Buying a Patek Philippe

Buying a Patek Philippe is a life time investment. I must take it seriously.

Buying a Patek Philippe watch isn’t simple as just you have the money or a diamond credit card. 

For the most intricate styles, called Grand Complications, or the popular Nautilus and Aquanaut sport models, potential buyers must submit to an application process. The Stern family, which has owned the company since 1932, reviews each application to judge whether a prospective owner has a proven track record with the company and appreciates the fine craftsmanship of each timepiece.

In Hong Kong, only known few of my friends had successfully bought a Nautilus Ref 5712 and Ref 5711.

If you are a doctor, artists, movie star, business man, professor would be an easier way to be qualified as the buyer. The process is to leave you name card at any Patek Philippe shop and name the model

You want, they will submit to the general Manager in the Hong Kong head office to evaluate if they would sell it to you at SRP. 

Friend of mine has successfully obtained a Ref 5712R on his birthday Dec 2017 even with less ten percent discount! That was his best birthday gift! So if yuh can not get it within z6 months of two years. You may go to buy from open market with a premium. 

The auction route isn’t much easier. Patek Philippe easily beats all other fine watchmakers when it comes to record-setting hammer prices, and pieces continue to appreciate in value, as much as 100 times the original price. It’s estimated that less than one million watches have been produced since the company was founded over 175 years ago, whereas Rolex makes close to one millions watch within the years 2006. Even Rolex has reduced their production volume. Rolex still

Produces as many as 800,000 watches in 2017.

This making Patek Philippe watches among the rarest timepieces on the market.

With all the hoop-jumping required to buy the real thing, there is some fake stuff in the market.

What are the telltale signs a Patek Philippe is fake?

Firstly, many fake watch does have extra printed function on the dial whereas authentic Patek doesn’t have.

For example, platinum Patek Philippe watches carry a distinctive single diamond setting between the lugs at 6 o’clock. The brand does not expose the Tourbillon complication or even balance wheels, outside of skeletonized versions, and with the exception of rare, limited edition pieces, Patek Philippe does not use eponymous casebacks. 

Contrary to a lot of other high-end Swiss watches A Lange Jaeger Lecoutle, Patek does not blue their screws. Many counterfeits have blue screws. Simply you can see blue screw. Those are Fake Patek!

Looking at the movement of a Patek Philippe, we expect to see only the highest quality bevelling and fine hand-finishing.

Each one takes about four to twelve months of production, totaling between 50 to 200 separate assembly process, and after each step the parts are cleaned in an ultrasound bath with special

Cleaning agents. 

All modern Patek Philippe watches use sapphire crystals. The texture often found on the dials and bezels is not stamped, but will be done by hand using a technique known as guilloché. 

Most of these unique elements of quality are requirements of the Geneva Seal, as an independent Swiss agent, known for their mark of quality excellence.

Patek Philippe keeps all reference numbers and serial numbers within the watch. The watch’s reference number and serial number are engraved on the inside of the caseback. 

On Patek Philippe with sapphire crystal casebacks, the movement’s serial number and the calibre number can be seen. The watch’s reference and serial are still contained on the inside of the caseback. 

Fake Patek Philippes will often have model or serial numbers visible directly on the caseback. Depending on the age of the timepiece and the type of movement, the case should be stamped with either the Geneva Seal or their own Patek Philipe seal.

What distinguishes Patek Philippe from other watchmakers?

“Precision” Patek Philippe has mastered the art of fine watchmaking and their standards set them apart from their competitors 

Patek Philippe is still family-owned company. The independence for unlimited freedom and passion on design. Highly tradition and retaining good values.

Start to do your research and purchase a Patek for you and your family members now! 

Patek Philippe timepieces are always a classic!

HK Snob