dr.kol
11333
Patek Philippe Nautilus is wanted. Whom should I blame?
Jan 09, 2020,11:39 AM
Hello,
I did not visit here since a long time. But now I have an interesting story:
In the end of last summer, I took my wife's Nautilus ref. 7018/1A-010 for service to Patek Philippe London Salon for a check-up of the movement and for polishing. The watch was heavily beaten because my wife loved to wear this watch very often.
Surprisingly fast, on October 18th 2019 I got an email confirming that the watch is ready to be picked up. I visited London in the end of November but did not have time to pick up the same. However, my oldest daughter, who is studying in Birmingham University, came to Lapland to spend her Christmas with the family, went to the Salon to pick up the watch on 17th December.
My daughter arrived 18th December with the watch to Lapland. The watch looked terrible, totally scratched and not serviced at all. It was also very dirty.
Naturally, I sent on the same evening a claim to the director of London Salon and we agreed that the watch will go back and the service would be done as agreed. Patek offered to send a courier to pick it up when we would be back in Helsinki but I told that my English CEO would visit me and he could take the watch to Patek Salon today before going to the office.
I gave the watch to this gentleman on 7th in the evening and he packed it to his hand luggage in a Patek leather box and covered everything with his clothes. I took him and another colleague to the airport in Lapland yesterday and they took off at 13:55 towards Helsinki.
Here is what my colleague said in written form:
Quote
Circumstances:
Kari gave me the Watch (Patek Philippe) on evening of 7th Jan 2020 for delivery to London Patek salon for servicing. Watch was in a leather Patek watch pouch.
Shortly after receiving I placed the watch in my brown leather hand baggage which was in the bedroom in Kari’s cabin
8th January 2020 AM, Charles packed bag, watch was placed in the middle of the bag, amongst clothes, below a laptop (needed at the top of bag for airport security) and a book.
Departed to airport with in Kari / Tarja’s car, bag was placed in boot of car
Arrived Ivalo airport and took bag from boot
Coffee with Kari, Joni in airport, bag with us
For Finnair Flight AY604 (Ivalo - Helsinki, 13.55) went through security estimated between 1305-1345. Unzipped bag, took laptop and liquids out, placed bag on a tray which went through the scanner. Retrieved bag, liquids, laptop, placed laptop in bag and zipped up bag.
In departures bag was being carried by me at all times except when I went to the toilet for 2 minutes, left bag during that time with Joni. Bag was on a table with Joni standing right by it.
Boarded flight, at seat unzipped bag and retrieved book on top of bag, zipped up bag and placed in overhead above seat (economy, 4c) together with coat.
On flight arrival retrieved bag from overhead, unzipped it and placed book in, zipped bag up
Departed plane, went with Joni for a coffee in Helsinki Terminal (Cafe Tori 15.42), we sat together with bags at a table.
Left Joni, I carried bag and departed for International gate
Arrived approx area of international gate, had dinner in Nordic Kitchen restaurant (18.07), bag was placed on a chair opposite where I was sitting. I didn’t leave the table or the bag.
Left restaurant to depart for flight: Finnair: Helsinki - London AY1339, 1930, seat 12F
On plane, at seat, unzipped bag, took book out which was at the top of the bag on the laptop, zipped bag. No space in overhead at seat 12F for bag, stewardess placed bag in overhead close by: within eyesight, slightly forward, opposite side: approx seat 9 c.
On flight arrival, retrieved bag, unzipped and placed book in, zipped bag and departed aircraft.
Walked through immigration and departed airport to waiting taxi, at all times carrying bag.
Got into taxi with bag on the passenger seat beside me. Departed taxi at home, checked back seat on departure, as did the taxi driver who got out of the car to come round to my door.
Entered house, placed bag in the hall, went to bed.
9th January, opened bag, removed clothes, no watch. Checked-rechecked bag.
This is something beyond my understanding. Anyhow, Patek Philippe Nautilus is gone.
If Patek would have serviced the watch as agreed, my wife would have it on her wrist. If I would have accepted Patek's proposal to wait for the courier, the transportation would have happened at Patek's risk. So whom to blame? And what do you think happened?
My colleague spoke with London police and I spoke with the police in Lapland and both said that the story makes no sense.
The watch in question is the ladies' Nautilus, mechanical movement 324 S C, steel with diamond bezel and blue mother-of-pearl dial.
My wife got the watch as Christmas present in 2015 and she really loved it. This year she got a piano which is more difficult to loose. Anyhow, a sad day.