Patek Philippe

As you possibly know now I've been hoping for a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A for a while and as times passes and maybe the outcome gets closer (but not enough yet), you can imagine that I keep wondering again and again if I made the right choice. Of course if you're tired of my subjects feel free to forget this one and skip it directly to the next thread! 

My criteria are simple. I want to adopt a Patek Philippe modern wristwatch that I can wear everyday. I ideally need a watch that I can read by full night, in the total darkness. I'd prefer it to be reasonably waterproof (and also rain proof). I want a watch that won't make me look older than I am.

Reading these requirements you can easily realize that there are not many options. I've considered the Aquanaut 5167A but I definitely prefer the Nautilus 5711/1A for its stronger design that particularly attracts.

In fact I find this watch ideal, if not perfect!

Patek Philippe 5711/1A

I find it ideal, if not perfect, but there's one slight point that is not perfect for me. It's not so important but I am especially interested in chronometry watches, also called sometimes observatory watches. These watches are generally simple, three hands watches, with hacking function. They are also generally manual wind and without date.

I don't mind for the date and the automatic function of the 5711/1A, they are a plus for an everyday watch, so I can stand them.

But there are other options in the Patek Philippe range. The first and most obvious one is a new Patek Philippe that particularly seduced me, and even if it seems to be so far debated. The watch is the new chronograph 5170J. It is manual wind, and has a hacking function. The calibre is IMO the most appealing current Patek Philippe calibre out of the Grand Complications range.

Unfortunately the watch would be perfect and could be my ultimate watch, but it is out of my reach (hopefully it will be a total commercial failure and the issued watches will be rapidly sold on the second hand market for one tenth of their retail price).   

Patek Philippe 5170J

Of course that's not too sure if you have a look at this impressive calibre below.

The new chronograph calibre by Patek Philippe

There would be another option that is IMVHO the best modern watch to represent the traditional "Observatory" watch, with all the wished functions: three hands, with a central hacking seconds hand, no date, and manual wind. The Richard Lange from A. Lange & Söhne is that one.

But it is not a Patek Philippe (and I want one to live with a Patek Philippe daily and understand what you're all talking about here). Furthermore the platinum version is particularly expensive and the pink gold version would definitely make me look older than I am (at least that's my wife's position).

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange in pink gold

Certainly a Patek Philippe 5098R (without seconds hand) would suppress the hacking problem (I know that's an easy solution but it works), and the pink gold colour would look less old and more vintage. In fact I love that one, but it is not really waterproof, and not really more luminous at night.

Patek Philippe 5098R

I had other options like a 5146G or even better a 5205G, but these are too costly for me now, since the last price increase. A 5124G would be nice too, but I think I prefer the Nautilus.

I'd like to ask all Patek Philippe calibre 324 users how they feel about their calibre without a hacking function?

What is the average precision of your watch? Do you reset the time often?

Would you like a more precise watch or do you think that the precision is enough?

Just for the pleasure of asking and reading your opinions…..

Thank you for your help.

Cheers

Dje