Buying a fine timepiece is an investment that should be taken seriously. It's not like buying any other piece of clothing—a cheap watch is a cheap piece of clothing, but a high-quality wristwatch is an investment piece that you'll be wearing for years to come. So, how do you find the right watch? Researching fine watchmakers (and brands) by speaking to a connoisseur or a collector or even online will result in top names like Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, etc. Amongst all the finest watchmakers, Patek Philippe stands at the pinnacle and is the only one holding the highest prices paid for any watch at top auction houses; it is the only family-owned independent watch manufacturer from Geneva with watches that appreciate in value higher than any other manufacture! Patek Philippe is known for the best watchmaking skills humankind has ever seen based on their fine Genevan workmanship and the manual skills involved.
Patek Philippe watches are not only aesthetically attractive but are known as appreciating assets. Some highly credible, influential, and widely read publications have unsolicitedly referred to Patek Philippe timepieces as the asset and/or the investment that ticks! They are frequently given by elder family members as heirlooms and kept as a living memory for several generations of family members, thereby bestowing a form of immortality to the undying memories of the beloved forefathers many generations after they have passed on.
Here are some expert tips on how to buy a Patek Philippe watch:
Know your watch dealer before shopping
If you want to buy a fine watch from a luxury or boutique watch dealer, you should first know your dealer. What is their reputation? Are they an authorized retailer? How long have they been in business? What are their previous customer reviews? Are they listed as an authorized retailer on the manufacturer's website? These are some questions you should ask yourself before choosing your retailer. Call and speak in person and feel the vibe; better even, you should also make a point to go check out their store in person so you can get a feel for the environment and the merchandise. You can also ask the seller a few questions and see what they say in return. Make sure that the seller has a respectable reputation. Suppose the seller is new to the business or unable to give a decent presentation of the products & themselves, or they are selling dubious watches. In that case, you should stay away from them.
What to look for when buying a Patek Philippe watch?
If you are a new buyer of a Patek Philippe watch, then here are a few things you should look out for when buying a Patek Philippe watch. A Patek Philippe watch is an investment because it involves handcrafting skills and 183 years of watchmaking experience. Behind every Patek creation, there is a passionate watchmaking team not afraid of going beyond classic watchmaking to achieve new benchmarks and innovations. If purchased from an authorized source, you will get the box, papers, and authenticity certificate (also known as a guarantee with the owner's name, address, and date). This is important because it shows that the watch is authentic. Predominantly Patek Philippe watches are mechanical, so users must regularly service them. Consider servicing it every 4-5 years to keep it running in top condition.
Never a Patek owner should give his watch to anyone who is not authorized to service. This unauthorized action will ruin the authenticity of the watch. A Patek watch becomes unique because of the expert watchmaking skills and finishing – all manually done. And only a Patek watchmaker has unlimited access to the requisite parts, the know-how to service/repair it, and restore it as it was manufactured from day 1.
Research your Patek Philippe watch online before visiting a dealer in person.
If you are a new buyer of a Patek Philippe watch, you should also conduct watch research before you go to the dealer in person. You can do this by going on their official website or browsing online watch forums and reading what other watch enthusiasts say about the watch you're interested in. You can also look up YouTube videos on the watch you are interested in to learn more about it. These are just a few ways to prepare for buying a Patek Philippe watch. Suppose you are visiting a Patek Philippe dealer in person; in that case, you should also make a point to look up the dealer on the internet. This will help you get a better feel for the dealer before you go in person.
Brand new Patek Philippe watches can't be purchased online
If you are thinking about buying a new Patek Philippe watch, then you should know that you can only purchase it via walking into one of their 3 corporate boutiques or an authorized dealer, and note that no authorized seller is permitted to sell these online. Many people who choose to buy Patek Philippe watches love to visit their retailers to get a personalized experience and, simultaneously, strengthen their relationships and loyalty. A visit to a Patek retailer is essential because a Patek Philippe watch is a valuable investment, not a mere piece of jewelry.
Have an honest discussion with the jeweler
If you are buying a Patek Philippe watch, you should also make a point to have an honest discussion with the jeweler. This is because no two Patek Philippe watches are identical, and there is no set formula for making a watch. This means there is a good chance that the watch you are buying is not exactly like the one you are thinking of buying. To help you navigate this situation, you should have the jeweler explain the different Patek Philippe watch models. This way, you can understand what you are buying. You can also have the jeweler explain the watch's different functions, such as the date function, chronograph (stop watch), calendar functions, etc. This way, you can understand the watch's inner workings before you purchase it.
No discounts are available, but a trustworthy authorized retailer will go way more and help you gain long-term value instead of reaping instant benefits.
When you think of Patek, think that relatively, only a small number of pieces are made because of the limitations of the number of fine watchmakers and the know-how.
The watchmaking art involves:
- a lot of patience
- sitting on benches for hours to achieve the standards and finishing
- the skills needed to be passed down from the master watchmakers
At Patek it takes years of training to be a watchmaker of the level needed. These days you can't find many people that have all of these.
So, it's more important that you can find a friendly retailer than thinking of getting a discount on a Patek. Rather it's very important that you get watches like Patek from an authorized retailer only (who won't sell it below retail). They are the only ones in the world to put your name on the official paperwork and provide you with the manufacturer's warranty. Note that the official paperwork will bear the original owner's name forever and can't be replaced or edited once issued, even after the watch is sold to a new owner. Choose a reputed retailer and stick to the same to earn loyalty. This, in return, gives you access to rare timepieces like limited editions, steel watches, Nautilus, Aquanauts, etc., which will be far more valuable than discounts. (FYI - Patek uses steel alloy very sparingly to make cases of their watches, so they are rare to find)
Conclusion
Don't rush into it if you're looking to buy a Patek Philippe watch. Make sure you're buying your watch from a reputable dealer. When it comes to Patek Philippe watches, don't expect to get them for cheap. If you do, you may be happy with your purchase when you receive the bill from your watch dealer.
