FabR[Senior Patek Moderator]
26166
I do agree on the romantic notion, but it's just incredibly hard to implement. For instance, this was in part the original intent of the recent 5522A, a time-only for the 2017 NYC exhibit...
Jun 22, 2020,10:22 AM
It was offered in 600 pieces for the US market only, with the rather open goal to please/attract new entry-level customers. However, without Patek vetting the process, it *instantaneously* became a circus rather than a watch sale.
First, I don't know of a single AD who sold a 5522 to a total stranger out of sheer love for horology...maybe a few went to first-time Patek buyers, but hardly to first-time buyers of that AD ;-) But the biggest problem was flippers. I was being told back then of several instances -- all over the US -- of grey dealers across the street from an AD who were receiving a 5522 *on the same day* it was (technically) sold.
I hope that a few of these 5522 are still in the hands of the original owners, and that they became faithful Patek customers since. But in the real world, way too many 5522s have been steadily changing hands at 2 to 3 times retail since day one of this operation... Frankly, at least in this way (and I don't see many other ways), never again ;-)
Here's the watch (another one that some people didn't like at the beginning! ;-), it was probably in Boston. Cheers.