johnswatch1
275
is it risky? Not really....
I did a fair bit of homework before I purchased my ref 96 on the online auction site.
I was looking for the classic look, nothing unusual and I wasn't bothered if the dial had been redone in the past as I intended to wear it.
Look for good movement shots which will show up any obvious damage and ask good questions about whether the watch runs in all positions and if it winds ok , the usual due diligence stuff.
The 12'120 movement is very simple and incredibly well made so while there could be hidden issues there's unlikely to be a killer so long as it's running.
It's worth bearing in mind that there's a fairly large premium for a perfect 96 compared to one that's just tidy. I went for a tidy one and sent it to a guy in the UK who did an amazing restoration. Seriously, the guy spent something like 17 hours on the polishing of the screws and steel levers sending me back a watch that looks almost like it was manufacturered yesterday.
Keep an eye out , ask lots of questions and send it off to a specialist for a good post-purchase appraisal.
This reminds me I need to post the update to my original restoration post here:
Patek Ref. 96
Hello Gents, Please post scans of your ref. 96 (on your wrist) It seems that there are many beautiful pictures of this lovely little watch but not many wrist-shots. I've been told this watch wears larger than it actually is. Thanks in advance
Is it yours?
Looks bloody great to me! Did you tell earlier that your wrist is 170 mm? I think this watch looks very well balanced and for sure you can see the time which is the purpose of the watch. Best, Kari
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes, it was mine, until I saw its flaw. Yes, that is the size of my wrist. Yes it looked and felt gorgeous. :-) Oliver
This is a very nice example of 96
The magic with ref 96 is the huge number of dial, hands, and case combinations. After being considered as the original Calatrava which has given birth to so many others and was thus appreciated by collectors, this reference has been neglected for a while ...
Mike ...
you are too kind. I hunted mine for years and was very happy when I found it, until I saw that flaw on the dial. Once you saw it you can´t forget it and I decided to sell it. One day I have to find another one ... Oliver
I love the idea of the 96 - really want to try one on - is it risky to buy vintage?
I'd hate to spend 10k on something that is going to break or is going to have expensive service or be fake. That steel model of course is unreal and looks great!
Assuming you get an authentic 96, there are
differences from the modern watches which need to be considered. Being spoiled with watches water resistant to 30m and synthetic sapphire crystals may have you conditioned to be able to wear vintage pieces like the 96 in the same manner. That is not the c...
No, to HSWA but that does not mean to say they didn't
send it to Geneva. Generally, older pieces are sent to Geneva as required, but occasionally, the work can be done at HSWA.
"is it risky to buy vintage"
Yes, it is. Not because of the service costs from PP. I was positively surprised.. Authenticity - you should ask for the archive documents, at least. Flaws, this is the tricky part when it comes to vintage. I took care of so many details and failed at the...
would you be willing to elaborate a bit on the details?
would you be willing to elaborate a bit on the details? (perhaps a PM?!?) i want to believe that if i purchased from a well known dealer that they would represent everything? thanks!
The flaw in my case ...
have been the indexes. Someone changed the ones from 12 with the ones from 5 and 7. Once you saw it, it is obviously because there is no other example from PP like this course I could have tried to redo it, but when was it done before? Will it be even mo...
Firstly, a gorgeous watch
But you've intrigued me with noting "the flaw" more than once. Are the indices wrong? The 5 and 7 might be a little long, and the double at 12 seems slightly off, and generally they seem less faceted, but that could all be my ignorance of variations, as t...
Here's mine prior to restoration
Here's mine! I absolutely love the ref 96 and it is easily my favourite watch for formal attire. The 96 is a very simple watch and so long as it has not been abused the's not much that can wrong. ...
is it risky? Not really....
I did a fair bit of homework before I purchased my ref 96 on the online auction site. I was looking for the classic look, nothing unusual and I wasn't bothered if the dial had been redone in the past as I intended to wear it. Look for good movement shots ...