Patek vs. Rolex

[Alexandria_Rolex]

After years of buying Rolex watches I decided to try out Patek Phillipe. I had been talking with the two ADs here in the Washington, D.C. but decided I didn’t have the patience to wait. I took delivery of my 6007G-010 yesterday and am pretty satisfied so far.

After years of Rolex I can’t help but make comparisons in terms of the buying process, packaging quality, fit and finish of the watch, and relationship with the company after purchase:

* It had always been reasonably easy to buy Rolex. After building a relationship through genuine interest, patience, and strategic jewelry and watch buying, I’d get offered watches a few times a year. As you’d expect, it’s been a much tougher time building relationships and getting watches offered from Patek.

* Once I received the 6007G I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and ingenuity of Patek’s packaging. From the outer shells to the presentation box, to the watch sleeve I was impressed by how these were presented. Rolex was always nice, but not “wearing white gloves” nice.

* I’m satisfied with the fit and finish of the 6007G as compared with my previous Rolex watches. From the clean dial to the exhibition caseback it is a pleasure to wear. It has a satisfying weight and looks good on the wrist.

* Finally, now that I’ve taken delivery of my 6007G, I’ve thought about how I feel in terms of my relationship to Patek. The simple acts of registering the watch, getting access to the Patek owners site, and knowing I’ll be getting copies of the Patek Magazine mailed to my home make me feel a bond with the brand that I never felt with Rolex.

Well, that’s my experience so far - I’m interested in your thoughts on all the elements of the process… also, here are some pictures!

Cheers!

Casey

[S’portEye]

I bought my first Patek last month and it was a great experience. Love my Rolex watches, but don’t see me getting another one.

[Alexandria_Rolex]

There’s one other difference, and it has nothing to do with Patek versus Rolex, but after years of wearing Rolexes with metal bracelets, I’m having a bit of a learning curve getting used to the calfskin strap of my 6007g. :-)

[1William]

Congratulations.

[brandrea]

Congratulations Casey

[Calatrava r]

Glad you went on and got it now. Congratulations.

[vliberman]

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

[canez16]

Originally Posted by vliberman

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

Stupidity from someone who can’t afford to own a Patek

[subtona]

Originally Posted by canez16

Stupidity from someone who can’t afford to own a Patek

No better

[canez16]

Originally Posted by subtona

No better

Thanks boomer!

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by canez16

Stupidity from someone who can’t afford to own a Patek

Easy Thierry, u brain seem to be a bit fogged up after Cubitus related mental exertion

[S’portEye]

Originally Posted by vliberman

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

Such a bad take. If you don’t have anything nice to say, just move on.

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

Such a bad take. If you don’t have anything nice to say, just move on.

If u look at the Alexandria_Rolex response, who by the way is a pure class, he understood what I meant, unlike u….before u offer a “take” perhaps let some time pass

[S’portEye]

Originally Posted by vliberman

If u look at the Alexandria_Rolex response, who by the way is a pure class, he understood what I meant, unlike u….before u offer a “take” perhaps let some time pass

If you say so… I got what you meant, a poorly worded hot take.

[TomInNJ]

Originally Posted by vliberman

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

It’s a white gold watch. You can’t a white gold Rolex for under $10k, and you can’t get any Rolex with finish of a Patek.

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by TomInNJ

It’s a white gold watch. You can’t a white gold Rolex for under $10k, and you can’t get any Rolex with finish of a Patek.

Fair point on gold, finish is irrelevant in a context of this specific model….

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by vliberman

Fair point on gold, finish is irrelevant in a context of this specific model….

[salnuaimi]

Originally Posted by vliberman

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

Show me a 10k gold watch from rolex ? i take 2

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by vliberman

It seems that u are trying to justify spending $40k on a watch that in Rolex world would sell for less than 10k, if at all! Not very convincing arguments made to be honest, but such is a price of admission into the world of PP

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I understand your skepticism. I guess after years of hearing people say there was a noticeable difference between the two I wanted to record my initial thoughts right away - even if they’re influenced by the giddiness that occurs right after a watch purchase. :-)

After a few days to consider my initial thoughts I’m still leaning toward Patek having a more impressive buying process. It doesn’t hurt that I got a discount from my dealer that made an already compelling value proposition that much easier to swallow…

[vliberman]

Originally Posted by Alexandria_Rolex

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I understand your skepticism. I guess after years of hearing people say there was a noticeable difference between the two I wanted to record my initial thoughts right away - even if they’re influenced by the giddiness that occurs right after a watch purchase. :-)

After a few days to consider my initial thoughts I’m still leaning toward Patek having a more impressive buying process. It doesn’t hurt that I got a discount from my dealer that made an already compelling value proposition that much easier to swallow…

Fair point, I am glad u were able to get a discount. Enjoy the watch!

Do u feel there is a difference in terms of watch itself? Say as compared to similar 3 hander by Rolex?

[subtona]

Agree w the OP there is a next level to patek.

Rolex is imho not a customer oriented product, they are strictly about sales. Once done the customer is treated as irrelevant.

Patek may not be more than that but they convincingly make me feel they are when I have dealt with service.

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by subtona

Agree w the OP there is a next level to patek.

Rolex is imho not a customer oriented product, they are strictly about sales. Once done the customer is treated as irrelevant.

Patek may not be more than that but they convincingly make me feel they are when I have dealt with service.

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You reminded me of another difference that I find significant. With Rolex I had to travel to my AD and ask for a copy of the Rolex Magazine. I really like that Patek will mail me a copy of their magazine and give me access to the additional content on the Patek/owners site.

It’s a subtle but significant difference in my opinion…

[77T]

Originally Posted by Alexandria_Rolex

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You reminded me of another difference that I find significant. With Rolex I had to travel to my AD and ask for a copy of the Rolex Magazine. I really like that Patek will mail me a copy of their magazine and give me access to the additional content on the Patek/owners site.

It’s a subtle but significant difference in my opinion…

That's something I liked too when I bought my 5119.

HQ also allowed me to register the watch with my name when I joined the owners registry. That instantly gave me the peace of mind that it wasn't on their stolen watch list. Sort of a reverse validity check.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by 77T

That's something I liked too when I bought my 5119.

HQ also allowed me to register the watch with my name when I joined the owners registry. That instantly gave me the peace of mind that it wasn't on their stolen watch list. Sort of a reverse validity check.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I agree - when I registered I did feel an added assurance that my purchase was on the level :-)

[canez16]

And congrats to the OP. Very cool reference

[Robison347]

I have not bought a Patek recently, but I do service the ones we already have. That experience is definitely at a different level from Rolex.

For Rolex repairs, I give the watch to my dealer, and it comes back repaired. All my dealing is with my local dealer. I don’t think Rolex knows who I am.The service is fine, but impersonal as far as Rolex goes. Of course, many other products are like that. If you bring your new car in for service, you deal with the local dealer and not the manufacturer.

With Patek, I call Stern’s in Manhattan. They are the US office for Patek, and handle service on the second floor of a building by Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. I tell them which watches I want to bring, and they look them up and give me a date and time to come down.

When I arrive, I give my ID to the security fellow, and he calls up to make sure I have an appointment. They send me up, and I enter a nice area that could be a private display area for a jeweler, but is just Patek service. Some watches are shown disassembled in cases, but nothing is for sale. There is a receptionist who greets me, and they point me to a seat. A short while later they bring me into one of the little rooms to meet the watchmaker. We take out the watches, look them over, and they tell me what’s next. Sometimes a watch goes home to Switzerland; other times they service it here (I think on Long Island and there in Manhattan).

One experience stood out for me. I took my wife’s watch for service and went down and picked it up. When I brought it home, it no longer fit. I sent it back to them via FedEx and went back and got it a second time. This time, it fit, and a few days later, the bracelet came apart and she almost lost it. I called Patek again, and drove back with it. That time, while I waited, they replaced the seven year old bracelet at no charge, telling me that should not happen on a Patek watch. It’s been fine ever since.

I’ve never seen that level of personal service with Rolex, but look at how many more watches they have to handle. With Patek, you are one of relatively few. In contrast, there are millions of Rolex owners in the USA alone.

As for the comments that the Patek watch is $40k for what Rolex sells for $10k . . . That is no more true than saying Tiffany sells a bracelet you can buy for $200 locally for $1000 just because they are Tiffany. The watches are not the same, and neither are the bracelets. Furthermore when you buy more exclusive things you have to assume the costs of manufacture and distribution will be higher.

If the Patek was truly a $10k watch for $40, Patek would be more profitable than Rolex but actually it seems the reverse is true.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Robison347

I have not bought a Patek recently, but I do service the ones we already have. That experience is definitely at a different level from Rolex.

For Rolex repairs, I give the watch to my dealer, and it comes back repaired. All my dealing is with my local dealer. I don’t think Rolex knows who I am.The service is fine, but impersonal as far as Rolex goes. Of course, many other products are like that. If you bring your new car in for service, you deal with the local dealer and not the manufacturer.

With Patek, I call Stern’s in Manhattan. They are the US office for Patek, and handle service on the second floor of a building by Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. I tell them which watches I want to bring, and they look them up and give me a date and time to come down.

When I arrive, I give my ID to the security fellow, and he calls up to make sure I have an appointment. They send me up, and I enter a nice area that could be a private display area for a jeweler, but is just Patek service. Some watches are shown disassembled in cases, but nothing is for sale. There is a receptionist who greets me, and they point me to a seat. A short while later they bring me into one of the little rooms to meet the watchmaker. We take out the watches, look them over, and they tell me what’s next. Sometimes a watch goes home to Switzerland; other times they service it here (I think on Long Island and there in Manhattan).

One experience stood out for me. I took my wife’s watch for service and went down and picked it up. When I brought it home, it no longer fit. I sent it back to them via FedEx and went back and got it a second time. This time, it fit, and a few days later, the bracelet came apart and she almost lost it. I called Patek again, and drove back with it. That time, while I waited, they replaced the seven year old bracelet at no charge, telling me that should not happen on a Patek watch. It’s been fine ever since.

I’ve never seen that level of personal service with Rolex, but look at how many more watches they have to handle. With Patek, you are one of relatively few. In contrast, there are millions of Rolex owners in the USA alone.

As for the comments that the Patek watch is $40k for what Rolex sells for $10k . . . That is no more true than saying Tiffany sells a bracelet you can buy for $200 locally for $1000 just because they are Tiffany. The watches are not the same, and neither are the bracelets. Furthermore when you buy more exclusive things you have to assume the costs of manufacture and distribution will be higher.

If the Patek was truly a $10k watch for $40, Patek would be more profitable than Rolex but actually it seems the reverse is true.

100% correct. The folks at Henri Stern agency are a pleasure to deal with. They will, while you wait, check your watch out and recommend any service on the spot. If it is to be returned to you by post, that also is handled efficiently. If one needs a new or replacement strap, the lady there is a pleasure to deal with and won't give up until you are pleased.

I now have a number of Patek watches and my Rolex inventory is one old Explorer.

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by Robison347

I have not bought a Patek recently, but I do service the ones we already have. That experience is definitely at a different level from Rolex.

For Rolex repairs, I give the watch to my dealer, and it comes back repaired. All my dealing is with my local dealer. I don’t think Rolex knows who I am.The service is fine, but impersonal as far as Rolex goes. Of course, many other products are like that. If you bring your new car in for service, you deal with the local dealer and not the manufacturer.

With Patek, I call Stern’s in Manhattan. They are the US office for Patek, and handle service on the second floor of a building by Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. I tell them which watches I want to bring, and they look them up and give me a date and time to come down.

When I arrive, I give my ID to the security fellow, and he calls up to make sure I have an appointment. They send me up, and I enter a nice area that could be a private display area for a jeweler, but is just Patek service. Some watches are shown disassembled in cases, but nothing is for sale. There is a receptionist who greets me, and they point me to a seat. A short while later they bring me into one of the little rooms to meet the watchmaker. We take out the watches, look them over, and they tell me what’s next. Sometimes a watch goes home to Switzerland; other times they service it here (I think on Long Island and there in Manhattan).

One experience stood out for me. I took my wife’s watch for service and went down and picked it up. When I brought it home, it no longer fit. I sent it back to them via FedEx and went back and got it a second time. This time, it fit, and a few days later, the bracelet came apart and she almost lost it. I called Patek again, and drove back with it. That time, while I waited, they replaced the seven year old bracelet at no charge, telling me that should not happen on a Patek watch. It’s been fine ever since.

I’ve never seen that level of personal service with Rolex, but look at how many more watches they have to handle. With Patek, you are one of relatively few. In contrast, there are millions of Rolex owners in the USA alone.

As for the comments that the Patek watch is $40k for what Rolex sells for $10k . . . That is no more true than saying Tiffany sells a bracelet you can buy for $200 locally for $1000 just because they are Tiffany. The watches are not the same, and neither are the bracelets. Furthermore when you buy more exclusive things you have to assume the costs of manufacture and distribution will be higher.

If the Patek was truly a $10k watch for $40, Patek would be more profitable than Rolex but actually it seems the reverse is true.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I’m really glad you mentioned this. I hadn’t thought much about service for my new Patek but I’m glad to hear your thoughts on this part of watch collecting.

Thanks!

[SudiYunus]

Congratz, am still saving for my 1st Patek :p

[Alexandria_Rolex]

Originally Posted by SudiYunus

Congratz, am still saving for my 1st Patek :p

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Saw you have the DJ OP36 Pink Dial - Nice! :-)