Previous Purchase History for a Nautilus

[MiBryant]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been browsing this forum for a while now, but only recently decided to make an account. I know this question differs from AD to AD, but I’m just genuinely curious with everyone else’s past experiences, especially with the insane recent prices of the Nautilus models and stainless steel watches in general. Up here in Canada, my city has which I believe to be one of the four Patek Philippe ADs in the country, which makes me believe competition might be pretty high.

For those of you who have purchased a Nautilus from an AD, how much purchase history have you made before a Nautilus was within your reach (e.g., your name written down on the wait list as a “serious” candidate, was promised to you, or even offered immediately)?

I am currently a college student, and only have a Sea Dweller and Submariner in my collection. I know that this is beyond my reach at the moment due to the lack of a relationship with an AD, but my goal is to have my first Patek with my name on it, no matter how long it takes. My father has a 5712 and would really like one so we can have matching watches!

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

If you’re in the GTA you can forget about it :chuckle.

I tried one on in Chicago years ago, at a boutique on the Michigan Mile ... beautiful watch

[1William]

Welcome. No clue on the PP.

[WatchGuy]

I’m on the list at an AD in Canada (for an Aquanaut - my mistake), which shall remain nameless. I bought 1 5270P. That’s it.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by MiBryant

Hello everyone,

I’ve been browsing this forum for a while now, but only recently decided to make an account. I know this question differs from AD to AD, but I’m just genuinely curious with everyone else’s past experiences, especially with the insane recent prices of the Nautilus models and stainless steel watches in general. Up here in Canada, my city has which I believe to be one of the four Patek Philippe ADs in the country, which makes me believe competition might be pretty high.

For those of you who have purchased a Nautilus from an AD, how much purchase history have you made before a Nautilus was within your reach (e.g., your name written down on the wait list as a “serious” candidate, was promised to you, or even offered immediately)?

I am currently a college student, and only have a Sea Dweller and Submariner in my collection. I know that this is beyond my reach at the moment due to the lack of a relationship with an AD, but my goal is to have my first Patek with my name on it, no matter how long it takes. My father has a 5712 and would really like one so we can have matching watches!

If your father already has an existing relationship with an AD, why not have him help you? The AD will be happy to put your name on the paper and according to my AD, as long as it is in the same family, Patek will look at it favorably. (I have all of our watches in my children's name on the paper since Patek is meant for the next generation ) In case you or your dad decide to put your name down on an application piece.

With the rumored discontinuation of the 5712a, time may be running short to acquire one if you have not already got commitment from an AD to deliver one soon. (But then again, it is still rumor)

Good luck with your search

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy

I’m on the list at an AD in Canada (for an Aquanaut - my mistake), which shall remain nameless. I bought 1 5270P. That’s it.

But that's a 5270P and well over 6 figures. I think an AD rewarding you with an Aquanaut is quite reasonable.

Originally Posted by MiBryant

Hello everyone,

I’ve been browsing this forum for a while now, but only recently decided to make an account. I know this question differs from AD to AD, but I’m just genuinely curious with everyone else’s past experiences, especially with the insane recent prices of the Nautilus models and stainless steel watches in general. Up here in Canada, my city has which I believe to be one of the four Patek Philippe ADs in the country, which makes me believe competition might be pretty high.

For those of you who have purchased a Nautilus from an AD, how much purchase history have you made before a Nautilus was within your reach (e.g., your name written down on the wait list as a “serious” candidate, was promised to you, or even offered immediately)?

I am currently a college student, and only have a Sea Dweller and Submariner in my collection. I know that this is beyond my reach at the moment due to the lack of a relationship with an AD, but my goal is to have my first Patek with my name on it, no matter how long it takes. My father has a 5712 and would really like one so we can have matching watches!

As for the OP, Canada has 4 ADs. 2 controlled by Birks (under one main manager who does the allocation) and others standard ADs. 1 in each province.

Your chances (as you have researched) is very very slim. And that's being optimistic especially with a Nautilus. However, it really comes down to how much money you would eventually want to invest in the brand.

Most ADs, won't care too much on your Rolex spend anymore (assuming the Patek AD also carries Rolex) as everything is pretty easy to move nowadays. You are pretty much up left with buying a bunch watches, jewelry or brands you don't want or you'll buy a bunch of dress Pateks. In any case, you would spend well above 6 figures CAD to even knock on the door.

As a realistic approach of you stilling being in university/college, you should save everything you got and just buy grey eventually. Unless you hit a lottery, marque job, or inherit a bunch of money, you need to the capital first, then you will have to buy a bunch of watches, and hope to be allocated one. I should probably add... you will need to likely buy a bunch of watches over a short period of time. I've known many long term customers of particular ADs with 10+ years of history not being allocated one even with the 6 figure spending since its been spread over many years. Most places are how much have you spent with us recently vs. "relationship".

There might be a few milestones you need to hit first... I'll start with talking to your AD and almost be straight with them.

This is the likely Canadian approach. Our market is small and allocations are very low.

[HMHM]

It’s gonna be hard. In the other thread I wrote that it takes at least 5 PP these days to qualify for a Nautilus, with preferably a combination of Calatrava, AC and GC to start the discussion for a Nautilus. Obviously if you buy 3 GC the total spent would make you qualify quicker. But once you reach the amount required the waiting time is approximately 1 year. Getting the watch is not hard, spending the amount on other watches to get the watch…. THATS EFFING HARD.

[szabo_martin]

Lol college student and "only" have a sea dweller and submariner... must be in Vancouver. If your dad has a 5712 get him to buy you a Nautilus and pay him back, as he must have a relationship with the AD.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

Lol college student and "only" have a sea dweller and submariner... must be in Vancouver. If your dad has a 5712 get him to buy you a Nautilus and pay him back, as he must have a relationship with the AD.

Hahaha... could've been years ago. And Birks won't let you get more than one Nautilus in this day and age now... so it would work against them.

[szabo_martin]

Depends, if he can drum up a relationship with Irene over the 5712 maybe he can get somewhere. I think walking off the street its dead before it begins

[Xerxes77]

Depends, most AD who are honest AD are closed by Patek. I think Patek like the game and make what it’s best for AD not for final customer. You need to spend too much. Better pay grey price and enjoy the watch. Like how things look now I have doubts that Nautilus and Aquanaut will be soon easy to buy from AD.
I have blessed and find one of this AD and give me 2 Nautilus: 57261A-014 in 2020 and 5980 1AR in 2021 with no history and no obligation to buy anything. Unfortunately they stop be Patek AD from this year. They will have my gratitude forever!

[azizu]

By the time you graduate from college, Patek might have already issued the replacement of the steel nautilus

[P1nky_Up]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy

I’m on the list at an AD in Canada (for an Aquanaut - my mistake), which shall remain nameless. I bought 1 5270P. That’s it.

How long ago was the 5270P bought? I’m shocked they didn’t push an aquanaut your way relatively quickly.

OP: I got a nautilus 5 weeks after buying my first Patek and have an aquanaut coming in a few months.

[srvrf]

Since it doesn't sound like finances are a barrier and the OP is probably around 20 years old, I think a discussion with his local AD is very reasonable. He could strike up a conversation, tell them his story, and see where it goes. The worst thing they can do is tell him no. And while it seems highly unlikely they'd offer him a Nautilus as a first purchase, they would probably love to have a young customer with the financial means and desire to potentially purchase multiple expensive watches over his lifetime.

If a single Nautilus is the only Patek the OP wants, then of course grey market is probably the best way to go.

[WatchGuy]

Originally Posted by P1nky_Up

How long ago was the 5270P bought? I’m shocked they didn’t push an aquanaut your way relatively quickly.

OP: I got a nautilus 5 weeks after buying my first Patek and have an aquanaut coming in a few months.

I got my 5270P a little more than 1 month ago.

[P1nky_Up]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy

I got my 5270P a little more than 1 month ago.

Honestly, with the production right now they might not have gotten one since you got the 5270P or if they did it was already promised to someone else. I’d assume you’ll get one within 3-6 months of the 5270P. Enjoy the 5270P while you wait. Amazing watch btw.

[Trainedmonkey]

I had a buying history of about 100k-150k at my AD, not really targeting a Nautilus or anything. Just buying PP watches I enjoy. Asked about a 5711 blue dial mid 2019. Got it in little over a year (They did say they only get one or two per year), no list was mentioned. One of the last blue dials ever produced. Papers dated January 21.

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[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by Trainedmonkey

I had a buying history of about 100k-150k at my AD, not really targeting a Nautilus or anything. Just buying PP watches I enjoy. Asked about a 5711 blue dial mid 2019. Got it in little over a year (They did say they only get one or two per year), no list was mentioned. One of the last blue dials ever produced. Papers dated January 21.

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Wow!!! Regardless of the hype, the 5711 is really a beautiful watch! I don't think I have ever seen bad wrist shot of the 5711. It will be one of the most notable sports watches in history of watchmaking forever. Even if the hype will die down, it will still be an awesome watch.

[mjm700]

Originally Posted by Trainedmonkey

I had a buying history of about 100k-150k at my AD, not really targeting a Nautilus or anything. Just buying PP watches I enjoy. Asked about a 5711 blue dial mid 2019. Got it in little over a year (They did say they only get one or two per year), no list was mentioned. One of the last blue dials ever produced. Papers dated January 21.

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I had the same experience, maybe a year earlier on the 5711, and wasn't focused on just PP (Rolex, Panerai, Breguet, JLC, etc.). Bottom line is that you need a good relationship with an AD. There are a number of ways you might build that relationship - some are healthy and some are not. But I really don't think there is some universal formula that you have to buy x and y in order to get a nautilus. I'm sure those ADs exist, and I'm glad I haven't had to buy anything I didn't want to buy - all my mistakes were my own!

[SpaceDweller77]

I was offered my Nautilus 5711 in August of 2020 after an approximate 9 month wait and very little purchase history. It was my first Patek and it definitely will not be my last. While waiting I stopped by my AD 2-3 times and discussed watches, showing my genuine appreciation for the brand/horology. From what I have read it’s an unusual story and obviously not the norm...I consider myself fortunate.

[acaixguard]

Since the Nautilus 5711 is being d/c'd soon, was hoping we can expand this list to Aquanauts, which are also very difficult to obtain.

For those who don't mind, how much spend history to get an Aquanaut 5167A or 5164A? Also, did you have to specifically buy other Patek models, or just any type of spend history at the AD.

[CastorKrieg]

Originally Posted by acaixguard

Since the Nautilus 5711 is being d/c'd soon, was hoping we can expand this list to Aquanauts, which are also very difficult to obtain.

For those who don't mind, how much spend history to get an Aquanaut 5167A or 5164A? Also, did you have to specifically buy other Patek models, or just any type of spend history at the AD.

Bought Nautilus as my first Patek in 2016, waited a year. Asked about a 5167A in H1 2018, got it in December 2019. In between I didn't buy any watches.

[2nastie]

OP must have went back to studying them books.

[llngoc]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

OP must have went back to studying them books.

Who knows. By the time he graduates, Nautilus may not be the hottest thing on IG anymore and we can just walk in and get it with a 10% discount. So study hard and find a good job may be the best preparation he can do now to be ready for a Nautilus purchase.

But at least he has great goal, when I was in college, I can barely afford a Timex...

[Robine]

When he graduates, Quartz PPs have become fashionable because of their "retro" tech.

[SLWoodster]

Lost cause my friend, buy grey. Then if you actually get one from an AD, just get rid of one of them.

Unless this were 2016, it's unlikely you yourself will get a nautilus model. You have to use your dad's AD. I'm really sorry to say, one 5712 purchase doesn't mean much either. Hopefully he has a decade of history.

The quotes I've been getting from ADs when I go with my uncles is $2-3m in spend over the course over several years. Your collection needs to be registered with Patek. The sales rep sends a biography of the buyer and their patek collection prior to Patek allocating any stainless steel pieces.

Best of luck. It's a crappy situation for people who just want stainless or anything selling above retail.

Originally Posted by MiBryant

Hello everyone,

I’ve been browsing this forum for a while now, but only recently decided to make an account. I know this question differs from AD to AD, but I’m just genuinely curious with everyone else’s past experiences, especially with the insane recent prices of the Nautilus models and stainless steel watches in general. Up here in Canada, my city has which I believe to be one of the four Patek Philippe ADs in the country, which makes me believe competition might be pretty high.

For those of you who have purchased a Nautilus from an AD, how much purchase history have you made before a Nautilus was within your reach (e.g., your name written down on the wait list as a “serious” candidate, was promised to you, or even offered immediately)?

I am currently a college student, and only have a Sea Dweller and Submariner in my collection. I know that this is beyond my reach at the moment due to the lack of a relationship with an AD, but my goal is to have my first Patek with my name on it, no matter how long it takes. My father has a 5712 and would really like one so we can have matching watches!

[WatchingAustin]

I asked my AD for a 5712 in Feb or March of 2021. I was offered one at retail end of April 2021.

My only Patek purchase was a 5164 from that AD in 2017. My AD purchase history is a 5164 and half down as deposit for a day date. The AD was also purchased by a large chain in 2018 or 2019, so my application was competing with everyone in the US pretty much.

I think it is possible, esp. since Patek is going after the younger generation. Be genuinely enthusiastic and you'll get something.

[Robine]

Originally Posted by WatchingAustin

Be genuinely enthusiastic and you'll get something.

How??

I am envisioning a 1950s buzzcut type, with eyes wide open, "That's gold, Jerry, gold!", wishing the SA an "amazing rest of the afternoon" etc.