Patek Philippe

whit
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Timing

I didn't time it because I always left the serviced piece in the sealed wrapper until the client received it, but the client did let me know it was running accurately and was extremely pleased.
The cost of this repair was due to the treatment the watch received by a host of other folks before my client bought it. It had a number of issues which was pointed out before we ever sent it to Patek and actually, I was surprised it wasn't more because the cost included new buckle and springbars in addition to the case work, dial repair, crystal, crown, service to movement including parts, etc.
Just a side note, I purchased a square case Patek from the 30's originally sold by Tiffany. The client had previously brought it in for an estimate to repair some years earlier and declined it as the cost was too high. I can't remember the exact amount but it wasn't far from the estimate for your Ref 96 mentioned above. He came to me years later and offered it to me and I bought it knowing the repair was going to be somewhat expensive and take a year or more. So, I sent it to HSWA who forwarded it to Geneva for an estimate which I received a month or so later. I was not at all prepared for what I saw written ... $14,000.00+ and a year and a half. This was a simple watch, hours, minutes, and small seconds. I called HSWA and inquired to see if the amount was correct and it was confirmed. Obviously, the repair cost didn't make sense unless I absolutely loved the watch and would wear it. I am around steam quite a bit so I was not going to be able to wear it except on special occasions due to the lack of any water resistant capabilities, so I sold the watch and learned a lesson. According to David Jarrod, it was the most expensive estimate he had seen for a simple watch and it was to me as well.
Sometimes vintage watches can be a very expensive proposition if you want it brought back to original specs so be prepared.