If you are thinking of adding a Patek Phillipe watch to your luxury timepiece collection, congratulations – there are few more exquisite pieces to have in your possession. Unlike its competitors who spend millions per year on advertising, one of the many qualities that Patek Phillipe is famous for is the fact that they hardly advertise at all yet are one of the most sought-after brands all over the world.

However, buying a timepiece of this quality isn’t as simple as heading out to the mall. Many factors go into investing in a Patek Phillipe watch and many things you will need to know to protect yourself from fraudulent pieces or outrageous overpricing. It’s enough to deter many collectors away.

If you’re not sure where to start or are looking for how to get the most value for your investment dollar, we at Central Mega Pawn have put together this guide to help you find, purchase and care for your Patek Phillipe watch.

The history of Patek Phillipe

First, let’s talk a little bit about why the Phillipe Patek brand is so synonymous with luxury and quality. Widely considered to be the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking, Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world. It has a history of uninterrupted watchmaking since its inception, which is a claim that few companies can make. It speaks volumes of the dedication with which each timepiece is put together. Throughout history, Patek Phillipe watches and timepieces have been owned by such figures as Queens Victoria and Elizabeth II, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, and Marie Curie, to name a few.

Its rich legacy continues today. Patek Phillipe continues to manufacture all its components and remains independent and family-owned.

How to buy

There are a few things you should know before heading out and buying your first (or next) Patek Phillipe. Patek Phillipe currently offers about 200 different models, the majority of them for men. Most of the watches can be separated into distinct “families.” They are:

• Calatrava – elegant dress watches. If you are buying new, you may need to get on a waitlist.
• Nautilus – widely considered to be a sports watch. A Patek Phillipe watches with a simple three-hand mechanism (hour, minute, second) is commonly referred to as Nautilus watches.
• Aquanaut – inspired by the style of the Nautilus, watches in the aquanaut line are relatively new and extremely hard to find. They are made to be frequently worn and are resistant to wear, salt water, and UV radiation.
• Complicated – in watchmaking terms, the word “complicated” refers to anything a watch does that is beyond timekeeping. Complicated Patek Phillipe watches feature everything from annual calendars to world time displays.
• Grand Complication – Patek Phillipe pours all of its mastery of timekeeping into their grand complication watches. These watches are incredibly complicated and are among the world’s most valuable timepieces.

Once you know what style, or even model, of Patek Phillipe watch you want, you can begin your search.

Where to buy your next (or first) Patek Phillipe watch

Buying a Patek Phillipe watch is a complicated process. Because they are such excellent and luxurious products, you may be hard-pressed even to find a local dealer. And even then, you may need to be put on a waitlist that has no estimated time of delivery. Some dealers have also denied potential customers due to the fear that they will flip the watch for a profit.
So, unless you are willing to wait several years for the chance to buy your watch, you must look to your local jewelry and watch stores in the hopes of finding a gently used Patek Phillipe watch. However, savvy collectors and shoppers know that their local pawnshop should be at the top of their list.

Why a pawnshop?

Your local pawn shop might be the perfect place to find your Patek Phillipe watch. Unlike a local dealer, your pawnbroker will not need to put you on a waiting list to sell you your watch. Also, you will be able to buy a world-class luxury timepiece at a fraction of the cost.

When you buy from a reputable pawnshop like Central Mega Pawn, you can rest assured that you are getting a genuine article. We strive to purchase only luxury watches with all their certification and original packaging intact. We do everything we can to ensure that every item in our shop is genuine and in the best possible condition.

The selection of luxury watches in your local pawnshop is continuously changing – if you don’t find the perfect watch for your needs right away, you can always come back and see what’s new. But, perhaps the most significant advantage of buying your Patek Phillipe at your local pawnshop is that you can negotiate the price if you have done your homework, have reasonable expectations, and are willing to work to reach a deal that satisfies everyone. Just try that approach at your local luxury watch dealer!

Caring for your Patek Phillipe watch

Caring for your new Patek Phillipe watch should begin the moment that you decide to buy it. Here are some guidelines for keeping your latest addition in excellent condition:

• Ensure that it fits properly on your wrist
• Protect the watch from extreme temperature fluctuations
• Avoid exposing your watch to magnetic fields for prolonged periods
• Always return the crown and pushers to their original positions
• Do not make any adjustments to the crown or pushers while the watch is wet or underwater
• Rinse gently with fresh water after exposure to saltwater or chlorine

You should never attempt to polish a Patek Phillipe, or any other brand of luxury watch, for that matter, yourself. Always seek the service of a professional for an in-depth cleaning or any repair. Another great feature of owning a Patek Phillipe watch is that the manufacturer will service and repair all genuine articles made after 1839.

When it comes to luxury watches, you cannot beat a Patek Phillipe. Visit Central Mega Pawn today when it is time for you to add a Patek Phillipe to your collection. We have luxury watches to fit every budget and will be happy to help you find your next (or first) Patek Phillipe investment piece.

A piece of broken jewelry can be a huge bummer. After all, you can no longer wear it but can’t bear to throw it away. Getting it fixed feels like a tremendous proposition. If you decide to sell it, no one wants to buy it online or through one of the many person-to-person sales apps, at least not without trying to low-ball you at every turn. However, all is not lost! First, the great news:

Pawnshops absolutely buy broken jewelry! Unlike most items typically found in a home, like a television or a computer, jewelry maintains its value even when it is broken. This is because the precious metals market determines the value of the precious jewels and metals in a piece of jewelry. While the market has had its ups and downs throughout history, the value of precious metals and gemstones generally only increases over time.

Second, the not-so-great news: not every shop will be as interested in a piece of broken jewelry as they would one that was intact. If your local pawnshop cannot or will not take the time and effort to fix it up for resell, they may not be willing to offer top dollar for your piece of broken jewelry. For example, if you had a broken gold diamond bracelet to pawn or sell, your local pawnbroker will need to take into consideration the cost of scrapping the gold and selling the diamonds wholesale. However, this broken bracelet still has value and can get you quick cash when you need it.

At Central Mega Pawn, we are always interested in your jewelry, broken or not! As part of our dedication to our community, our services include an in-house jeweler. We are one of the few pawnshops to offer this service and are proud to invite you to come and see how we can help get you the highest offer for your items.

What kind of broken jewelry can I pawn or sell?

Jewelry made out of precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum is a safe bet to get a high price at a pawn shop. To determine what kind of metal your item is made of, look for the engraving on clasps or elsewhere for letters or numbers that indicate carat or purity.

Also, jewelry that contains precious gems and stones like diamonds or emeralds are always in high demand. Keep in mind that for gems, particularly diamonds, several vital factors determine how valuable they are:

• Carat – the unit of weight of a diamond
• Cut – the style of how the gem is cut
• Clarity – the visual appearance of a diamond, including its blemishes
• Hue – the color of the diamond

Don’t forget – you can bring us as many items as you want! We will work with you to get the most value for your jewelry.

How will the in-house jeweler at Central Mega Pawn appraise my broken jewelry?

First, our jeweler will determine the type of metal that your jewelry is made of, as well as its purity. The purer the metal, the higher offer we can make. Then, they will weigh the jewels, as well as measure and asses any diamonds. Based on that information, they will help put together an offer – all in a matter of minutes! You can accept the offer and get your cash in hand. Or, you can try again at a different shop. You are under no obligation.

How can I get the most money for my broken jewelry at Central Mega Pawn?

• Gather as many pieces as you can – depending on the type of break, this may mean bringing in only a couple of pieces, or a handful. The point is to bring in as complete an item as you can. Some pawnshops, like Central Mega Pawn, may be willing and able to repair to resell the piece as a whole.
• Do your homework – teach yourself some of the basics of how precious metals are appraised and weighed, and remember that the purer the metals, the more valuable they are. You don’t want to get caught off guard and force your pawnbroker to break it to you that you actually have costume jewelry, which no pawnshop can make an offer on.
• Clean your jewelry – even if it is broken beyond repair, do your best to clean every piece you have safely. The cleaner it is, the easier it is for your pawnbroker to appraise the item. Also, it never hurts to make your items look their best.
• Have realistic expectations – once you have an idea of what you might expect, be prepared to get an offer of a fraction of the value. Your local pawnbroker must make a profit on every item in their shop, so they cannot offer you an even exchange against the actual value of the metals and jewels in your item.
• Be prepared to negotiate – your pawnbroker will be open to realistic negotiations. The more homework you do, the more knowledgeable you will be. Don’t be afraid to walk away if the offer doesn’t come close to your standards. Unlike many other items that pass through the pawnshop, your jewelry will retain its value, and you will be able to come back another time or visit another shop.
• Lastly: get your cash! – at Central Mega Pawn, we get you cash in hand in minutes.

Broken jewelry is an odd thing – nearly everyone has some at some point, but no one wants to discard it. Your broken jewelry can come in handy and help you get a low-risk loan when you need quick cash. Best of all, when you pay back your loan, you will get your jewelry back, to either pawn again when the need arises, or to keep for sentimental reasons. Instead of letting the broken jewelry in your home sit at the bottom of a drawer or sit neglected in a dusty old jewelry box, put it to good use and get cash in hand at Central Mega Pawn.