Mark in Paris
[Purist]
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A few pictures of the Patek Philippe 5496P with silver dial
I have tried this model we don't see nor read much about, a while ago and think it deserves a proper post.
The 5296, 5396 and 5496 references (resp. 3 hands, Annual Calendar and Perpetual Calendar), share the same case aesthetics (in 39.5mm). Indeed we are provided with straighter lines, angles, in a pure way, that make this watch less "traditional" in its spirit while remaining classical and refined.
The fact this version is in Platinum and with a silver vertically brushed dial brings a lot to its discretion and elegance.
Let me precise that, though is looks consequently colder on pictures, the polished markers, hands, case etc... give that shine that make it exciting and very appealing to look at.
FYI, the watch pictured here has a plastic cover.
As usual, this 5496P is equipped with the 324 caliber visible through the Sapphire caseback and displays its retrograde date (also available in the 5159 rounder version) with the Perpetual Calendar usual date.
As a sidenote, you can find more details in the review I made of the 5496R, here: www.watchprosite.com
I love that wrist shot, it shows maybe a little more trully how it looks in the real compared to the 2 other pictures. The model behind is a gorgeous little 5140G I could see as well 
This watch is I think perfectly balanced regarding outfits combinations in the sense that it would work perfectly with a suit but also with a casual wearing (jeans). We are more and more able to wear casual or smart casual clothes, even at work and those classical models (among others) I think work fantastically in that context, especially with a vertically brushed dial.
You can see here below a little better the touch of red on the retrograde date hand which helps finding this info at a glance and adds a little touch of modernism to this classical dial layout.
You can see here below a little better the touch of red on the retrograde date hand which helps finding this info at a glance and adds a little touch of modernism to this classical dial layout.
I hope you enjoyed them and please do not hesitate to give your impression on this watch
Best, Mark
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A few pictures of the Patek Philippe 5496P with silver dial
Hi everyone, I have tried this model we don't see nor read much about, a while ago and think it deserves a proper post. The 5296, 5396 and 5496 references (resp. 3 hands, Annual Calendar and Perpetual Calendar ), share the same case aesthetics ( in 39.5mm...
Thanks Mark for this post and those lovely photos
To me, this is most convincing calendar watch from Patek's current collection. Easy to read, retrograde date function and very classic case and dial.
It is quite well appreciated
Nice to have your feedback CC. This makes me realize that there are quite a few members here who put it in the upper part of the brand's Perpetual Calendars. That's interesting and I wouldn't have excpected this. You're right to mention that legibility an...
Hi Mark, thanks for your report.
Actually, 5496 is my favorite PC only in Patek's current collection. It's very legible and not too "old school". I also like the retrograde date. The -014 with the honey-brown dial is really cool (the other dial versions of the P are a little bit boring, ...
Very similar factors you focus on with Crown Comfort
I wouldn't excpect as I said to CC that the 5496 would be in such a position. You mention also legibility and emphasize its aesthetics that is quite a contemporary elegance indeed, especially when looking for something not too traditional. I see quite wel...
This shaped case is something I have fallen for.
Like my 5230, and the 5396 you mention. And i think it looks best in white metal. (Although the 5230 RG is a fine piece.) The layout of the dial is very pleasing and practical. But I'm not sure how I feel about the red tip on the date hand. It seems to ad...
It has a beautiful shape, and indeed you have the same one on your 5230
even if the lugs remain quite different. The live experience for such "colder" watches is very important indeed. It can look rather "fade" and less exciting on picture. It is the way it plays with light that gives all its additional attractiveness. Thanks...
Looks great on you Mark!
I am a fan of this reference, most favor the brown dial. Tried it on last year and was quite impressed. The silver dial is also nice but has a colder feel, for me as I live in a cold place a warmer dial helps me through the darker half of the year
Thanks keks!
I agree and thought this first wristshot was looking cool and the fact the watch is 39.5mm is perfect for me considering a dial that displays as many informations as a PC. Yes, the Honey dial is great indeed and very unusual for a dial color. I remember y...
Thanks Mark
I have been a big fan of this reference from the first time I saw it. Especially the brown dial version which I find is quite intoxicating against the platinum case. My main reason for not going for it is the flat polished bezel on a slightly large diamet...
Yes, this is true
I imagine the full polished flat surfaces are more prone to show hairlines than on a rounder one, especially with a concave bezel. There so many interesting versions of every references that it is possible to be very selective (especially for that budget!...
Thanks a lot Mark for this report
With the 5205 for instance (and even if it’s an annual and not a perpetual calendar), Patek Philippe really knows how to display the date elements. That seems so easy for PP... and so enjoyable for us. Here, the retrograde date really adds something and o...
Date layout and retrograde date
That's why I've been looking at many references with that kind of display, when considering a future Patek I would like to get. All the 5960s (Pt but also the RG ones), the 5205R etc... I like that choice a lot also in the 5905P's dial and think it goes v...
Many thanks Mark for all these additional info and your own feeling
The true force of this retrograde date is that it adds a poetic display for me (compared to a more classical date window) and a nice complication when it’s made for a perpetual calendar. Patek Philippe are definitely good to design their annual and perpet...
Ah, this happens :)
Especially when we pay attention to details, when we have things that we don't like and that we notice only when we see it live etc... Thank you for your honest feedback on this, it is interesting to have as well! Best, Mark
Great post and great watch!
It is a mystery to me why this watch is not more popular. It is my absolute favorite of the modern Patek perpetual calendars.
I think it has to come to the profile of people frequenting such fora
The tastes, the most successful references we seem to share and the fact we talk together, meet together etc. tend to focus on a rather smaller array of watches. It is the same I think for other brands, look at ALS and the place of the Dato, AP of course ...
Thanks Mark
This watch was the first iteration of the 5496 and has been out of production for a few years at this point. The Platinum version went to the honey dial for a year and then the current model I like the best which has the raised dates with gold accents. Th...
I remember that you liked this version a lot when Keks mentionned it in the past
Thanks for the reminder, I didn't mention that it is not in the current catalog anymore. The last version released in 2016 with the raised date numerals was indeed something quite unusual for the brand and required quite some skills. Thank you for chiming...
I bought this watch.
I posted photos when it was new. And then got the 5496R. I would like to get the latest P but cannot swing it anytime soon.
I found it!
A picture of the 5496P you posted in Nov. 2015 in a thread I made with the 5496R. And I saw also the 5270R of yours. I hope you'll be able to get the latest version and, anyway, this is a reference you obviously love. Since,I posted the pictures of this P...
I agree with you
I think this is a piece that deserves attention. Thanks for your kind comments, I'm glad you enjoyed it and it is true that we all learn everyday from what we see and read here and there. Any additional knowledge is a good input in order to help us choose...