murcielago_boy
62
The process of ordering a PP from an AD.
Hi fellow horology fans.
I have been lurking around the Breguet and Patek forums for some time, smiling at the enthusiasm of the forum members, learning about horology, but generally being thrilled by the pictures and information. It's nice to see such a fabulous community of enthusiasts.
This is my first post and I am asking for your experience and advice. After a long wait, the time has come for me to fulfill my dreams and finally purchase a Patek of my own. I need you guys to guide me.
Firstly, I have NO relationship with my AD (Patek in Bond St, London) - I've never walked into the AD, let alone purchased a Patek!
Can you guys tell me how does the order process work? If I request an especially rare or hard to get piece, will I be told to get lost? I am well aware of waiting lists and delivery times and this is no problem. I am an enthusiast and I'll wait and I want to do things properly and buy from my local dealer. I have no interest in participating in the secondary market or getting involved in the payment of premiums etc etc or dodgy dealers.
If I were to walk in, would I be able to order ANY given piece (depending on whether it was still in production)? Or would they need to "know" me to be able to "qualify" to order such a piece based on a previous relationship with them?
(For example, anyone can order a Ferrari 458 if they'll wait, but getting a Ferrari Enzo was effectively limited to very heavy customers - those who 'automatically' qualified would be known to the factory and would be in possession of the F50, and F40 and 288GTO all at the same time or had spent millions with Ferrari on their track cars in a very recent period.)
If I wanted a rare piece would it be like ordering a 458 or would it be like getting an Enzo?
If they accepted my order I presume they would want a down payment from me? Is there a standard amount they take, percentage wise, or is your name added to a list?
If it is the latter, would they really bother to call me if my piece arrived?
I've been fortunate enough to be intimately familiar with the ordering of certain Italian sports cars so I know how it all works. What I want to know is whether getting my dream Patek is a similar experience? For the purposes of this post, assume that I want to purchase a VERY desirable piece... (whatever you consider that to be), and that it is the piece which is the most difficult to obtain - presume a "worst case scenario."
Sorry for the rambling post. You're educating an enthusiast who knows what he likes but I want to have all the facts right before I walk in.
Kind Regards
MB
