akitaishi
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The question should be how is 5712 set apart....
How is 5712 not significant ?
The group of complication (Date + moon phase + power reserve only), often referred to as Petite Complication was once was built on Calatravas.
The 5015, 5054 and 5055 once had these groups of complications. Now no longer, as they are discontinued.
Yes, moon phase and date are common subset function in the complications and grand complication group (AC, PC, chronograph). But it is seldom paired with PR indicator.
To a self-winding reference, the power reserve indicator is a quintessential complication to have. That's another topic altogether though.
So with the discontinuation of the Calatrava petite complications, the only way to get it is via Nautilus 5712.
In that, I see the 5712 as "something" significant to talk about.
Having said that, the red dots are probably euphemistic of a low power warning. (like the empty fuel tank indicator is often painted red)
And so I searched the other PR watches like the 10-day Gondolo 5101. (But yet, not all PR low section of the Gondolo references are marked red) Some are just +/-, others are left uncolored and black.
The 10 day Gondolo was probably an important technical reference. How many references has that long a power reserve ?
Its successor the 5200, had an 8 day PR but added the date function. That had red marker on hand and red PR section.
That's not all. The date no. 1 of the 5712 date ring is marked red. (I think it is deliberate.)
So many things points to the fact that Patek does not use red on watches without careful considerations.
Yes, they did not use red as much with the vintage Patek. But the observation is also true that they only use red sparingly and when it effectively accentuate the reference.
And the earlier examples give, when you see the red used on second hands, markers, numbers, dials. It almost seems to suggest that the reference is set apart from the others ; hence significant/important.
As for the 6007, it is a slightly more difficult call.
I read that this reference has 3 versions, where the sweep second could be red, yellow or blue option choice.
And the red sweep second on this Calatrava helped me remember.
Usually the Calatrava is presented in different metal options. Never in the same metal (all 3 are WG) with different second hands option ?
It's also creative they named the reference ending with binary digits 1, 2 and 3 (001, 010 and 011)
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When Patek uses red on their dials, dots and markers, numbers, hands and needles...
I have an observation that Patek uses Red sparingly on their watches. When Patek, uses red on their dials, numbers, markers ,hands and needles, the pieces tend to be important. Is this observation accurate ? Just curious. ...
You left out one of my favorites, the 5951P!
However, I am not so sure red is saved for "important" pieces even though many of the examples you provided would certainly fall in that category. Another reference which frequently featured a red chronograph seconds hand was the 5960. I think that one pr...
I know right....
Thank you for bringing this up ! I know right ? I wanted to put this into the list but the reference number just escaped my mind. There is another reference, I forgot the number. It's a Patek Rattrapante Split Chronograph that has a < 35 mm case. Refer...
Important may not be the right word, maybe change it to "Of significance"
Agree with you. The watches you listed are kind of special in their class in some ways, I think. Eg. Bracelet Steel. Special Calendar Calatrava, Petite complication. Maybe Important is too heavy a word to use. But I might say that red use on Patek pieces ...
I think my impression of red on Patek was formed ...
looking at how that I might have formed an opinion of this, was when I saw the Ref 3448 and this 3450 with a red dot. The 3450 was the successor to the Ref 3448. And the 3448 was the first perpetual calendar wristwatch to indicate leap years. Both had the...
Who can forget the recent Aquanaut 5167A-012
I remember seeing this also in 2019. Ignore the matching red strap. The minute markers and second hands are both red. Which is why subconciously, the red design element somehow makes one pay attention ! ...
It is significant to mark an occasion.
Not horological significant, in that sense. But this Aquanaut is not "any other" aquanaut. It's commemorative to mark the Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Singapore (2019, I think), limited to 500 pieces. I remember seeing it in the Patek Exhibition and it h...
Take a look at this..
Maybe if we look far back enough. The Patek 97975 had all the dates around the dial, each number in Red. This is the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925. This precedes the 1518 by 15 years. Surely that's vintage of vintages ? I deem that is signif...
Not just hands
Design language maybe. But extend it beyond hands, to markers, dots, as I have alluded to. The usage of red elements in their watches. One begins to see some trends. Surely Patek considers the use of red on their watch very carefully, to accentuate their ...
True that.
I really hope they do an article about this in their Patek Magazine. That would be a good edition, a copy to keep, if someone in here is listening.(^-^)
Important? How is the 6007G important?
The 5712 is not important neither. I think the bigger question here is how you define "important."
The question should be how is 5712 set apart....
How is 5712 not significant ? The group of complication (Date + moon phase + power reserve only), often referred to as Petite Complication was once was built on Calatravas. The 5015, 5054 and 5055 once had these groups of complications. Now no longer, as ...
A Compelling Argument!
You've convinced me! The 5712 is indeed significant! To me, the 5712 is significant. It was the first watch I ever bought! I bought mine over a decade ago, back in the day when these watches weren't hard to get... I even took mine hiking! Today, it doesn'...
I always smile when I see this reference 5712
I always smile when I see this reference. It's the Nautilus that I would pick (If I were to pick from the pile) But it's also the one that I can never carry well because of my small wrist. Nice picture ! Really a pleasure to see 5712 worn out on a adventu...
This has been one adventurous 5712!
The only thing it doesn't do is go into the water. Since it's only got 60m water resistance - I prefer to take watches into the water only if they have 100m water resistance.
I agree “watches of Significance “ might be a better word
That explains the use of red on the 5960p which was a significant milestone. Interesting observation. M. ...
Is that 5004 the only Ti watch Patek has ever produced at that point?
It is incredible and will probably fetch insane values in years to come. I love the way it looks.