ImranLondon
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Patek Philippe - 25 Years of Ownership - the Crazy Years
So picking up from the 3796 I bought in 1992, I soon fell in love 😍 with a very special piece: the reference 3998
No ordinary 3998 but the Garrard 150th anniversary piece.
The problem as always was finance- being on fixed income I never have had the luxury of hoarding: even though that would have been a dream. I saw the 3998 in Garrards, but it was too expensive.
A year later I saw it at David Duggan, and David kindly offered all my money back on the 3796.
Et voila, now proud owner of the 3998!
Stunningly beautiful with Breguet number and a sapphire back
It should have ended there.
But what happened between 1992 and 2002 is like a tale of pure fiction- I was like a kid in a candy shop, NO, I was like a junky looking for his next fix, and the drug lord- Tom Bolt
He was a baaaad man. He knew how to get me hooked:
He took off a case back, handed me a loop on a vintage Patek and simply said : have you ever seen Geneva waves and anglage like that.
I was hooked. This was horological heaven
This picture can give you a clue as to why I was so high on horological ecstasy
Stunning isn't it!
The 3998 departed and I bought my first vintage Patek, a ref 96 in steel, with Salmon lacquered dial and black enamel Breguet hands
This is the actual watch I owned: pic is from Antiquorum but this was my actual watch
Now I was hooked.
Worse was to come.
As I said, and in my defence, I always gave had to part exchange due to finances. So please forgive me for what happened next: I would be changing watches like you change under wear , I wanted them all, alas if only I could have kept them 😢
The 96 went, in came a 3417, joined by a Breguet dial 565
I was becoming hooked on steel Patek
Now bear in mind one thing: prices were not like they are now- today this story could not happen on a salary like mine
In a way I feel sad 😢 Because many will never experience the joy of owning some of these amazing watches
I was damn lucky, and forever grateful that I had the chance
I still have the archive certificate for the 565 somewhere!!
Then these went and in came a stunning steel chrono, it was
Ready
£11,000
Not cheap but omg 😲 a bargain
This was then part exchanged for one of my all time fav watches the reference 2526: but with rare black enamel dial !!!
I kept this baby for some time and added a steel 3700 Nautilus
With box and papers!
I sold the 2526 eventually
And in came these beautiful babies
They were stunning!
But I was falling out of love with gold, and started to focus on steel or platinum
I sold the Calatrava spider lug and in came a 3710 brand new from the Geneva boutique
I then sold the chrono and got this steel ref 522
This is my actual watch
It was around 1997 and prices started to escalate
And the journey into modern watches started.
Part 3 to come
All of the vintage watches were from Tom, and I loved all of them. I am grateful that I had the chance to enjoy them, handle them and learn from them.
No amount of magazines or press packs can ever give the same knowledge and feeling as ownership.
For that I am truly grateful,
Best
Imran
fixed missing preview picture -AT
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Patek Philippe - 25 Years of Ownership - the Crazy Years
So picking up from the 3796 I bought in 1992, I soon fell in love 😍 with a very special piece: the reference 3998 No ordinary 3998 but the Garrard 150th anniversary piece. The problem as always was finance- being on fixed income I never have had the luxur...
Thank you for a fantastic story.
Tears came to my eyes when I saw your steel chronograph. I wish it would still be in your collection. Best, Kari
I'm still crying 😢
If we only knew then what we know now my friend Hope to see you soon!
If I was limited to just one old Patek I think you probably have owned it!
I'm not sure which one-but one of them! Fascinating story, Miranda. I hope there are 10 more parts. No! Twenty more parts!
Fantastic, dizzying worldwind journey so far!
So many wonderful pieces and the prices in the 1990’s were unbelievable compare to now. 👏👏👏
Tell me about it!!! Tears...😤😭😭
I bought my 3700 from the original owner and it came with his receipt, purchased in 1987. Suffice to say he made a tidy profit off of me as well as the auction house... 😎
Great story Imran....
what a shame you had to sell some truly stunning timepieces, I would be interested to know which one was the greatest joy to own and why?
Oh my, tough question
But believe it or not, I think probably the Nautilus ! Because it was a watch for all occasions Elegant thin but tough and waterproof And a movement regarded by msny as the bedt self winding ever made Best Imran
Why crazy?
Miranda, Just to clarify for collectors...both newbie and experienced...why the use of "crazy"? Crazy because you kept flipping watches? Crazy because you switched themes? Crazy because of the frequency of acquisitions? What is the conclusion? To emulate ...
Crazy because
Crazy because you kept flipping watches? YES!!!!! Crazy because you switched themes? YES!!!!! Crazy because of the frequency of acquisitions? Yes yessss yessssssss!!!!!!!
I nominate you for the PCCC
Miranda, I hereby nominate you for the PuristS Crazy Collector Cup, a special President's Award given out infrequently to lost causes and the pathologically obsessed. You are on the shortlist..... MTF
I can relate to your tale. In the sense most of the people i know think im crazy to buy such a watch. But th [nt]
Thats passion. And i believe their is good value in due time. Best wishes. Geross
What an incredible watch journey Imran!
I had the very funny impression while reading your story, that I was reading my own story; but to be more precise not the story of my actual past life but the story I could have leaved if I would have dreamed to live. In my actual lofe I made a similar jo...
Wow, firstly so sorry to hear of the accident
But overjoyed in that you happy the superbly beautiful 3448 and two Laurent Ferrier Best and thank you for sharing your story Best Imran
There are two watches which you should have kept...
The 3417 and the steel chrono... These 2 are true keepers. But you are true, we never know where an horological journey can lead us... Superb story, Imran. Thank you! Nicolas
What a journey
Stunning array of watches in your possession. And what an education. Thanks for sharing this. Can I ask you what spurred to changes in style from one genre to another? Was is just the realisation of what was out there or something more specific?
Thank you for sharing your journey Imran
I for one am envious of your passage as I am sure one would not be able to emulate this journey in the present time what with the escalating prices and all... and that if these pieces are readily available.
Yes so true, sad that many will never have joy of owning
I feel happy for those that have them But sad for the new generation Best Imran
Beautiful story and stunning pieces.
I wish I would have kept a log of all the pieces I bought and than sold/exchanged. Thanks for sharing Miranda Best G.
What a fantastic journey!
Wow! Must have been a joyride to experience all these beauties! Best Blomman
Thanks Imran for this wonderful journey
How I envy you , able to trade up and up Me , I just horde !! I love the way your collection became so rarified - that SS ref 1463!!! Lucky to have such a trusted dealer to guide you Looking forward to part 3 Julian
Imran you are a very lucky man......
Your journey through this crazy hobby of ours has been one filled with beautiful Watches. You have clearly always had a great eye for quality Patek Watches and your leaning towards the white metal versions was visionary in its day. I knew you had owned so...
Thank you very much Imran for sharing!
Like you, I too was on a fixed income but the passion for watches was often not commensurate with my income. I even took out loans to buy many of the watches and it was quite common to have to sell a watch before being able to afford the next one. I do en...
Well said sir. And I don’t know any collectors in 25 years who haven’t had to sell a watch or two.....
So I think it is a very very very small number who have held onto everything they’ve owned. Such a nightmare for most of us having many more watches to buy then the income ( and partner ) will allow. M.
I too borrowed from the bank!
Its perhaps not a good thing, but wr finance cars so I did it for watches! At least with Patek you are reasonably on steady financial ground But yes, it reminds me of the greatest Patek owner He drives a bus Earns £560/week Has 4 kids Spent 2 years saving...
Extremely interesting !!! personal watch history and some amazing watches.Thanks for sharing both!
I remember well (and partook of) the opportunity to acquire relatively easily great vintage watches at relatively reasonable prices. And because the market kept going up and up, it was always easy to trade out - and at a profit no less! I also remember th...