5370P , AD or grey market?

[FrançoisCzapek]

could people elaborate what going direct instead of an AD means and how exactly do you do this?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by FrançoisCzapek

could people elaborate what going direct instead of an AD means and how exactly do you do this?

I believe when people mention direct they merely mean through an authorized dealer or salon. Salon is of course the most direct channel but doesn’t make sense for most given the limited amount of locations and extreme high net worth clients being serviced there already.

[FrançoisCzapek]

Originally Posted by dbfagan

If I was spending at that level, I would make sure to do it at a Patek boutique. It may require a flight to Geneva, Paris, or London but you will be building history with Patek directly not an AD that may go under. Total opinion on my part

Have you actually done this?

[FrançoisCzapek]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I believe when people mention direct they merely mean through an authorized dealer or salon. Salon is of course the most direct channel but doesn’t make sense for most given the limited amount of locations and extreme high net worth clients being serviced there already.

So:

1. You can in theory go "direct" to Patek instead of an authorized dealer by going directly to a Patek salon in Geneva, London or Paris.

2. High grand complications are allocated by Patek itself and not just an authorized dealer, and assembled by a different elite department.

3. Salons service queues of UNHWs, and the queue is far beyond that of a normal AD.

4. Unless you are planning to buy a high grand complication each year, in practice, going "direct" to Patek is not possible and pointless. You'll have a fun salon visit though.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by FrançoisCzapek

So:

1. You can in theory go "direct" to Patek instead of an authorized dealer by going directly to a Patek salon in Geneva, London or Paris.

2. High grand complications are allocated by Patek itself and not just an authorized dealer, and assembled by a different elite department.

3. Salons service queues of UNHWs, and the queue is far beyond that of a normal AD.

4. Unless you are planning to buy a high grand complication each year, in practice, going "direct" to Patek is not possible and pointless. You'll have a fun salon visit though.

1-2 yes, 3 for the most part, 4 I would say not necessarily I was just generalizing. Honestly I’m not sure it matters if you’re working with the salon or a good AD. The once you’re buying dozens of patek and buying grand comps patek knows who you are to an extent. Your AD can probably lobby on your behalf if you’re a good customer. This is my understanding. There is always the caveat that your AD could get pulled by patek so in that sense I guess the salon has its perks.

[dbfagan]

Originally Posted by FrançoisCzapek

Have you actually done this?

No sir I have not. However I do not see a boutique turning away a customer willing to part with 6 figures just because they are not “local”.

[bobernet]

Wear the watch for pleasure. Keep the papers for resale. It can be registered in your name no matter who originally purchased it.

I bought my black 5370P a few months old. It was absolutely worth it.