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FAQs for buying your luxury watch
Everything about the seller
How do I see if the online shop is trustworthy?
Adjusters for trustworthiness are reviews from customers. Ratings are collected from Google, Ebay, Chrono24.
Another plus is if the online shop is a Trusted Shop. Trusted Shops costs the shop operator money and imposes conditions on the shop - both during initial qualification - and at regular intervals.
Are checked:
Identity & Accessibility
Security & Privacy
Revocation & Return
Products & Costs
Order & Transparency
Service & shopping experience means a positive customer experience - ie the shop must be rated at least 3.0 by the customers.
Another important criterion is that a responsible person/owner is named in the imprint of the shop, which you can also google. A landline phone number and/or a shop are also to be rated positively.
Everything about shipping & returns
How is the luxury watch shipped? And how much is shipping?
We will send your watch insured and by express. Shipping in Germany is free of charge for you. We ship "overnight" in Germany. In our delivery times, we give 3-5 working days - always depending on the form of payment.
We have had good experiences with our delivery services "UPS/Fedex/Parcel Broker". We have been working with the shipping companies for over 15 years.
You will receive a tracking number from us via e-mail, which will show you where your watch is.
We refuse to work with DHL, Hermes or DPD, as these watches do not insure. More information at watches24.com/delivery times .
What are the delivery times?
We deliver quickly if the interaction "Payment -> Shipping" works. In our shop we speak of a delivery of 3-5 working days throughout Germany and 5-7 working days for other countries.
More information watches24.com/delivery-times-shipping
Can I return the watch I bought online?
Watches that you bought from us in the shop enjoy a 14-day right of return. Provided that you handle the watch with care - i.e. the watch has no signs of wear or the bracelet is sweaty/damaged.
You can find out how to revoke this at the following link watches24.com/widerruf .
One last request: do not send the watch back to us freight collect!
THE MOST EXCLUSIVE WATCH BRAND - since 1839
The timepieces of the Geneva watch manufacturer Patek Philippe are among the best and most expensive in the world. And this is still the case: At the beginning of 2021, Patek made headlines with the information that they would be discontinuing their Nautilus reference 5711. The result is that the used market for this model in particular is exploding and demand is still high. On the one hand, they make the most beautiful watches in the world and on the other hand, the value must be maintained - rarity is a key to this (according to Patek President Stern).
The watch manufacturer was founded in 1839 by two Polish immigrants - a businessman/nobleman and a watchmaker. They separated after six years and Patek met the talented watchmaker Jean-Adrien Philippe at the Paris World Exhibition in 1844. This was the starting signal for the Patek Philippe watch manufacturer.
Patek Philippe is best known for its technical breakthroughs in watchmaking. The brand introduced the first perpetual calendar - in 1925, the first wrist chronograph - in 1927 and the first minute repeater for wristwatches. These innovations are not only technical feats, but also signs of the engineering skill that characterizes Patek Philippe.
During the global economic crisis in 1932 , a financially strong investor was sought. The Stern family , who had already worked closely with Patek Philippe in the field of dials, took over the majority of shares. Since then, Patek Philippe has been owned by the Stern family - now in the 4th generation. Thierry Stern is currently the president.
Patek Philippe's exclusivity is reflected in their approach to production. Each watch is produced in limited editions, increasing their rarity and collectability. The brand maintains strict control over the entire manufacturing process, from conception to production, to ensure that each watch meets the highest standards.
Patek Philippe therefore stands not only for tradition and heritage, but also for continuous innovation and excellence in modern watchmaking. Its watches are symbols of status and prestige and embody the highest demands of their wearers in terms of quality and aesthetics.
Patek Philippe's advertising statement hits the nail on the head
All Patek Philippe watches have one thing in common - they retain their value excellently.
"Un Patek Philippe ne vous appartient jamais seul. Vous l'apréciez toute une vie, mais vous le conservez pour la prochaine generation"
“A Patek Philippe is never yours alone. You enjoy it for a lifetime, but actually you keep it for the next generation."
Why is a Patek Philippe watch so expensive?
Patek Philippe stands for exceptional quality and precision, achieved through the use of the highest quality materials and masterful craftsmanship. Every Patek Philippe watch is a masterpiece that makes no compromises in terms of both material and manufacturing. This combination makes each watch an example of unparalleled durability and exclusivity.
Selection of materials
Patek Philippe only uses the highest quality materials for its watches. The case and important components are often made of 18-carat gold, which is available in variants such as yellow gold, white gold or rose gold. Platinum is also used for particularly exclusive pieces, a metal that is valued for its durability and distinctive shine. These precious metals guarantee not only excellent aesthetics and feel, but also outstanding corrosion resistance and durability.
The dials are often artfully crafted from rare and precious materials such as mother of pearl, enamel or applied gold numerals. Such dials require special techniques such as grand feu enamel, a demanding and time-consuming method that requires the utmost precision and care. For additional refinement, diamonds and other precious stones can be integrated, which are carefully set by hand.
Craftsmanship and manufacturing techniques
Making a Patek Philippe watch is a process that requires deep expertise and decades of experience. Each movement is assembled, adjusted and tested by hand to ensure it meets Patek Philippe's strict requirements. Watchmakers must undergo long and intensive training before they are allowed to work on the complicated movements that have made the brand famous.
Complications such as the perpetual calendar, chronograph and minute repeater are examples of Patek Philippe's technical mastery. These functions require precise mechanisms, often made up of hundreds of tiny parts and requiring meticulous assembly. The minute repeater watch, which tells the time acoustically using tones, is an example of this sophisticated engineering. Each of these watches is finely adjusted in an elaborate process to ensure perfect acoustics.
Quality assurance and final inspection
Before a Patek Philippe watch leaves the factory, it undergoes extensive quality assurance. This includes lengthy tests and checks that ensure that each watch meets the highest standards of precision, functionality and aesthetics. Only watches that pass all tests reach the customer, which guarantees the exclusivity and flawlessness of each individual watch.
This extraordinary care in the selection of materials and manufacturing makes every Patek Philippe watch a true work of art, the value of which often increases from generation to generation.
The Patek Philippe classics
Patek Philippe Gondolo
Patek Philippe presented the Gondolo collection in 1993, relatively young compared to the long-standing Calatrava line, which has existed since 1932. Nevertheless, the Gondolo has a historical connection that dates back to the 19th century, named after the collaboration with the South American watch dealer Gondolo & Labouriau from 1872.
The Gondolo collection perfectly embodies the Art Deco style that emerged in the late 1920s, with rectangular or cushion-shaped cases made of precious materials such as gold or platinum. The dials vary between classic and elegant with Breguet numerals and minimalist indices. The watches are often worn with crocodile or cowhide straps.
The inner qualities match the outer promises, with in-house calibers, including models with an 8-day power reserve and complex functions such as moon phase and annual calendar, with typical Patek Philippe precision.
Patek Philippe Calatrava
Patek Philippe is known for classic suit watch models such as the Calatrava and the extraordinary Nautilus. The Calatrava Reference 96 was introduced in the 1930s and is considered one of the essential dress watches in the Bauhaus style. It was created for economic reasons and soon became very popular.
Patek Philippe, the Geneva manufacturer, presents subtle and elegant suit watch models that go perfectly with evening wear and embody understatement. With a variety of complications, almost all wishes can be fulfilled.
Models of the Calatrava can be purchased from around USD 40,220, while used watches can be found on the secondary market starting at around USD 25,000, depending on the condition and reference number. Older, well-preserved models of the Calatrava can be found from around USD 10,000.
Patek Philippe Nautilus - the ICON
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is a legendary and prestigious wristwatch whose name is inspired by Jules Verne. Its history began in 1976 with the launch of the first Nautilus Ref. 3700/01A at the Baselworld watch fair. Although it did not meet with immediate success at first, it developed into a masterpiece.
Gérald Genta, who had already designed the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet, presented a similar concept for Patek Philippe. Despite initial skepticism on the part of the then company president Philippe Stern, the Nautilus was eventually born as a "luxury steel sports watch".
The Nautilus was aimed at younger, sporty and travel-loving customers and was a success despite its high price. Its advertising slogan was: "They work as well with a wet suit as they do with a dinner suit." This milestone in watch history is now a sought-after collector's item.
The Nautilus collection includes a variety of models with different functions and complications. Some of the most striking models include the Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph, which is equipped with functions such as a chronograph, pointer date display and two time zones, and the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar, which features a perpetual calendar, moon phase and 24-hour display.
Prices for these complicated models start at around $186,000 for the stainless steel version of the Travel Time Chronograph and reach up to $145,480 for the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar in white gold.
In addition, limited editions and special models are particularly valuable. For example, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus, two limited editions were released, including a platinum version with a list price of $113,400 in 2016, whose market value has increased to almost six times the original retail price.
Patek Philippe recently increased the prices of its watches, affecting the Nautilus and Aquanaut collections. The price increases range from 7.96% to 8.62% compared to last year, further increasing the already high base prices of these watches.
This information highlights the high demand and exclusivity of Patek Philippe Nautilus watches, which represent a significant investment for both watch enthusiasts and collectors.
Patek Philippe Ellipse
The name "Patek Philippe" Ellipse D'Or, translated as "golden ellipse", represents a timeless masterpiece with over 50 years of history. As one of the oldest models alongside the Calatrava, it is considered a cult classic.
The Patek Philippe Ellipse D'Or, with its bold elliptical case, was a symbol of style and class in the 1970s and 1980s and was popular with savvy jet-setters. The collection offered a variety of variations, including dial colors, hour numbers, markings and strap options, including special women's versions.
The Patek Philippe Ellipse D'Or remains a timeless symbol of watchmaking and style, its history steeped in elegance and precision.
Patek Philippe Twenty4
In 1999, Patek Philippe proudly presented the Twenty4 collection - its first watch line designed exclusively for women. This watch was designed as a stylish companion for modern, active women who live their everyday lives with elegance. The Twenty4 has established itself as a timeless symbol of elegance and can be worn at any time of day or night and for any occasion.
The new contemporary dial in an elegant olive tone features applied numerals 12 and 6 and curved baton hands for excellent legibility. The rectangular case with rounded corners, inspired by Art Deco, is accentuated by an impressive row of 18 diamonds on either side of the dial.
Inside this exceptional watch are the mechanical components of Patek Philippe's E15 quartz caliber, manufactured and finished with the same unrivalled quality and care as all of the manufacturer's other movements. The Twenty 4 thus perfectly embodies the combination of contemporary design and first-class craftsmanship that has made Patek Philippe an icon of luxury watchmaking.
They start at around $15,970 for new models. On the used market, such watches can be purchased from around $7,000, making the Twenty4 an attractive option for those looking to enter the world of Patek Philippe.
What else do Patek Philippe watches stand for? Technical innovations
Gyromax balance
One of Patek Philippe's most notable innovations is the Gyromax balance. Introduced in 1949, this technology revolutionized the precision of watch movements by providing a variable inertia that allows the frequency of the balance to be finely adjusted without the usual weight screws. This innovation significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of the watches.
Annual calendar
Patek Philippe developed the first annual calendar for wristwatches in 1996, which was patented. This mechanism requires correction only once a year, at the end of February, and automatically displays the correct days of each month. This was a significant evolution of the perpetual calendar, offering a complicated but more user-friendly option for watch wearers.
Silinvar material
In 2005, Patek Philippe began introducing the revolutionary Silinvar material in its watch movements. This material is based on silicon and offers several advantages over traditional materials: it is lighter, harder and resistant to magnets, which improves the performance and durability of the movements. Watches with Silinvar components require less lubrication and are more precise.
Pulsomax inhibition
The Pulsomax escapement, which also uses Silinvar, was introduced in 2006. This patented escapement significantly improves the energy efficiency of the movement and reduces wear, resulting in a longer lifespan and accuracy of the watch.
Tips for watch collectors
For aspiring collectors who want to start and manage their Patek Philippe watch collection, there are some tips that can help them:
Research thoroughly
Research thoroughlyBefore you start collecting Patek Philippe watches, it is important to learn about the brand, its history, different models and their features. Understand the different serial numbers, reference numbers, complications and production years to make informed
Set a budget
Set a budgetDetermine a realistic budget for your watch collection that fits your financial capabilities. Patek Philippe watches can come with a significant price tag, so it's important to keep an eye on your budget and make sure you don't exceed your financial goals.
Buy from a watch dealer
Buy from a watch dealerTo ensure you get authentic Patek Philippe watches, buy only from authorized dealers or reputable auction houses with a good reputation. Avoid buying watches from dubious sources or unauthorized sellers.
Condition of the watch & completeness
Condition of the watch & completenessWhen purchasing a Patek Philippe watch, pay attention to the condition and completeness of the watch, including the case, dial, hands, strap and papers. Watches in good condition with original parts and papers often have a higher collector's value.
Diversify your watch collection
Diversify your watch collectionAim for a diverse collection of Patek Philippe watches that includes different models, reference numbers, complications and years of production. This will allow you to diversify your collection and enjoy a wide range of Patek Philippe watches.
Take care of your Patek Philippe
Take care of your Patek PhilippeBe sure to regularly service and care for your Patek Philippe watches to maintain their functionality and value over time. Store them in a safe and climate-controlled environment and use them with care to avoid damage.
Do you have questions? I am here for you!
Ottostr. 5 - near Stachus
80333 Munich
YOUR CONTACT ANDREAS HILDEBRAND
📞 +49 89 123 64 70
post@watches24.com - Emails are answered within a maximum of 24 hours - during the day usually within a short time.
Opening times shop
Mon - Fri, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Sat, by appointment
Sundays and public holidays closed
Telephone availability
from 09:00 to 21:00
Why should I buy my watch from watches24.com?
Tested originality
In addition to our expertise, each watch is checked for originality and rate behavior by an independent master watchmaker - four eyes see more than two.
Personal advice
I, Andreas Hildebrand, am YOUR contact - be it selling or buying watches or warranty claims. They are important to me!
Your purchase is secured
We have had our shop checked and certified by Trusted Shops . This means for you: Your purchase enjoys buyer protection!
Local retail store
Since 2008 you can reach us personally in the heart of Munich - not far from the Stachus. Our customers appreciate the fixed opening hours. Here you can get an idea ofour shop and the location.
360 degree view
In order to be able to show you the condition of the used watches in detail - we have decided on the all-round view. We do not alter the images using computer programs. We attach great importance to our pictures.
What feedback do we get?
In short: fair, friendly, competent and professional
