WatchProSite|Market|Digest
WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Patek Philippe

This is what an AD told me...

 

If a watchh is Swiss made, by law it must be able to withstand a certain degree of shock impact. As was explained to me, if you drop a watch onto a hard surface from 1m, Swiss law says that the watch must be able to comfortably withstand that. As I understand, this type of shock is something like 2-3Gs. If you clap, that is also 2-3 Gs. If you clap very hard, that can get to 4Gs. Playing tennis would also come into a category of 4+ Gs.

Some watches are made to withstand much higher levels. Bremont, for example, can withstand a vertical shock of 9Gs. The JLC Navy Seals can withstand similar shock both vertically and horizontally. Likewise the Ball & co.

I think unless a watch has been specifically designed to withstand shocks of this nature, I would assume only that it is standard 3-4Gs of shock. I would suspect that most of the Pateks are in this type of range and I would not want to play tennis in mine. I have the 5070 and Aquanaut and whilst I would think the latter is sturdy, i still wouldn't fancy testing it playing tennis.

 

if the above is full of BS...then i will blame the AD who told me!

  login to reply
Related Content
expand_more
5070AquanautBremontComplicationsJaeger LeCoultrePatek Philippe

Available on the marketplace

Patek Philippe Chronograph Platinum Manual Wind Watch 42mm Blue Dial 5070P-001
204,950 USD
Pre-owned - Excellent · US
View all Patek Philippe on the marketplace →Patek Philippe 5070P Lemania Chronograph 950 Platinum Rare 5070P-001
199,995 USD
Pre-owned - Excellent · US
Patek Philippe 5070P-001 Chronograph Platinum Blue Dial
197,500 USD
Pre-owned - Good · US
Patek Philippe 5070J Chronograph Yellow Gold w/ Black Dial Rare Discontinued
89,995 USD
Pre-owned - Excellent · US
23 Comments view entire thread 

Durability of the 5711

 
By: watchisimo : April 21st, 2011-11:30
About a month ago I purchased a 5711. I have to say it is probably one of the most comfortable watches I have ever worn. It's lite and aesthetically pleasing. I have been wearing it pretty much all the time since I bought it. I've owned a lot of watches i...  

Good question

 
By: R_Dorothy Wayneright : April 21st, 2011-12:04
Myriad individuals would bag on you for these questions regarding the durability of a certain mechanical watch, but I think you're just being careful. A Patek Philippe is not cheap. The 5711/A is a piece you can jog and casually swim in. Look up water res... 

For me, the main troubles are the scratches

 
By: foversta : April 21st, 2011-12:11
The Nautilus case easily gets scratches... and if you ask to Patek, they will tell you that it is a very difficult case to be polished. And the less you need to polish it, the better. Fx

For me too

 
By: diogo : April 28th, 2011-14:51
You're right, it easily get scratched, and it's not a good feeling when your PP get scratched. I prefer to wear it in situations that does not seem to expose the watch to scratches. I also think that that is the major problem about wear it in every situat... 

I think the bottom line...

 
By: mrsnak : April 21st, 2011-17:45
...is how precious you are about a watch that cost a good deal of money. For some, it was difficult just to be able to buy one and may want to preserve the pristine integrity as much as possible to either pass down or sell later. The Patek slogan comes to... 

Judging by the

 
By: halkcb : April 22nd, 2011-01:07
bulk of opinions here,most are wary of the frailty of mechanical watches. However,over the last forty years,I've subjected my omega deville chronograph to many games of squash and tennis without any detriment(as far as i know) to the movement.The case is ... 

Thanks for valuable thoughts everyone !

 
By: watchisimo : April 22nd, 2011-13:53
I think this one will have stay home during my strenuous activities....  

Wise decision.

 
By: amanico : April 22nd, 2011-13:55
Rotors and sports don't work very well together... Beszt, Nicolas.

For outdoor activities...

 
By: Por : June 7th, 2011-01:00
...go for AP Offshore Rubber Clad...can take quite a few beatings.

Regarding the sporting events....NO!

 
By: whit : April 22nd, 2011-14:25
The other things you mentioned are all fine, I just wouldn't push it with the other activities unless you're prepared for handle the freight charge if something should happen. I've had a 3800 for since '86 and have had no problems at all, but I avoid shoo... 

1.) A watch is an increased risk for injury wearing it during exercises...

 
By: COUNT DE MONET : June 7th, 2011-05:12
2.): there is NO real shockproof watch as they are all very, very delicate objects with very, very thin pivots and wheels. ANY shock has an impact on the movement --> wheter you notice it immediately or later as they all add up. I am not tired of repeatin... 

Watches are not butterflies...

 
By: paulus : June 10th, 2011-12:18
I don’t know if I am agreeing or disagreeing with the rather nervous consensus out there – several here clearly understand the details of a mechanical watches construction, and the risks involved in various activities. But this does not mean t... 

Not as a Rolex

 
By: watch-er : June 10th, 2011-12:30
The 5711 has the same 324SC movement found in the dress watches of similar functions and it is not as as robust as a Rolex watch. The movement has been crafted for beauty with the use of smaller thinner elegant parts and has a uni-wind rotor in gold which... 

This is what an AD told me...

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 10th, 2011-13:33
If a watchh is Swiss made, by law it must be able to withstand a certain degree of shock impact. As was explained to me, if you drop a watch onto a hard surface from 1m, Swiss law says that the watch must be able to comfortably withstand that. As I unders... 

I can't begin to tell you the number of watches

 
By: whit : June 10th, 2011-19:53
that have been dropped from waist level positions that have not withstood the shock. Broken crystals, bent dial feet on the dial, etc. have all occurred and duly noted on the repair estimate. When they say "you merely take care of it for the next generati... 

Sports and watches

 
By: Georg : June 17th, 2011-07:09
When I got my 5712 back in 2008, I asked my trusted retailer and he said for swimming or running the PP is ok, but for more "action"-sports like tennis, golf or skiing, he would recommend a Rolex. Especially golf is supposed to be very hard on rotors, so ... 

never sweat with a PP

 
By: PP_Geneve : June 19th, 2011-04:42
i like to swim or jogging "in dignity", for that, i wear a "cheap" Tag Heuer Aquaracer. even a Rolex is too risky for me, and God forbid wearing a PP. my rule of thumb: never wear a Patek when sweating.