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Patek Philippe Waiting List: Why Is There A Minimum 8 Year Wait?

Patek Philippe is the ultimate brand for every manner of devoted horophile. Boasting luxurious materials, a high degree of Haute Horlogerie and endless style that's suitable for every special occasion, including a wedding day or an heirloom piece to pass on.

There are a number of brand achievements that Patek Philippe have attained over the years:
The world's first split-second chronograph wristwatch
The world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch
The world's most complicated wristwatch featuring 24 complications in 1933 named The Henry Graves Supercomplication
The unbeaten precision record since 1962 for a tourbillon movement
The new most complicated mechanical watch that totaled 33 complications in 1989, named the Calibre 89.

So, do you wish to venture into the sporty pieces with a sought after Nautilus, or the technical genius of the Grand Complication collection? While you may be hyper fixated on your next Patek Philippe timepiece, there is one issue that does plague every single timepiece from the brand. Due to the impeccable precision, effortless design and the iconic nature of each collection, you must be prepared for a waitlist that comes with a minimum of 8 years.

There are around 60,000 watches released from the brand per year. Considering Omega releases around 500,000 pieces per year, Rolex releases approximately one million and Longines releases 1.4 million, the Vallée de Joux outfit keeps their supply down extremely low.

In turn, this inevitably makes demand grow higher for this extremely lauded brand, causing the waiting list to continually mushroom as high as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay rocking their Oyster Perpetual on Mount Everest. We are talking sky high time peeps.

Okay, let’s cut the negativity down to a minimum. Allow Chrono Hunter to indulge you in all the details behind PP and why you can expect to be on a waiting list for around 8 years before getting your fingers on a Patek Philippe at retail.

You don’t have to be on a wish list with us to obtain the latest horological scoop. Simply read on!

History On The Main Collections

Nautilus

The Patek Philippe Nautilus was released in 1976 by the highly innovative designer, Gerald Genta. And he is a wizard at designing watches…even on napkins. That’s right. During his lunch break in a restaurant opposite the Basel Watch Fair, the outline design behind the Nautilus was drawn up on a napkin.

7118/1200A - Source - Patek Philippe

Combining the luxury of a quality dress watch and the durability of stainless steel, the watches follow the designs of ship portholes as per the rounded octagonal bezel and the ears on either side of the case.

Noted for the horizontally embossed dial design and a stunning integrated bezel, the Nautilus name was actually inspired by the submarine in Jules Verne’s novel “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”.

The Nautilus watch received competition in 1996 when Patek Philippe tried to replace the collection with the Neptune and the brand new collection, The Aquanaut was released one year later. It was extremely successful but the Neptune was not, resulting in the collection being substituted for a redesigned Nautilus in 1997 with a larger 43mm case.

In 2006, the previous collections were discontinued and then redesigned completely, bringing forward brand new complicated models with a hinged case design. The collection has continued to grow in materials and styles, boasting the iconic legacy of the line which is highly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors.

Most Popular References

Most Popular References	Material	Retail Price
7118/1A	Steel	£25,720
5712/1A	Steel	£40,950
5990/1A-011	Steel	£55,240
5740/1G	White Gold	£121,900

Aquanaut

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch was launched in 1997 as a more affordable alternative to the Nautilus collection.

5167R - Source - Patek Philippe

The Aquanaut is an out and out sports watch, boasting a solid three part casing, a screw down crown and a fantastic 120 metre water resistance, perfect for diving into your private pool. This is an exceptional water resistance given the line had a sapphire caseback.

The watches were released with an emphasis on being geared towards the young people. Inspired by the Nautilus octagonal case, they are slightly more rounded and feature a tropical strap, made of a composite material that is resistant to UV rays and salt water.

Like Michael Jackson’s Thriller, it became a smash hit instantaneously, following a militarised aesthetic with the checkerboard dial that looks quite like a grenade. This rugged design is matched perfectly with the softer case shape and composite strap.

Totalling around 160 designs with a vast array of in-house movements, the Aquanaut collection is the perfect piece for the gentleman who loves a stylish watch, with a slight rugged edge that provides the ultimate in sporty chic.

Most Popular References

Most Popular References	Materials	Retail Price
5168G-010	White Gold	£39,530
5164R	Rose Gold	£50,480
5968R-001	Rose Gold	£60,950
5261R-001	Rose Gold	£49,530

Calatrava

The Patek Philippe Calatrava watch is an out and out dress line from the brand’s portfolio.

7200R - Source - Patek Philippe

Priding itself on its incredibly slender, circular design, the watches were released in 1932 and followed the design codes of the Bauhaus principle. Essentially, this follows basic geometric forms which pride themselves on functionality over excess.

As such, the watches are designed on a simple circular shape. This was more than suitable for the era as The Great Depression loomed over the 1930s meaning the priority was understated style as opposed to flashy design.

The Calatrava gets its name from the cross worn by 12th Century Calatrava Knights of Spain and Portugal. This concept was brought forwards by English watchmaker David Penney who adored the Bauhaus principle and took that into the Calatrava collection.

The Calatrava watch is exceptionally slim. Perhaps not as slinky as one of the world’s thinnest timepieces, the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari, but close. This originally suited a purpose as Penney sought to design something that fitted men who wore buttoned shirt cuffs and could be slipped underneath effortlessly. The collection now comes in hot pinks as seen through the rose gold 4997/200R and the incredible platinum 5088/100P.

Aren’t you Timelords lucky!

Most Popular References

Most Popular References	Materials	Retail Price
7200R-001	Rose Gold	£25,720
5226G-001	White Gold	£32,380
6119G	White Gold	£25,720
4997/200R	Rose Gold	£30,960

Is Demand For A Patek Philippe Surpassing Supply?

In a word, yes. Simply put, demand for a Patek Philippe watch is comfortably surpassing the supply of these coveted luxury watches.

7118/1A - Source - Patek Philippe

As you can appreciate (no pun intended), the watches will increase in value, thus if you buy a pre-owned Patek Philippe, prices will be significantly higher than at retail, due to the laws of supply and demand not to mention desirability. For those who aren’t wanting to pay a premium, expect to add another number onto the ever growing waitlist.

Let’s look at an example, showcasing why pre-owned Patek Philippe watches comfortably exceed the value of Patek Philippe watches at retail.

For example, you could buy a Patek Philippe 7118/1A in stainless steel with a beautiful blue dial at retail for £25,720. However, for this very same model, you can expect to pay a pre-owned value of around £55,000 at the time of writing. That’s an increase of around 73%!

Are you shocked? Here’s another example. Let’s take The Calatrava 5226G. From a collection that prides itself on an uber dressy style brimming with classical notes, the watch is crafted out of white gold and features a beautifully textured black dial. You can buy a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G at retail for £32,380. However, it sells on the secondary market for around £40,000 at the time of writing. Nearly a 25% increase.

Across the board, Patek Philippe watches are in incredibly high demand. Claiming a minimum waitlist of around 8 years is enough to put off all manner of purchaser in a state of horological distress.

Are Patek Philippe Intentionally Limiting Their Collections?

We can see why you would assume that they are limiting their watches. After all, that would mean that they could increase the price of their watches at retail due to the level of demand being so extensive. Are they really so sinister?

Henri Stern on the right - Source - Patek Philippe

Ultimately, it really is a case of having such low supply in comparison with the demand. If we look again at the amount of watches released by Patek Philippe, they offer around 60,000 annually.

As a brand that is within the so-called “Holy Trinity” alongside Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, you can expect a vast amount of clientele that are interested in purchasing a watch from the brand. As per the next release by Rolex, it has reached fever pitch among the community. But this doesn’t help if you want to land that illustrious piece.

This has reached such a point where only the best timepieces from collections like The Nautilus and The Calatrava are reserved for those with great relationships with authorised retailers…and who have built up significant purchase history which gives some all the time keeping power.

Don’t take it from us. Hear it from The President of the brand, Thierry Stern! He stated:

“I tell retailers, you have to work with your local clientele, don’t sell a Nautilus to tourists. Sell them another item, but keep the hot items for your local clients. This is logical for me, this is a good strategy”

This means that unless you have your face ingrained within the minds of the dealers local to you, the chances of you owning a watch from any of the highly desired collections is let’s just say slim to none. Or the chances of you being blasted into space.

Therefore, they are not intentionally limiting their collections from me and you. They simply do not produce enough watches making them as exclusive as an invite to Elton John’s post Oscars party.

Understanding The Patek Philippe Waitlist

The waiting list simply relates to the time period wherein all of the potential clients have to wait a period of time before they can get their hands on a new luxury watch from the brand.

Specifically, the waiting list refers to a ranking system which very clearly distinguishes between customers. This includes them being defined by a series of factors, including the past of each customer, such as the prior purchase history, how much influence the client holds and the amount of money they have available.

These very stringent rules mean that only the best of the best are entitled to the timepieces. In fact, these people only get the horological tick from an authorised retailer after meeting these standards.

Don’t think this is Patek Philippe stigmatising the public! This system is adopted by a variety of brands, including Audemars Piguet which similarly has its own waiting list system.

How Long Is The Patek Philippe Waiting List?

The waiting list all depends on the timepiece you opt for. Let’s take a look at the high demand collections that are currently at the top of most people’s grail list:

Nautilus

The Patek Philippe Nautilus waitlist is currently around 5 to 8 years. This is primarily due to their iconic construction, as well as its associations with being a highly regarded luxury sports watch, released by none other than horological royalty Gerald Genta.

Aquanaut

Debuted in 1997, The in-demand Patek Philippe Aquanaut has a total waiting list of around 3 to 5 years. While this doesn't quite touch the incredible waiting list for a timepiece like The Nautilus, this is the more affordable alternative to its predecessor. Still known for its incredible construction and beautiful composite strap, this is a top piece for all manner of horophiles.

Calatrava

The waitlist for the classic Patek Philippe Calatrava actually comes in at a very surprising 9 months to 1 year. This is a phenomenal timepiece with a timeless dress watch design and inspired by Buhaus principles.

Considered one of the oldest lines in their back catalogue, with in most cases just a simple date and time complication, these watches still pique the interest of many enthusiasts.

Is The Patek Philippe Waitlist A Real Thing?

To be more ambiguous than a Patek Philippe authorised retailer, let’s answer this question…yes and no!

If you venture into a Patek Philippe authorised retailer with no purchase history, no relationship and no connections to them at all, do not think for a moment that you can land a place on the waitlist. Unless you plan on buying the entire tray in front of them before declaring a love of The Nautilus timepiece, you are not likely to buy any of the big models.

In that instance, there is no such thing as a waitlist as you will have no chance of getting on it. However, if you have a solid relationship, a great purchase history and are known as a reliable buyer, you may be offered a place on the waitlist or wishlist for the big collections.

Again, you could still end up on a waiting list 8 years for a watch like The Nautilus or 5 years for an Aquanaut.

7 Tips To Get Ahead Of The Waitlist

Have a strong purchase history of the brand - Buy a few lesser known models from a variety of brands to show you have a wide horological scope and are willing to put your money where your mouth is…when the time comes
Opt for lesser well known collections if you want to skip the big queues - Instead of jumping in for the 8 year Nautilus, why not opt for a one year waitlist Calatrava?
Try your hands with many authorised retailers instead of focusing all your time on one - Expanding your searchbase increases the averages of landing a beloved timepiece.
Dress smart - You may not know it, but people will instantly judge you on your appearance when it comes to landing a sharp timepiece.
Keep showing up - If you show your persistence by continually turning up, you will show you aren’t a “tourist” and are serious about your purchase
Demonstrate brand knowledge - Reel off a few facts and engage in conversation with the dealer or retailer about the collection you desire.
Keep focused on one timepiece - Flitting from piece to piece and saying you're just interested in selling your model on is a recipe for disaster. Keep the scope honed.

How Did Covid 19 Impact Demand For Patek Philippe Watches?

We know you don’t want to think about “that” disastrous period, but it’s necessary to run through this in order to understand how demand has exponentially grown since this time.

Store - Source - Openasia Group

In particular, Covid-19 had an impact on Patek Philippe as a brand. Resulting in a timepiece production drop of around 30% due to the various safety measures that hindered the technicians from working together, the company would need a year or two of solid sales in order to recover.

Luckily, they are a highly successful family owned brand (one of only few remaining) that doesn't have any shareholders, meaning they could take the hit and return without needing to go into crisis mode. In fact, they had the nerve to release in 2020 the incredibly complicated ref. 6301P that was made entirely out of platinum and boasted a Petite Sonnerie and minute repeater!

In 2021 (the height of the pandemic), their UK sales dropped by 42%, and a drop of turnover from £176.4 million to £103.7 million, representing their lowest sales figure since 2014. As mentioned above, while this does look disastrous, Patek Philippe had the means to battle through and most certainly did. Fast forward to the end of 2023 and things have turned out for the better.

After Covid 19, Patek Philippe evolved by allowing their retailer partners, for the first time ever, the capability to sell via e-commerce channels.

At the time of writing, Patek Philippe jumped back to their pole position as one of the top luxury brands around. Achieving a UK sales record of £212 million which demonstrated a turnover increase of 13.3%, this is due to a number of factors, but perhaps none more significant than cash rich customers returning from a period of lockdown when they could save a lot more money and spend them on luxury novelties.

People with more cash, the increased venture into e-commerce from Patek Philippe and the constant appeal of the watches means that the waitlists were not impacted. In fact, they probably got even longer to buy a Patek Philippe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is The Waiting List For A Patek Philippe Watch?

The waiting list for Patek Philippe is entirely dependent on the collection and the model you choose. For example, if you opt to buy a Patek Philippe Nautilus, you may find yourself on a waiting list of up to 8 years. However, for the Calatrava collection, you may be on a waiting list for around 1 year.

Is It Hard To Get A Patek Philippe Watch?

Without question. yes. It is incredibly hard to get a Patek Philippe watch at retail. This is predominantly due to the incredibly long waiting list as well as supply and demand that accompanies each collection.

This is especially the case if you do not have a purchase history or a strong relationship with your authorised retailer. It is common for these luxury watch brands to incentivise loyal customers who are regular customers and have a solid relationship.

However, you can buy a Patek Philippe instantly if you decide to buy a watch from the pre-owned market. Typically, you may be paying a premium price for buying such a luxurious watch brand on the secondary market, but you have the privilege of skipping the waitlist and owning a piece of timekeeping history.

So, while it may be financially harder to buy a Patek Philippe watch on the pre-owned market, it is more time consuming (much more) to buy a Patek Philippe via retail.

Can You Walk In And Buy A Patek Philippe?

The chances of you being able to walk in and buy a watch from Patek Philippe is the same as trying to walk in and buy a brand new Rolex Daytona… Simply not possible on any level!

This is because all of the collections from the brand which have an extensive waitlist that stem from under a year to around 8 years at the time of writing. Even the lesser known collections such as the Gondolo have a waitlist of between four to six years.

How Long Is The Waiting List For A Patek Philippe Calatrava?

A Patek Philippe Calatrava can bring a universal waiting list of around one year. It depends on the model or reference you opt for too, such as if it’s the entry level models or one that's adorned with jewels and precious metals.

Are Patek Philippe Watches Worth More Than Rolex Watches?

It’s understood that Patek Philippe watches are worth more than Rolex. While Rolex is an exceptional luxury brand and tends to yield a brillant return on the pre-owned market, Patek Philippe has the edge due to their smaller more exclusive 60,000 yearly watch release. This is in comparison with Rolex who manufacture 1 million pieces and their retail prices generally being higher than Rolex’s.

Take for example the entry level Rolex Oyster Perpetual timepiece which comes in at around £6,100. In comparison, The Patek Philippe entry level model is the Aquanaut collection which has a value of around £22,380 at the time of writing.

To put this into perspective, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut timepieces sell on the secondary market for around £48,000 at the time of writing. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual sells for around £7,300 at the time of writing.

Depending on Patek Philippe and Rolex, sometimes Rolex timepieces may be worth more and vice versa. Generally however, due to Patek Philippe’s associations with Haute Horologie, high quality craftsmanship, exceptional precision and links with celebrity elites like Conor McGregor, Lionel Messi and Mark Wahlberg, expect Patek to have the upperhand on this Match Time.

That being said, expect the waiting list for Rolex and Patek Philippe to be quite similar. After all, both are big hitting luxury brands with exceptional collections.

Do All Patek Philippe Watches Go Up In Value?

It’s generally understood that Patek Philippe watches do either hold or increase in value. If you hold onto your timepiece for a number of years, you can expect for the model to vastly increase in value due to those models being revered and desirable as they are either discontinued or rarer.

Patek Philippe releases a very limited number of watches, an exceptional heritage of around two centuries including highly intricate perpetual calendars and exceptional craftsmanship and their ability to weather various economic storms like the Financial Crisis, Great Depressions and Covid-19. In this way, this means Patek Philippe are exceptional investments for those looking for watches that increase in value.

Are Patek Philipe Watches A Good Investment?

Absolutely. Patek Philippe watches are incredible investments…if you can find one.

Most if not all of the watches have the capability to hold and increase in value over time. Boasting a high degree of craftsmanship and technical innovation, you can expect models from collections like the Calatrava, Nautilus and Aquanaut to be the key ones to boom in value.

Boasting a great degree of rarity and exclusivity, the watches encounter a high level of demand, the watches tend to appreciate in value, especially the discontinued and vintage pieces. The watches can comfortably last a lifetime due to their fantastic materials, robust build and will be a perfect heirloom for you nostalgic folk!

Furthermore, Patek Philippe has incredible archives that allows an in-depth look on every single watch they’ve ever produced. You can trace the heritage, production date and the original sale price, cementing the legitimacy and the lineage behind the timepiece you select, inevitably adding another source of value to your piece.

Conclusion

What can we say, Timelords. In our eyes there are a number of benefits that the pre-owned market offers over it’s retail competitor:

The ability to access a number of models which are rare, limited edition or vintage that are now discontinued or unobtainable on the retail market.
The chances of your pre-owned Patek Philippe losing value is significantly lower in comparison with new watches which have come in at retail.
Unlike brand new watches from the retail market, you can land a watch from the pre-owned market that’s a little older and may likely increase in value.
Patek Philippe is highly sought after, even more so than Cartier and Breitling, meaning finding a piece at retail is very difficult. Pre-owned marketplaces can help you get your foot in the door of the brand!
You will typically be stuck with one offer at retail or from a typical bricks and mortar store. Not with Chrono Hunter who can offer multiple offers, meaning more scope for you to receive the best possible deal and not be locked into one price bracket.
You have the opportunity to locate a discounted timepiece as opposed to an expensive, brand new piece and from a highly elusive brand.

It’s commonly understood that no matter what watch you buy, nevermind if it’s luxury or not, it will generally decrease in value. There is no guarantee and you should choose wisely or speak to us if you are looking to buy or sell and we can discuss your specific needs.

However, if you choose to opt to purchase pre-owned watches, you are much more likely to yield a better value figure as opposed to new watches that decrease in value far quicker. This is demonstrated with a brand new car straight off the showroom floor. Add in the scarcity or exclusivity of certain watches and that in turn drives up the price on secondary markets.

You watch enthusiasts are in luck! You could source or buy a pre-owned Patek Philippe model for the best price via Chrono Hunter. Plus, it will be via a way that offers you no waiting list and all done via our dedicated app giving you live offers from our network of retailers in real time.

After all, they are vying for your best business so have to put their best foot forward in a fiercely competitive market. Providing the safest possible environment to conduct your transaction in, Patek Philippe watches are prime for all of life’s events, including wedding day gifts, Fathers Day and other major events.

Save your doubt, Timelords. The chances of your pre-owned Patek Philippe timepiece depreciating even further is unlikely. If you have landed on a high quality piece, you may find that older, coveted or vintage models offer you a chance for your watch's value to increase. Owning a pre-owned, discontinued Patek Philippe is a gold-mine for all manner of horophiles.

We completely understand if you do not have the time nor the patience to be on a waiting list for around 1 to 8 years. From the sporty Patek Philippe Nautilus timepiece to the chic Patek Philippe Aquanaut, rest assured that you are buying into a highly reliable and lusted after brand. Worn by the likes of celebrity icons like Drake, Ed Sheeran and musician/watch enthusiast John Mayer, this brand has its super fans.

Sitting on a waiting list for 8 years is no longer a horological path you have to travel. Being able to pay a little more to get that watch is no longer a pipe dream. Feeling inspired to buy a Patek Philippe on the secondary market and cut out the waitlist?

Now really is the time to contact Chrono Hunter…

Looking to buy a Patek Philippe the smart way? Want to indulge in endless style and Haute Horlogerie? Come on, Timelords. Take a minute to ChronoHunter here. Receive multiple offers from our established selection of verified luxury watch retailers and accept which one is right for you.

You will no longer be subject to an unfair deal or inaccurate valuation if you want to sell. Using our highly skilled team, we can ascertain the value of a timepiece and get you in contact with the best retailers around. If you find that Patek Philippe doesn't cut it for you, we offer pieces across all the major luxury brands, including Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre. We offer only the best purchasing and selling experience possible, as proven by our 5 star record on Trustpilot.

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