Patek Philippe has made some changes to the process for obtaining Extracts from their Archive. The extracts typically gives the requestor valuable information like the type of watch, movement number, caliber, case number, style, type of dial, date of manufacture, date of sale, bracelet type, and additional information if any according to the Patek Philippe website.

Previously, this process took about 12 weeks to complete and cost CHF 150. The Extracts could be requested for watches that were sold at least 5 hours prior. Obviously this is a very important process for collectors, mainly for vintage collectors but also for modern watch collectors. But in Patek Philippe’s statement regarding the changes they made to the process, they affirmed that purpose of the upgrade was to refocus on the fundamental role of Archive Extracts for vintage watches.

The major change that they made was that Extracts can only be requested for watches that were made in 1989 or prior, leaving a major segment of modern watch collectors not able to get Extracts. Patek Philippe increased the price for obtaining the extracts to CHF 500 and can now complete the process in 10 weeks, which is two weeks shorter than previously. This is a huge change that will affect many collectors. Check out our video on our thoughts of the impact this will have on collecting.

Enjoy!