Saw this post from another forum regarding new Patek timepieces sold by ADs...maybe this forum has stirred up some change with Patek after all!
Post from a member on another forum regarding Patek:
"Earlier
on today I was having a chat with an AD and they informed me that
yesterday (23rd June 2017) they received an email from Patek Philippe
which had a letter attached to it. Below are details of what the actual
email said, not the letter.
Dear Owners, Directors and Managers of Patek Philippe Retailers in the UK and Ireland,
Please find attached a letter with a new directive from Patek Philippe Geneva.
The brown shipping boxes which protect our watches must now be opened
and destroyed before any Patek Philippe watch leaves the store. These
boxes are for shipping from the factory to the point of sale only and
from now, must not be given to the customer. In addition, the plastic
seal around the watch must be opened.
Please will you ensure that all staff in your store(s) are informed
about this new procedure which is mandatory for every Patek Philippe
watch sale and confirm back to me in writing that this has been
implemented.
Many thanks for your support in enforcing this this new procedure immediately.
Best regards,
At the request of the dealer, I have removed details of the person who signed and sent the letter.
There was further mention that this policy was to be implemented
immediately and certainly by the 1st of July. And that any watches found
in the brown box after this date would be viewed as a "Fault"
I take it from this that any Patek Philippe watch found for sale double
sealed, such as on Chrono24, would result in action being taken against
the AD who initially sold the watch
The letter mentioned why this measure was to be implemented, saying
that, Patek Philippe goal was for their clients to purchase their
timepieces. And that they always strived to prevent the grey market
activities, which completes unfairly with their Authorised Dealers
I am personally all for it and hopefully it will help towards stopping
the grey dealers charging such high prices. Though I appreciate that
this will only go a small way to preventing the high prices that we see.
As most of the watches that we see are already pre owned. But at least
it is a start.
I can imagine that this new policy may place some AD's in a difficult
position, when dealing with their large customers, who insist on having
their new timepieces double sealed, so that they can be placed in the
safes/bank vaults with all the other unopened Patek Philippe boxes."