Patek 4947a

[mannyv11]

Hi All, I have been getting ready to dip my toes into the Patek market and was offered the 4947a from a dealership recently. I think it's an awesome watch and it would be the first steps to starting the journey. Was wondering if I could have any opinions from people that own the watch and see what overall thoughts were.

End of the journey for me is a 5712 or 5726 I don't think I will ever get there but this could be a nice start.

Dealer was saying for me it looks like the steps would be 4947, 5226, and then potentially 5712

[dauster]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Hi All, I have been getting ready to dip my toes into the Patek market and was offered the 4947a from a dealership recently. I think it's an awesome watch and it would be the first steps to starting the journey. Was wondering if I could have any opinions from people that own the watch and see what overall thoughts were.

End of the journey for me is a 5712 or 5726 I don't think I will ever get there but this could be a nice start.

Dealer was saying for me it looks like the steps would be 4947, 5226, and then potentially 5712

Unlessyou truly want all of these watches why not jus buy a 5712 grey and be done with it. Seems cheaper and faster. Now if you want MR and RH pieces and many moee pateks down the road by all means "start the journey".

[Rolesor_66]

Originally Posted by dauster

Unlessyou truly want all of these watches why not jus buy a 5712 grey and be done with it. Seems cheaper and faster. Now if you want MR and RH pieces and many moee pateks down the road by all means "start the journey".

Whatever this guy said! Unless you truly want to build a relationship with the AD and look forward to getting the call for a watch every once in a while.

[Lininq]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Hi All, I have been getting ready to dip my toes into the Patek market and was offered the 4947a from a dealership recently. I think it's an awesome watch and it would be the first steps to starting the journey. Was wondering if I could have any opinions from people that own the watch and see what overall thoughts were.

End of the journey for me is a 5712 or 5726 I don't think I will ever get there but this could be a nice start.

Dealer was saying for me it looks like the steps would be 4947, 5226, and then potentially 5712

follow your dealer suggestion for me. 4947 is a good start.

[ts3]

Agree with those who think you should consider spending some more to get a 5712/1A now if that is what you want in the end. It may well get discontinued before your AD thinks you are worthy.

Can't comment on 4947/1A beyond that I neither like the dial nor the standard Patek all high-polish dress watch bracelet. For that sort of money there are much better Pateks within reach if you are willing to go preowned. Think 5230P WT which is bound to become a classic or 5110P WT or gold 3940 PC which are classics already, or the 5140 or 5320 PCs or 5170/5172 chronos or the limited 5522A.

[~JJ]

Not a fan of the 4947, movement seems too small for the watch based on dial layout. that 50k goes along way to just buying a 5712.

[SoylentGreenChi]

I’m three years, two calatravas, an annual calendar, and an aquanaut into my journey, and I’ve been asking for a 5712a from the start. I do not believe I am even in consideration for it yet but maybe your mileage will vary. Good luck.

[dchang81]

Im in the minority that likes the 4947. Big thing though is the discount you can get it for nearly covers the upcharge for the 5712a grey, and that's guaranteed you'll get the 5712a. I suppose if you're playing the long game for more pateks down the road and want to establish a relationship it's a different story. The worrisome thing is even then, stores with very long histories with patek got cut.

[jcdevoe26]

I know I am in the minority of Patek buyers...but I absolutely love this piece. this is my grail Patek. I was fascinated with it when it was announced a few years ago and finally tried one on at a Boutique last year in Istanbul....and was blown away!

you can also find this piece on the grey market for under retail....but if it were me, I would make sure you get one that has been updated from the 324 movement to the 330 movement, I think they did this quietly either last year or this year. The newer movement has a hacking seconds hand which is a big plus for me.

here is a a few pictures from when I tried it on....I have an under 7in wrist and i'm not a big guy and my wife loved the way this watch looked on me.

[HL65]

Honestly Manny, I would not get that reference. I don’t think there is anything desirable or good looking about it. You can do much better my friend!

[SoylentGreenChi]

Originally Posted by jcdevoe26

I know I am in the minority of Patek buyers...but I absolutely love this piece. this is my grail Patek. I was fascinated with it when it was announced a few years ago and finally tried one on at a Boutique last year in Istanbul....and was blown away!

you can also find this piece on the grey market for under retail....but if it were me, I would make sure you get one that has been updated from the 324 movement to the 330 movement, I think they did this quietly either last year or this year. The newer movement has a hacking seconds hand which is a big plus for me.

here is a a few pictures from when I tried it on....I have an under 7in wrist and i'm not a big guy and my wife loved the way this watch looked on me.

And as a relatively rare steel dress Patek, this is a special reference. If they cancel it and make it a short run, you could have a future classic. Many classics were not “hot” when they came out. Watch looks great, btw, congrats.

[1William]

Beautiful watch.

[elmoboy]

It's a very beautiful watch. It's a Patek complication. Somehow I feel the nautilus and aquanuat designs starting to get old and tiring to me... Although mine dream Patek is still the 5740

[mannyv11]

thanks for the feedback everyone truly appreciate both the positive and negative.

[jcdevoe26]

Originally Posted by SoylentGreenChi

And as a relatively rare steel dress Patek, this is a special reference. If they cancel it and make it a short run, you could have a future classic. Many classics were not “hot” when they came out. Watch looks great, btw, congrats.

agreed...I think this model will be a future classic...but for me its already a classic.

[JMac6]

Obviously, tastes are personal, and what appeals to you appeals to you. Don’t let the haters, myself included, dissuade you from the 4947A if you love it.

I have been in your shoes, embarked on the journey that you may decide to go on, and if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t. Buy the number 1 watch you want and don’t buy your second choice or third choice or whatever, because the itch will not be scratched. A near new 5712 sold on Loupe This a month ago in the $80s. That’s about $25-30k over MSRP. Get what you want, and don’t play games. Unless you want to own a minute repeater with your name on it, you are probably better served having a relationship with a dealer. The 5712 may be gone next year. Your AD may lose its dealership. Your AD may just decide not to allocate the 5712 to you.

I really like my AD. I consider them friends. And they have treated me very well. But with the way the market is shifting, I think most consumers are better served just getting what they want.

As for the 4947 and any serially produced Patek - do not buy thinking it will appreciate or be sought after. It’s more likely than not that 5,000 plus will be made of this reference over its lifetime. If you love it, buy it, if you don’t, don’t. Personally, I find it an odd hodgepodge of elements with a movement that is far too small and with a dial that lacks balance.

[John Doyle]

I will give you my opinion: 4947 is a female's watch, and 5712's asymmetry is not something i can live with till the end of my life. I would go with the 5726 grey if you don't want to collect Pateks along the way.

[Calatrava r]

Somewhat late now, but just buying a used 5712 was the way to go from the outset.

[SoylentGreenChi]

Originally Posted by JMac6

Obviously, tastes are personal, and what appeals to you appeals to you. Don’t let the haters, myself included, dissuade you from the 4947A if you love it.

I have been in your shoes, embarked on the journey that you may decide to go on, and if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t. Buy the number 1 watch you want and don’t buy your second choice or third choice or whatever, because the itch will not be scratched. A near new 5712 sold on Loupe This a month ago in the $80s. That’s about $25-30k over MSRP. Get what you want, and don’t play games. Unless you want to own a minute repeater with your name on it, you are probably better served having a relationship with a dealer. The 5712 may be gone next year. Your AD may lose its dealership. Your AD may just decide not to allocate the 5712 to you.

I really like my AD. I consider them friends. And they have treated me very well. But with the way the market is shifting, I think most consumers are better served just getting what they want.

As for the 4947 and any serially produced Patek - do not buy thinking it will appreciate or be sought after. It’s more likely than not that 5,000 plus will be made of this reference over its lifetime. If you love it, buy it, if you don’t, don’t. Personally, I find it an odd hodgepodge of elements with a movement that is far too small and with a dial that lacks balance.

This take/advice is some of the most reasonable, accurate, and expert I have read on the forum. 100% agree.

[jcdevoe26]

Originally Posted by SoylentGreenChi

This take/advice is some of the most reasonable, accurate, and expert I have read on the forum. 100% agree.

[mannyv11]

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

[jcdevoe26]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

Good for you! We are the "customers", we should only buy what we actually want, the bundling and "relationship building" must end...now dont get me wrong when I say relationship building I am talking about this idea of treating SA's like gatekeepers and doing whatever they tell us to do. I have great relationships with an Rolex SA, an Omega SA, and a Patek SA. We chat all the time and just talk watches and release rumors and such.

[1William]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

This is the way to go. Keep us posted on your progress toward the watch you really want.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

If you are undecided between 5712 and 5726 you should find a way to compare them IRL. They wear differently being 8.5mm vs 11.3mm thick and the dials are very different too. Personally I had a hard time deciding between 5711 and 5712 whereas 5726 was never even in the running.

[JMac6]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

I have to commend you for your decision. I am not sure I would have been dissuaded when I first started my "journey."

Between the 5712 and the 5726, I think the 5712 is the way to go. The 240 movement is lovely and it wears the way Genta intended for a Nautilus to wear. However, that is dependent on whether you can get over the asymmetric dial. If you can't, the 5726 is obviously a great choice and is paired with a much more useful complication (personally, I don't view PR, moonphase, and day counting as much of a complication).

Also, while you may not get a Patek offer in the short time, the tides will change. It is becoming easier and easier to get allocations and I imagine in a few years time the market will cool down more. I still love an integrated bracelet sports watch, but I imagine that the Nautilus and the Aquanaut will not stay hot forever. (Lest we forget, the hot model in the 2000s was the manual wind chronograph!).

[mannyv11]

After review and thought I am going to pursue the 5712 it's been the watch I have been eyeing for years. I still remember the days when it was on display at the prudential center in Boston. Typical now that I can afford it the world went crazy lol.
As others have said - tides will turn and should be easier someday or I will just keep saving and eventually bite the bullet second hand for a like new piece. Hopefully it doesn't get discontinued anytime soon.

[JMac6]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

After review and thought I am going to pursue the 5712 it's been the watch I have been eyeing for years. I still remember the days when it was on display at the prudential center in Boston. Typical now that I can afford it the world went crazy lol.
As others have said - tides will turn and should be easier someday or I will just keep saving and eventually bite the bullet second hand for a like new piece. Hopefully it doesn't get discontinued anytime soon.

In my view, the 5712A will get discontinued soon. It has had a long life.

That said, there will likely be a 5812. And the 5811 will probably come in steel. Modern Patek makes a whole lot of watches and if you have your heart set on the 5712, I surmise that you will either have a chance to buy it or something similar. I also believe that the 5712 will continue to drop in secondary price.

[smugtech]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Hi All, I have been getting ready to dip my toes into the Patek market and was offered the 4947a from a dealership recently. I think it's an awesome watch and it would be the first steps to starting the journey. Was wondering if I could have any opinions from people that own the watch and see what overall thoughts were.

End of the journey for me is a 5712 or 5726 I don't think I will ever get there but this could be a nice start.

Dealer was saying for me it looks like the steps would be 4947, 5226, and then potentially 5712

and what if you buy all these watched and still don't get a 5712 or 5726....what's the guarantee?

[pessoa00]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

Well I informed the AD I would pass on the watch and they were very kind. I don’t think I’ll get anymore patek offers from them which is ok. I’m most likely just going grey for the 5712 or the 5726. Thanks everyone for the help.

If the watch you really want is the 5712a that was a very good decision. I find this nautilus a gem and likely a future classic, particularly if they continue to remove steel nautiluses (and aquanauts) from the catalogue.

The 4947a is a beautiful watch and I bought shortly after release. But even though I liked everything about it when I held it in my hands or looked at it on the case, something just didn’t work out when I placed it on my wrist.

As result I rarely used it after purchase and ended up trading it today for a Lange 109.025 which is an incomparably more interesting piece (imo).