Patek in need of service. Deal breaker?

[Zio Di Roma]

A big birthday looms and I am considering buying myself a present.

I quite fancy a Patek 5127R and have seen the one below. But it hasn't been serviced for 5 years and Patek's service interval is 5 years.

Would you be put off by the fact that the dealer has not had it serviced?

I haven't yet called to determine whether it is still available, by the way.

https://www.mjwatches.co.uk/modern-watches/137/cal...

[Zio Di Roma]

hilly10 said:

I would expect the watch to be serviced prior to sale, it’s not going to be cheap.

It's about £800 I think.

I think what is going through my head is why the dealer hasn't done it and uplifted the price.

[Zio Di Roma]

gregs656 said:

I very much doubt it needs to be serviced. It’s 13 years old and has been serviced once at least. If it’s priced right it wouldn’t bother me.

By contrast, one of our local shops has a 5227 that is (IIRC) 3 years old and it is for sale having been serviced by Patek and with a new strap.

[Zio Di Roma]

HocusPocus said:

I'd expect it to be PP serviced (ie Rhone Services at Chalfont St Peter) before sale with fresh strap. You then are totally assured it is genuine and meets PP OEM quality. Not cheap even for a watch without complications and will take several months. Lovely pieces though.

When I had a Calatrava serviced in 2019, it was £1325 plus £480 for a strap. Expect it to take 3-6 months for the service.

Perhaps it's the time element that put the dealer off servicing it.

[Zio Di Roma]

HocusPocus said:

If you are at about that price point, look at some new Calatravas from an AD.

Alternatively keep an eye on the reputable auctions (ie those who check the lost/stolen registers and check authenticity) like Bonhams or Antiquorum to name just two. Even with buyer's premium you may make a saving on a box and papered piece, and then send it for servicing at Rhone Services via your local AD.

The PP obsessive passion in engineering and making the piece is easy to appreciate and enjoy on the wrist. One bit of life where you get what you pay for, IMO anyway.

I don't like the 5227. It is too large for my tastes. I also like the crown guards on the 5127.

I suppose if the one in my OP is still available I could buy it on credit card and ship it to Rhone. If it's hooky or not quite right I can get my money back.

[Zio Di Roma]

HocusPocus said:

http://www.leguidedesmontres.com/en/products-used/...

What’s the point you’re making there? Value? When I’ve looked at chrono24 prices across the board are higher than that.

[Zio Di Roma]

I’ve been thinking about this purchase a bit (a rose gold Patek, not that watch in particular).

I am a middle aged Caucasian chap and I am not sure if rose gold is well advised.

There is a white gold 5127 at a London dealer, but I have seen white gold Pateks looking quite dull and battered.

I wonder whether I am better off looking at watches from a maker that does stainless. I don’t want a Rolex, I have several and they aren’t special enough.

Any thoughts on this chaps please?

[Zio Di Roma]

gregs656 said:

I think rose gold looks great.

Maybe Lange?

I take it you are specifically looking for a dress watch?

Gold looks great on dark skin. I am not white and tan easily, but I am definitely causasian.

Lange? They look a bit thick to me.

Yes, a dress watch with date function. No other complications.

[Zio Di Roma]

gregs656 said:

The Saxonia Date is thinner than the Calatrava you were looking at, I think, 9.6mm vs 11mm.

Vacheron do a couple of models. The Traditionelle is nice in white gold and thinner still.

I think it's the flat sided that put me off that sort of design.

[Zio Di Roma]

HocusPocus said:

Try looking for PP models with platinum cases. Serious collector pieces.

I am not a massive fan of most Pateks, but I like the design of the 5127.

Here is an example of a used white gold one, starting to look rather dull. I have a Rolex Datejust in stainless and it still looks bright.

https://www.christies.com/features/Watches-Deconst...

[Zio Di Roma]

HocusPocus said:

Zio Di Roma said:

HocusPocus said:

Try looking for PP models with platinum cases. Serious collector pieces.

I am not a massive fan of most Pateks, but I like the design of the 5127.

Here is an example of a used white gold one, starting to look rather dull. I have a Rolex Datejust in stainless and it still looks bright.

https://www.christies.com/features/Watches-Deconst...

Yup, the piece in that picture looks tired and unloved.

Watches are very personal items and people are attracted to different aspects. Splurge your wad on what gets your rocks off - but I agree the Calatravas are lovely pieces. I have a 5117J and love the unusual hobnail effect, but understand others rave about the shiny Breitlings and Rolexes which both leave me cold.

I like the 5117.

I've seen other white gold Pateks look similarly crap. If I am paying that kind of money, I want my watch to look smart, not like it was found on the beach after the tide went out.

I like Rolexes. I have several pre-bling models. But I hate that they are so common nowadays. In any restaurant we go to, Rolex is probably the most common watch. Hence considering the Patek - though I dislike their sports and fussier models.

[Zio Di Roma]

Green1man said:

Obviously totally personal preference, but I find the Calatrava a bit old fashoned looking. Much prefer something like the Lange here: still elegant, and dressy enough if wanted but somewhat more modern looking and just as good finishing IMO as Patek.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-Lange-Sohne-Saxonia-M...

Or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-Lange-Sohne-Saxonia-M...


Or want something a bit more complicated (and expensive - but not too much more). These are lovely:-

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/alangesoehne/a-lange--s...

Edited by Green1man on Thursday 2nd September 21:49

As I said, I don't like the flat sides of the AL&S models. I like the 5127 case shape.

[Zio Di Roma]

Having given further thought to the Patek, I am wondering whether a gold watch is fundamentally a bad idea. Not only is the purchase price much higher, they are soft and become dinged.

I am wondering now about a JLC Master Control in 37mm.

Any opinions on these? I’ve never had a JLC.

[Zio Di Roma]

The 5127 would be similarly tricky wouldn’t it?

[Zio Di Roma]

Chessers said:

I have a 5227G (white gold) and love it, very elegant, fits under the cuff and just looks very classic (in my opinion).

Much preferred to my other pieces.

I like the 5227, but prefer the 5127. I am not a fan of big watches and 39mm is big for a dress watch.

[Zio Di Roma]

In part due to the lack of Patek 5127s in the UK with recent service history, but also uncertainty about the durability of gold for what will be a regularly used watch, I have bought a JLC.

It is fresh from JLC service centre, with new strap, dial, crown and some other bits.

[Zio Di Roma]

This watch is brilliant. It looks great and is fantastically accurate...when it isn't magnetised.

However, in everyday use I have never known a watch become magentised so easily. When it is not magnetic, it runs at a faction of a second fast per day. When it is magnetised, it runs about -5.

I assume it is because it is a skinny watch with not a lot of case.

Being a bit autistic, I am not sure I am happy with it.