Patek Philippe

Here comes the time when we can discover the new Patek Philippe watches for 2009!

We've heard many suppositions about a 5970P, or about a new in-house manual wind chronograph. Apparently we'll have to wait a little more!

Added note from Dje: the 5970P is now pictured on the Patek Philippe website with its black dial!

On the contrary I would not be surprised if Patek Philippe was to present at the show a watch that is not included in the press information we've received! Let's hope for some surprises!

We can now have a look at what is already offered. In fact I don't think any of these watches were waited by the market, or at least by the collectors.

A promising crown

The first model and the only new men's reference is the new Calatrava with an officer's case back, the Patek Philippe 5153J, successor of the 5053 which production was stopped a few years back. It is for now only offered in yellow gold. I hope to see a white gold version next year! A white gold version could have been my favourite Calatrava.

Patek Philippe 5153J

The new 5153J is 38mm large, 2.4mm more than the 5053. The overall height is 10.97mm.

The silvery opaline dial features a hand-guilloche sunburst pattern in the center, reminding the dial center of the 5159!

The new Officer Calatrava

The 5153 is powered by a calibre 324 SC. I imagine that opening the perfectly adjusted hinged back to discover a view to the beautifully finished calibre and its 21 carat gold rotor must be a very pleasing experience.

A textured dial

This first new model is just one of the new offerings. The rest of the men's new models consists in a trilogy of pink gold watches, three iconic watches for the first time offered in pink gold!

Pink gold is reminiscent of the Art Deco era that is nicely brought back by two of the three watches.

La vie en rose for the Patek Philippe 5960R

Three years after the launch of the 5960P, this efficient and modern automatic chronograph is now available in a new colour.

Pink and grey

The 5960R is mechanically unchanged from the 5960P. It adds only a nostalgic and more luxurious touch to the sportier and more casual look of the platinum version.

A now established reference

This watch is obviously going to be the entry level chronograph choice in the Patek Philippe range and a piece of choice, as we have no idea of the evolution of the rest of the chronograph offerings. Let me confess that I'm not totally convinced yet by the graphic definition of this version, while I'm a great fan of the 5960P.

I still have no doubt that this watch is going to encounter a great success.

Inversed colours

The 5101P was launched in 2003, three years after the first ten days Patek Philippe watch (the much revered 5100 celebrating the year 2000).

The new version is a pink gold twin sister of the platinum tourbillon. The dial shows two shades of grey and pink gold applied Breguet numerals.

Patek Philippe 5101R

This magnificent watch is fitted with the untouched  tourbillon calibre 28-20/222, chronometer tested and as already said providing a power reserve of no less than 10 days (and AFAIK beaten only by the 15 days of power reserve of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater, or by other watches that are not wound through the crown).

A very appealing dial

I've personally always found the 5101 to be a fantastic dream watch as it is so nicely understated with its tourbillon shown only on the back, its Gondolo case and subtle dial, its Art deco overall style and superb technical performance. I'm glad to see it's now offered in a second choice of colour and hope to see in the range for long years to come.

The possible best back view of the Patek Philippe range

Obviously the 5101R will remain a dream watch for many of us (and unfortunately specially me). So I may finish the presentation of this trio of pink gold watches with the most affordable offering, that is for me a very tempting new favourite in the current "reasonable" range.

The 5098 Gondolo, launched two years ago in platinum, is now offered in the dual colour of pink gold case and grey dial. The cambered 18 carat gold dial is silvered and hand guilloched on its center and outer zones and receives a brown guilt hour scale with brown painted Breguet numerals.

The tasty Gondolo

The work done on the dial is once again magnificent and echoes perfectly the rounded tonneau case and the curved glass.

Patek Philippe 5098R

The warm harmony of colours will remind us the warm south American origin of the Patek Philippe Gondolo family of watches. The relationship between Patek Philippe and its Rio de Janeiro retailer Gondolo & Labouriau began in 1872. From 1902 Patek Philippe produced a specific collection of watches for the Brazilian retailer, named Chronometro Gondolo. The first Chronometro Gondolo wrist watches appeared around 1910 and this partnership lasted till 1927.

Still the superb 5098 dial

The 5098P was IMO the most beautiful simple watch in the current collection. I yet have to handle the pink gold version but I'm very happy to see this reference appear in a more accessible colour.  The 25-21 REC calibre, derived from the 215, is still there with its attractive and old style bridge lay out.  

The tempting 25-21 REC

There's in fact a fourth offering in this pink gold range of new models. It is an ultra thin ladies' Calatrava reference 4897R with a calibre 215. I unfortunately have no pics of this watch so far.

There are also other ladies options with the 7010 and 7011. These white or rose gold Nautilus watches offer either a satin-finished or diamond-set bezel as well as charcoal grey or white dials. The 60 meters water resistant watches are equipped with a Patek Philippe quartz calibre E23 SC with central second and a date.

Patek Philippe 7010 and 7011

The 7010 has the diamonds bezel and the 7011 incorporates the satin-finished bezel.

Patek Philippe 7010

I hope you've found some new watches of desire in these new offerings. I will see these watches later in April and will come back with lots of pictures. I'm sure some of us will also see them before me and will bring us their pics

Dje