Mark in Paris
[Purist]
10488
I have a few answers
This is indeed sometimes mentioned about dials.
1. I noticed that some newer dials have such figures less small and more similar to the other figures' height (there is an evolution, maybe it is because they have bigger cases). It seems that it has changed a little since then.
2. It is an issue that is very personal and that some people don't have a problem with. For instance, the numerals cut by a subsidiary dial is not a problem at all for many and a problem for others.
3. Then, you have the number of infos on the dial and the fact that people often judge from pictures and have not seen the watch in the metal. Indeed, the elements are much smaller in the metal and some details we notice strongly on pictures are finally much more discreet, or just represent a problem anymore.
In that regards, on a Chrono-PC, I imagine these 2 smaller figures are less visible compared to a PC only.
4. Maybe that if people prefer the 5204R to the 5140, they will be more enclined to see things in a more positive way. This underlines how strong subjectivity weighs when considering aesthetical aspects.
As far as I'm concerned (that's very personal), I don't have any problem with these smaller figures (or cut numerals, and I prefer date in a window in white rather than in the same tone as the dial because there is always a slight difference I don't like) and wouldn't have noticed them really if didn't read about it in some threads. I prefer this to bigger figures that would stick on the upper sub-dials. The other possibility would be to reduce all the sub-dials in order to leave more space for the figures. The thing is that it will significantly change the look of the watch as we have bigger sub-dials today. We still have smaller on vintage watches but the style has evolved and people may think that sub-dials would be too small then!
We can reduce all the figures at the same height but many would complain it is not legible enough.
So, it's never easy.
However, you remark is relevant and people don't judge different watches the same way. It depends on how they see it, and especially when they express it. If we didn't see such remark on the 5204 it is because it is not that important considering this reference..
This is a good remark and that's why I think that everyone should make his own analyze and sometimes try to put aside what people on forums may say when thinking about a new purchase 
Thank you for your nice words, I'm glad you like it!
Best, Mark
The 2016 Patek Philippe 5204R hands-on review
Hello everyone, Among the new pieces presented by Patek Philippe this year at Baselworld, there was a watch that I considered my favorite from this cuvée: the 5204R with Perpetual Calendar and Split-Second Chronograph . Not only does it house one of the f...
Very attractive timepiece.
The depth of the movement is quite impressive. The case shape is indeed very sensual, and I agree here about liking the rose gold. Very warm and fitting with the dial. Impressive article, thanks Mark.
Thank you for such a detailed review.
Indeed, this timepiece would have been my favorite also if it only was not so thick. It is very tempting to fall for this watch by just looking at the dial. However, once you put it on your wrist, the thickness really overwhelms the person. I wish there i...
Very tempting indeed
Thanks for the feedback Jim, the thickness though very well mastered for such a complication is something that an owner should indeed accept compared to other watches he may have. And thank you for your kind words! Best, Mark
Mark, you did it again.
What a fantastic post, thank you! For me ref. 5204 (naturally P) is one of the very greatest modern Patek. Only 5370P is able to win it but naturally, that opinion is totally subjective. I really do not see the point why a very sporty complication like sp...
see it that way: you have got the "eternity" to measure and also to measure some very fleeting moments of split seconds in one "tool"
Than it becomes a quite mighty task!
I have this debate with myself a lot....
.....there is something quite magical about the perpetual calendar complication. At the same time, the split second chrono is an incredibly cool complication. Yet, to my mind (at least at the moment), combining the two results in something which is less t...
Indeed a very nice project to bring forward
As someone who one wonderful vintage 3 handers or the 3448, I'm not surprised to read that your heart goes for a more exclusive and simpler watch. And I must say I like that too. It is like focusing all the attention on one single actor, without being dis...
I'm glad you liked it Kari
I know that you have seen many complicated and rare watches and that it gives you quite a very good perspective when trying a watch. I completely agree with you about the 5204's place for Patek. This 5370P is indeed something very special and I was also w...
As you know Mark,
I like the most perpetual with automatic winding. It is the most practical way of having a perpetual always on right time. Best Kari
Yes, I remember and nearly mentionned it in my reply :)
It is another way of enjoying our watches. The decoration of a manual wound movement is an element to consider, especially when it is a PC next to a chronograph. Otherwise, the automatic winding is a clever addition to the PC to consider. Nevertheless, it...
Thanks mark lots of info to digest
Great to see so much effort going into this article Julian
I often myself read through a post many times when I feel like to
It took a little time and Dje's presentation was helping a lot Thank you Julian for your nice compliements! Best, Mark
Mark I am speechless.
Thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into that wonderful in depth review. Your passion is addictive. You clearly have a deep love and understanding of that beautiful Patek Piece. I\'m going to read it again later today when I get 15mins a...
My pleasure Miles :)
I thought that this kind of watches is rare enough to take a little time, especially as it will be one every several years imho :p It is not that easy to try communicating what we feel, especially without beeing too long and boring. That's why I appreciat...
Thanks ! A great read
A great watch indeed neutral would hesitate between this and the 5004 I really love the lemania based one.... but the 5004 should have been a bit bigger
Thank you!
Yes, it is a very appealing one, certainly one of my favorite in the complicated ones. Best, Mark
This is the knid of dilemma I have with 5270 versus 5970
Thank you for your compliments Bruno! Best, Mark
Well Mark, you let me speechless. Your post is so detailed and it helps me (us) to learn many things about these beautiful PP. Very impressive
A big thank you to you for all the time you spent for this write-up. Best wishes Alkiro
My pleasure Alkiro :)
I enjoy writing them knowing it will be appreciated here, even if people don't have to love them but at least being interested in the technics or respecting different aesthetical orientations, being curious etc... The discussion is always done in a good w...
My pleasure Mark ;-)
Agree with you when posts like yours open debates. That\'s always interesting. Best wishes Alkiro
Thank you
Thank you for the detailed article! I do prefer the older hands personally than this model. Does the new movement here and in the 5270 lose the adjustment to advance a day at a time including moon phase like the Lemania versions had? Best regards
Good question
It seemed to me the 5970 had this all-in-one very useful feature and I know the 5270 doesn't. I couldn't manipulate the buttons of the 5970 and see this by myself and when I asked a retailer he told me that he didn't know about such feature in the 5970 so...
Unfortunately not...
Neither the 5270 nor the 5204 have the feature to advance all indications at once... that\'s the only downside compared to Lange (1815 rattrapante, dato perpetual) and the 5970 (and 5004 I think, but didn\'t check myself)... I don\'t know why such a usefu...
Good to know
Maybe the new design of the 29-535 caliber didn't make it possible anymore but it was indeed a useful feature. Thank you for the info! Best, Mark
Mark,You are challenging yourself here
Every time your articles are becoming better and better and this is the best I read so far,So detailed. This watch is one of the watches I love deeply and on par with 5370P.But I made sure not to try them,Because they are out of my watch budget,The 5970 a...
Not trying is a way to avoid temptations!
Don't laugh but that's also something I tell myself sometimes. To answer your question, you guessed right as they are also both out of my budget. But it would be one of the two. This being said, I don't know which one I would choose between 5370P and 5204...
We have similar approach
When it comes to watches.....I am glad we met here in the forum,Would be happy to meet face to face one day.I am sure it would be very interesting to meet some one with your knowledge. Getting your dream watch or grail as we may call it is something and g...
Mark, many thanks for this wonderful review of this really fantastic reference
If I should one day intend to acquire something in colored metal, this one would it be without hesitation and I really wouldn’t care that I have already the 5204P. The winding feeling and the smoothness of the pushers are indeed outstanding and certainly ...
Thank you for the feedback Dom
as owner of the beauty you have this tells a lot About the pushers and winding feeling, It is very interesting to notice your observations: this is maybe the consequence of the thinner caliber and the pushers position and display design (compared to the 5...
Great great review
Thanks Mark, really enjoyed this post. In my opinion one of the most attractive references in the available range right now. What would I change? Squeeze it down to a size between 36,5 or max 38 mm, but keep the thick case. I am not a fan of the coated ma...
It seems we are a few to feel like this about the 5204R indeed
and I'm glad about that. I totally see you pleasure having a smaller case but with that very unique thick feeling (something that I like in the 5930 as well). You must like the 3970 I presume The 5370P is quite very different from Patek's classical cases ...
There are posts, and there are posts. This is certainly the latter.
Stunning review. Thank you!
I love it all as you know
but I have read the comments to the manual wind perpetual calendar. perhaps the future may hold for this watch an automatic winding function. Owners wear the watch on occasion and do not set the calendar. sad but true too often.
Manual versus automatic for a PC...
that's a question every future owner should ask himself indeed. And I think that the answer will depend on how often he or she wears it. As for an alternative automatic display, it will be interesting but will be with the loss of a part of the bridge and ...
Fantastic report Mark. This is a very special watch that needed a special review, which you achieved as always.
The watch itself is of course beautiful, but there is something about the lugs which I am not keen on. I would prefer the lugs from the 5270. This is just my subjective opinion of course, and very likely wrong!
They have quite a wide diversity of shapes...
...when dealing with lugs but also cases, pushers, bezel etc... I noticed these lugs were different and I'm also a fan of the 5270 or 5230's shape. Finally, I think that these more classical lugs may look better for such a complicated watch. I think maybe...
Hi Mark, thank you for such a detailed review !
You have me salivating at this watch ! Cheers, Gordon
My pleasure Gordon :)
I think this is a very appealing version indeed. I was glad to see it as I imagine it will remain quite rare. Thank you! Best, Mark
Very enjoyable post Mark.
A technical marvel in engineering and beauty. Thanks for your intricate post. Cheers. Geross.
You're right, it is a very well designed piece
something I think is worthy of holding to appreciate fully the brand's mastery in that field. Thank you for your compliments Geross Best, Mark
Fantastic report
Thank you Mark for the fantastic report! Look here for a comparison with its Lange-pendant:
My pleasure!
Thank you for the link, I remember that post and your pictures, and agree with most of what you exposed. Thank you for your nice comments about the review Best, Mark
Thank you dms!
I hope all is fine with your 5712 and that you had a great time during the CES. Let's catch up soon in Paris Best, Mark
Great Review
Thanks Mark. I agree the "upside down" moonphase takes getting used to. I would have preferred the moonphase above the horizon as in the 5270. I wonder if this will come in any other metals.....
Thank you Vwong
So do I. I don't know if there is a technical reason behind it. About other metals, I think they will indeed, at least in Platinum. Will it come in yellow gold too? I don't know but as there is a come back of yellow gold watches, maybe yes Best, Mark
Could have been...........
This literally could have been the most perfect watch IF NOT for that ridiculous upside down moon phase. Seriously... what is the point to that. Could have been perfect, but why? Why Patek??? ;{
What do you think?
5 and 27 around the moon phase are minimized to fit the dial, just as on the 5140. However on the 5140 it is often mentioned as a negative thing, but apparently it doens't matter on the 5204? What do you think... Great review by the way Mark
I have a few answers
This is indeed sometimes mentioned about dials. 1. I noticed that some newer dials have such figures less small and more similar to the other figures' height (there is an evolution, maybe it is because they have bigger cases). It seems that it has changed...
Thanks for your comments
Actually I first noticed the squeezed numbers on the watch after seeing your pictures. I can see that the 5004 came with variations in the hour markers. I hope to see the 5204 follow that path as I am not the biggest fan of lumiscent on this particular re...
Phenomenal write-up!
Mark, Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough and well-illustrated review, and for including DJE's content to remind us of the technical elements. Great pictures and feedback, especially regarding the tactile feel of the pushers and winding...
That's an important point indeed.
The feeling from manipulating a movement is definitely very important. That's a great asset of the new 29-535 caliber and showing the flawless activiation of the different parts. Thank you for your very kind comments, I'm gald you liked it! Best, Mark
5959R
Hi Mark, if you get the opportunity to get a 5959R in your hands you must do a similar review... please I can't find any good pictures on the internet of it either. /M
I will if I can see it one day
The thing is that they are very rare and I imgaine that a client would have to fill an application for it. This is a fantastic model, aesthetically but also in terms of movement. I would love to see it Best, Mark
Old post
But any owners of the 5204 would care to share their experiences, including reliability? Feel free to PM me as well!