If you’re curious about the cheapest Patek Philippe watches, look no further. Here are this high-end brand’s lowest barriers to entry.
Affordable isn’t the first word that comes to mind when it comes to Patek Philippe.
In fact, they, along with Rolex, are a brand known to bring in huge numbers on the secondary market. They’re the two auction house darlings that investment collectors often rely on.
Still, did you know that the cheapest Patek Philippe watches can cost several thousand dollars below new, entry-level ones? This might be hard to believe. A lot of the very best this Swiss brand has to offer usually starts at around $30,000 if you’re very lucky.
If you want a rare Patek, you can expect to fork over a cool million — and that’s after you spent years on a waitlist.
Here are a few models that won’t break the bank. Well, realistically, I’ll say they won’t break the bank as badly as most models in the range.
Patek Philippe Cheapest Watch: 5 Options
Here they are, in no particular order. Also, you’ll notice a wide range of design options. Hopefully, you’ll find something that you can easily incorporate into your personal style.
Patek Philippe Twenty~4 4910
A Patek for $8,000? And sans waitlist? Absolutely. If you know where to look. The Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Reference 4910 is technically a ladies’ watch.
However, at 25mm by 30mm, it’s really a slender-wrist-friendly unisex piece. It just came out in 1999, when men’s watches were well into the bigger-is-better era.
And I believe anyone can sport a gemset watch. Just look at all the power players who love their diamond-encrusted Datejusts.
Even more, these aren’t that hard to find. Just look into the eBays and Chrono24s of the world. Most online watch retailers will have them in stock at one point or another.
I also think this watch is a unique Patek. Its square case draws obvious comparisons to the Tank. But, its clean indices, with an Arabic 12 and 6, add a modern look to it.
There’s something satisfying about flaunting a design like this. Others may ask if it is a Cartier, and you get to discerningly correct them and say it’s actually Patek.
Patek Philippe Calatrava 2484
In general, going vintage is a good way to find a sub-1000 Patek. In fact, it’s the only way. Feel free to search for defunct models from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.
The 2500 series from the 1950s or the 1150601, with their stick-forward, universal designs, are good examples.
However, I love the Calatrava Reference 2484 because it sports many modern Calatrava design cues. Moreover, it’s incredibly adaptable. It has ridged lugs and an 18k gold case. And that spotted aesthetic is just so charming.
Look at the indices and small seconds hands. There aren’t any full, unbroken lines, just islands of applications peppered throughout the dial.
Supposedly, only a few hundred of these were made in the ‘50s and ‘60s. However, they’re often floating around secondary markets on the internet.
It’s funny how a relatively affordable, vintage Patek that’s quintessentially designed isn’t more expensive. But I also think it shows what an auction-house brand Patek Philippe is. Most people who buy into the brand also want that investment quality.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time 5134J-001
Moving on from shockingly low prices to more standard entry-level ones, the Travel Time 5134J-001 is still pretty impressive. Again, entry-level Patek Philippe watches hover around the $30,000 territory. You can find a 5134J for less than $25,000 — even as low as $19,000.
This Travel Time is different in that most multi-time watches are pretty sporty. Consider GMT Masters, the wannabes they’ve spawned, or Casio World Times. The timeless design on this Patek is much more elegant.
It maintains the functional aesthetics of a GMT-style watch. But, the gold case, graceful lugs, and polished applications on the opaline dial infuse it with a dress watch vibe.
It’s a perfect everyday timepiece that one can wear casually or formally. Meanwhile, the jumping hour system adds an engagement factor. You can operate it using the two pushers on the case. Another engaging quality?
The sapphire caseback allows you to admire the manual wind movement. The best part is that the 37-millimeter size is perfect for small wrists.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut is one of the brand’s tentpole models. You may think it’s a little crazy that it’s on this list.
Hear me out, though. For a brand known for grand complications like perpetual calendars and astronomical measurers, a standard Aquanaut isn’t comparatively expensive.
On top of that, it’s a generally reliable investment. Even during weak markets, the Aquanaut is at least a good investment from a user perspective. It’s highly spec-forward, boasting durability and resistance on all fronts.
And, it has the history and iconic status we love about watches. Every watch lover would recognize that super-hero-esque grenade dial from a mile away.
The Aquanaut launched in 1997. You might consider it a modernized rendition of the luxury sports watch, a bit more sporty visually but luxurious in build.
If you dig deep, and stick to stainless steel models, you can find some Aquanauts as low as $20,000. The 4960a can sometimes be as low as $16,000.
It’s 30mm because, again, it’s categorized as a ladies’ watch. For the record, though, its design is not inherently feminine. It works well on small wrists for both genders.
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
Not only is the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse as affordable as a lot of cheaper Omegas, but it comes in several variations. The only design through-line within this range is its oval case and the relatively simple dial.
Still, some cases are more circular, some more polygonic. Some dials have stick hands or sword hands, baton indices, or stately Roman numerals. Basically, there’s something for everyone.
Vintage pieces range from as high as $15,000 and as low as, wait for it, $4,000. I’ve even seen diamond-set ones for around $13,000.
The Golden Ellipse subline is a dress watch line, though. Some flaunt the now-defunct cocktails watch aesthetic, looking more like ornate wearable jewelry. Others are more straightforward.
FAQs
I know the idea of even looking for the cheapest Patek Philippe watch seems like a wild goose chase. So, let me clear up the confusion by answering these common questions on the matter.
What is the cheapest Patek Philippe in the world?
The cheapest Patek Philippe watches will always be older vintage models, especially defunct ones. However, you can also check out the Patek Philippe Twenty~4 watch or the Golden Ellipses.
What is the entry-level Patek Philippe?
The quartz Patek Philippe Twenty~4 watch is a sort-of entry-level Patek watch. Unlike Omega and Rolex, Patek doesn’t really make entry-level models as a whole. The equivalents to entry-level models are their simple, complication-free, stainless steel versions within specific sublines, like the Aquanaut.
Is Rolex cheaper than Patek?
Actually, yes — entry-level Rolex watches tend to be cheaper than entry-level Patek Philippe watches. You’re more likely to find an entry-level Rolex under $10,000 than you are a Patek.
Conclusion: Cheapness Is Relative
Within their core range, it may seem as if the Patek Philippe cheapest watches aren’t even that cheap at all. I get that. And let’s be real. If you have even $3,000 to drop on a watch, you’re very lucky.
However, within the luxury industry, there are more “affordable” Patek watches than one would expect. For a brand that doesn’t really do entry-level models, the fact you can find an Aquanaut for under $20,000 is truly remarkable.
Sure, you may not always get the grandest complications or white gold constructions. But it’s still Patek. Good automatic movements and historical importance are often still there. If not that, good design and solid builds will definitely be there.
And again, if you go vintage, you can find pieces as low as the cheapest Rolex models. Don’t skip bill payments on any of these, but models like the Twenty~4 are definitely good deals.
What’s your favorite Patek Philippe watch? Let me know below!
Leave a Reply