Patek Philippe - I wonder ... Is Patek 'not expensive' today

I wonder ... Is Patek 'not expensive' today

I didn't dare to say 'cheap'

Here's why...

I'm browsing through a pretty old catalog. Not what we should call vintage but since it was printed in 1996/1997 I think I can say it's an older catalog. It's nice to see some discontinued models. But the really important thing is that it still had a 1996/1997 pricelist. when I look at some watches - discontinued or not - I am almost shocked by their price. Let me give you a few examples

3970E --> 59.000 euro

5004 --> 110.000 euro !!

5050 --> 38.000 euro

Guys 13 years ago euro 60K for a 3970 and euro 110K for the 5004. In case of the 5004 it went up by ONLY 40% in 13 years ! I could be wrong but I have the impression that most other brands dubbled or trippled their prices the last 13 - 14 years. 13 years ago a Rolex GMT was yours for less than 2500 euro, today it will cost you 5500 euro, Panerais were available for 1700 euro.

So, am I missing something or did Patek not rise their prices like several other manufacturers did ?

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Don't buy watches as invetments

By: zjpj : March 8th, 2010-11:39

It's really that simple.

I don't want to

By: Bruno.M1 : March 8th, 2010-12:29

maybe you misunderstood my post or maybe I wasn't clear but I really didn't want to talk about investments

Do you mean that they are all made 13 years

By: patrickh : March 8th, 2010-13:15

ago and stocked until now. So the price registered in the book is almost the same. LOL +++++++ Whatever, we like them a lot )) Cheers Patrickh

Eoru vs. Dollar

By: William C : March 8th, 2010-13:30

I don't recall the conversion factor at that time, but I am fairly confident that the Euro cost less than a Dollar. I recall a trip to Austria wherein a Euro was approximately 75 cents. 2001 or 2002? Might this be part of your answer? William C

CHF

By: Bruno.M1 : March 8th, 2010-22:09

We should look at the Swiss Franc, EUR/USD doesn't matter because when they leav the factory the price will be quoted in CHF But that might indeed be a part of the reason

Expensive is always relative

By: =RWK= : March 8th, 2010-17:14

Over the last 13 years we have lived through a huge bubble. What I do not like is the inelasticness of prices. We saw global markets loose ~35% of their value, yet whether it is Patek Philippe, petrol or steak, we do not see these prices follow the market...

I dare say that as they are already very expensive

By: reficul_x : March 8th, 2010-17:51

There is lesser room for growth unless it's really rare and very unique from the dress. Who would pay for a common vintage calatrava (for eg.) if they are priced 100k upwards if you use the normal inflation to adjust a today's value? Rollie on the hand is...

It could be a number of things.

By: masterspiece : March 11th, 2010-10:42

Perhaps the pricing depends on their Patek's Profit Margin. Or it could be their "discreet" target audience. Rolex goes up because of its"popularity", Or maybe they just want to nice guys! Forty percent in thirteen years? That's right around three percent...