Patek owners - do you shed Rolex?

[myk7000]

I have been mulling over whether I should get an Aquanaut (specifically the 5065A or 5164A), and feel like the only way I can justify the cost is if I do a 1-in-1-out approach.

For certain reasons, the only watch that can be on the chopping block is unfortunately my only Rolex (116520 white daytona), and I am having some trouble deciding whether practically, the aquanaut can simply take the place of the Daytona, or if I'll sorely miss having a Rolex sport watch in the collection.

Curious for you Patek collectors - how have you dealt with this dilemma? Would you substitute a sport Patek for a sport Rolex and be happy? Or is this something that you find is not the right approach?

Let's assume "just have both" is currently off the table :)

[GGGMT]

Last year, in an effort to shed, watches, I just didn’t use, and ultimately had stopped caring about that much, I traded for amazing Rolex for one Patek. Which I know where all the time. 100% worth it. It’s a little different than your dilemma, but for me, an aquanaut trumps a Daytona, 10 days out of 10. But then again, while I respect the Daytona, I never caught the “bug.”


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[mannyv11]

I've been debating the same thing. I am on the fence about letting go a platinum day date to add to add a Patek to the collection.
Obviously I'm a huge aquanaut / nautilus fan but those are trading at such a premium I will probably sit that contest out.

The 5226 really caught my eye and I might try to make a hard play for that one, but I have no idea yet how hard that is to get from an AD. I live near Boston so I am a tiny tiny fish in a huge pond so will most likely have to go secondary.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

I've been debating the same thing. I am on the fence about letting go a platinum day date to add to add a Patek to the collection.
Obviously I'm a huge aquanaut / nautilus fan but those are trading at such a premium I will probably sit that contest out.

The 5226 really caught my eye and I might try to make a hard play for that one, but I have no idea yet how hard that is to get from an AD. I live near Boston so I am a tiny tiny fish in a huge pond so will most likely have to go secondary.

I recently went through this exercise and sold my Rolex Sub (126610LV) to help fund a 5226. I tried working with a AD to buy a 5167 but after 4 years to no avail, I ended up buying a pristine 5226 pre-owned example from European Watch Company out of Boston. Since you live near Boston, they have a 5226 in stock so you can see the watch in person if you wish.

PM me if you have any questions.

[vitalsigns]

I would but not for an Aquanaut.

[V25V]

I have a 5164a and its definitely one of my favorites. If I were in a position to sell one of my Daytona's to have the Aquanaut, I would in a minute. Its a much better all around watch for sure and I wear it all the time. That said, I love my Daytona's too. Ideally, make it work to keep both but if you must, the deal is worthwhile in my eyes.

[HMHM]

It is always a tricky question. I like both, have both. But ultimately if I had to pick one, I would probably keep the Daytona. At the end of the day, the Daytona is an icon of a wristwatch on its own. The Aquanaut is amazing too, but I don’t think it’s legacy will be one that is as significant as the Daytona. And I would make the same decision for both the Aquanaut and the Nautilus :)

[Bmats]

I got a 5158 and it’s still my favorite watch. But I still find myself wearing my submariner and BLRO all the time. Does the aquanaut get more wrist time? Yes. But there’s still something really satisfying about a Rolex sports watch, and it has dashed any thoughts of parting with them.

[Calatrava r]

Aquanaut and Daytona are so different. I cannot trade one for the other unless I no longer cared for one of them at all. Otherwise, I would figure out how to own both at some point.

[Aboutderntime]

That is a tough one. I purchased a 5167a at the peak of their value last year. Very dumb decision… I ended up trading a couple of other watches that were also overvalued and contributed to the trade/purchase. Ultimately, I really liked the 5167a however, I ended up selling it as the value was plummeting and I just didn’t feel that the watch commanded it’s market value. Don’t get me wrong, it is phenomenal and I wish I still had one but I think this is one I would only feel comfortable purchasing at retail or perhaps within a $10,000 margin above.

The 5164 may be a different story and I've also had my eye on purchasing or trading for one on the secondary. Oddly enough, my white gold Daytona on OF would probably be the one to go towards the purchase. The white Daytona is so iconic. Did you purchase from an AD? If so, I'd have a hard time letting it go as it is unlikely you would have another chance to purchase one. Good luck and keep us posted!

[fsprow]

Yes, I had several Rolex but now down to one beat up Explorer. Primarily have gone to Patek (5168/5164/5170/5711) and very glad I have done so.

[agsstructures]

I think it’s nice to have one Rolex. I have a 3940 that is currently being serviced, it’s a 3 month lead time and my DD36 is a nice backup. As much as I love Patek, Rolex makes a tank of a watch.

[Rollieo]

Rolex is just such a nice daily. Like others have said, it’s a tank.

Patek Aquanaut is one of the few that could be an easy daily. Despite how under the radar it is and how comfortable it is, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable wearing a Patek as a daily.

I don’t see any issue with trading Rolex for Patek, but if it’s your only Rolex I wouldn’t do it.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Rolex is just such a nice daily. Like others have said, it’s a tank.

Patek Aquanaut is one of the few that could be an easy daily. Despite how under the radar it is and how comfortable it is, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable wearing a Patek as a daily.

I don’t see any issue with trading Rolex for Patek, but if it’s your only Rolex I wouldn’t do it.

its a great daily watch - very comfortable go get it. is it worth 26k retail ?probably not - imo a 15k watch but what can you do - I bought it at retail I guess it's fine

[JettyOne]

Do it. I daily 5065 for half a decade. It’s ultra light and very easy to live with.

[John Doyle]

Keep the daytona, save and add the aquanaut down the line.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Keep the daytona, save and add the aquanaut down the line.

This is the best advice you're gonna get. Generally speaking, when you trade, you lose, unless you're trading your Daytona for a watch that sells at or below retail (like almost any Lange).
Also remember that boredom is the enemy of the collector.

[RollingInTheDeep]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Keep the daytona, save and add the aquanaut down the line.

This, and while I am biased as the Daytona is a grail (and was before the hype), the Daytona is arguably the marquee sport model.

[ChetBaker]

Get rid of the rolexes. I traded a couple just this month and topped up to get a Moser. Is it a wise decision financially? probably not, but wear what you love.

[geoach]

get the 5065 and don't look back

[1William]

The value of the Daytona at best is 20k but probably less. Without understanding what the PP costs I would believe you would still need to add significant funds. Keep what you have and just go on with it.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by 1William

The value of the Daytona at best is 20k but probably less. Without understanding what the PP costs I would believe you would still need to add significant funds. Keep what you have and just go on with it.

Exactly. Owning a 50k or 60k watch seems a stretch if one can't easily afford or justify it w/o selling a 20k watch. I'd wait until I could easily swing both. Even more so if I was afraid I'd miss the 20k watch. If the Daytona doesn't get any wrist time once I owned both I'll be a happy seller but not before.

[DonLee]

Going to Patek and never going back to Rolex. I have 1 Rolex and it'll be with me forever, but it'll be my last as well. You can't pay that much money on a machine made time piece. As well the fact that if you own 1 Rolex, you basically own any Rolex. They are all sports watches that are relatively same size and bracelets. Patek you have all kinds of complications and each watch is significantly more special, made with care than any Rolex.

[Partekular]

Originally Posted by DonLee

. ……………….. Rolex. They are all sports watches that are relatively same size and bracelets.

Patek you have all kinds of complications and each watch is significantly more special, made with care than any Rolex.

Exactly so.

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by DonLee

Going to Patek and never going back to Rolex. I have 1 Rolex and it'll be with me forever, but it'll be my last as well. You can't pay that much money on a machine made time piece. As well the fact that if you own 1 Rolex, you basically own any Rolex. They are all sports watches that are relatively same size and bracelets. Patek you have all kinds of complications and each watch is significantly more special, made with care than any Rolex.

I have a 36mm Explorer, a OF Daytona, and a BLNR. I don’t think they are relatively the same.

[jgottsman11]

I'm doing this right now. Just sold my platinum 5 digit day date and am in the process of selling one more for an aquanaut

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

I'm doing this right now. Just sold my platinum 5 digit day date and am in the process of selling one more for an aquanaut

That’s too bad. The DD is a better watch than the Aquanaut in every respect.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by bobernet

That’s too bad. The DD is a better watch than the Aquanaut in every respect.

I've got two more day dates.

[John Doyle]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

I'm doing this right now. Just sold my platinum 5 digit day date and am in the process of selling one more for an aquanaut

I could never rationally justify to myself doing that but you have other DDs so I can understand the change of scenery needed.

[dmb359]

I typically now sell one or more watches when I get a new one, and I rarely miss the ones I've sold. I don't think an aquanaut would take the place of a daytona, as they are quite different, but I certainly would rather have the Patek. You may miss the Daytona, but if thats your only option of something to sell, then I would do it.