Journe1304
612
Acquisition Question
Hello, Patek Philippe forum! I’m not a PP owner, so I wanted to ask for some opinions/advice about buying and owning one.
I have a very small, purpose-driven collection highlighted by an FP Journe Chronometre Bleu as my everyday/work watch, and a Panerai Luminor 111 as my casual/weekend watch. My baby son is going to get both of them (someday in the very distant future). I’m like anyone else and could put more watches on a dreamer’s wish list, but in truth I could be done with what I have.
Until this upcoming 2019.
I have a number of milestones to celebrate, but chief among them is that my wife and I are having a second child. I’d like to celebrate everything and also get something special to pass down to baby #2. I’d like it to be something that s/he will grow up actually seeing me wear often especially at a young age, when I will be feeding them messy foods, giving baths, playing outside, etc. Given how useful I’ve found my Panerai on rubber (when my son gets apple sauce all over me, no worries; I simply wash my watch and I’m good), I thought the Aquanaut 5167 would be the perfect watch to fit the bill for baby #2.
So now that I’ve decided on a reference, here’s my real question to you: how do you feel about paying so far over list for a watch that is all but unobtainable at list (I’m not a serial buyer, so no AD would give me one new)? It’s not a matter of affordability but one of principles. Am I simply paying what the market dictates and ultimately I will be happy because the watch is unassailable, or am I being foolish for even thinking about paying nearly $30k for a watch that only retails for $19k?
Thanks in advance for your views!
💰1729 Marketplace Listings for Patek Philippe›F.P. Journe Chronometre · 1 for sale · 2810 discussions›
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Luis6 trades multiple watches for a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167/1A. See photos, first impressions, and collector insights on this bold acquisition.
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Dr.kol travels to Honolulu for a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167. Discover his journey, family vacation, and meeting fellow collectors.
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Acquisition Question
Hello, Patek Philippe forum! I’m not a PP owner, so I wanted to ask for some opinions/advice about buying and owning one. I have a very small, purpose-driven collection highlighted by an FP Journe Chronometre Bleu as my everyday/work watch, and a Panerai ...
Firstly, congratulations on the coming addition to the family!
That is a big milestone, indeed, and one that will bring you lots of joy in the future. Love your two watches, BTW, and I like the lack of complexity in not having to choose watches for the week and for the weekends. The 5167 is a great everyday watch, an...
Thanks for the warm wishes and your honest thoughts!
I was hoping to find a combination of the CB and PAM, and I thought I found it in the 5167. But perhaps I need to look elsewhere.
Congrats on your second baby, and on your first getting a Patek!:-) To be entirely honest, while I don't mind suggesting people to buy Pateks (it's by far my favorite brand)...
...I do mind suggesting them to get milked on the grey market. I myself never bought above retail (in fact, I never bought second hand so far!), so my best advice in the situation you describe is probably to start by buying a more readily-available Patek,...
Thank you!
I'll look at the rest of the catalogue to see the offerings at a price point I'm willing to pay. It's tough because I'm looking for something wearable around big, gushy messes (of all sorts). I'll certainly keep the group updated!
I wouldn’t...
The aquanaut is nice, but I think the lack of supply, high demand, and rising prices is creating a buyer frenzy! At some point I think we need to put our foot down and not support the madness. LOL, we should all stop buying and tell them we’ll start when ...
TBH it is a perfect summer watch
Thin, comfortable, without complications so setting is very easy. The only one comparable for me is Rolex Daytona on rubber bracelet, but that is 50% more and difficult to get as well.
Unless you can purchase at retail I say move on.
Find another suitable watch or if you really must have this one then do some legwork and call as many ADs as you can and see what they say. Put your name down if these ADs take names. Ask your watch buddies if someone can buy one for you, someone with a g...
Thanks for your views!
I've visited all of the ADs to which I have physical access, and I've called many others to which I don't. They all say the same thing about a three year waitlist (which I know is a moving target and will still be three years in three years' time), and so...
possible at AD
I had a conversation with a SA my local Patek AD and inquired about the 5167 as well. He told me that it's possible to get the 5167 in less than 6 months since demand isn't as crazy as the 5711/5712. Have a chat with your local Patek AD, if they know you'...
I doubt that is true. I tried to get on waitlist for every AD within 500 miles and none of them would.
Most said their waitlist was > 2 years. I never purchased a watch from any of them so none of them even bothered to take my information.
Congratulations on the baby!
But I share similar sentiments with the other purists - please do not pay over list for any watch. In addition, buying a new Patek is not just about the watch, it is the whole Patek experience which few other brands can offer. Difficult to describe but I ...
Thank you very much!
Agreed that beyond the watch itself it would be a shame to miss out on the Patek experience. I will say that I called the salon in Geneva letting them know of this situation and the fact that I'll be there in the coming months. They said they could not of...
Patek is all about relationships
I am glad that you will be well received at the Salon. Be prepared for a pleasant surprise. I had the same experience two years ago!! And do visit the museum if you can spare the time. The best!!
Thanks for sharing your story
It‘s a very personal decision, here is my strategy: Decide how long you are willing to wait and then try your best to get at retail. If not successfull, get one at resell and forget what you paid. I know its propably not popuplar around here, but I would ...
Thanks for your minority view!
To be honest, I can understand your sentiment perfectly. I have gotten great advice from everyone here on not paying over retail, but I do really like the piece and I'm not enough of a serial buyer to be offered one at list.
Big congratulations to your family !
I wouldn’t pay a penny more than retail, this is more a principle. If you love the watch, enroll in a PP boutique or an AD & wait. I’m not a owner of PP but I’ve been told you ought to treat it as gentle as you could - so i let you think through for the r...
Thanks for your warm wishes and your view!
Agreed that they're not beaters. The messes I've encountered with my son aren't about impact so much as they are about mess; less slamming my wrist on something and more getting sauce all over my hands while feeding him. But the point is certainly taken--...
Go after AD ...
Depends on where you are, you may visit a few local AD’s and tell them your story of celebrating your new baby. They may be able to swing something for you. Calling them will not work as they will not treat you seriously. As far as finishing, PP is the be...
Congrats on your millestones to come and your second child .
A very good reason to buy a new watch ( do we ever need one? 😉) . Great Aquanaut but i will never pay above Retail .
Thanks for the well wishes!
A great reason to get a new watch--it's always great to celebrate life!
Tough question, had similar concerns
I also keep my collection small (I like to wear all my watches for extended period of time, so 3-4 max) and I also have a FBJ CB. Getting the 5167, howe ver as I already own another PP watch the wait is 'manageable'. I however would wait on principle - no...
Thanks for your thoughts!
As a fellow CB owner, you must be looking at the second-hand market with the same puzzlement that I am. I bought mine new from a boutique at a time when they were hard to find but certainly obtainable. Now I'm hearing stories about waitlists, applications...
Same for me!
I also got my CB relatively easily so seeing 5 years waiting list and application papers is a bizzare experience. It all comes down to available funds and your willingness but I will never pay above retail for what is essentially a basic summer watch, no ...
And by the way...
...thought you’d appreciate this one! Taken when my son was four days old ...
I own Vacheron Constantin and pp
I own them both . But , prefer the Vacheron Constantin more due to it`s Royal Heritage and Being the Oldest Haute Horology member . Also, they don`t over price their watches like pp .
Why do you do this?
You come into many PP threads with always the same message around 'Royal heritage' and 'Oldest Haute Horology member' then continue to look down on Patek. We get it, you like VC, no need belittle the competition, especially since many member here hold bot...
I wouldn't for two reasons
It is not exactly a hard-wearing tool/sports watch. The mechanism is still quite fragile, the same one used in many other PP models. The casing gets dented and scratched easily even though it is stainless steel. I know all of this because I own one. Secon...
Fair point.
I was thinking about messes in terms of food, washable paint, etc., but I'm an urban creature with other perils as well. For example, I bike with my son in a bike seat almost every day, and my wrist often hits bike racks when I lock it up. Constantly putt...
The 5157 on bracelet + rubber strap == $24,000
So you will end up spending a bit more than $5,000 more to get the bracelet.
You can always sell the bracelet afterwards
Some people are against that and would keep the bracelet. I personally don't see the problem with selling the bracelet if you are never going to use it. Given the current market, you will always be able to sell the watch without losing money. There are qu...
Since you posed the question here is my answer, for what it is worth.
Yes, I think you would be foolish paying $30k for a watch that retails for $19k.
Just my opinion here
but I would never pay over list for a watch, but that's just me. There's others to choose from or I would wait for all the hoopla (and price) to settle down. Everyone has different priorities and I understand that but mine does not include paying over lis...
Huge congrats on another child, which is a worthy occasion to get a Patek for yourself so that you can look after it for you new baby ! My thinking is different than most in that..
if you cannot get the Aquanaut at retail in the time frame (which you decide) for the celebration, then you should think whether you feel that the premium for this watch is worthy for the occasion. We ALL do not like to pay premiums for watches and many m...
Agreed. I am loathe to pay premium for a watch but have done it.
In 2008 just before the GFC, I bought the 5960P at a premium because I was still a relative newbie to Patek Philippe. I searched for this watch for nearly two years only to be disappointed by the AD's who had more important clients than me. Finally, fed u...
Indeed
Nobody really has the right to make a judgment for whether it makes sense for another person to pay a premium or not. It is all about individual circumstances and what makes sense to each of us as individuals. I also paid a premium for my 5070P.......£67k...
Sure
If opinions are sought then of course others will give them. I was expressing mine.
I was saying that the gentleman should do it if he loves that watch that much and will keep it. As I paid the premium in the past, I was merely intimating that...
he would not be alone on this dissonant journey. Believe me, I did not enjoy paying more than MSRP. No one wants to overpay, but if that's where the market is and his AD won't get him one on a timely basis, what can you do?
Thanks for your story!
And I’m certain that after this time, you don’t look back and immediately think purchase price. That’s why I’m seriously considering the 5167 at far above list—I’m doing a little mental gymnastics now, but from the moment of purchase onward I’m sure I’ll ...
Thanks very much!
I lean toward your viewpoint. I don’t like the idea of paying above retail, but I also think that this worry about the red line of list vs over retail only goes up until the point of purchase. After that, you never think about it again. I bought my PAM wh...
Thank you for your wishes!
Your views are in line with where I’m leaning, though it puts us in the minority here. I understand the principle of not paying over retail, but the realpolitik is that I’ll never get one otherwise—I’m not a serial buyer so I’ll never be offered one new (...
Seeking others’ viewpoints is good because you get different perspectives ! Ultimately you...
decide what you want to do ! Once you have decided, please let us know and tell us your reasons. The community shall be supportive of your decision. Enjoy the hunt !
Congratulations on the new additon to your family!
Children are such a blessing! As an owner of this reference, and having spoken about it a lot with my local watch buddies, I have a few thoughts on it. 1. The waitlist is not like you describe if you have a relationship with an AD. I know you said you do ...
Thank you for your well wishes and opinions!
As a 5167 owner and father of young children yourself, your views are most welcome! As you say, #1 isn’t an option for myself, but I’ve been going through this with my watch crew and I’m indeed exploring going through one of them to get the watch new. I’m...
I like how you think about this.
I'm like you, in that I've intentionally purchased pre-owned watches before with a little wear on them already because I know I'll add my own marks and I don't need an unflawed specimen. I really like how you think about any marks you get on the watch wil...
Congrats on the upcoming addition to the family, just do it...
I'm a big aquanaut fan, bought my first one over 20 years ago. I don't like paying over retail or supporting the grey market but I have done it many times in the past for watches and cars. If you have the means, just do it, its only $10K more and you get ...
I think so long as you are willing to buy the watch even at a premium, you should go for it.
Perhaps haggle only. It's a very comfortable watch. And produced in low numbers. No amount is expensive to fulfill one's passion. My take. Geross 😅