Patek Philippe

On the 22nd.June, 2011 Patek officially launched their new ref.5235. The new reference breaks new ground, and is a catalogue of firsts for the company. The first , first is the fact that it is the companies debut wristwatch regulator. Indeed, for collecto...  

So, I guess this watch is not for me... In fact, I have regrets, here: I would have dreamt to have a stop second PP watch for some chronometric purposes, with a simple, sober, understated look, ala PP Amagnetic from the end of the Fifties... Without Date.... 

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What is it's function and significance? Sorry if this is an ignorant question!

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...when you adjust the time?

... by reversing just a tiny bit the minute hand. The second hand, then, stops or even goes backward a little so you can adjust the second. I forgot where, but I have read that it does not do any harm to the movement. So, practically, non-hacking of PP mo... 

The press conference presentation was presented by Nicolas Boule, the designer of the new movement. The theme was how Patek have managed to combine tradition with innovation. What is clear is that this is a radical new piece from Patek..but more later, fo...  

you are the best Thanks for sharing with us! In general I am not a big fan of regulator´s, but in this case ... warm feeling in the stomach ... some beautiful and subtle details (don´t talk about the strange engraving on the buckle) ... some int... 

Ceraitnly due to the modular built movement, but I wonder if this one will be comfortable to wear. The 5396 has the same, slight "issue", but in that case it is just acceptable. Wonder how it will be with this one. As you are saying correctly: it is somet... 

I may be in the minority but my first impression is positive. Without seeing it IRL I would have to reserve my judgement but I think PP has created a watch for collectors rather than buyers( if that makes sense). I think they have created a winner here in... 

the dial gives me an unpleasent look with the two window near 2 and 10 o'clock. Further, the dial is too plain. Regards Ling

Nt.

this really has an intellectual appeal.....it's really growing on me. thx for sharing J

No, not technically, of course! But it is fun to see that while the date ring retains the typical PP typography, the numbers at the minute markers perfectly replicate the classic typographic style that ETA uses on its date rings since decades. Generally, ... 

Great post! Very impressive new release. I'm a big regulator fan. This one actually reminds of Sinn's 6100, which I love. Well done, Patek!

... think it will be up in auction house sooner or later. stefan

Maybe an indication of why I did not like the watch design.

nt

Too blingy for PP, IMO

nt

The movement is my favorite part of the watch, but that's a real compliment. The case is also really fantastic in these live pics. I just can't stand the annual calendar display here... these windows are just WRONG on this watch.... I don't like the date ... 

Hi there Imran, Totally enjoyed your tour , especially the details mate. Very much in appreciation. Ahh, now you see the Swiss finally admitting that the stop seconds function is needed for " Precise time setting". It's about time and i'm so with you on t... 

... is far to Bauhaus-like, which is nothing for me. Yes, it is technically great. Yes, it is blue and very discreet in appearance (although still big ;-)). But the design overall: naaaaah ... Regards Moritz

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Hi Imran, Thank you for your report. I would have loved to attend this conference. I'm rapidly getting used to this watch and can say I'm quite tempted to put it on my wrist ASAP. I would have prefered the dial lettering "Patek Philippe Geneve" split diff... 

The big empty space on the left, the date which cuts the scale, the overall sadness... this watch is far from bringing excitement to me. Thanks for the pics Imran. Fx

thanks for the report ! I'm still not sure if I like it or not It's so special I need to get used to it.

is like when I first saw the Zeitwerk from ALS or the more recent tourby PLM which is also a regulator. A bit radical and an immediate 'what have they done'; more like IWC than PP. However, change is never easily accepted and it could be a risky but darin... 

a real cool and collected demeanor--very daring--and seems a real departure for Patek! I'm happy to see them taking risks--all the more interesting J This message has been edited by playtime on 2011-06-23 19:09:55

Thanks for the detailed introduction and the informative photos. Any significance behind the 3.2 Hz beat rate? 6.4 beats per second, or 384 per minute? How did the designer come up with that and what is supposed to be the advantage? Tom

Great article. Well done.

Frankly, this watch looks like an IWC Portuguese Regulator and the design of the buckle is just...

The first thought through my head when I saw this was, "Patek for the IWC crowd." I'll check the watch out in person before snapping to judgement, but my first impression on the dial side is not that favorable. I do find the movement very attractive thoug... 

For me, it was love at first sight, when I saw this watch in the PP mag. Your report taught me a lot about this beauty. Thank you very much!! Best regards Georg

Thanks for your efforts in bringing us this latest from Patek. I feel rather like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde about this watch. I reserve the right to change my mind after seeing it in the flesh, but at first glance the dial underwhelms on so many levels -- t... 

Is it me of does this watch feel a little soul-less. It feels to me like its lacking the passion here. And also it doesnt feel like a Patek for some reason. Reminds me somewhat of an IWC. This one not for me, though I do like the idea of annual and regula... 

First of all it is great that there is a new watch from PP that is polarizing. It doesn´t happen that often, does it? Dial view : To me it shows some of the most beautiful details which have been shown from PP in the past. For example the asymmetric layou...  

Great comparison, all in one post - perfect! Good thing, I ordered the 5235, the day I got the PP mag, looking at the competition, it was the right decision. My AD told me, I will get it by the end of this year. Best regards Georg

@Georg - I assume I know where you ordered your watch, at a small AD with a very well knowledged and passionated lady PM was not possible, because you prefered not to get any. Gruß Oliver

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Best, -- Richard.

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Some clues came out lately about this watch and I wished it was true, I find it very appealing and I think I find this dial finish more appropriate in that case than in the 5270. Thanks for this fantastic report ! Best, Mark

I have to say the live pics look much much better than the previous picture of it in the Patek magazine... However it still looks a little unbalanced to me, but I now don't dislike it that much! Give it more time and I might actually warm to it!

And bravo to PP for such an interesting dial and movement layout and design. I like it, a bit different (isn't that true of a regulateur, after all?), and the complete date function/display is informative and pleasant to look at. Thanks!..... =:^{D>

I like the look and features of this watch.

What a great report. Text, pictures - all very well done. If this watch is showing new strokes from Patek, I'm optimistic. The movement has really exciting features and the case and dial design is very done! Even MSRP seems fair for once! I'm not a fan of... 

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g Cheers, -- Richard....  

Thierry Stern you are my hero !!

This is indeed an interesting piece. Having 24 h fever...I wish it came with a 24 h dial like this Regulateur ;-) Best, -- Richard....  

Not in the same league, but since you asked.......  

Thanks, for posting. 24 h dials are my favorite, along with the Triangle with 2 dots. Cheers, -- Richard....  

... but I suppose you mean being not a chrono. Some more thoughts on this piece: nice to see a larger movement that will create a better case/movement ratio in comming watches. Possibly the warmer tone metals will win me over as this first one, which is a... 

How else is one suppose to set the watch precisely? -- Richard.

This is why I choose a Patek with two hands over a three hand. One exemption also here again: the lovely, lovely 5140 with its seven hands. But you are right, it is actually not really understandable when Patek talks about precison without giving theire t... 

It's precisely the same way as i view it. And hey, i do believe that the way you test your 2 hands watch is the same way i do mine! How have you been doing? Trust all is well! Stephen

Hopefully you have settled well and things are all up and running. Yes, to test a two hand watch is truely something for the demanding enthusiast. Cool to hear that you have the same philosophy. Also: congratulations to your 118 grams of Cartier in form o... 

This message has been edited by gsouder on 2011-06-26 14:47:46

The movement is VERY PRETTY. The annual calendar windows are just... always going to strike me as awkward... slanted, with font seeming too big for the windows... the dial as 'contrived' as it is really cool.... but it clearly has very strong Patek DNA...... 

... but to me, the size does matter. If I would love this, I would have owned MANY IWCs already Nonetheless, the innovation inside is worth mentioning. Kudos and congratulations to the PP lovers! Ken

That's a handsome watch with a fantastic movement. Thanks for sharing. Vte

Thank you Imran for your excellent report! I think the Ref.5235 is a very important innovation from PP, something like a true milestone in the Manufacture's history. But... the temptation of redesign is too powerful to resist, so... here's my proposal (so...  

looks well balanced, but I still prefer the original version because of the "spice". Most of the regulator dials are great in function but somehow boring after a while, at least for me. Thanks, for your temptation. Oliver

... here we go: Me and my son (You know: It doesn´t belong to you ... ) still prefer the original version, followed by number 2 or 5. Cheers Oliver...  

... is no annual calender. The original is still the best imo. Best regards Georg

...I have come to the realization that this needs to go on my wishlist? But WHERE is it? Or more accurately, WHEN is it?

I was thinking of it lately and I'm as willing to have the answer as you are baron.

.....but i suspect it is at least another year

otherwise I think they would have started again communicating about this ref.

... that I will not get this watch this year and he heard nothing about timing of delivery

also confirmed this. He also said that Patek directed all dealers to return deposits to customers with no indication when watch will be available

There is lots of love for that watch and the same amount of (open) questiones. Whenever/whomever I ask, there is no official statement at the moment. Just was told one version is on the wrist of Mr Stern at the moment. Well, haven´t checked his wrist - so... 

... for the 5235 (without the 260 movement) at the PP Salon at Tiffany and it looked really good !!

I have seen it more than once and like it a lot. "Simple watch" - that was just a thought/dream of an additional watch which is based on the cal. 260 as well.

The 5235 has, it seems, polarised opinion. I tend to think of Patek as a classic and very traditional watchmaker who has remained true to certain principles. In many wats, this 5235 represents some departure from the classic "thinking". It is more retro f... 

I tried to lear to use a VC Malte Dual Time Regulator for years. No success. I realized that we do not check the time from the watch but things like "how much time I have till...". For this kind of purposes a regulator is not the best possible. It might s... 

The 5235 is an overload of (I hate this expression but probably sums up nicely what I mean) DNA Everything from the style if the case (vintage 3448) to the engraved enamel markers (vintage ref 130) What this does is combine the DNA into a first : a regula... 

.....but is it so radical that the "archetypal" Patek owner looks at it and thinks....."Uhhhm...no."

What may not appeal is the way you tell the time as it messes your brain But then for a lot of Patek owners won't be z problem As in the safe no one can hear you scream....... Lol :)

... I adore the traditional Patek watches, and still really need to have the 5235 on my wrist !! What do other Patek owners think ??

... for mine to arrive. I heard that mr Stern senior was wearing one, but I am not sure, whether or not I can believe that. Best regards Georg

Untill timekeeping issues resolved Won't be released Best Imran

Check out the other thread. In the flesh I am gobsmacked, I just absolutely love it. The wait was well worth it.