Terrible. Who talks this way to a customer? Did you buy this PP new or used? A nautilus is a very expensive PP, but regardless of the model, they should be kissing your a$$, not some quip sarcastic answer.
New, but I bought it in Scotland while on vacation, so not from local AD....but still, not a very impressive experience with Patek for me thus far.
From an AD in Edinburgh, Scotland (Hamilton and Inches). The watch is registered with Patek, and I get the quarterly Patek magazine, as well as occasional newsletters from Mr. Thierry Stern. The watch was sent to Henri Stern Watch Co in NYC for warranty repair. Only the most complicated movements go to Geneve from the U.S. as I was told. Mine is an Annual Calendar movement, so went to NYC. All legit, just not impressive regard for "their client."
....although I did send a watch to Rolex which they kept for months and returned in similarly unpolished and unset condition. OTOH, AP has been good to us since we have direct access to Francois and I suspect Richard Mille would be no different.
Agree that this is appalling service. Also, the non-date change problem mentioned above is common in the 5711 and the 5167 (same movement). It is really something that they have not addressed this. Especially with very stiff competition from Lange. More specifically, the lange movements are finished as well or better and they offer more innovative/novel complications at the same price point. That does not necessarily make the lange a more desirable watch--but you would think Patek would at least get it right on the simple auto/date movements. On the polishing, my guess is that they actually don't polish on purpose because many actually have the view that it can detract from the value of the watch as it can remove a reasonable amount of material (unless it is an extremely light polish).
I also find it strange that such an esteemed company seems disinterested in engineering an appropriate change, and apologizing for inconvenience in the interim. The only thing they have is their reputation, since these watches aren't made of precious metals. To your point about polishing, the watch is stainless steel. I have a friend who sent his Rolex Submariner back for a repair and they cleaned and polished it so that it looked like new. I just assumed Patek would do the same as a "thank you for being a client and sorry for any inconvenience we caused you." Every time I picked up my Porsche or Maserati from a service they were cleaned. Oh well, as they say..it is what it is, and the watch is a masterpiece to behold. Just wish they completed the whole picture and rounded out the ownership experience as being appreciated and special.
I have a landmark birthday approaching and have been stashing cash for the Holy Grail. Posts like this make me lean toward AP and not PP.
I had no idea that Patek customer relations emulated the Ferrari experience on a $55k watch. It is completely unacceptable. Ferrari owners on the other hand have known for decades what they are getting into. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdFLPn30dvQ
From our Lange AD (Wempe, NYC), we got a half bottle of champagne, for having to wait to have our his and hers wristbands replaced....
They charged you for shipping even though it was covered under warranty? Doesn't sound like the company exercises common sense.
AP has always been fast and the repairs/services have been completed whenever I've sent something to them. I didn't have my Patek long enough to break or need service so I can't comment from personal experience.