Mark in Paris[Purist]
10488
Several questions
Apr 12, 2017,10:11 AM
It is very hard to say without knowing what watch it is but here are a few things I would think of (I don't have such purchase experience).
Have you seen the watch, the dealer or is it something you've done with pictures and phone calls? They are 2 very different ways of making a purchase, with more risks in the latter.
The best is to be able to get the watch's serial number and enquire a Patek Salon about it (stolen, genuine number etc...).
By the way, we know that there are many palstic bags that are used to re seal the watches. I don't have an experience in recognizing which one is the original one (from the manufacture) and the ones that ADs can use afterwards (like after a servicing etc...).
Thus, has this watch never been unsealed? How can we be sure? Maybe one of our friends here have an answer to this.
If you want to use the watch, the fact it is sealed doesn't help for the re sale (and you have to pay a premium). I imagine you prefer that because you can feel that it has never been worn or opened etc... Hence, back to my previous remark, you should be sure it has never been re sealed.
As for the payment, you'll certainly have to pay 100% of the amount before getting it. So, as usual, "buy the seller". This is something only you can assess, except if you ask members if they already made a transaction with him.
If you can't see the watch and go to the AD, you can also ask someone you know to go there and have a look for you.
Is it still under warranty? Was it sold less than 2 years ago by an official AD, with the stamp, name etc? This is something you should check because if there is no warranty, it has to be included in the negociations.
Again, we don't know much about your purchase so it is difficult to be more precise.
Good luck,
Best, Mark