Thurmond Von Ripper
21
A 2499 nobody wants?
There is a 2499 up for auction in the next several weeks that is unique, but not in a very desirable way, which makes this watch interesting to me.
Apparently, the watch was originally sold with a integral bracelet. At some point, an owner decided to change it to a strap which required the original case lugs to be cut off and replaced with traditional lugs. From the pictures, it appears that this was well done. Other than this modification, the watch seems to be in very nice condition.
Obviously, this is a severe modification and will greatly impact the value of the watch. But to what extent? This rhetoric question is not meant to elicit commentary on its monetary value but more alone the lines of personal desirability.
Normally, it is very easy to answer the question: why is one instance of a watch more desirable than another? Among the obvious answers are condition (what I refer to as the 'outward beauty'), movement design and implementation (what I refer to as the 'inner beauty'), maintenance history, provenance, etc. I'm sure there are many more characteristics that could be added to this list.
But what to think when a watch has had such major surgery, having its original lugs literally cut off! And to have been done to one of the undeniably most desirable production watches makes it even that more dramatic!
For me, I am still struggling with the answer to my original question - is this a desirable watch? I, in all likelihood, will never be in the position to purchase an unmolested 2499 comfortably. Yet here is an opportunity to acquire a 2499 if I can accept and look past its flaw. Would I treat it like a prized collectible only to be worn on special occasions? Would I wear it everyday because it is already 'damaged' so the inevitable minor wear and tear is irrelevant?
In a strange way, I feel as if I'm being tempted, as if to be tested. Nothing in life is perfect. Part of the maturation process is to learn to accept imperfections and to develop the ability to see past them - to be able to see the the intrinsic, overall beauty and how that beauty far overpowers any singular flaw. Can I do this with this watch or will it always bother me in some sort of superficial manner?
Thurmond
PS One last comment - the auction catalog makes a statement along the lines of "a watch for the amateur collector ...". I understand what they are saying but the choice of words is very poor (maybe something was lost in the translation?). This is an expensive watch and to trivialize the person who buys it it not the smartest move, to the point where my immediate reaction was to shy away from the watch. After some time had passed, I decided to ignore this silly statement and rely upon the universally accepted best advice - buy it if you like it.
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A 2499 nobody wants?
There is a 2499 up for auction in the next several weeks that is unique, but not in a very desirable way, which makes this watch interesting to me. Apparently, the watch was originally sold with a integral bracelet. At some point, an owner decided to chan...
Horology philosophy 101
A great question but in the end it comes down to personall choice, However I suspect the price range of this piece still puts it way above the average ( or even above average collector) and is aimed at the serious collector- who would look at this piece a...
I agree
I agree with Julian's comments above and don't think I'd be interested for all of the same reasons. Now if it could be bought cheap enough, and if it could be sent back to Geneva to have the case restored to it's original configuration, and if you could f...
buy it if you like it...
Just like you said. If you like it, it could be bargain of the century(this century that is) The watch is a 2499 in almost all parts, certainly in the most important parts(movement, dial, case and case back) Just the lugs are not factory, but if its for w...
I don't have a problem with the lugs, my concern would
be two fold: 1- If Patek would service a modified watch. 2- If the work done has not adversely affected the fitting of the case parts. I can see where some collectors are put off by any modification from original but there was a time when dial and hand ch...
Relax, modifications have been done by Patek...
... i think i recognized the one that will be auctioned by christies on the 12th of may in geneva. i think there isn't too much to worry about, i see it more of an opportunity than a drawback
Consider this...
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