Patek Philippe

I have two young sons, and I think about giving them both a watch or two as they get older.  I have thought about scenarios, high school or college graduation, maybe 21st birthday, first real job, wedding, birth of a child...  I know this question is totally esoteric, and almost so far away from having to make an actual decision, that it almost warrants no consideration... But, I assume we all love watches and everyone here has an opinion ... that I thought why not throw it out there.  Share your thoughts, experiences, etc...  I may not be the only young father to have asked this question, but someone someday may find this useful.  

.... To start off, as a disclaimer, I do not have a son, and probably will not.  I am curious as to what makes you think that your sons would like that more than the cash?  A good friend of mine collector has decided NOT to give any of his watches to his sons and other who are to be bequeathed to, becaues he knows the precious collection he collected will be spread immediately over to the vulture dealers and then to the similar buyers or investors or auction houses.  So, he is planning to donate them all collectively to some museum instead......

Anyway, that may be a bit too extreme an example, but I am very curious why you would give your patek to your sons who may not like watches as you do at all (but the money that they might be worth, of course).  When my father died, I found bunch of crappy watches in his study, some are quartz, some are mechanical.  The dealers were not interested as they say they are nearly worthless (old and cheap, I guess, Seiko, Citizen, Benrus, Milo....).  But I had them (not quartz ones) all serviced and restored and I now treasure them - I even sometimes wear them.  IF Patek or VC or AP or Lange had been bequeathed to me, then I would first think of monetizing them.  I treasure them because they are not worth much (therefore they are stuck with me, in a way).  Maybe I am strange, but these "worthless" watches make me feel "closer" to my late father than the higher end ones would.....

Sorry that I am not responding to your questions.  But I was just curious about the responses to your question as well.  Hope you find a good answer.

Ken

My kids like looking at my watches now, they ask questions, and it's a special time for me at least.  I am hoping my passion for watches over time will help them to develop a genuine respect and appreciation as well.  I certainly would not give them a watch of significant value, if I thought it would end up in the local pawn shop... 

For me it is more important that the appreciate this hobby as it is an acquired taste.  But this habit would need to start early so that at some later date they will cherish what you have to offer them.  So really what I am saying is have them join you in your love of watches early giving them watches that are really their own.  If you are considering Patek as the ultimate gift then starting with Rolex would be a good path.  If they learn to appreciate a Rolex or Omega or an equivalent sports watch they would be ready to receive a more important watch later.

Long way of saying they need to care to appreciate if not I am sure a Rolex can last a lifetime.

Bill

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My father gave me a Submariner when I was accepted to the medical school of his dreams.  It served me well through many sleepless nights.  My tastes have moved on, but my eldest son knows that it will be his one day, and in the meantime my wife wears it to walk the dog.  I've given that son a Bulgari Diagano with sentimental value, but he prefers to wear a half dozen less expensive watches that his girlfriend and I have given him, as he doesn't want to worry about anything sentimental or worth thousands just yet.  My younger son was given a Panerai when he graduated secondary school.  He asked for a Patek or AP for his college graduation, but I told him those were lifetime achievement awards for which he wasn't ready.

I'll know when they are ready to have an AP or Patek, and that won't be before they've shown they can support themselves and their families without selling a watch.  I've thought aobut which of my watches would suit each of them, but this is information they don't yet need.

My attitude about this issue reflects both the community in which I live and experiences I encounter in my work.  There are large numbers of people of all ages who have no clue what it takes to earn a living, and everything I've observed persuades me that wealth or luxuries that are received rather than earned serve only to cripple the receipient.  We shouldn't cripple those we love.

Park

 

 

 

Park, 

I especially liked his last few phrases.  Indeed heed his advice.

I believe watches are an excellent gift to commemorate milestones. I think college, professional degree and first big job are all worthy occasions to pass down a fine watch, or gift one. Child's birth, I think you can set aside the watch for your grandson you know you’re going to spoil.

-Max

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My parents gave me a Tag when I was 12, and a Tudor when I was 16, and a Patek at 21.. and other countless watches as I grew, and kicked up a big fuss wanting.

In hindsight, I felt they over-gifted me the Patek. I felt I was too young, too rash, too bold, to truly appreciate and understand the Patek. Now, being 27 years old, I feel that if he held out on my tantrums and demands long enough and gave it to me, it would be better. I am older, wiser and appreciative of what my parents gift to me.

Patek should be kept for EXTRA-SPECIAL milestones, or any other 'extra-priviledge/luxurious watch', and not simply gifted because of 'age' or 'accomplishment' which comes with time. I belive gifting a Patek too young an age brings a sense of arrogance and expectation.

Well, it's just my 2 cents worth!

 

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To feel which is the best one.

Best,

Nicolas

I was curious to see what type of responses I would get and maybe a few ideas would surface, which they did...  

... i have  a son that is 21 yrs old and graduating college this May and I myself think he is much to young and not yet responsible to own and care for a Patek watch.

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I much prefer seeing a 21 years old guy or gale enjoying his / her Patek than a much older guy taking some silly pictures of his doubel sealed watch.

The younger passionate deserves it, the older cretin doesn't.

My 2 cents.

Best,

Nicolas

Pen first, then a car and then finally a watch, in that order.

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issue compared to "if they're ready" for something like this.  Do they understand what it is and what it represents ... both financially  and sentimentally?

You are the best judge of that and you will know when the time is right.

Being in the business, my son has been exposed to watches maybe to a different level than others. I have never given him a watch for his birthday or Christmas but I did when he graduated from college, an IWC Spitfire (he's a pilot).  The others have been at unexpected times and as most know he just received one ...completely unexpected from one of my clients.

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I can assure you neither of us will ever forget this man or his generosity. 

The gift aside, this man stands tall among the crowd and embodies all the qualities of a gentleman.

Then maybe hand one of yours down later on.

is how I look at it. To me, it doesn't matter much if my sons appreciate the pieces as I do. What matters is that, after I die, they will still have a "piece" of me to hold onto. I am very close to all my sons and they know I like watches. They are not as interested in them as I am but what intrigues them is that I find it so fascinating. That is the story that will quicken to their memory as they behold their piece from me. Each piece has a story of my life and each piece is selected to match their personality. Money can be given but that will disappear in a flash. The piece, well, that can last virtually forever, being passed down to their sons. So in essence, it is not the watch itself that will hold the value, it is the story, the memory that is attached to it that will be invaluable to my sons.