r/patekphilippe

After long hesitation I decided to buy my first Patek. I'm going for the 5327g-001.

I'll be in New York for the world cup starting early July this year, which is right around the corner. I'm not looking to build a relationship with an Ad nor having my name of the papers.

But I do want an unowrn preferably a 2025 model of the 5327g-001, with the full case.

After researching this group and online, I reached out via email to what I thought were the top six Grey stores in NYC who advertise the sell Patek, asking if they have or can source and keep one for me for a deposit for my July visit.

Only two of them answered, and despite several back and forth emails with them, none would proceed, so far, to show me photos of the actual unit they said they have.

Which makes me suspect they don't have it and want me to wire a deposit first and only then get it.

Is it too much on my end to expect to first see photos of the actual watch, front and back, papers, serial number, before wiring a deposit? I'm fine wiring 10%, even 20% in advance to get the watch saved for me until July. And then after seeing it in person wiring the rest.

Is that a reasonable process? I mean, it's not every day that I buy an $80k - $90k watch and I want to make sure it's authentic, with the full box and everything.

Or is there a different protocol to follow? I'm also surprised that only two out of six stores actually replied and none seem to eager to engage / provide this info back to me. Maybe there's too much demand and they prefer walk ins :)

Any advice very welcome.

Thank you.