quattro
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Anticipating a future encounter
If all goes according to plan, I should be able to see the Patek Philippe ref. 5101P in person for the first time next month.
This prospect excites me because this reference, with its hidden tourbillon, seems fascinating.
The photo below gives me a tiny bit of hope that the long rectangular case will fit my rather small 16cm wrist.
However, the measured dimensions and in particular the lug-to-lug (29.6 x 51.7 x 12.2 mm), lead me to believe that this case will unfortunately look too massive on my wrist.
As in the photo below, where it is almost fine, but only almost.
A side-by-side comparison with ref. 5124G-011 (with a Tiffany&Co dial) and ref. 5200G-001 clearly shows how long the case of the 5101P is:
- 5125G (left): 34 x 42.7 x 7.7 mm
- 5200G (centre): 32.5 x 46.6 x 10.7 mm
- 5101P (right): 29.6 x 51.7 x 12.2 mm
Clearly, this watch is better suited to a larger wrist.
Anyway, I might even get the chance to also try on the yellow gold variant, ref. 5101J-001:
Thanks for looking.
Best, Emmanuel
Credit: @corradomattarelli (1), @remyjulia_watch_specialist (2), @unique.finds (3), @time_co (4), @doobooloo (5), @rostovskywatches (6) & @olemathiesen (7)
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Anticipating a future encounter
If all goes according to plan, I should be able to see the Patek Philippe ref. 5101P in person for the first time next month . This prospect excites me because this reference, with its hidden tourbillon , seems fascinating . The photo below gives me a tin...
You are a lucky guy. I suggest you buy a soft strap before you see the watch.
As an owner of this watch I can assure you that it fits neatly on a 17,5 cm wrist. People often exaggerate its size. It has presence but is not huge by any means. Actually the gold version of this watch is one of the most comfortable watches I wore. Can’t...
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback.
I'm convinced that this watch wears well on a 17.5 cm wrist, especially with a proper strap, as you say, but my wrist is only 16 cm: so, I'll have to wait and see. Your suggestion of buying a strap in prevision is interesting, but I doubt that the seller ...
Changing the strap takes literally 30 seconds, so it’s no big feat.
Buy a 20$ nylon strap shaped like a band (120-130mm). Maybe the owner will like the idea of unusual strap and will want one for himself
I'll see what I can find.
By the way, may I ask if you ended up acquiring the rose gold variant? I remember your post "5101 as endgame. Yes or no?" from last May, where you were showing the rose gold version. In any case (pun intended), owning the 5101 makes you a very lucky guy, ...
What a stellar memory you have. Yes, I decided to buy a 5101r with a Geneva seal.
It is not the exact watch that I used in my post previous year (that one had a PP seal). Choosing the metal of the case wasn’t a very easy task as all 5101 are magnificent in their own way. Platinum was a least desired option for me as it had black indice...
Well, allow me to offer you my sincerest congratulations.
I believe there are very few timepieces of such a grail level, which so deserve to crown a collection. And thank you so much for your feedback on the three metals you've had the chance to see in person. The retailer I plan to meet has both a platinum and ...
Thank you so much!
I'll try to photograph them together, and even with my Chronometro Gondolo!
Look forward to your report, quattro.
Wore too much like a cuff for me…not that I could afford it… ;-)
I'll keep you posted of course.
That it ends up looking like a cuff on my wrist is exactly what I'm afraid of, but I'll just wait and see. Best, Emmanuel
Cool 5101
Thanks Emmanuel for the super informative post as usual. Also the side-by-side comparison is helpful. Are you considering adding the 5101J to your collection? It is a seminal tourbillon for sure! Keeping my fingers crossed for your tests
This watch is in a price range I'm not currently considering.
But if I really fall in love with it, then I might seriously think about it. I'll just wait and see. Thanks for your wishes and kind words! Best, Emmanuel
Oh, yes, I'll definitely enjoy that moment when it comes!
Thank you, Tony. Best, Emmanuel
Hmmmm. Sometimes in the pictures it looks great and other times dead in the water.
And I agree it's kinda big. I have a soft spot for salmon dials (although I've never owned one) but I'm not sure this watch is one I'd choose. In your pictures I sort of prefer the size and style of the one on the left. 512G.
That's exactly why I'm so happy to be able to see this watch for real in not too long,
if everything goes as planned. It's the only way to get a real sense of how a watch really feels and wears. Best, Emmanuel
Perhaps part of it for me is I usually don't like too much stuff on a rectangular watch which makes them oversized.
I'm actually drawn more to time and small second hand, Possibly due to my love the of the rectangular one from the 1920s-1950s The gas gauge on top for me I find superfluous. Have fun trying them out.
I think I really share some of your thoughts and preferences here.
But I'm still really excited at the prospect of being able to see this model in person. The experience will be wonderful, regardless of my final feelings about the watch.
Fantastic post!
I love these pieces. The 5101 is in a class by itself and way out of my range. The other two are great also. I have a decision to make. It’s been lightly polished which doesn’t thrill me, but it’s platinum and much less if any metal was lost compared to g...
Oh! Well, you know how much I love the 5098P!
Only you can tell if the polished case is ok for you or not. It can be done very lightly and nicely, but if any part of the case makes you think that it's been done too heavily, than wait for another example. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Keep us informe...
Let us know what you think!
I find the case a bit wide and a bit bulky for a square model, particularly compared with Reversos. Tourbillon at the back is where it should be, only to be appreciated by the connoisseurs! Keep us updated! Best, E.
I will, of course!
I have doubts, that's for sure. But this Tourbillon is also one of Patek's wonderful achievement, so I'm glad to (hopefully) be able to see it, at last. Best, Emmanuel
Oh wow 🤩 Emmanuel ! This one is right up your alley !
Shaped case and movement , how will you resist?! Might be your next target 🎯!
Time will tell, Gordon!
As I've said to another member: "This watch is in a price range I'm not currently considering, but, if I really fall in love with it, then I might seriously think about it." Let's wait and see. Best, Emmanuel
I saw one in Florida and handled it, but didn't try it on...
...my wrist is a bit larger at 7.25" but I wonder how it would fit. It is a lovely watch with the good stuff on the back where it belongs : )
Whether I end up finding it a good fit for my wrist or not
is of secondary importance to me: I just want to see this grail level piece in person. And, if I like it, I'll have plenty of time to think about what I want to do. Best, Emmanuel
Lovely watch but save your money and buy a ref 2441
Much nicer and it’s vintage 🤪 Good luck with your viewing J
There's a good chance I'll end up thinking exactly like that.
But, whether this watch will prove a good fit for my wrist or not is of secondary importance for me: I'm just happy to be able to see this grail-level piece (it is for me) in person and not just on photos. And if I ever fall in love with this piece, well,...
Wow, great!
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pics! It looks terrific on your wrist! Best, Emmanuel
The yellow gold or rose gold 5101 wears well-enough,
As it's just the right amount of top-heavy. The rose gold / grey dial is very pleasing too, imho. All 5101s are impressive. Yes it's too long, but the 5101 design is so good, wearability somehow matters not-so-much. Regards, chk
Intersting perspective, chk!
Thanks for sharing your ideas: I like your way of considering that the design is more important here than the wearability. Best, Emmanuel
Also note that the 'R' is the one 5101 iteration
With contrasting-colored subdials (reserve and subseconds), & looks quite unlike a chronograph, as the two contrasting dial colors are of medium intensity. Chk
The white gold also has contrasting subdials!
And it definitely gives the R and the G a specific look. ...
Let’s hope it fits as well as you would like it to!
Sometimes pictures don’t do the fit justice, as they make the upper part of the watch appear to overhang, even if it does not line ok that way to the naked eye. As said, keeping fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
Many thanks, K!
Whatever the outcome, the most important thing for me is to have the joy of seeing this "grail-level" timepiece in person! Best, Emmanuel
A dream piece.
Great report, Emmanuel. And I look forward to hear your thoughts after you've handled it. Like I said on another thread, I am kind of afraid that this one would fit me. Good luck, and enjoy the experience.
Many thanks, Goh! I will definitely enjoy the experience.
Seeing this timepiece in person is my main goal and it will be a joy, whether it suits my wrist or not. If it does, and if I love it, well, I'll think it over! Best, Emmanuel
This is such a phenomenal piece, and the case design is truly heavenly!
I agree it is big, though size is in the eye of the beholder (I would argue), and when focusing purely on the dial it is not so big and more perfect. I think it looks fantastic on your wrist!
Not on my wrist, yet!
Hopefully, I'll see this watch in 3 weeks from now! Best, Emmanuel