Any Patek experts out there please help! I am complete novice when it comes to Patek and would be interested in understanding what the basics are of putting together a great Patek collection (in case I win the lotto of course). What are the basic things to look for when buying a Patek? What do collectors value or dislike? What are the dos and don'ts of investing in Patek? How does the market think about/value white gold vs platinum, or rose vs yellow gold? What are the most liquid/understood watches/category of watches? How does wearing them affect the value? What are tips for trying to minmize wear? Should you try and have a strap for daily wear and one in the box? Can/should older watches be restored? Who restores them? It seems like perpetual calendar with chrono is a "benchmark" watch like the 1518,2499,3970,5970,5270 series. If you were going to build a collection of these as an example, should you try and have all one metal type like white gold, or vary the metals, or get one of each? How about the different series within these watches, like the 5970 with or without the "chin"? If you had $1m to spend on Patek would you spend it on one or two important pieces, new or vintage? Would you pick a theme like chrono perp calendar or diversify by complication type? Sorry lots of dumb questions I know but any help much appreciated.
These are great questions. I would try the Patek Phillipe section of therolexforumsdotcom. It's basically F chat for watches.
5970 over the 5270 for collectability - that's about as much info i needed to buy mine. the idea of spending 500k+ on one watch is foreign to me as i don't care enough but if you like watches then i say go nuts....id buy a 5970 for each son and then one patek for 600 to 700k
Wow great video. Just watched it 3 times back to back. That's a pretty nice collection there. They certainly seem to know their stuff! I LOVE the 5004p and the 5097 (and all the others actually ...)
As mentioned about by Fastmover, start reading the Patek section of the therolexforum.com site. There are also various watch blogs like HODINKEE - Wristwatch News, Reviews, & Original Stories that publish lots of articles on Patek. I recommend reading a lot before jumping into the deep end. Or, if you have a $1 million to spend on Patek's, I suggest you simply buy a 5208p and be done with it! https://vimeo.com/23402689
Thank you for the suggestion, I started the same thread there! I will report back on any interesting ideas and thoughts.
Both awesome watches. I just forwarded the picture of the 5970 to my girlfriend and said I will own one someday. She responded "Noooooooooooooo", so I don't think I'm getting the support I need. LOL. Buy it. MDS
Slightly off topic, but before I knew anything about watches (not that I know anything now), Rolex was THE watch. There are other watches I want to have now (IWC for one), but is the Patek Phillipe the REAL watch to own? Ex. The 5970P that Roma keeps showing and I keep drooling at. MDS
Many people be believe the 5970 is one, if not the greatest modern watch. Charlie Sheen, who is an avid Patek collector must believe so. Supposedly, it was a 5970p that Charlie Sheen accused one of his 'lady friends' (aka porn star), stole from him at the Plaza one night leading to arrest and his crazy spiral several years ago. Caption contest: If a porn star stole my 5970, I would....
ha! great story https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/charlie-sheens-vintage-patek-perpetual-calendar-the-only-wat
Haha, I'm stumped ... Here is my first choice for a first watch for a Patek collection - 5270g, the successor to the 5970 and a current model. It would be nice to buy it new and have your name on the papers. Plus it's a 41mm case and first all Patek movement in a perpetual calendar chronograph. Picture from Patek.com Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dream watch of the day ref 5207p I love the minute repeater complication. Image Unavailable, Please Login
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/understanding-the-entire-lineage-of-patek-philippe-perpetual Here's a brief article/video outlining the Perpetual Calendar range from Patek. I also like Patek's lineage of dual register chronographs. The current one is the 5170. Also it's hard to go wrong with one of their annual calendars or perpetual calendars. Of course if you have the money why not throw in a minute repeater complication for some added fun? The watch world seems to have so many aspects to it and small details can make HUGE differences. Do as much reading and talking to experts as possible and try to figure out what your goal is for the collection. Patek is definitely my ultimate watch to own. Good luck on building your collection!!!
Found a pretty cool video. The detail in the manufacturing process is incredible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIXPplShtg0