You make very good points.

Patek has made a point of recommending regular service every 3 years and that starting point is generally from the date the AD receives it. However, the distributor may have had the watch in its inventory for quite some time before shipping it to the dealer. Then the dealer may sit on the watch ...well, for years.

So when a client buys the watch, who knows, it could very well be 5 years or older. The recommendation by Patek is for the dealer to monitor their inventory and send watches older than 3 years in for service. Really, how likely is that to happen? Inventory being gone for 3-5 months, maybe longer? After all, time is money and dealers are under quite a bit of pressure as it is.

Even though it would be quite simple for the AD to notify Patek when a watch is sold and the clock starts at that point, the watch could conceivably be 5-10 years old before it's sold.

This doesn't even address issues where a watch is sold, returned .. sold again, returned again, etc. Some stores have policies where clients can wear a watch for a period of time and return it for exchange. And this may happen over and over again. Then, how new is it? Now what about the warranty? I never really had issues with this sort of thing because I controlled it but now most dealers are pretty large operations where things may not be as tightly managed.

I do agree with your thought in that at least everyone would know the conditions of the warranty and would be far less confusing regardless of the number of owners within the 2 years after it is sold.

Your last statement I feel is absolutely correct, but the real world of money gets involved and results in a lot of what you said. Do you love a dealer who does it right and sells $500,000 per year or the dealer who doesn't always do it right and sells $3,000,000 per year? Take a guess at who is loved more.

Patek honoring warranty

By: dannyjak : February 11th, 2013-15:52

Hi all Just wondering what Patek's policy around the international warranty is? In particular, if you purchase a preowned Patek, and the papers are dated with someone else's name, but within the 2 year limit. Will PP still honor warranty on the watch with...

HSWA in NYC will not honor the warranty for the second owner...

By: Zhege : February 11th, 2013-19:43

...found this out the hard way a few years ago. They were unfailingly polite, friendly, and helpful; however, there was no getting around the fact that my name was not on the Certificate, which meant that there was no warranty. Other brands also have this...

If true, that's a ridiculous policy

By: ZJ : February 12th, 2013-14:02

Car warranties travel with a car. I don't see why watch warranties should be any different.

My experience is as I reported it...

By: Zhege : February 12th, 2013-15:43

... I trust you are not questioning my truthfulness in reporting this. But I agree, the policy is ridiculous. The warranty should follow the object, not the owner. The COO is not explicit on this, and no amount of discussion with the people at HWSA change...

Crazy...

By: ZJ : February 12th, 2013-18:57

100% agreed. Very foolish policy. Also - was not doubting your word. I apologize if it came off that way. I am sure you had the experience, but I was not sure whether it was a broader institutional policy. All the best.

+1

By: sidneyc : February 15th, 2013-20:06

Dumb policy... I lost some respect for this brand now... With a brand that markets so much the passing of their watches from generation to generation, and you can't even warrant your watch for 2 years if it's not the same person bringing it for service. W...

of couse they will...

By: Fricks : February 12th, 2013-11:35

... they did for me

Conflicting reports

By: dannyjak : February 12th, 2013-13:43

Guess only sure way to know is to call the service center in my region and ask them

but within 2 years. I did, however, go through the AD. They knew the first owner and seemed genuine in wanting to please me. All very cordial and professional.

HS NYC Patek will not

By: 777 : February 13th, 2013-05:05

I am confirming that NYC Patek, HS, did not want to repair mine as I was a second owner. Luckily I bought it from a friend, so I asked him to take it for me. The watch was a year old.

In Singapore they definitely will without question. [nt]

By: Iceman : February 13th, 2013-05:15

In Singapore they definitely will without question.

By: Iceman : February 13th, 2013-05:15

its not if they want or not. They must.

By: Fricks : February 14th, 2013-12:45

... its an international warranty. And even if the garantie is not in your name, you can register the watch at Patek in your name, by sending them the watch case and movement number and your name. You gotta insist 007 :)

as a gift

By: nice2guy : February 13th, 2013-06:19

If someone gave me a Patek as a gift and the certif. of origin had the buyer's name on it and I brought it to HSWA for repair within the 2 yr. warranty and they said they would not cover it, obviously they would have a problem with me.

I agree with all, Patek should honor its responsibilty

By: whit : February 15th, 2013-11:07

to warranty any of its products within the 2 year time frame, regardless of who is possession of the item. However, should grey market items be afforded the same consideration as those from AD's? That is the dilemma Patek faces. I believe their position i...

I think this is very simple.

By: dr.kol : February 15th, 2013-11:21

My guess is that any AD have to inform Patek without delay that a certain watch is sold on a certain day. After the sales day the watch should be under warranty for 2 years. Never mind how many owners the watch is having during this time frame. The proble...