Patek Philippe - 25 Years of Ownership - the Crazy Years
Miranda
So picking up from the 3796 I bought in 1992, I soon fell in love 😍 with a very special piece: the reference 3998
I still have the archive certificate for the 565 somewhere!!
I kept this baby for some time and added a steel 3700 Nautilus
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2017-10-17 16:42:45 This message has been edited by Baron - Mr Red on 2017-10-18 03:08:02 This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2017-10-22 10:46:51 This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2017-10-22 10:49:27 This message has been edited by pingtsai on 2017-10-22 10:51:40
No ordinary 3998 but the Garrard 150th anniversary piece.
The problem as always was finance- being on fixed income I never have had the luxury of hoarding: even though that would have been a dream. I saw the 3998 in Garrards, but it was too expensive.
A year later I saw it at David Duggan, and David kindly offered all my money back on the 3796.
Et voila, now proud owner of the 3998!
Stunningly beautiful with Breguet number and a sapphire back
It should have ended there.
But what happened between 1992 and 2002 is like a tale of pure fiction- I was like a kid in a candy shop, NO, I was like a junky looking for his next fix, and the drug lord- Tom Bolt
He was a baaaad man. He knew how to get me hooked:
He took off a case back, handed me a loop on a vintage Patek and simply said : have you ever seen Geneva waves and anglage like that.
I was hooked. This was horological heaven
This picture can give you a clue as to why I was so high on horological ecstasy
Stunning isn't it!
The 3998 departed and I bought my first vintage Patek, a ref 96 in steel, with Salmon lacquered dial and black enamel Breguet hands
This is the actual watch I owned: pic is from Antiquorum but this was my actual watch
Now I was hooked.
Worse was to come.
As I said, and in my defence, I always gave had to part exchange due to finances. So please forgive me for what happened next: I would be changing watches like you change under wear , I wanted them all, alas if only I could have kept them 😢
The 96 went, in came a 3417, joined by a Breguet dial 565
I was becoming hooked on steel Patek
Now bear in mind one thing: prices were not like they are now- today this story could not happen on a salary like mine
In a way I feel sad 😢 Because many will never experience the joy of owning some of these amazing watches
I was damn lucky, and forever grateful that I had the chance
I still have the archive certificate for the 565 somewhere!!
Then these went and in came a stunning steel chrono, it was
Ready
£11,000
Not cheap but omg 😲 a bargain
This was then part exchanged for one of my all time fav watches the reference 2526: but with rare black enamel dial !!!
I kept this baby for some time and added a steel 3700 Nautilus
With box and papers!
I sold the 2526 eventually
And in came these beautiful babies
They were stunning!
But I was falling out of love with gold, and started to focus on steel or platinum
I sold the Calatrava spider lug and in came a 3710 brand new from the Geneva boutique
I then sold the chrono and got this steel ref 522
This is my actual watch
It was around 1997 and prices started to escalate
And the journey into modern watches started.
Part 3 to come
All of the vintage watches were from Tom, and I loved all of them. I am grateful that I had the chance to enjoy them, handle them and learn from them.
No amount of magazines or press packs can ever give the same knowledge and feeling as ownership.
For that I am truly grateful,
Best
Imran
fixed missing preview picture -AT
Comments:
sleepy_templar October 17th, 2017-14:35
What a story...and stunning collection I'm staying tuned...
dr.kol October 17th, 2017-14:57
Thank you for a fantastic story. Tears came to my eyes when I saw your steel chronograph. I wish it would still be in your collection. Best, Kari
Miranda October 17th, 2017-15:00
I'm still crying 😢 If we only knew then what we know now my friend Hope to see you soon!
TheMadDruid October 17th, 2017-15:06
If I was limited to just one old Patek I think you probably have owned it! I'm not sure which one-but one of them! Fascinating story, Miranda. I hope there are 10 more parts. No! Twenty more parts!
Miranda October 19th, 2017-14:45
lol 😂 Its not Dallas you know! 2 more parts! After that I want paying 🤣
Joepny October 17th, 2017-15:12
Fantastic, dizzying worldwind journey so far! So many wonderful pieces and the prices in the 1990’s were unbelievable compare to now. 👏👏👏
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Miranda
Patek Philippe: My personal story of 25 years since I bought my first Patek- watch no 1
Miranda
It was in 1992 that I bought my first Patek Philippe- a reference 3796 in rose gold with a beautiful rose dial. I 24 years old and here I was with David Duggan,the man responsible for my initial education in the brand I would grow to love. My interest in Patek was piqued a few years earlier at an auction where I was bidding on a Rolex Oyster date and I came across what I thought and still think is the most beautiful watch ever created the ref 2499. It was David who guided me into taking the first footsteps ...
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