AD or Boutique for 1st time PP purchase?

[Luke@TRF]

Not going after any hard to get pieces but potentially looking for a 5146 as a first watch from PP.

WOS has stock on the R & J variances, but 2 weeks to organise for delivery to my local AD store.

PP boutique I haven't checked, but i'd assume it should have no problem with stock availability on the 5146 either.

Question is where would be best to buy it from? An local AD through your sales guy who has a good relationship & sales history or the PP boutique?

Pros / Cons based on your experience would be much appreciated.

[1William]

I would go through the local AD as it is privately owned and can give a discount if they choose. It will also create some history for future purchases and service. At some point the craziness with pricing and availability will abate and it would be nice to have a history with the AD.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Luke@TRF

Not going after any hard to get pieces but potentially looking for a 5146 as a first watch from PP.

WOS has stock on the R & J variances, but 2 weeks to organise for delivery to my local AD store.

PP boutique I haven't checked, but i'd assume it should have no problem with stock availability on the 5146 either.

Question is where would be best to buy it from? An local AD through your sales guy who has a good relationship & sales history or the PP boutique?

Pros / Cons based on your experience would be much appreciated.

Personally I would generally go with an AD, but as always it depends on your AD. I'm not a fan of WOS, never got good service from them. I would go with a small family run AD. I've been to the Salon many times and had great service on straps etc - never purchased.

[Sam Philip]

Originally Posted by Luke@TRF

Not going after any hard to get pieces but potentially looking for a 5146 as a first watch from PP.

WOS has stock on the R & J variances, but 2 weeks to organise for delivery to my local AD store.

PP boutique I haven't checked, but i'd assume it should have no problem with stock availability on the 5146 either.

Question is where would be best to buy it from? An local AD through your sales guy who has a good relationship & sales history or the PP boutique?

Pros / Cons based on your experience would be much appreciated.

If you go with the boutique you won't be getting any discount but they will give you free gifts/straps etc and their service is excellent

I you go with an AD outside London you will be able to get a discount on this piece. 10 - 15% discount is possible on this piece especially if the AD has the piece in stock (many ADs have 5146 in stock)

As Russell mentioned I would also recommend staying away from WOS

[Fat_ninja]

Find someone you enjoy talking to. We text our AD’s and visit all the time. Why do business with people you don’t enjoy.

[MadSpaniard]

I would suggest going to your local AD unless for whatever reason you find they are not to your liking, then try another AD until you find one that is. The point is, there are many ADs out there, don't settle unless they've earned your respect. Close proximity should not be the only criteria for choosing an AD.

I've developed a very good relationship with an AD who is not local to me. I first tried the local AD but wasn't too keen on their style or demeanor, so I looked further away and discovered another AD who met my criteria. Now I work only with that AD, because I know I can count on them to do the right thing by me.

Another good thing about ADs as opposed to the Patek boutique is that ADs carry other brands and other products etc. that may also be of interest, in addition to Patek.

[Luke@TRF]

Thanks for all your feedback per above guys, seems I have plenty work to do finding that AD to work with.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by Luke@TRF

Thanks for all your feedback per above guys, seems I have plenty work to do finding that AD to work with.

If you are in London I would try Pragnell. Never purchased from them but they are always friendly and happy to give me a coffee and simply talk watches.

[Sam Philip]

Originally Posted by Russell996

If you are in London I would try Pragnell. Never purchased from them but they are always friendly and happy to give me a coffee and simply talk watches.

Staff at Pragnell are nice and knowledgeable too.

In contrast some staff at 155 WOS got no clue about Patek

Recently I was looking at a 5205 and the guy was telling me the 24 hour indicator was a "second time zone" and the day and date change instantly at midnight. I asked him to set the "second time zone" to New York time and he could not, then I asked him to show the instantaneous change day/date change and again he could not. I suggested sending the watch for a service as "second time zone" is not working and there was no instantaneous day date change.

[AK797]

Agree with the guys that Pragnell are a good outfit... but with them you are not going to get a whole list of free goodies.

[jon_jon]

Watch allocation is different between UK ADs (allocated by Rhone) vs the London Salon (who gets allocation from Geneva). I have noticed more turnover in staff at London ADs, whereas most people at the London Salon have been there for years.

[SL BRABUS]

Originally Posted by Sam Philip

If you go with the boutique you won't be getting any discount but they will give you free gifts/straps etc and their service is excellent

I you go with an AD outside London you will be able to get a discount on this piece. 10 - 15% discount is possible on this piece especially if the AD has the piece in stock (many ADs have 5146 in stock)

As Russell mentioned I would also recommend staying away from WOS

+3....

[Aquaman]

Originally Posted by Russell996

If you are in London I would try Pragnell. Never purchased from them but they are always friendly and happy to give me a coffee and simply talk watches.

agreed oliver and sam are nice and knowledgeable