Matty01
·10k on 2-3 awesome vintage pieces, rest on travel…
I know this is a silly hypothetical where specifics matter, but I’m just curious, if anyone feels like responding.
Given the choice and, say, $30,000 to spend on a single watch.
Would you go for an entry-level Patek (for example) or a super-fancy Omega? If you have some kind of theoretical way of answering this question, I’m interested.
It doesn’t even have to be about watches: I could see this question applying to any number of things, from cars to dishwashers.
For me, it reminded me of the1990s when one could either get a base model BMW or Mercedes such as a 318i or 180E, or with the same amount of money go for a Subaru Impreza WRX. The Rex had much better performance and handling, but the German brands of course have the build quality and badge cachet. Personally, I'd rather get the Rex.
Wait.... Germans had better build quality in the 90s?
Clearly, the ones I had must've all been made Monday morning.
Honestly, it's a fun thought experiment! If I had that kind of budget, I'd lean towards the entry-level Patek. It's like having a piece of history on your wrist, and Patek's reputation is hard to beat. But hey, I totally get the allure of a super-fancy Omega too – they've got their own style and presence. It's about striking that balance between prestige and personal preference, whether it's watches, cars, or even dishwashers!
I’m starting to get the sense (after some casual conversations with Patek ADs recently) that there’s actually no such thing as an entry-level PP, if by entry-level one means a relatively (for the brand) affordable watch that a newcomer can obtain at retail.
I don’t think it was that long ago that you could find Calatravas available for on-the-spot purchase at an AD: I had an opportunity (I wasn’t in a position to act on) to pick up a 5196G in 2021. But now I’ve learned that all of the watches (maybe excepting some of the women’s pieces) are allocation only, and the 2 or 3 pieces they get each year (of each reference) are offered (only) to clients with massive spend histories. (“Seven figures,” is what I was told.)
I knew this was the case for Aquanauts and Nautiluses; apparently it’s now true for the other models as well. I’m sure there are exceptions—there’s always the story of that lucky fella who chatted up an SA in a good mood and walked out with a watch. But the days of entry-level Calatravas for any old Joe seem to be over, by and large.
The way I see it, then, is that the entry-level Calatrava doesn’t actually cost $30k—it costs $30k plus the million dollars you had to spend to get the privilege of buying it.
And if the only way to get one of those watches (short of the above option) is to pay 1.5x or more retail price for a flipped one… Well, the decision gets easier for me—I’ll go with the spendy Omega.
But yes, first world “problems,” for sure.