FabR
[Senior Patek Moderator]
26166
I don't really think you are crazy, but rather let me thank you for your honest feedback on this piece....While this is a Patek most collectors love and would be very thankful to be allocated, in the end, very simply, it's always a matter of taste! :-)
I hope you will like it better with a new strap choice (its looks might change dramatically depending on what you match it with), but chances are you might still NOT like it....In that case, a wonderful gesture would be to explain the situation to your AD and return it at MSRP (rather than cashing in at market price, which is much higher). Both Patek and your AD, who selected you for this watch, and other fellow collectors would enormously appreciate.....and I'm sure your next allocation will be even more special! 
Cheers --- and thanks again for sharing your experience with the forum! ;-)
Buyer’s remorse on a 5212a purchase
I received the call from my AD that he had a 5212a I had first dibs on. I was out of town so couldn’t go in to try it on. Made decision to buy it since they’re hard to come by and AD likely wouldn’t receive another one for rest of year. I’ve posted up bef...
Nope... you are not crazy.
Some people like it and some don’t. Some need more time before they like it...and some still don’t. All of them are ok!
Nope... you are not crazy.
Some people like it and some don’t. Some need more time before they like it...and some still don’t. All of them are ok and not crazy!
That happens to all of us. A few years ago I bought a special edition Panerai, didn’t bond with it, wore it twice in 5 years, and eventually sold it.
For this 5212, I do think a strap change will help. I tried it on at a trunk show and I think it’s the OEM strap that is a bit dull. You might try a blue or grey calf or perhaps a distressed alligator. I have been on the list for a while at my AD and can’...
It's one of their....
particularly conservative designs, so I am not surprised with your sentiments. I simply think that this one requires a more pared-down aesthetic sensibility than some other, more easily 'recognizable' Pateks.... Just my ramblings, Filip
I like the watch but it can happen to have this buyer remorse
it happened to me even with pieces I had the chance to try before. The good news is that, nowadays, with Patek you can always re-sell it with a generous profit
Sorry to hear that you have buyer's remorse ☹️
What specific things did not meet up to your expectations other than the strap for a more casual look ?
It’s definitely a nice piece. I don’t want anyone to think otherwise.
I think it’s the combination of it being a more advanced movement that I don’t think I’ll ultimately take advantage of and the high cost of that advanced movement. As this is the most expensive piece I’ve ever purchased I guess I had a higher expectation ...
I don't really think you are crazy, but rather let me thank you for your honest feedback on this piece....While this is a Patek most collectors love and would be very thankful to be allocated, in the end, very simply, it's always a matter of taste! :-)
I hope you will like it better with a new strap choice (its looks might change dramatically depending on what you match it with), but chances are you might still NOT like it....In that case, a wonderful gesture would be to explain the situation to your AD...
Looking into this with the AD
Apparently it’s not that easy as my name and info are already handwritten on the certificate.
there you go, so selling in the secondary market is a better option
you asked the AD so
Very well said…OP will have a million respect here if returning the watch.
I’m still waiting for one since release 😔
+1, I personally loved it (and my girlfriend too, at some point she even wanted to ask for one!) but it’s a very particular piece hence in the end it’s definitely a matter of taste👍
Here’s a few pictures from past Patek events (looking somehow perfect even on her much smaller wrist)👍 Cheers. ...
isn't that once the warranty is filled with the name of the owner
they can't take it back ? or can they request a new one by Patek ?
Nope, I’m afraid you cannot request a new warranty (the watch was officially sold). But I’m sure all involved would still appreciate — from the new owner (who should be informed and receive a 5212 at MSRP), to the AD (who won’t get in trouble)..
…to Patek, to ultimately, I’m sure, the first owner himself😉👍
umh but why? he bought the watch, if he doesn't like it he can sell it no ?
how can you control if the AD sells it at the official price or not. Seems complicated. I would just wait to see if it grows on him and if not, sell it. If it was another model and he would sell at a loss I doubt that the AD or Patek would give him the di...
LoL,
He did explain in the text that he was out of town, thus unable to see it in person before buying....
Yes Nico, but when someone is so lucky to be selected for such a special watch at MSRP, I think it's totally understandable if they take a few days to decide whether they suddenly do *not* like it anymore... ;-)
If our friend ultimately confirms that is the case, then as I suggested, he still has a chance to return it --- which would be an elegant and much appreciated move! ;-) Cheers.
No. It was shipped to me
In my state your tax rate goes off of where you are when you receive the watch. Saved me $1700 to have it shipped to my house vs drive 1.5 hours to AD to pick up.
There you go....
I think you have more opinions and suggestions here than you could have ever bargained for.... Whichever way you decide will be a positive overall outcome....
Shows-off....
its multiple 'personalities' extremely well. My preference, for instance, are the last two straps - 'casual chic', if you will . Cheers, Filip
I hunted a long time for this beauty. Steel watches from Patek are a special bread like the 5960.
I think you are lucky to get one from your AD. It is a great sport Patek that is completely under the radar in the public eye. You can wear it anywhere and no evil eyes will be upon it. But you must love it or let it go. ...
Another top point....
Its conservative design won't draw any unwarranted attention. Only the most ardent 'horophiles' will recognize 'what's up' . Cheers, Filip
I personally live this reference and hope it grows on you. That said this is very subjective I know…. Try to see online if you find compelling strap combos with this reference you like…
Personally I do not like the stock strap on it now…again very subjective…
I had the same experience
Well, not *quite* the same experience, because I haven't owned a 5212! But when it came out I was entranced, thought, I HAD to have it. Figured that when my local secondhand dealer got one, I'd have to flip my 5110G for it. When they got one in, and I fin...
I think what keeps going through my mind is all the other options out there for 40k.
There are quite a few watches I’d be interested in that are in this price range. Problem is a lot of them I can’t get at retail like I can a PP!
Same experience here
I actually went to tried it on my wrist two times. I wanted to fall in love with it but I just couldn’t. Its handwriting dial is very unique. But at the same time all the fonts and dots are very small and cluttered which make the dial looks a bit flat and...
My humble contribution…
If you don’t love this watch truly, don’t keep it and just sell it. Find another piece where your heart jumps when you see it and put it on your wrist. Forget that it is a Patek. You can’t get joy of a watch just because it belongs to a brand OTHERS lust ...
I would hold onto it. Just put thoughts aside for the moment...
and give it a little time. Nothing to be gained by rushing at this point. I think that Patek has a special charm, which sounds lucky to me.
My suggestion
Would be to buy some different straps for it, each and every strap will give you that 'new Patek' vibe and you will find out that the 5212 is a very versatile watch. Enjoy it for a year, and if you do not feel it by then... put your money in aother watch
It’s personal
Watch collecting is personal, where one’s grail watch can be considered not worthy by the next person. This is an amazing watch - what attracts me ( looking at your pic) is the way the 7 numeral is printed on the calendar ring - ala handwriting. That said...
We have all probably been there st some stage of our collecting lives….mine was getting a blue 5711 in 2016 and on
Opening the box my heart just sank,,,all the hype and I hated it..tried to love it for 6 months and eventually sold it and got the white
Thank you all for the insight
I’m going to wait for new straps to see how I like it with a new look and make a decision from there. I’ll update this thread with pics and thoughts
Update on my prior rant.
I decided to change out the strap and have worn it a few times now. Definitely a hell of a watch and an absolute strap monster. Surprising how many different types (and colors) of straps work with it. Pic below is the strap I like most with it right now. ...
It is an awesome watch for your collection. I think it is one of the newest complications introduced by Patek in a long time.
For sure a sporty feel with different straps. ...
This is unfortunate, but you are certainly not wrong at all
You need to feel that connection with a watch. I am of course glad you are at least trying to find a way to fall in love with it. But if you dont feel that joy, you dont feel that joy.