Patek Philippe

Hi! Are nautilus and aquanaut normally sold by ADs in factory sealed bag? Any concern if it is not? Cheers!

my AD is encouraged by PP to present the watches in the wood presentation box.  As a result, my 5167a was not in the plastic bag and I am not sure if it comes with the box sleeve.  PP is trying to clamp down on the grey market by not allowing the delivery of the box sleeves and plastic sealed bags when a watch is being sold.

most PP's will not come sealed, as you can't display them or let clients try them on when they are sealed. The exception being a piece you ordered or highly complicated pieces, and even then its the AD's call, although its your money so it would be acceptable to ask that they let you unseal it.

As long as the watch is unscratched there is no reason to be upset that the watch was unsealed. It does seem that PP is trying to kill this monster they have created.

came in a sealed plastic bag.  My AD opened it in my presence at the store.  It was a pretty neat little ritual, really.  I don't know if he would have allowed me to take the watch without opening it (I suspect not - he is a very straight shooter); but it was a moot point.  I couldn't wait to get it on my wrist!  I love it and wear it regularly.

Steve

My AD presented me a sealed 5712/1A in one hand, and a pair of scissors in another.  I like knowing that the last time my Nautilus breathed was in Switzerland.

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I don't have a problem with sealed watches; I've even bought one that way.  But I certainly don't care whether the watch "has touched someone else's wrist," so long as that someone else has left no visible trace.  Watches are not 19th century brides in white . . . .

...and I was given a cutter to open it. Some people, especially those who ask for a new piece of clothing that they are going to purchase, feel it's important to have a brand new watch that has not been manhandled or tried on. Most would prefer that a leather strap watch that they are going to buy hasn't been worn by others. Whilst most AD I know would not allow shoppers to try on watches on straps, it's sometimes difficult to reject a VIPish or regular client who has bought many watches there before.

In the end, if was a reputable AD, you need not be worried if an unsealed watch was anything less than a brand new piece. If you are anal about the virginity of your timepiece, by all means, request for the hymen, uh I mean - seal - intact --> from what I know, many of the higher-end usually undisplayed Pateks are sealed virgins anyway.

And not one of them has ever hesitated to let me try on a watch with a strap.  I must have done that several dozen times in the last few years.  And I don't see why any future owner of those watches should care:  we're not talking about undergarments here. 

And on that dubious note, I mark my 500th post!

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and experience!  Very helpful!!  Have a great weekend   Cheers!