Patek Philippe

I am in the process of buying a "double sealed" 5070R from a secondary market dealer; I have had the chance to "inspect" the watch, but the seller would not allow the watch to be taken out of the sealed long cardboard box!! the sale would would be final once I take possession of the piece. The year on the certificate is 2006; so the watch is at least 5 years old. 
My questions are;
1. should I be concerned about a watch which has been kept sealed for 5 years as far as proper function is concerned?
2. would the "sealed" status enhance or decrease the value of the watch which is 5 years old; the seller seems to think this would command a premium?
3. is the chronograph mechanism more likely to malfunction if the watch is not running for such a long time as opposed to e.g a calendar mechanism?

Comments and suggestions from other forum members would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.    

costing you.... nothing, just a personal opinion.

One opinion:

1. I wouldn't worry about it.  If it's keeping time and not exhibiting problems it's likely to be OK.  If not then it will need to go in for service.  THat's the chance you take.  I've bought several complications double sealed without a problem.

2. A double sealed watch is worth more to a collector assuming the piece is collectable in the first place.  A double sealed watch has been untouched from the factory meaning everything is perfect brand new - no blemishes, polishing, abuse, strap changes, etc.  Having the price tag, etc. is even better but again this is only important if the watch is collectable.  Not all Pateks are collectable.

3. I think this answer depends on the oil inside the watch.  If the watch has been kept in a climate where the oil can evaporate then the parts may be dry.  Again, this is the chance you take but IMO if the price is right it's worth it for a collectable piece.

 

So here comes the paradox of the " Double Seal " phenomenon:

If you want to wear the watch, you will have to remove the seal: Is this necessary to buy a double sealed watch, then?

If you want to keep the watch under its double sealed protection, why buying it, if it is not to wear it?

The first thing you will have to do with your double sealed watch, assuming you will buy it, is that you will have to service it.

Double Seal: Extra Cost + Premium, all this to get a watch which will not be " virgin " anymore.

Excellent for the seller, not good for the real watch lover.

It is funny that this question raises only for PP watches...

Best,

Nicolas, a bit skeptic.

... if it were myself  that was purchasing a 2006 model of a  5070, I would prefer to have a newly serviced version,,,,serviced ONLY by Patek, with the one year warranty that would come with it,,, buying it this way you would not be paying the premium you otherwise are paying for the double sealed version, which in fact as amanico pointed out, would be in need of service anyway.

Once you buy the watch and open it the premiun goes away. No deal there. Plus a watch not run for 5 years needs service. I like the comment  earlier that we only see PP and factory sealed issues. Remember, all the factory packaging is supposed to be removed and discarded bu the AD and the watch presented in its grandeur in its wooden box. So much for protocol among some ADs.

A still-sealed watch would actually be less attractive to me.  I want to ensure that it's not been damaged in any way and that all the complications work.  Small issues such as a date not centering properly can easily be spotted without a plastic bag in the way.

I am not however a big-time collector so others more informed than me may well see it differently.

... i bought a double sealed 5070R a couple of years back. It was dated 2006 as well. Everything was perfect.
Its not true that you need to service it as soon as you open the seal. Even if its dated from 2006 the fact that its sealed protects it from humidity which is one of the main factor that makes a watch needing maintenance after a few years.

Go for it! its rare enough to find a 5070R double sealed, and open it and wear it on the spot. You will know immediately if the works fine or not.
Worst comes to worst, you can send it to Patek for servicing and it will cost you around 2-3k usd.

Doesn't make sense at all to hunt for a used one that has jst been serviced. In this case, u might as well go for any used and send it at Patek.

Nothing beats the feeling of open the seal of a new Patek, and even more a 5070, ... and the Rg, which is one of the nicest patek IMO.

Good luck