A Swiss watchmaker that prides itself in traditional practices and the luxury of the brick-and-mortar retail experience, Patek Philippe is breaking the mold by allowing authorized retailers to sell its timepieces online. Like other watch manufacturers (including Audemars Piguet and Hublot) who have halted production until further notice, the brand’s manufacturing facility is closed. But thankfully, you can still purchase their pieces online.
“During this extremely difficult time,” Patek Philippe says in an official statement from their Geneva headquarters, “an exceptional decision has been taken to allow authorized retailers, while their showrooms are closed, to sell online Patek Philippe watches they have in stock.” The brand, however, will not be selling timepieces on its own vertical.
And there are, of course, other restrictions. Not all of Patek Philippe’s ultra-exclusive models will be available online. You won’t find the steel Nautilus and Aquanaut watches, for example, anywhere. But dealers like London Jewelers (with 44 models available alone), Watches of Switzerland, and Hamilton Jewelers have more than plenty of options—a blue Complications World Time Chronograph Ref. 5930G ($75,299) being a major highlight.
Plus, “this is only for a temporary period to help Patek Philippe authorized retailers that are closed due to the Covid-19 situation”—as retailers around the world have had to temporarily shutter in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
