Comments:
Patek 5110P hunting - help needed please
Team,
I've been hunting a 5110P for some time now. It is getting ever harder to find one that is in great condition and also comes as a "full set". It is not as hard to find one in great condition with an Extract from the Archives, but that is really not the way I'd like to go - I can't identify exactly why, but my feeling in my stomach is just not comfortable with a watch of this value/significance that is not accompanied by its original documentation, box, etc.
I'm attaching a few pictures of one that I have located and I am considering. This one comes as a "full set", and it was originally sold in 2006. I've asked why the case back shows more wear than the front, and the jeweler did not have an answer. My guess would be that the front has been polished where the back has not been. But why, in that scenario, would someone not also polish the back? This confuses me.
Anyhow, I wanted to get our collective expert's opinions on this piece. By looking at the pictures, would you say this one is worth pursuing? What questions would you want to have answered to help you make a decision? This is a jeweler that I've not dealt with before, but they appear to be well respected. They are located in Germany.
Any help you can provide is much appreciated!
Ring?
Hi BMR,
I'm no expert and will look forward to other members' opinions as to what to look for when considering this particular Patek, but since it has a deployment buckle, one explanation is that some of the scratches come from the previous owner's ring(s) if he was not careful while scraping the watch on.
Nice project BTW !!!
good luck in your search.
BR,
Thank you.
The seller of this one guesses that the scratches may have come from placing it on a table. I could see that since that would push the deployant buckle up into the case back. I actually don't have any watches with a deployant buckle so I'm not sure if this is a common issue or not.
Plus the age of the watch..
Is a old watch ie almost 12 years.. if the watch been worn daily, scratches are unavoidable.
Good luck on your hunt.
Good luck on your hunt.
You’re right.
And I’m not averse to scratches because I know I’ll add my own. In fact, if it has a few scratches it may make it easier for me to enjoy more often because I won’t be as protective of it.
On the other hand, if spending a similar amount I’d always want the one in better overall condition, which probably goes without saying.
On the other hand, if spending a similar amount I’d always want the one in better overall condition, which probably goes without saying.
With the back presumably touching skin most of the time, I’m just surprised that there are as many scratches back there.
I’m not sure how that happens, to be honest. None of my watches display anything similar, but I’m not laying them down on abrasive surfaces really either.
Thank you Nico.
I won’t be pursuing this particular one. Luckily for me there are still a few options to consider 😀
The hallmark looks deep...
It is possible that they did a minor polishing on the front and leave the back alone to avoid polishing the hallmark.
Anyway, no one ever wear a box or a certificate on the wrist. As long the watch is not a stolen piece , which an archive paper will ease that fear, it is good in my book.
I will choose a great piece with no original paper and box then one that's not that great.
Thank you for your thoughts here, CL.
This is certainly the other side of the argument, and, likely, the more logical side.
After another exchange with the seller, they believe a light polishing was done on the front while the back was left alone. They estimate the watch to be in 80% condition if 100% is new.
To further complicate the issue, I have spoken with another seller that has this watch at 95% and is awaiting on an extract. That one would come with extract only, but it is priced 20% less... I think I know which one you would go with
.
After another exchange with the seller, they believe a light polishing was done on the front while the back was left alone. They estimate the watch to be in 80% condition if 100% is new.
To further complicate the issue, I have spoken with another seller that has this watch at 95% and is awaiting on an extract. That one would come with extract only, but it is priced 20% less... I think I know which one you would go with
.
Without a doubt...
I will go with the one with only the extract :P The longer you are in this hobby, you will realize the box and paper are over stated. They take up unnecessary space.
It’s just a rating scale.
The problem is we don’t know if they estimate things similarly. I would assume 95% would mean hairline type markings and very few of them. For 80% I would assume some deeper scratches with more noticeable wear, a more worn strap etc., and that’s what we see in the pictures of this priciest one.
Are you....
going to use the box?
If not, the extract signifies that it is not stolen...
But there is no right or wrong if you are buying the watch to enjoy and not as an investment
Good luck
I am buying this watch to wear and enjoy first.
And while I can’t today imagine selling or trading the piece, it would be naive to not acknowledge that my tastes change over time. If I ever did want to sell/trade in the future, I would want a piece that makes that process easier. A “full set” always helps in this area. It makes the watch a more liquid currency if not also a little more valuable, but you also pay for that when buying under these parameters. So then the question becomes which “package” provides the lowest cost of ownership over time since each watch will provide equal pleasure on the wrist.
Unless it appears abused...
Just factor a full PP factory service into the price you're willing to pay and you should be fine.
Patek should be able to bring the 5110P back into as-new condition.
Cheers,
John
Good point.
Do you happen to know what that service cost is? PM me if disclosing that violates any board rules, please.
See here....
www.patek.com
My guess is that the 5110P would fall under Complication I (Level 3), so CHF 1,300 as the base price. Obviously it can go up from there if items need replacement or repair beyond what's standard.
Cheers,
John
My guess is that the 5110P would fall under Complication I (Level 3), so CHF 1,300 as the base price. Obviously it can go up from there if items need replacement or repair beyond what's standard.
Cheers,
John
I forgot they posted this information on their site.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
Sure thing, and good luck with your decision. The 5110P is a lovely watch and a bit of a cult favorite around here. [nt]
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my only comment would be that the caseback is polished. I would have thought it comes originally as brushed in the platinum WT's of PP
All the best,
Alex
Thanks Alex. I think I’ve decided to not pursue this particular one. [nt]
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I can understand the preference for having the COA
That said, if you find one in nice condition for a reasonable price I would go for it. I don’t have the original COA for mine, but I have the box, Extract and service papers from Patek with my name on them. These are getting very hard to find in my area. They don’t last long at the good vintage shops. There’s only 2 for sale in the US at the moment— one is a dealer that never actually has the stock he advertises and the other wants a 40 percent premium over the market value.
I agree that they are not that easy to find, complete and in good condition. [nt]
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Thank you for your thoughts 🙏
I have a few other older watches without papers and it doesn’t bother me or keep me from enjoying them, but they are not in the same ballpark as this one. I appreciate your thoughts on the subject!
Consider tomorrow..
Looks super original from here! Having COA will do you nothing on a daily basis since its all about the Blue guilloche - but at resale if ever; Certificate WILL make a difference.