Patek Philippe

In Need of Some Help Please for Parts
Jul 17 2008,21:30 PM

Hello all, 
I am looking for anyone who stocks parts on a more modern Patek Movement (caliber 215 PS).  Is there a reason we as the public can not buy these parts and get them fixed by our own watch makers rather than sending the watch accross a country or 2 via any of the shipping companys who could possibly (not by any fault of theirs) damage the watch by one its employees who do not respect these items like us the collectors..

I would rather take my chance shipping a $10 wheel than shipping a $15K watch at least 2 times...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Joel
owndvd at yahoo dot com

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Seriously
Jul 19 2008,01:57 AM

Hi,

I understand your point but I don't think there's any chance you'll find spare parts for modern Patek Philippe calibres out the official network.

I'm not a specialist of legel matters but I think there are rules that allow makers to sell spare parts only to selected buyers when there are specific technical contents that require buyers to be trained, skilled or whatever to do the job to the level of quality required by the company.

Perhaps not in all countries though!

Cheers

Dje

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Patek Philippe Sevice in General
Jul 19 2008,06:51 AM

Dje,

I understand your point on a complicated piece and as an owner, I would only want someone trained on their complicated movement to be servicing or repairing it.  My point is that when you take a time only (plus subsecond) movmenet and have a problem, any trained watchmaker can repair it.  Why bother taking the risk and expense of shipping the watch 2 times for that.  Also the turnaround time on a 3 day old complicated watch which broke recently of mine was 6.5 months.... they should refund my money or send a new one out immediatley... That is just no right.  Please dont get me wrong, Patek in my estimation is the finest of all watch companies but Customer Service when spending HUGE dollars should be #1 even after they have your money.

Joel

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They do a great job, but...
Jul 23 2008,00:55 AM

I am with you!

They do a great job in Geneva, but waiting time is not what you expect from a #1 company!

I had an old "Amagnetic" for restoration in Geneva some years ago and got it back like new (technically),
only the case reminded me that it was my watch (minor polishing traces...).

The movement had an everage loss of  1 sec/24 hours when wearing it constantly - and this after 50+ years!

But the waiting time is off any limit!

PP earn their money with selling of new watches and not with service - so there are only few employes in the
service department... that is the reason for the long repair/service times - it is a shame IMHO!

but it is still one of the best watch companies ...

regards

erich

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Interesting point and I feel your frustration....
Jul 22 2008,17:26 PM

...unfortunately, NO watch company will just start shipping parts to their customers without analyzing what
is wrong with the watch (especially if it is under warranty).
But yes, it is ridiculous to have something minor wrong with your new watch - have it shipped across the
pond to Geneva twice, just to have a $15 wheel changed or adjusted - AND not seeing the watch for 4-6 months

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Long Waiting Time for Repairs
Jul 24 2008,05:20 AM

Hi

    Patek Philippe is not alone in terms of long waiting times for repairs.

    Some 10 years ago my AP tourbillon had some trouble starting up and was sent to Geneva.

    They worked on it and sent it back to me after 5 months but the problem persisted.

    It was sent back a second time .

    After another 6 months they gave me a new watch.

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