Mark in Paris
[Purist]
10488
Interesting thoughts
Well Elio, a black dial is looking quite more modern, today, at least less conservative. However, Patek has provided black dial in the past and especially during the 30's/40's. At that time, black doesn't look more modern but more "Art Deco".
So I guess it depends on the point a view in time.
I think it is interesting to have from conservative to much more different dials colors to bring diversity, thus wider whoice for many kind of client (culture, geography, age etc...).
Yes, bringing a black dial in a family is more likely "to rise up figures" but my opinion is that, what should matter, is "does it look good" and "bring something not yet available". The black dial is of course very different from the rest of the family. In that context I think it is very positive and not just mercantile.
Concerning shaped movements, I think that Patek is one of the traditional brands which bring the most up to date and innovative movements (in the classical field of course) and they also provide a shaped movement in the 5200 or 5124 references already. The cost is certainly high but not that much as, for instance, the 5124G (3-hands Gondolo watch) is around 25K€ in France whereas the 5123 (manual too) is 23K€.
The movement in the 5940 could have been square but, as it is a Perpetual Calendar version, it means Patek would not have been able to use the one used in other PC references (5140, 5496) and thus would have had to build a completely new one!
I must say I find it cleverly integrated in the 5940:
Good hearing your thoughts Elio!
Cheers, Mark
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The review of the 2015 Patek Philippe 5940G Black dial
Gentlemen, Last year, during the Basel fair, Patek Philippe has unveiled a new very attracting version of the 5940G with a black dial . If you remember, this model already exists in Yellow gold Creme colored dial as in a Grey gold and silvery dial version...
The 5940 is so distinctive!
And those curves... Feast for the eyes. Not only I prefer it over the 5140, Mark, it is my favorite among all Pateks! Cheers! Marcelo
This is a love letter to this reference!
and I can completely see what elements made you so Cheers, Mark
great review and great watch...tried it recently..really fantastic
but of course very exclusive too
I see that you've been trying several beauties recently
(and even went through the purchase process too) Thank you very much Christian and it is indeed exclusive. Cheers, Mark
Its so Pretty!
I really like it, very strong and bold design, looks great. Thank You for sharing, very nice pics. S
Pretty and refined it is!
This is a watch I would be glad to wear on a regular basis. Thanks for your nice comments Salman! Cheers, Mark
Very nice & elegant.
Elegant , very formal. Nice with a tux or a suit. White dial or ivory colored dial less formal. But will have to use it with casual clothes but never with shorts. My opinion. And the cal 240 really a technical marvel. Thanks Mark for the review. Cheers Ge...
Ow yes...
I'm also paying a great attention on how I would wear a watch I consider buying: suits, causal etc... This may be a criterion that pushes me to the positive decision. As you perfectly said, it is formal and this is what makes it is elegant with dressy out...
Love the 5940...but
This black dial is very nice, stunning in fact. The watch aside, the only thing that is a little concerning is that Patek seems to be continuing the trend of making many versions of the same watch...
Versions
I guess you are talking about the dial array for a same metal Eric? Well, even if I wouldn't like to have plenty for a given reference, I think in brings diversity and helps not seeing always the same version all the time for several years. This being sai...
Thanks for yet another wonderful review.
Personally I find this piece very appealing. I had the chance to handle the white dial version some time ago and thought it was spectacular. I do have mixed feelings about blasting out black dial offerings, yes the black dial pieces in the past have been ...
Well, there are 2 ways of seeing this matter
If you have been following Patek watches for a long time, you indeed were used to see black dials in a very few watches, to say the least. It has made very high-valued vintage (thus unaffordable) watches and developped the rarity which creates a lot of ap...
Great review and lovely photos Mark!
Thank you for the review on my second favourite Patek in the current collection! (my favourite remains the elusive 5131R). I am hoping that in Basel 2016, Patek will release a rose gold version (and a 5170R too!) but my favourite 5940 has to be the 5940G ...
So you're also placing this one really high
I'm surprised to see so many people liking it that much and especially around the top3 as, with this shape, people are often more "fearful". This is definitely a wonderful and unique version. The 5139G with its black dial is also a very unique Perpetual C...
Very nice!
To me the black dial version is the most impressive one. Beside the beautiful aesthetics and the gorgeous execution of all details here we have one reason why I admire Patek so much: Although it is a elegant, rather small watch, the dial is so readable an...
Readable dial
It is especially noteworthy as it is a Perpetual Calendar with a lot of info displayed. I don't know if the impressive part is also due to the case shape but it is indeed a one-of-a-kind black dial. I must add that the yellow gold one is great looking too...
I compare it with the predecessor 5040 aesthetically and technically with competitors
Doing this this edition of a tonneau shaped perpetual is much more pleasing to the eye than the 5040. The 5040 comes ueber-classical with the Breguet hands but to my liking it gives the 5040 also a very conservative look. The filigree hands of the 5040 ar...
THis 5040 is the one I would have called "turtle" :)
Very nice and indeed more conservative, even though I liked its hands from what the white gold version (2nd picture) quite much. Credit: jeffreyg on PuristSPro Credit: Ba ba on PuristSPro Back to the 5940, I see we share the same view on the subject. And ...
Love the cushion-shape and
I would love PP to release a non-complicated version in different metals. I quickly saw this black dial version at Baselworld last year but I am not a fan, I tried the WG sliver dial and found it way too cold. I first tried the YG and found that it was th...
Dial colors
I must say that I also find that silver dials are often too cold for me too. It is different with a rose gold case though as the gold warms the dial. Indeed the yellow gold version is maybe my favorite yellow gold model of the whole catalogue. It matches ...
For now
I have only tried the new white dial 5270G and there was no chemistry. I find white dials in white metals a bit cold but it really depends on how these are made. When Patek makes them white- silvery grey, the dial comes alive and changes to a beautiful gr...
I see that we share many common elements about these watches...
I tried the 5270G with silver dial too and thought it looked a bit cold to my taste. On the pictures, It sometimes look as white and this would be something I'd love to get, or a greyer one. I'm also a register guy over subdials usually (although I think ...
Would be beautiful
This means also they'll change from the calatrava style case (5107, 5127 etc, used also in the 5130, 5140) to the case used in more complicated watches (5270, 5170, 5204 etc...). However, I'd love that! Cheers, Mark PS: when talking about Patek, rarely ru...
Beautiful
The new dial offering does exactly what (I imagine) was intended.. show an already classic reference in a new light which is a significant enough change to warrant a second look; however close enough to the original so as not to reinvent the wheel. My hea...
I like your sum-up...
A new dial layout must bring something different and new, otherwise, it is not that usefull and interesting. It would be boring to go from Opaline to Silver keeping a same case material. Thank you for your view on this reference and for your warm words Co...
Although I am very cautious when it comes to shaped cases
This one looks pretty darn good especially with the black dial,Thanks Mark for highlighting a reference that I would have never considered. Best, Ahmed
I'm glad this review brings you food for thoughts!
We never know, our tastes evolve and maybe one day we may want something else. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Mark
Just a couple of comments...
Thank you Mark, your great review offers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this piece. I generally think that black dials add modernity, so I suspect that PP tends to use them to attract new customers more easily. Yes, I'm saying it's fairly easy to ...
Interesting thoughts
Well Elio, a black dial is looking quite more modern, today, at least less conservative. However, Patek has provided black dial in the past and especially during the 30's/40's. At that time, black doesn't look more modern but more "Art Deco". So I guess i...
I knew you would say that Kari!
But it is unlikely to happen now. Maybe blue as you already had the 5905P in black? Cheers, Mark
Same 240Q movement,
Steel Nautilus case and blue dial. What a perfect 40th Anniversary piece of Nautilus! Best Kari
I have owned the 5940G for a year and...
love it. Like the size and the shape a lot more than the round perpetuals. The dial is just so beautiful. it is a great elegant watch.
I must say that this one is my favorite QP from the current collection
I like the 5139 too but much more dressy and the Clous de Paris doesn't make it as easier a model to wear everyday. Thanks for your feedback! Cheers, Mark
A question
Hi Mark, I understand today that Patek have decided to discontinue the 5940G with the silver dial. I was quite surprised since this watch was only launched in Basel 2014. Sham
We don't know if this info is confirmed (the reliability of a leaking document visible
However, there are many references that have been available for a short period of time (1 or 2 years) like the 5960P black dial, 5070P, 5970P etc... One thing is for sure about Patek is that you never know in advance if a reference will remain for 1, 2 ye...
A bit like a chrono version?
It could indeed look very nice. The cushion-shaped 5950 has a long second hand. Yes, it may fit the case too! Cheers, Mark
Super review as always Mark,
Thank you very much for the details. I think the 5940 is stunning. I was initially setting my eyes on the 5140 as my next Patek but after your review and pictures I must definitely think about the 5940. I love the dial layout. The tonneau or "cushion" sha...
Well, they are very different looking references
the 5140 looks more like its predecessor, in a more contemporary style and size, whereas the 5940 is more a very unique and thus rarer kind of design (even if it also had a cushion-shaped ancestor). Two ways of expressing elegant complicated Patek watches...