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Old 29 December 2021, 01:26 PM   #1
Mattt
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Icon14 Patek Philippe complications advice

Hey guys, I hope you're all doing well.

I'm being offered a watch that has been sitting for years. This watch was purchased 3-4 years ago and has been worn only a couple of times.

How delicate are these pieces? Will I face any sort of issues if I purchase a watch that has been sitting for this long and use it as a daily?

Thanks for all the info shared in this subforum

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Old 30 December 2021, 08:02 AM   #2
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What model? Generally speaking it’ll be fine. Most watches sit for years unmoved anyway lol
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Old 30 December 2021, 08:52 AM   #3
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Being offered by whom? Trusted seller, random person on the internet, friend?


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Old 30 December 2021, 08:55 AM   #4
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Factor in a service cost with the price as well as 9 months of time to have Patek service the piece. If it's still a good deal, then go for it if you like it enough.
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Old 30 December 2021, 10:38 AM   #5
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Factor in a service cost with the price as well as 9 months of time to have Patek service the piece. If it's still a good deal, then go for it if you like it enough.
Certainly not my experience. Two years ago I bought a Patek that had been unused for 5 years. Runs like a top, 300 degree amplitude and within 1spd. No service indicated.

Modern synthetic lubricants do not degrade for a very long time.
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Old 30 December 2021, 10:59 AM   #6
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Certainly not my experience. Two years ago I bought a Patek that had been unused for 5 years. Runs like a top, 300 degree amplitude and within 1spd. No service indicated.

Modern synthetic lubricants do not degrade for a very long time.
Glad to hear that was your experience, and you may very well be right, but we can't know in advance, so I'd always run the numbers the way I proposed when buying a watch that sat for a few years unused.
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Old 30 December 2021, 11:55 AM   #7
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What model? Generally speaking it’ll be fine. Most watches sit for years unmoved anyway lol
5960 stainless steel.


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Being offered by whom? Trusted seller, random person on the internet, friend?


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Trusted seller.


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Originally Posted by vitalsigns View Post
Factor in a service cost with the price as well as 9 months of time to have Patek service the piece. If it's still a good deal, then go for it if you like it enough.
This is my main concern. I do not want to go through a 9 month PP service.



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Glad to hear that was your experience, and you may very well be right, but we can't know in advance, so I'd always run the numbers the way I proposed when buying a watch that sat for a few years unused.
Thanks for the advice.



Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply my thread.
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Old 30 December 2021, 11:57 AM   #8
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If it’s a trusted seller would ask about how watch is running and if they offer a 1 or 2 year warranty on it even better.


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Old 30 December 2021, 03:43 PM   #9
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5960 stainless steel.
If your country has a service centre that can service these the wait shouldn’t be 9months, if it needs to go to Switzerland then it might. If it’s a good price, go for it I wouldn’t worry about a service personally
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Old 30 December 2021, 04:31 PM   #10
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This is my main concern. I do not want to go through a 9 month PP service.
I recently sent my in-law's 5146 to the Patek Service Centre and got it back within 1 month. It has been used almost daily for 4 years, with scratches all over the case (a polish was done during the servicing) and a cracked dial. It shouldn't take 9 months if your region has a PSC and the watch concerned is not a vintage/high grand complications.
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Old 30 December 2021, 05:05 PM   #11
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It is only 3-4 years old, my experience is it will be 100% fine, I have a many watches that have sat way longer like decades and no service. Dunno unless lubricates etc have changed in the quest for picking up the servicing dollar.
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Old 30 December 2021, 07:18 PM   #12
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I recently sent my in-law's 5146 to the Patek Service Centre and got it back within 1 month. It has been used almost daily for 4 years, with scratches all over the case (a polish was done during the servicing) and a cracked dial. It shouldn't take 9 months if your region has a PSC and the watch concerned is not a vintage/high grand complications.
What does PP consider vintage ? I have a 1999 Aquanaut would that be vintage ? Its going to need a service soon
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Old 30 December 2021, 07:23 PM   #13
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What does PP consider vintage ? I have a 1999 Aquanaut would that be vintage ? Its going to need a service soon
The website states beyond 20 years. I suggest you check with your Patek Service Centre for confirmation. That said, I don't think the Aquanaut movement will take a long time regardless of age.
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Old 30 December 2021, 09:20 PM   #14
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Mattt - I think it’s a green light if the price is within your range.

Superior movement and modern lubes are the jackpot for reliable performance for years to come.

It’s possible the watch may underperform in your early ownership, it should still be under warranty, right? So it may just be a complimentary regulation at an AD with a PP certified watchmaker.


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Old 30 December 2021, 10:21 PM   #15
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If it’s a trusted seller would ask about how watch is running and if they offer a 1 or 2 year warranty on it even better.


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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesd20 View Post
If your country has a service centre that can service these the wait shouldn’t be 9months, if it needs to go to Switzerland then it might. If it’s a good price, go for it I wouldn’t worry about a service personally

Quote:
Originally Posted by Moondoggy View Post
It is only 3-4 years old, my experience is it will be 100% fine, I have a many watches that have sat way longer like decades and no service. Dunno unless lubricates etc have changed in the quest for picking up the servicing dollar.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
Mattt - I think it’s a green light if the price is within your range.

Superior movement and modern lubes are the jackpot for reliable performance for years to come.

It’s possible the watch may underperform in your early ownership, it should still be under warranty, right? So it may just be a complimentary regulation at an AD with a PP certified watchmaker.


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Thanks. I'm pulling the trigger tomorrow the 31. I'll upload a picture
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Old 31 December 2021, 01:20 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattt View Post
Hey guys, I hope you're all doing well.

I'm being offered a watch that has been sitting for years. This watch was purchased 3-4 years ago and has been worn only a couple of times.

How delicate are these pieces? Will I face any sort of issues if I purchase a watch that has been sitting for this long and use it as a daily?

Thanks for all the info shared in this subforum

br,
3-4 years is not a long time for PP. the modern watches are really well made and the lubrication lasts long time.
i believe you mentioned that the watch is a 5960 which does have a power reserve so you can tell for sure if the watch is keeping good time and keeping power reserve (i.e. doesn't really need service)
go for it and enjoy life before the next lock down
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Old 3 January 2022, 11:56 AM   #17
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The website states beyond 20 years. I suggest you check with your Patek Service Centre for confirmation. That said, I don't think the Aquanaut movement will take a long time regardless of age.
Hi Mike,

Any experience with walking in to just order parts from the Patek Service Centre?
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Old 3 January 2022, 12:13 PM   #18
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Hi Mike,

Any experience with walking in to just order parts from the Patek Service Centre?
I suggest to call in first. If they have the stock they will ask you to walk in, if not there will be a wait for the stock to arrive after they restock from HQ.
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Old 3 January 2022, 12:39 PM   #19
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I suggest to call in first. If they have the stock they will ask you to walk in, if not there will be a wait for the stock to arrive after they restock from HQ.
They told me they won't order just the 5711/1300A bezel. :
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Old 3 January 2022, 12:45 PM   #20
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They told me they won't order just the 5711/1300A bezel. :
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Old 4 January 2022, 05:11 AM   #21
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They told me they won't order just the 5711/1300A bezel. :
Hahahahaha
seriously, would they sell/replace a nautilus bezel if it needs to be replaced (say deeply scratched)?
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Old 5 January 2022, 05:45 AM   #22
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Late to the party, but almost all watches likes these will outlive their owners. As long as they are taken care of (stored properly), a simple service to freshen it up and regular service intervals afterwards will make it as good as new.
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Old 5 January 2022, 05:48 AM   #23
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Late to the party, but almost all watches likes these will outlive their owners. As long as they are taken care of (stored properly), a simple service to freshen it up and regular service intervals afterwards will make it as good as new.
Thanks for the reply. I just made another thread with the outcome.

br,
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