Patek Philippe Advice

[JulianPH]

Hi all.

It is my Dad's birthday next week and I know he has always wanted a Patek.

Can anyone give me a good steer for an entry point as a present. I am thinking a second hand Calatrava, with original box and certificate, but would welcome all advice.

Many thanks!

[Dicky Knee]

Dom Hackett has one on his website:

https://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/JPRYB6GFGE

Small watch by modern standards but looks very elegant.

[JulianPH]

Dicky Knee said:

Dom Hackett has one on his website:

https://www.hackettwatches.com/hw/items/JPRYB6GFGE

Small watch by modern standards but looks very elegant.

Thank you very much.

How do you think this compares to the following:

https://www.watchmaster.com/en/patek-philippe/cala...

I suppose my real question is more along the lines of how do the two dealers compare?

Many thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

33.5 mm is really very small these days.

Well worth looking in the flesh if you can.

Is he really into watches? My father bought himself a Patek and I got all giddy until I realised he had bought a quartz!

If you don't think you father would mind you can save a lot of money going down that route.

[Dicky Knee]

Hi have only dealt with Dom and on new watches.

He has been excellent in my experience and is well considered on this forum.

[Tony1963]

Wow, 33.5mm?

I tried on a new one recently, 37mm I think, and I really wouldn’t go any smaller than that, so be careful!

[RichB]

Tony1963 said:

Wow, 33.5mm? I tried on a new one recently, 37mm I think, and I really wouldn’t go any smaller than that, so be careful!

Indeed,I don't like big watches and I have JLC Master Chronograph that is 35mm and I wouldn't go any smaller.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I have a 34mm dress watch that I love but I’m well aware it could be too small for most.

Compared to my old daily of a 36mmDJ it felt fine, against my recent daily of a 43mm SD it takes a while to get used to (& I’d say the SD wears smaller than its size suggests).

[anonymous-user]

I regularly wear a 36mm IWC pilot and I really like it.

However I bought a vintage 33mm over the internet and it did feel like a toy - even though not so long ago it was perfectly normal as a "man's watch"

I don't think Julian is a spring chicken so his father will be of a certain vintage as well so it could well not be a big deal for him.

[anonymous-user]

Personally I really like the 3919 and the size wouldn’t bother me. However, I would be tempted to spend a bit more and find a 5120 (35mm) because the cal 240 automatic is just lovely and you get to look at it. I think all 5120s have Geneva seal rather than that silly pp seal but some will have the adjustment engraving on the movement, others not. I would always try to find one with if possible. Can’t go wrong either way; Patek when they were at their best imo.

[JulianPH]

Hi All

Thank you very much for the responses.

At 48 I am no spring chicken and my Dad is 74 next week. He is also well built (and a company director - but he would not dare to dominate the stairs (my Mum would not put up with that!!!).

Basically, he has thick wrists, and I had never considered the size of the dial, but your comments have saved me a lot of money, so thank you!

He already has a Baume & Mercier dress watch that is very similar in style to the Patek I was looking at. I suppose it was the name alone (for me) in looking to get him this.

Perhaps I should try and be more creative over the next few days. A watch of that size would look ridiculous on his chunky wrist!

Thanks again everyone!

[anonymous-user]

I am pretty huge and 42mm is perfect for me, 44 is too big, and 40mm (most rolex) is really too small. IWC do quite a few 42's, the Portugieser line is very "PP".

[yellowtang]

Have you considered a Rolex Datejust 41? The fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet version is stunning. I have girly wrists so mine is the 36mm version.

I guess some might say this would lack imagination but I honestly think it’s the perfect, classic ’gift’ watch. Might be nice engrave the back too since it’s ideal for it.

[ReaperCushions]

yellowtang said:

Have you considered a Rolex Datejust 41? The fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet version is stunning. I have girly wrists so mine is the 36mm version.

I guess some might say this would lack imagination but I honestly think it’s the perfect, classic ’gift’ watch. Might be nice engrave the back too since it’s ideal for it.

Very blingy compared to the PP though.

[NDA]

JulianPH said:

Hi All


He already has a Baume & Mercier dress watch that is very similar in style to the Patek I was looking at. I suppose it was the name alone (for me) in looking to get him this.

Perhaps I should try and be more creative over the next few days. A watch of that size would look ridiculous on his chunky wrist!

I'm a moderately big chap with chunky wrists and wear a Patek Aquanaut..... it's borderline small on me at 40mm. It's OK, but it does not look at all beefy.

I reckon you would need 40mm as a minimum or he'll think he's wearing a woman's watch.

What sort of budget do you have - that may steer you a certain way?

[anonymous-user]

PP do a 42mm Patek Philippe Complications 5905P-010

~£50k used.

[yellowtang]

ReaperCushions said:

Very blingy compared to the PP though.

Well yes, this configuration is! On an oyster bracelet it’s much less so. You could also have the plain bezel.

For the £6-7k that the used dress Patek would cost, you could have a brand new version of what is probably the most classic/well known/beautiful/or boring! non sports watch going.

Using the budget to around £10k would get the newer 36mm version of that Patek or indeed a 39mm Rolex Cellini Time - if indeed his Dad wants another dress watch.

It’s a wonderful gesture anyway, I’m sure his father will love whatever OP buys.

[anonymous-user]

If you are after a traditionally styled dress watch in a bigger size, 40mm or even 42mm, I’d look no further than LUC. Great value either new or used and at least the equal of PP in quality.

[JulianPH]

Thanks everyone.

I've got a Rolex Datejust myself and he is not that fussed about it. He used to work in Switzerland a lot and became a huge Patek fan through his Swiss colleagues, so I thought getting him one would be a great idea.

I managed to get my Mum to one side yesterday and it seems that I was wrong though! She pointed out he hadn't worn a watch for over ten years (I genuinely hadn't noticed!) and now he is retired he has said he will never wear one again!

So my genius plan seems to be fundamentally flawed!!!

[Voldemort]

Patek also do cuff links, key rings and money clips...

I would imagine they are obscenely priced, but might hit the spot as a present for someone who reveres the name Patek but doesn't wear a watch anymore.