I thought like you do, too...

I was totally sure that Patek does not change the dials to another type of dial...

I wanted to do one change and asked the issue from Patek\s Boutique in Paris / they said that probably not. Then I asked the same issue from Patek\s Boutique in London and they replied no way! And finally I went with the watch to Patek\s Boutique to Geneva,\ explained the issue and a very pleasant Lady said that she will have a try with the Manufacturer.

Some two weeks later I was informed that the movement of my watch is totally dry and it needs a service. The service department informed also that at the same time with the service they could change the dial and the hands and gave me a quotation. The costs were in my opinion reasonable and I ordered the job. My watch will be ready next week.

This is not the only case. Some six years I bought a Nautilus. The AD engraved my initials to the case back of the watch in a very rude way. I asked Patek if they could change the case back and again, I got a an offer for doing the same. My watch has been ready now for a month and I will pick it up together with the other watch.

I guess that in the case of Nautilus the reason was that I was the original owner and that the engraving was rude. The other watch I can\t explain.

But what I can say for sure is that Patek Philippe is much better and much more flexible than what their reputation would suggest.

Best, Kari

Is there any hope to be able to order a customized Patek??

By: jimjenkins : May 14th, 2011-21:53

As forum members I do not know how much our collective voices mean to PP. Probably not much but I have to bring this subject up. We are all spending anywhere from $10,000 - $150,000 on our Pateks (I am excluding the minute repeaters here), yet we have no ...

I thought like you do, too...

By: dr.kol : May 15th, 2011-00:46

I do understand your point , but ...

By: Bruno.M1 : May 15th, 2011-01:52

Patek is imo art ( so are Breguet, Lange, ...) I mean not only Picasso , Van Gogh, Rodin, Michelangelo, Rietveld, ... made art. I really do prefer a Patek watch above a painting, a vase or a chair. To each his own I guess. But when you say : 'I can order ...

I think Patek is an engineering achievement - not art.

By: jimjenkins : May 15th, 2011-22:22

Thank you for your thoughts. But, I cannot disagree more with your comparison of Patek watches to the paintings of Picasso or any other art work. Art works are truly unique. Even if the artist wanted to make another copy, it will not be identical to the f...

but...

By: Bruno.M1 : May 16th, 2011-08:16

Art is not always unique. Are Fabergé eggs art ? Yes they are and I think they made some series with eggs who all looked the same. Their toppieces are indeed unique. And what about photography ? It can be art too , right ? Well I know somebody who ta...

regarding other watch makers

By: cuibono : May 15th, 2011-04:38

you experts correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't vc initiate a special program that would allow people to customize their their watches or participate in the design of a completely personal watch? maybe the counter-argument is that it is different price ra...

Quai de l’Ile

By: Bruno.M1 : May 15th, 2011-09:14

Indeed, VC allows to customize these watches but imo that is just a marketing gimmick. "owners can customize their Vacheron Constantin Quai de l'Ile with 400 styles and deterrents, like the embedded invisible ink plastic slips that are placed beneath the ...

Not a marketing gimmick.

By: mkvc : May 21st, 2011-17:32

Vacheron recently made two truly exceptional watches in its custom manufacturing program. I hate to think what they cost, but they are truly unique and spectacular. They were recently written up on our Vacheron forum. I don't disagree with you regarding t...

Porsche is a bad example

By: lobo : May 15th, 2011-07:56

I think we cannot compare a Porsche to a Patek in this case. Wouldn't it be better to say the colour combination for a Porsche is limited to those on offer by the factory? Lambo and Aston Martin all have their own colour coding and it is limited. You woul...

Unless you are someone, someone, someone .....

By: jellybean : May 15th, 2011-08:49

the chances that Patek will take special orders today is close to none. Those good ole days dont exsist anymore, the fact that Patek is already in maximum production, the concept of to accomodate things which isnt on the list is beyond Patek today. surely...

Special order dial orders ceased about late 2003.

By: Aussie : May 15th, 2011-14:23

...

I agree there should be a larger set of choices

By: =RWK= : May 15th, 2011-22:40

as there was many years ago. I am amazed at how many choices there were 100 + years ago. However, I do not think manufacturers feel it is worth their effort to offer them. Unfortunately, businesses today are managed mostly for maximum short term return. I...

Seems I'm the only one.....

By: SuitbertW : May 16th, 2011-02:04

Hello, Jim, although I'm far away from beeing in the position to even think about ordering a bespoke piece - I've to admit I don't like the the approach of a (factory) customized product so much - beeing more precise, I almost hate it ;-). Of course this ...

Kari, I hope that you will show us.............

By: Topcat30093 : May 16th, 2011-02:32

Some before and after photos of the changes that Patek have made to you piece? Also I am intrigued by what you meant, when you say that the AD inscribed something rude on the back of your Nautilus? Regards Tony

Jim, I read your post and the responses so far and I

By: whit : May 16th, 2011-13:32

do agree that Patek should offer some level of flexibility with respect to some limited changes as they did not so long ago. There are reasons to allow this, the one that comes to mind immediately is dial changes. There are times, for example, when you ge...

Well said...and sadly things will not be improving.

By: jimjenkins : May 22nd, 2011-11:57

I regretfully agree with your comments. Since the Patek name become globally recognizable via internet and this combined with rising emerging markets (e.g. BRICK) the Patek suddently faced with a quantum jump in demand and thus became too valuable (simple...

Stern changed the faces on my two Nautilus - NC...

By: MikiJ : May 17th, 2011-13:57

On the way to going broke, true to form after making my first "real" money, I took my wife to a Patek AD. I paid cash for "Ladies and Gents" two-tone Nautilus. They were identical models #3800/01JA and #4700/01JA. Their dials were ribbed gold with applied...

When did this happen ? [nt]

By: jimjenkins : May 22nd, 2011-12:00

No message body

Mid-90's [nt]

By: MikiJ : May 22nd, 2011-18:46

No message body

3940 Experience

By: gaquist : May 27th, 2011-07:41

About 2 years ago, I got a great deal on a 3940 in yellow gold. I always admired that watch with the yellow gold (champagne) dial , mine of course had the standard, very often seen white dial. I called Patek in NYC, and asked if they could replace my "opa...