Wow. Very special.
Wear it and enjoy it, its too nice to be hidden away in a safe.
Well you won't see this happening much - I just got my 5146J back from Patek Service today after dropping it off in October. It is now extremely shiny and new looking! So far very happy with the results - I'll be wearing a few days to check accuracy - but I will expect only the best.
Patek send their watches back vacuum sealed from the factory and I guess the dedicated collector would leave them sealed in their bank vault. Not me though - I bought it to wear - though I probably knocked off a couple grand off the resale value just by wearing it. I don't care!!
Here is how it arrives - serial# smudged in pic:
Still vacuum packed
The watch back - tantalisingly hidden by a service sticker
just one shot more before I opened the pack
And here it is looking extremely shiny and new
The service was (reassuringly) expensive as it included a new strap, crystal and bits as well on top of the standard service charge listed on the Patek website.
Anyway - thought you'd enjoy seeing this unveiling and I hope to have another 10y of trouble free pleasure from this annual calendar.
Martyn
Wow. Very special.
Wear it and enjoy it, its too nice to be hidden away in a safe.
dug this post out - they quote was honoured - Patek - service price
Here is the movement - all very shiny - time to get some scratches on this baby yeh!
The 5146J was my first Patek :) and thus will remain one of my favourites.
I wish that I had kept it and hadn't bothered flipping it and many others.
Looks great and only 12 weeks turnaround to boot :)
WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!
Nice. Am sure you got your money's worth.
Very nice. 10 years since last service, that's good going. Glad to see it's a wearer.
Beautiful And stunning!
Stunning. Always a good feeling getting back a properly serviced watch. Especially one like you have there...
That's truly stunning!! enjoy it I know I would.
That looks fantastic. The basic service cost is also less than I thought it would be (and far less than having a bunch of SS Rolex to the same total value serviced).
It's like a brand new watch, enjoy!
By the way, was the crystal damaged? Did you need a new one?
At least they’ll be of your own making.
Wouldd be great if it was always as short a timeframe as that.
Indeed, but expectations have a habit of being quashed…http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=455312 – and what the first respondent has gone through for his $50K+ outlay, is beyond comprehension.
one of the nicest annual calendars on the market, and one of my favourite Pateks. Beautiful piece!
Deeeelightful. That's a cracker.
That's a beauty. Came so close to picking the 5146 when buying this year. The size, dial, proportions all work beautifully. If I ever could afford another PP this one would be it.
Love it and wear it
Very nice!
no fingerprints under the crystal or fag ash on the dial then?
;)
what's that book in your photo? does it come with that or any other documentation like rate results ? congrats on getting ur baby back!
Looks amazing brandnew.
The book was the edition of the Patek book containing all Patek Editions at the time I purchased my 5146J - thanks to my AD, free on purchase back in 2006.
Paperwork detailed what was done and said it included timing. As regards rates - I plan to get some readings from a timeograph(?) when I pick up my more recent purchase from a well known second hander dealership next week.
I am quite surprised on the horror stories from other US forums - 1y+ seems appalling for any watch. Lucky us Brits have a better service from the group up in the home counties, I met some of the service guys during last years Patek Exhibition and it was obvious the pride they took in their work.
All the best
Martyn
Great looking Patek.
And the best bit is it'll get worn and get some scratches on it rather sitting in the safe.
Enjoy
Malc
Looks sublime. Another ten years of pleasure ahead I'm sure.
This is a bit more like it! Lovely watch, I think I'm going green.
Bravo for not wrapping that beauty in cotton wool. Although undoubtedly expensive, it must be very reassuring to know that you can have the watch completely rejuvenated to this standard.