Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I’m gonna tell you about the time I went down the rabbit hole trying to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. It’s a story full of twists, turns, and a whole lot of waiting.
First off, I started by doing a ton of research. I mean, we’re talking hours here. I dug into every article, forum, and blog post I could find about this darn watch. I compared prices on different websites. Looked pretty crazy. Prices varied from 899 thousand to 1.9 million dollars. I read all about the different models, the features, the whole nine yards. I wanted to be a Nautilus 5711 expert before I even stepped foot in a store.
Then came the hard part – actually trying to buy one. Now, I knew going in that these things are rarer than a unicorn, but I didn’t realize just how tough it would be. I learned that there are only three Patek Philippe stores in the whole world – Geneva, London, and Paris. That’s it! I found out that there are only 78 authorized dealers in the US. For everywhere else, I’d have to go through an authorized dealer, and let me tell you, that’s a whole other story. But I started with the official stores first, I visited three Patek Philippe Boutiques. But, the staff told me that they don’t have a watch in stock. I can’t even order it. That was a big surprise for me.
I went to every authorized dealer in my area, and it was the same story everywhere. “Sorry, we don’t have any in stock.” “Sorry, the waiting list is years long.” “Sorry, you need to have bought a bunch of other watches from us before we’ll even consider putting you on the list.” It was a nightmare!
Here’s a little summary of what I found out:
- These watches are incredibly hard to get.
- There’s no rhyme or reason to getting on the waiting list.
- Some dealers want you to have a history with them, others don’t seem to care.
After months of searching and getting nowhere, I finally managed to find a dealer who would put me on the waiting list. It wasn’t easy. I had to practically beg, and I definitely had to play the game a little. But I got on the list! Now, the waiting begins. Who knows how long it’ll take, but I’m in it for the long haul.
So, that’s my story of trying to buy a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. It’s been a wild ride, and it’s not over yet. But I’m determined to get my hands on one of these beauties, no matter how long it takes.
Click to consult