Headlines

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

The company is choosy about who can buy its watches.

Published

7 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.”

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”