Headlines

$546,000 Watch Sale Marks First of This Model in North America

The company is choosy about who can buy its watches.

Published

8 years ago

October 13, 2016

INSTORE Staff

$546,000 Watch Sale Marks First of This Model in North America

A watch similar to this one sold for $546,000 in Winston-Salem, NC

Windsor Jewelers in Winston-Salem, NC, has sold a Patek Philippe Reference 5539G Minute Repeater/Tourbillon for $546,000 — the first sale of that model on the continent.

Rob Simon, president of Windsor, said he was honored to be able to make the sale, the Triad Business Journal reports.

He noted that the sale “could just as easily have gone to a dealer in New York, or Boston, or just about anywhere in the world.”

He added that such a transaction gives the store a bit of the “cool factor.”

The watch is white gold and has a blue enamel dial, according to the Journal.

The buyer, who has bought Patek Philippe watches before, wished to remain anonymous. He visits the region regularly because of the International Home Furnishings Market, which takes place in High Point, NC.

Windsor last year sold a Patek Philippe Ref. 5304R Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in Charlotte, NC, for $613,000.

The Charlotte Business Journal noted that Switzerland-based Patek Philippe is choosy about who can buy its watches.

According to the newspaper, which quoted Ben Simon, Windsor vice president, authorized retailers have to submit applications for would-be buyers of the timepieces.

Citing Simon, the Charlotte Business Journal noted: “The company takes strict measures in ensuring the watch will be held by a family for generations and not sold to a third party.”

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."