Patek Philippe

I have a 5164 steel and looking to pick a 5164 rose gold pre owned. Didn’t know I couldn’t post at two forums. Next time will ask permission. Or perhaps share service/purchase invoices of my watches with you first to ask whether I can create a post.

We do see a pattern of people coming and posting complaints about problems only, then going elsewhere and posting the same complaints about the same problems. Often they are disparaging the manufacturer or looking for some strategy to gain leverage on the dealer.

Online communities are not primarily dispute resolution forums; and we can’t survive on this sort of post because it just pulls down everyone’s experience.

I have some experience from a watch servicing perspective; I would suggest you use those pushers regularly - perhaps a few times every day for a month or two now that it’s back in your hands. It’s not like Patek doesn’t know how to build watches, and a GMT hour change function is not rocket science.

Good luck

Cazalea

My intention is not to speak ill of the brand or get any sort of leverage on the ADs. My experience with Patek has been below average after owning 3 of their products. Also not sure how I can get any leverage on the ADs in today’s environment when Nautilus and Aquanauts are being bundled with other hard-to-move watches. So much so that I have now given up on going through the AD route and looking at either 5167r or 5164r preowned with a premium. Anyways, that’s my problem. But the reason I post on forums is to ask for advice if I can’t see a similar post in the past through search function. At least that’s what I felt these forums were for. I do see your point too.
On your advice, when you ask me to use the pushers regularly for few months, are you advising this from the point of view that more use will keep the pushers working and oil flowing. Or just want me to check them for 1-2 months? Just wanted to understand where you are coming from. Again, thank you for your advice.

Rubber seals often feel “sticky” when new and they loosen or lose that stickiness when they wear a bit. Like breaking in a new pair of shoes. Pushers are designed for constant use; thus prolonged inactivity, whether on a chronograph or other function such as your GMT, makes them harder to operate.

There’s no “oil flowing” in a watch, just a few tiny drops, and small smears of grease here and there.

Exercise rubber-sealed surfaces regularly and often — that’s what I’m saying.

I thought there was something wrong with the movement itself when the upper pusher became almost stiff like rock to push. And I used to engage the pushers regularly during the last year. Will keep your advice in mind and keep using the pushers.

If now you are really experiencing problems even with a 5164, then rather than asking "the owners" of this reference for advice on the other forum, frankly I avoid buying a second one altogether ;-) 

... to my 5990 where the chrono pusher was a little stiff right out the seal. After five years, one of the pushers no longer trigger the chrono start/stop. It was my daily wear for a long time and I travelled a lot with it. I had it service and it’s all good. It was a bummer that it failed when I was on a cruise and I didn’t have another watch at that time.

It can happen since it’s all hand finished and put together. It’s still a very reliable piece provided that I don’t do any heavy sports with it.

I found it strange that someone posted Patek owners are afraid to use their chrono's. I use mine all the time, every day, at least once. I expect it to last forever, I have chrono's that are twenty years old, never serviced and work perfectally. No reason a Patek shouldn't be even better.