Are auction prices 'real'?
I was looking for some articles on the Patek ref. 5135P Annual Calendar. I came across a Sotheby's listing for an auction in September/October of 2025, so not too long ago. This one hammered at 25,400 Euros, or about $30,000 U.S. That seemed incredibly lo...
Published auction prices are correct
There are quite a number of auction houses these days so buyers are spoiled for choice and can afford to discriminate based on condition and originality of a watch and whether it comes as a complete set. The market today is nowhere as strong as five years...
I'm just so surprised...they seemed very low...
...I guess there are bargains to be had, assuming you see the watch in person...
And that is always the problem
seeing the watch in person especially if one lives in a different city to where the auction takes place. The gamble could be deemed to risky as one has to rely on the condition report and photos.
Which is what keeps me from auctions...
...I would be very OCD about condition, papers, etc.
The only time I have bid in an auction
was for a brand new Moritz Grossmann. It came with a warranty for peace of mind. But this is quite rare unless you buy a single sealed Patek.
Yes, the auctioned prices are real
Ie people paid these sums for these pieces at the time. For better or worse Chk
These prices are real, i have attent a few auctions the last two years .
There are indeed bargains to find but also unrealistic prices for watches you can find online for a fraction of the auction result
The listing says...
..."Please note that the results listed on this page are inclusive of any Sotheby's Premiums and exclusive of any applicable taxes and costs, unless otherwise noted." I took this to mean that the prices included the auction house premium (which I know is ...
Depending on where you live, you might have to add another
Big percentage for import tax and Vat to get it legally into your home country.
These appear to be in the ballpark of secondary market prices.
Many sites inflate the price by at least 10-15% giving them a margin to negotiate. And when it comes to patek, unless it’s a nautilus or aquanaut, or a reference that was undervalued like a 3940 or 3970, prices are fairly flat. For example, I’ve been foll...
Odd...I have found 3940 prices to be very high just recently...
...I used to see nice ones for $60k or so, and now they are approaching $80-100k...
Good luck mdg with your pursuit ! We
look forward to reading your post should you end up getting a piece.
I think I was reading an article on minute repeaters...
...(Patek makes one with the Gondolo shape of the 5135) and I remembered how much I love that case shape. A photo from Sotheby's got me going. I would have to try it on as it is dressy and might be a bit thick, but a nice example sure seems reasonable...
It's good, but not that good!
If you think about it. A perpetual calendar is also possible in a price range of only several thousand US dollars above this. Thus, while I would argue a 5135 is a great value at $30,000 USD, I'd argue a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar at $39,000 would ...
I would love to go back…
…but am not a good traveler by myself. But I do have some friends there.