Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5712 and World Time Ref. 5231J: A Collector's Rare Acquisitions

Key Points from the Discussion

• The Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5712 and World Time Ref. 5231J are exceptionally difficult references to acquire, even for established VIP clients, indicating the author's significant standing with their authorized dealer.
• The author's ability to secure these two highly desirable references within a short timeframe (3 weeks for the 5712, with the 5231J offered unsolicited) is attributed to their established collecting profile, commitment to wearing their watches, and absence of flipping behavior.
• Despite the possibility of new Patek Philippe releases, including potential 'end of run' series for references like the 5711, the author indicates they are content with their recent acquisitions and will not be pursuing further purchases for the year.
• The author's recent acquisition history, including a 5520, 5231, and 5712 within three months, alongside ownership of a 40th Anniversary piece, suggests that authorized dealers will likely prioritize other collectors for future allocations to 'spread the love'.