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Patek Philippe

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 one.Of course I could have tried to redo it, but when was it done before? Will it be even more visible afterwards, because of the "patina"? ...?

The watch was made in the year when my parents have been born, the style and the condition (in general) was exactly what I was looking for ...
but at the end it was not "perfect" enough - for me. I offered it for sale, for a reasonable price and mentioned the "flaw". Another collector was quite happy with what he got, because of the price.

"well known dealer" - I bought from "well-known" AD´s, dealers, people ... and some failed. The majority of my experiences was good, but from the others I learned and will never ever buy from them again. I can´t afford to be fooled and today I allways try to buy more than just the watch - service, honesty, support, kindness ... .

Oliver

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19 Comments view entire thread 

Patek Ref. 96

 
By: keeperoftime : November 26th, 2012-06:14
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?

 
By: dr.kol : November 26th, 2012-10:02
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.

 
By: small-luxury-world : November 28th, 2012-00:59
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

 
By: Mike H : November 26th, 2012-16:14
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 ...

 
By: small-luxury-world : November 28th, 2012-01:03
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?

 
By: Francoamerican : November 26th, 2012-21:52
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

 
By: whit : November 27th, 2012-07:10
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

 
By: whit : November 27th, 2012-08:51
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"

 
By: small-luxury-world : November 28th, 2012-01:13
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?

 
By: Francoamerican : November 28th, 2012-07:59
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 ...

 
By: small-luxury-world : December 1st, 2012-12:18
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

 
By: William C : November 29th, 2012-18:41
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

 
By: johnswatch1 : November 27th, 2012-12:18
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....

 
By: johnswatch1 : November 28th, 2012-10:31
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 ...