Q&A: Collectability’s John Reardon talks all things Patek Philippe

Founded in 2019, Collectability’s mission statement from day one has been to educate and inspire watch lovers and future watch enthusiasts about the world of Patek Philippe. Founder John Reardon — one of, if not, the world’s foremost authorities on the matter — explains to Watch Insider’s Daniel Malins why he thinks that the legendary brand is in a league of its own, and why the secondary market is only just getting started.

Daniel Malins: Why have you chosen to go down the monobrand route? And what are the benefits and drawbacks of this approach?

John Reardon: I don’t see any drawbacks to focusing on what I believe are the finest watches ever made. For more than 30 years I’ve dedicated my career to Patek Philippe and every day I’m still learning something new. The deeper I go, the more it reinforces my belief that Patek Philippe stands at the very top. That focus allows us to develop expertise that simply isn’t possible when you’re trying to cover dozens of brands. It also gives our clients confidence that they’re dealing with true specialists rather than generalists.

I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire career around Patek Philippe as an auction specialist, working for Patek Philippe USA, and now through Collectability. No other watchmaker combines technical innovation, craftsmanship, history, rarity, and continuity in quite the same way. It’s a brand that rewards a lifetime of study, and that’s exactly what keeps me fascinated.

DM: How do you maintain a regular flow of inventory?

JR: It isn’t easy. Our inventory comes almost entirely through long-term relationships built over decades. 

DM: When you source a watch that you like, do you pay up front or does the seller only get paid once you’ve sold the watch yourself?

JR: We do both. Some watches we purchase outright because we have complete confidence in the market and want to own the inventory ourselves. Others are sold on consignment, depending on the client’s preferences and the watch. Every transaction is different, but our goal is always to structure it in a way that works for everyone involved.

DM: You have an education section on your website. Is this because of your sheer love of Patek Philippe and watches more generally? Or do you feel like it helps make the Collectability community bigger, which helps on the business side too?

JR: Education has always been at the heart of Collectability. We genuinely believe an informed collector is a better collector. We constantly publish articles, videos, and research because we enjoy sharing what we’ve learned over the years and continue to learn today. Has that helped build a stronger community? Absolutely. If we can help someone understand why a watch matters, we’ve already added value whether they buy from us or not. My brilliant colleague Tania Edwards spends countless hours building the website to make it the most enjoyable and informative Patek Philippe resource on the internet. 

DM: Do you have a personal or professional relationship with anyone at Patek Philippe?

JR: Yes. Having worked for Patek Philippe USA for nearly a decade, I still have great respect for many people within the company. While Collectability is completely independent, I’ve maintained professional relationships with individuals at Patek Philippe over many years. That said, our opinions and research are entirely our own. For almost a decade now, I have also had a column within the Patek Philippe Magazine. If you haven’t seen my Collector’s Guide within each issue, it’s worth taking a look.

DM: Eric Wind [of Wind Vintage] recently told me that he’s not remotely concerned about Rolex continuing to be mega successful, but he did have some doubts about Patek Philippe, which he said isn’t as high in quality (relatively) as it used to be. Do you strongly agree or strongly disagree with this? Or are you somewhere in the middle?

JR: I would respectfully disagree. Vintage Patek Philippe has a magic that’s impossible to replicate and many collectors including me are deeply drawn to those earlier watches and consider them grails. But I also think modern Patek Philippe continues to produce some of the finest watches in the world. Manufacturing has evolved, finishing techniques have changed, and expectations are different today. Every era has its own strengths. Rather than saying quality has declined, I’d say it has evolved.

DM: Why do you think collectors would/should buy from Collectability and not an auction house or an online platform?

JR: Auction houses and online platforms certainly have their place, but they’re marketplaces. Collectability is a trusted advisor. Every watch is carefully vetted, researched, photographed, and backed by our reputation. We spend as much time telling a watch’s story as we do selling it. We also provide ongoing support before and after the sale. For many collectors, that expertise and peace of mind are worth far more than simply finding the lowest price.

DM: What do you personally think is the most important element when judging the resale value of a watch? And does this align with what an average collector thinks?

JR: Condition is always king. Originality, provenance, rarity, and completeness all matter, but condition is what separates exceptional examples from average ones. Newer collectors often focus first on the wrong things as they rush to acquire a particular reference, while experienced collectors spend far more time looking at the quality of the individual watch in front of them. Two examples of the same reference can have dramatically different values.

DM: When you look at the future and the potential to scale or diversify, do you worry that the majority of Collectability’s value rests on your shoulders and on your expertise and contacts?

JR: It’s something I think about often. Collectability was built around expertise, relationships, and a focus on our common passion for all things Patek Philippe. That is why we’ve invested so heavily in research, educational content, and documenting knowledge and our sold pieces on our website. Expertise can be shared and taught. Relationships can be nurtured by our entire team. Hiring new people to join the Collectability team will be an important focus for us in late 2026 and beyond. If you know anyone that shares our philosophy, please send them our way! 

DM: How close to saturation point is the secondary market? Or is it only just getting started?

JR: I believe we’re still in the early chapters. The collector base continues to become younger and more global every year. Information is more accessible than ever before, which is creating increasingly knowledgeable buyers. The very best watches remain exceptionally scarce, while demand continues to grow. There will always be cycles, but I don’t think we’ve reached saturation. If anything, I think the market is becoming more sophisticated with greater appreciation for quality, originality, and scholarship, rather than simply hype.

This article was first published in the August 2026 edition of Watch Insider.