Patek Philippe

Being exhaustive with the 3940, introduced in 1985, is almost impossible because of the 3 different series (1985, 1987, 1995): for a comprehensive approach, check, for example, Collecting the 3940 on Twain Time. The 5140 was introduced in 2006 as a modern...  

Perhaps one of the salmon dials, or the diamonds. All beauties!

3940J with doré dial, or 5140J (no Roman numerals)! Thanks for looking.

Don’t forget about the 5136 variants. IMHO the best version with great size and clean dial layout (bigger font/no shrunken numerals). Plus the fantastic bracelet.

For me though, the bracelet gets in the way of the very sober design: just my feeling and personal taste, of course. And I'm only judging from photos: I would maybe feel differently in real life. Thanks for looking. 5136/1G-001 5136/1J-001 ...  

I’ve been trying to find a third series yellow gold 3940 for a bit and haven’t seen any pop up for sale. A lot of 2nd series though. Kind of interesting. Hope to find one soon

I wish you the best for your hunt of a 3rd series YG. Best, Emmanuel

That chocolate dial makes it spectacular...

Judging only from photos, so not very meaningful… Thanks for looking.

...and would purchase the Roman numeral version if the IV and VIII were flipped 180-degrees. I can't look at them the way they are.

Not a problem for me, though: I like them as they are. And I guess that the porcelain dial must look really good in real life.

What are the major differences between the two references ?

it has slightly thicker and more curved lugs and slightly more robust hands, which is supposed to improve legibility.

Thanks for looking.

compiling these. I like the 5140P-017, grey dial, small white hands... but the 3940G (ACM) is just perfect with non shrunken 5/27.

but I think I would personally go for a J (3940 with doré dial or 5140). Thanks for looking.

But can’t pick a favorite so I can’t actually purchase one. In my mind it’s the best PP of the last 50 years. I know there are others that are more popular or iconic. But for me this is timeless and the most elegant design. And honestly, what’s better tha... 

I would also have a very hard time choosing, but I think a J would make me very happy (3940 doré dial or 5140).

My all time favourite remains a classic J 1st series though ! Best, M 3940G X dial with Italian calendar 3940G 1st series all time favourite - 3940J 1st series ...  

I join you in the choice of a J ! I would maybe just opt for the doré dial which looks stunning to me. Best, Emmanuel

But I’m very happy to make up for my mistake. Here’s the 5550! Best. 5550P ...  

I just take the time to choose the best ones available online…

Love the ovitz version - he must have quite the patek collection

Thanks for looking.

Just coming across it now. Amazing. On a related note - I always wondered if Patek made a 3940 or 5140 in steel as a one off for a VIP. I guess we may never know!

Thanks for the kind words.

on the 3940s much easier to read than the softer font on the 5140s. And the 3940 has a concave bezel so it does not scratch from shirt cuffs as does the convex bezel of the 5140.

Thank you. Best, Emmanuel

...  

that is very similar or close to one of the two: it definitely sounds like a good decision. Except if you keep missing the 3940P of course. Best, Emmanuel

This is a limited production piece. An AD in the UK had one in 2018 ...  

It's 3940J-028: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6394596 There's also a Micheal Ovitz bespoke piece with Breguet numerals: https://www.christies.com.cn/en/lot/patek-philippe-ref-3940j-a-unique-18k-6378284/?intObjectID=6378284&lid=3

...btw, I'd buy one with the Romans and the hobnailed bezel if they hadn't 'flipped' the Roman numerals : )

dislike those flipped numerals!

...aesthetically it would look better in the traditional manner. Watches are small clocks. I have yet to see an old clock with Roman numerals that are flipped...

though I fully respect it, I really don't feel the same way: for me, each different layout has its own charm. Just my feeling of course. Best, Emmanuel A/ VERTICAL 1/ Vertical Roman 2/ Vertical Arabic B/ FLIPPED RADIAL 1/ Flipped Roman 2/ Flipped Arabic C...  

...I can handle anything but flipped Romans. I made my living making sure things looked 'right.' Maybe the thing that bothers me is...why? We don't use Roman numerals for actual math or in daily life. In a way, Roman numerals are just symbols of the past ...  

I also value attention to detail a lot. But flipping Roman numerals doesn't always seem to me to be the result of negligence. As in the following comparison, where I personally think that both dials make sense. Best, Emmanuel VC Reference 4317 (1945) VC R...  

...not ideal, but on the right watch I can live with it : )

on this VC 4261 minute repeater !

As for me I made my choice and certainly don’t regret it one second, 3940 anyhow way ahead of the 5140 😉 The only other versions which make me horny are the yellow gold doré dial (the personal watch of Mr Philippe Stern) or the doré dial Beyer LE. But hon...  

So much to love. The sharp sunken sub-registers with short gold hands and longer blued (?) hands: wonderful. Have a nice day! Best, Emmanuel

…that I should have acquired it much before. It is a wonderful daily wearer, a simple but iconic and historical beauty, but flies under the radar which is important nowadays. Fyi since I know you like to go deep in details, mine is from 1986 and has a dia... 

I find it hard to tell short E from long E. I think I haven't really spotted it yet. Anyway, your example is truly beautiful. 🌼

I don't think that such a sporty touch fits the identity of the watch. And I personally prefer colored gold for such a delicate reference: but it's just my taste of course. Best, Emmanuel

Photo credit - Sotheby's ...  

Best, Emmanuel