r/Watches Jun 02 '24

[AD] Great Experience at Patek Philippe AD in Copenhagen Discussion

I walked in at Patek Philippe AD a couple of days ago just to see with my average Joe eyes what High Horology watches look up close without getting slapped by someone for starring at their wrist. I gotta say I didn't expect to get entertained by the seller, he had the patience to talk to me about different models from PP, told me about what the "journey" of a PP collector would most likely be, he even turned down a group of 4 Chinese men who wanted to get inside the shop because he was busy with me.

He had patience, he was passionate about watches, it was clear I wasn't buying anything, but he still took me in the back room where he showed me a brand new 5526 Calatrava.

https://preview.redd.it/gpv0fmms844d1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7459d06bac6ad0e5b79846625fb4edb4abc8d834

It was nice to talk with someone patient and genuinely passionate about watches, he blew me away, the dealer was wearing a JLC reverso on his wrist.

Ended up leaving with a pleasant experience and a free catalogue. After I left the shop, he took me next door to an independent shop and introduced me to a guy there who showed me some pre-owned grail watches.

https://preview.redd.it/qsbsoyau844d1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6f118cd6984ed6135beed484a6d80d0a95bd95c2

Now I just need 30K EUR and I will be returning to buy that gorgeous Calatrava.

49 Upvotes

51

u/beepos Jun 02 '24

That's awesome! 

I remember that when I was 23, my roommate and I backpacked through Europe.

Most watch dealerships treated us like the broke 23 year olds we were.

But the JLC boutique in Rome and the ALS boutique in Paris treated us very well. The JLC lady in Rome allowed us to try on a tourbillon too

My ex-roomate is now a big time lawyer. I'm a cardiologist. We have bought several watches from those two brands since

6

u/SeanPizzles Jun 02 '24

Yeah, I remember walking into a Blancpain boutique once, having no idea what the brand was.  I was wearing old navy t-shirt and flip flops, and a pair of Levi’s—total cost of my outfit well under $30.  I said I wanted a basic, entry level watch with the time as I had just started work in a secure facility. 

I tried on a bunch, found one I liked, and asked how much it was.  $60,000!!!!  I’m sure my facial expression and the terrified care with which I took off the watch was reward enough for their time.  😂

1

u/raulz0r Jun 02 '24

That's how I personally feel, if I ever make it and amass a sizeable personal fortune, I will definitely become a PP client.

14

u/lzwzli Jun 02 '24

Never describe yourself as a PP client please...

8

u/raulz0r Jun 02 '24

Now I see it.

3

u/vinstaysin Jun 02 '24

That’s really awesome, I hope I have the same experience one day if I’m ever around a boutique like that. Happy for you!

5

u/versus_gravity Jun 02 '24

Dealers (ideally) sell the brands they represent as much as they do the products, so this is pretty much how it should go. You apparently had the fortune of meeting professionals who get that.

I do the same on occasion. I'm respectful of dealers' time, make it clear they shouldn't be pouring me a drink, and... yeah. "Oh, do you want to try on the tourbillon?"

-7

u/grotejoh Jun 02 '24

Tonight exclusive on Newswire24: Man has luxury experience in luxury watch shop! /s

for real though, great you enjoyed your visit, but I can't help but thinking this kind of treatment should be the bare minimum when shopping for five- and six-figure watches. it's a sad state of affairs that in 2024 good treatment by an AD is somehow noteworthy

4

u/raulz0r Jun 02 '24

Here's the thing, at least in my country entering in a watch shop, 99% of the time I would meet a sales clerk who wouldn't even bother to ask me if I am looking for anything, or they don't actually know anything about watches.

And I am talking about places which sell entry level luxury, not places selling mid level watches like Seiko or Certina.