[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I mean generally people pick the one from their city and usually it's the only one in town.

Or if there is no local one then a place where you might visit most often.

I won't tend to be picky unless that AD rubs you the wrong way. No guarantee that each and every experience at a particular AD is good. I'll focus on the kind of watches you want first. It seems like you are going to through buying the entire catalogue and need to screen where you money should go... if you were, then it really doesn't matter cause AD would judge you based on your wallet anyways and provide top notch service at that point.

Thanks. Money does indeed speak louder than any other factor. One local AD I've visited rubbed me the wrong way- albeit quite subtly. The one I visited more recently, out of town, seemed a bit less snobby, and the way they took their time to explain things indicated that they valued my time just as I value their assistance.

Originally Posted by ap1

None of this matters, no supply for anything good. Be prepared to spend

Well, you're right that there's no supply for anything I ultimately wanted- but the World Time references look simply beautiful. Also, if the 5196P came with a bigger movement and case back, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it, regardless of the hit it takes on secondary.

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Before you start looking for Patek ADs, ask yourself "why are you looking into Patek?" That honest answer from yourself will be something an AD will appreciate.

There is no right or wrong answer to the above question. Not everyone is a big watch enthusiasts who has collected watches since childhood. Not everyone has the deep pockets to spend 6 or 7 figures on a watch collection. Maybe it is a curiosity with the SS sports watch craze, perhaps it's just the brand and the mystery behind it. Some AD salespeople know a lot, but many know very little. Some of the SAs jump between watch/jewelry stores regularly and for some, it is just a job. Some ADs are snobbish and judge you based on age, appearance, etc. Some watch collectors are snobbish too, so it goes both ways. Just like shopping at any luxury brand retail store, go in with an open mind. Sometimes it is not very different from walking into a Hermes store or a Ferrari dealership. Some SAs are very friendly and others are not.

Good luck with your venture into the brand. It is a special watch brand that has a lot of history. It takes time to get over the surface appeal and understand the watch brand for what it is.

Thank you so much. I agree with your very first and very last line: it does indeed take time to get into the brand itself. I find myself admiring certain models, but not necessarily the heritage that ties them together- yet, anyway. I will work on that before taking the plunge.