Patek Philippe

Hororgasm
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Rarity??!! A unscientific study comparing VC and PP

I am using just data set from a popular and reputable sales website chrono24 .

The fabled rarity of the 5970 and there are 31 pieces for sale there, some sealed.

Here's just a cross section list of popular current references and the number available for sale

5970 - 31

5070 - 33

5130 - 29

5712 - 48

5980 - 41

I then did a quick cross reference using key word search on 3 popular complications, namely perpetual calendar, chronograph and tourbillon, just checking on avails for Pateks and .

PP vs VC

Perpetual Calendars 96 vs 15

Chronographs 113 vs 87

Tourbillons. 16 vs 13

If rarity is defined as IMMEDIATE AVAILS in the marketplace, then one would argue that VCs are "more rare" then Pateks!! Of course we can argue on production and demand figures etc etc. I always believe that given the amount of marketing bullshit from most mainstream manufacturers, PP and VC included, the publicly published primary and secondary marketplace delivers the best gauge of real demand and supply. I didn't choose Lange and AP as references because Lange doesn't have a sports watch and AP has too many!!

End of the UNSCIENTIFIC study. Now unto my personal take on this.

Are Pateks rare? That is a rather misplaced question. It's like asking if Porsches are rare. We see plenty of Caymens and Boxsters, even base 911s, but do we see many Turbos and GT3s?? In my office building alone, I see about 20 porsches everyday when I go thru the carpark. I also see plenty of Pateks around, lotsa of Nautilus(2 of my staff wears them) and Aquanauts(mostly ladies in my block) and calatravas. Several annual calenders spooted as well, mostly the newer 5146, and a daily 5035. One guy on the 16th floor wears a 5970, and I have seen quite a few world times, odd 3970and 5070. So is it rare in my space...no. But it doesn't mean Pateks are not rare in the wilder world. Mechanical watches itself are "rare", relative to quartz and mobiles doubling up as time tellers. In the wild spotting may also be just in indication of the DEMAND for Pateks, and or at least the RELATIVE demands to other makes. I spotted a Zenith Chrono in the lift last week on someone wrist, the first I have seen in 2-3 months, at least. Does that mean the Zenith is more "rare" then Pateks, so more collectable??!!

The way I look at it, rarity is at best a plus, and in some watches and brands, more important then other considerations. For example, I own an Vianney Halter Antiqua, now one can make a case for it that it is rare, at least relatively rare. But I know of 3 other person who has owned or own one, and I only know one guy who has a Patek minute repeater. What I am saying is in terms of going thru the process of using Rarity as a purchasing and/or collecting consideration, one has to apply some variable ranking of the importance of these criterias and considerations. Eg in the case of the VH Antigua, rarity can and should be an important consideration, similar for a PP5074, but one cannot subscribe same degree of rarity consideration for say a PP5711.

One of the earlier posts by Bruno used AP ROO as a reference point, with it's unlimited number of limited editions. I think you hit the nail on the head by raising the difference between PP and AP, in terms of creating notions of rarity. One goes down the road of numbered Limited Editions and the other by perceptions of limited production.

Good thread for discussion Dje.

Best,

Horo