Patek Philippe

Baron - Mr Red
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This is actually a complicated question

Nicolas, remember when I visited Paris that you showed me a very rare JLC military. That was a stunningly rare watch. I mean, extremely rare. Yet, does that in itself mKe me want that watch? In actual fact, it has nothing to do with what drives me to either desire it or not. It could be the rarest watch in the world and I still would not look to buy one. I understand that it is beautiful to you. And I understand that it is one you love. But you too don't love it just because it is super-rare.

However, imagine a situation where I am looking at two watches. Both of them have fantastic history. Both of them look awesome. Both of them fit a theme of my collection. Both of them have beautiful patina. But, one of them is much rarer. In fact, one of them is so hard to find that one hardly ever sees one. Suddenly, I have a clear choice here. The rarity tipped the balance. It created the cherry on the icing on the cake.

This is why I always find myself getting involved in discussions about rarity. Rarity has it's appeal. Rarity adds spice to a watch purchase. It's special when a watch is rare. Would I ever buy a watch JUST because it was super-rare with big investment potential? For me, I would never do that. If I don't want a watch just because I love wearing it, then I just don't want the watch regardless of how rare or potentially valuable it is. But if it is one I love AND it's rare, then fantastic. I have my cake and eat it.

I do find it strange how rarity seems to be this unspoken almost dirty word that purists shouldn't mention. From my perspective, rarity is great. It is exciting. It is spicy. But it is never on it's own a reason why I would buy watch. If others would, then actually I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. Each to their own. But a guy who buys a watch because it is rare and has investment potential is buying it for investment and not because he loves watches purely for the joy of wearing watches. I know a guy who buys pretty much every Patek on offer every year. They are never removed from their body bags. And all kept in the safes. It isn't his hobby. It's an investment. Each to his own. Would I do that? No. Does it make it "wrong" that he does this? I know huge numbers of people on this forum will think he is wrong to do this. I just couldn't care if it is wrong or right as I don't think there is a wrong or right. It is just his choice.

So where does that leave me on the theme of rarity? For me it isn't a dirty word at all.