but I can make as many arguments in favor of this purchase as against it. I have wanted a Patek MR for years but have money tied too tightly into investments for me to divest and buy one. If you are like me you probably want a small and impassioned push in favor of getting one, perhaps from an enthusiastic owner who has perspective on ownership. but then there is the sensible side, which counters with many arguments.
1. the Patek MR could lose value. Especially over time. Mechanical marvels were not always so sought after and valued, were they ? ie the Quartz revolution made mechanical watches seem obsolete for a time. The idea of paying 6-7 figures for a watch that could strike the hours and quarter hours and minutes was probably ludicrous when you could get a quartz watch, or casio, for as little as $50 that could do for more functions and alarm and temperature etc etc. The resurgence of the MR and mechanicals came when the US economy surged in wealth. Could the reverse happen, as it appears, heading into perhaps world recession, where mechanicals costing 6 figures be seen in very bad taste, and their prices drop to more down to earth levels ?
2. The Patek brand is lusted after partly because of marketing wizardry, not so much technological reasons. Many brands like Vacheron and JLC also produce as complicated and wonderful pieces technically, but arent quite recognized in the same league. I think there isnt a lot of difference in the major manufacturers as far as the wonderful limited pieces they can produce. What makes a Patek 5004 ( split second and perpetual calendar ) objectively worth $200k more than an IWC da vinci perpetual rattrapante, which has the same functions and thus is technically on par with Patek, but a factor of about seven times cheaper ?
3. wanting something because of exclusivity, and because a lot of other people want it, tends to lose lustre after a while of achieving it. Not saying this is part of your reasoning, but something I grapple with in coming to grips with purchasing something like this.
