialist, i don't need the warranty. If I don't tell, and you don't tell, no one knowes. But they refused, and finaly they did send it to Rolex.
That's how afraid they are of losing their license. But they have the same correctnes towards their clients, so I don't blame them.

[A2-rolex]

Would you all consider the Aquanaut Dual Time a "hot watch"? Trying to gauge how seriously the AD would take me (I have a Sub and Tudor from them).

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by A2-rolex

Would you all consider the Aquanaut Dual Time a "hot watch"? Trying to gauge how seriously the AD would take me (I have a Sub and Tudor from them).

One way to answer this question is to check the list price of a new watch from an AD and see what the watch sells for on the secondary market. If the secondary market price is higher and by a large amount, it is considered a "hot watch".

[liljctl]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

One way to answer this question is to check the list price of a new watch from an AD and see what the watch sells for on the secondary market. If the secondary market price is higher and by a large amount, it is considered a "hot watch".

https://www.europeanwatch.com/watch/...inu-40606.html

This is a hot what then!

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[azizu]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

As per Patek's website, 376 ADs around the world at this time. It used to be closer to 400 a few years ago, but some lose their AD license and others become new Patek ADs. US lost a lot of ADs going from ~100 ADs down to ~ 65 ADs now. Many reasons why ADs lose their Patek license, but I suspect many were not selling their inventory to retail customers and were selling through gray dealers.

I agree that many ADs are wary of new customers looking for any "hot watches" that can be flipped for 2-3x retail pricing. They know even "genuine watch enthusiasts" flip watches for a profit.

Thank you for correcting my numbers
i remember hearing the number in a TS interview few years ago where he was justifying not opening stores himself and rather leaving that role to the ADs.
with the modified figures the allocation when divided evenly would be around 159 pieces/AD-store which still isn't much

[dauster]

Originally Posted by 4rnold

Thank you all for the replies, it's kind you are willing to share the info.

For years I admired Patek, I should have gotten on a waiting list years ago.

But I'm a satisfied man, I have some watches that about 90 per cent of the world population can only dream about. So I forgot about Patek.

But now I know someone who does know a manager on a (very good) personal level. So i tought, maybe I can try and get a Patek from an AD.

I know the grey market, and been there a lot, but no thx, I like to support local, family based stores, so I prefer to buy at an AD, I will convince them, I have all the evidence that i'm not a flipper of watches.

But I'm not going to spend 300 K on other watches that I don't really want.

I think of the situation like this: Patek advertises with certain watches, ok, so I'm going to an AD and say: I would like the watch your advertising for and keep it for future generations, as you say it should be, in this case my daughter.

I'm collection watches for 18 years, so I know the answer.

But, I'm sure, there will be one moment in their minds, they will think:
this is how it should be, a hardwordking man who comes to a store and wants to buy a watch we are advertising for to preserve is for future generations. That's the moment I would like to grasp.

If it doesn't work, like i said, i'm a satisfied man :)

100% agree but don't you already have a relationship with an AD that has PP? otherwise I think it really depends on the SA and/ or AD.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by A2-rolex

Would you all consider the Aquanaut Dual Time a "hot watch"? Trying to gauge how seriously the AD would take me (I have a Sub and Tudor from them).

highly doubt it. my guidance has always been 100k plus ideally including a complication watch - can be lange or another brand doesnt have to be PP.

[Divingdeep87]

Where are you located in Europe?

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by Divingdeep87

Where are you located in Europe?

Sorry, I can't tell, because I have acces to a store manager. But I know the owner is very sensible to this. If I tell you were I live, you know the dealer. So I apoligize, I hope I'm not rude by this, but I like to be discreet

[JerBear]

Good luck in your quest! It’s a fantastic watch