patekova
1828
When I think of all the great Pateks from the “modern era”, which for purposes of this post I postulate as being from approximately 1985 to present, there is one watch
that stands out above all others as my clear favorite. It is the 5970 - in any metal. For me the it is about as perfect as a watch can be, from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint. Love the perpetual calendar chronograph complication, the size and design of the case and the well balanced and captivating dial. It is IMO simply beautiful and an intense joy to wear. I am not saying it is “the best”, whatever that means, simply that it is my absolute personal favorite…. the one watch I would want to own above all others.
For me the modern era starts with the introduction of 3940 and 3970. Unlike their predecessors, 3448/3450 and 2499, all four calendar functions can be quick set via the 4 separate adjusters. This was a huge advance. There is no month adjuster on its predecessors. This means that to set the correct month/leap year cycle, one might have to push the day/date corrector well over 1,000 times - yes, 1,000!!! Also while sapphire crystals started to replace acrylic crystals as early as the late 1970s/early 1980s on some models eg final series 3448, 3450 and 2499 4th series it wasn’t until the modern era that their usage became more standard. And during the modern era Patek also started using sapphire crystals on the case backs which was a huge advance and aesthetic revolution.
So I am wondering, what is your favorite watch from the last 40 years - whether it be something you own, aspire to own or just simply appreciate?
Best, Patekova
When I think of all the great Pateks from the “modern era”, which for purposes of this post I postulate as being from approximately 1985 to present, there is one watch
that stands out above all others as my clear favorite. It is the 5970 - in any metal. For me the it is about as perfect as a watch can be, from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint. Love the perpetual calendar chronograph complication, the size and ...
Great plea for the 5970!
If I could afford one, I would almost certainly. But, for the moment, there is one watch that fully satisfies me and which has hardly left my wrist since the beginning of July: the 5098P... Best, Emmanuel ...
Thank you, Gary!
This watch has been almost literally glued to my wrist since the beginning of July. Best, Emmanuel
I also love that Patek took a version of a mundane typeface...
...and put it on a $100k watch : )
Well…
I’m in the minority, but to me the 5070 in platinum is more beautiful than any 5970. The 5970 is fantastic, but the 5070P just has that extra something visually, even though it’s less complicated. But complications aren’t always the most beautiful, after ...
Very perceptive comments. I totally agree with you - just because something is more complicated, doesn’t necessarily mean it is more beautiful .
In fact, often the opposite is true. Eg sometimes more complicated translates to more cluttered. And I find 5070 to be a particularly beautiful watch!
Thank you. I thought long and hard as to which strap might work well so I very much appreciate the compliment. That said, I love the bottle green PP
strap which is which I thinks works really well with my 5131R.
cant disagree with you...
5970 is exceptional but i like the 3970... more vintage and size is better for smaller size like mine. you can go wrong with either.
Ah yes the classic 3970. I think much more than 5970, the 3970 has the DNA of 2499 which many regard as the greatest Patek ever.
What’s not to love about the beautiful 3970?!
I have yet to see the 5970s in real life....but I am happy to settle any 5270s for way less :))
I think and feel the satisfaction is the same within me.
And why wouldn’t it be the same, or maybe even better? 5270 not only has the fully in house movement, it has IMO a more open dial.
The registers at 3 and 9 have only one function each which I find very appealing and sensible. So, do I prefer 5970? Yes, but more than once I have seriously considered acquiring a 5270 and maybe someday I will.
It’s nice for sure, but to me the perfection is 3970P silver dial
Now if we’re talking 5970, then I truly admire this costume commission pieces. True taste and clean design, where the movement doesn’t look to small for the case…. Both, pictures and watches properly of horology_ancienne! The missing markers at the bottom...
Thank you for your detailed reply and for sharing the images of the special dial 5970s. Of the regular production 3970s my favorite also is a platinum silver dial, specifically the 2d series
which would have the leaf hands, flat markers and blue/yellow moon disc (rather than black/silver). Very vintage looking. Point well taken regarding the absent markers at 6 o’clock on 5970.
It is hard to disagree with you on the PC Chronos.
5970 for me, slightly above the 3970. As for the others, it would be the 5110, as the WT is a complication I am a huge fan of, the 5100, the 5070, the 5960, and the 3939 or 5078. But if I hd to get only one, it would be the 5110. It is such a magic watch!...
Yes, it is a bit surprising, as, for example, the 3939 is such a marvel, as well as the 5970P. But if you think about it, there is nothing like the 5110, among the WT competitors.
While we could find some competitors to the 5970 and, more difficult, the 3939...
Hi Patekova, Thanks for a great write-up ! I have seen several 5970s and they are wonderful, especially with their lemania movements ! Since I am WPS's self
appointed enamel slave/addict, I MUST choose some enamel pieces such as 5131P, Enamel Rousseau Lion 🦁and 5531 as my grails !
This is a tough one..
For me, it’s a neck to neck race between these 2.. Both have a beautiful case, both have a steely dial, both have quite a few imperfections, but yet it all comes together perfectly ...
Still good to have a favourite among favourites
.. you will never know when that comes in handy eg in a fire which would you save first..
Just to share a somewhat different point of view...
I'm the owner of a 5970R. I'm proud to own it, and wear it in settings where I'm "careful." However, it is not my favorite watch to have on my wrist. It is difficult to read (maybe my eyes are too old at this point); it's a somewhat crowded dial. Despite ...
Many thanks for sharing in detail your experience and feelings about owning and wearing a 5970. It is certainly understandable that no matter how
popular and highly regarded a 5970 might be, if one finds it difficult to read and uncomfortable to wear it is not going to be that person’s favorite watch. Let me share with you my experience regarding the comfort part. I wear all my strap Pateks (includ...
Thank you for this excellent advice!
I also have a small wrist and find I am often in between the regular and smaller size straps and deployent set-ups. With a tang buckle, though, I normally go with the larger strap because short ones feel less secure when trying to buckle them on my wrist....
All are from Patek. Once you get the correct measurements which they can do for you, you can get a strap (and future straps) that both aesthetically
and comfort wise meet your needs. This assumes you can go in person to get measured. If not, not sure exactly how it would work but I assume there is a way.
Thank you
I have asked for an appointment now in the London Salon and I will explore the customer option.
My pleasure. Hope it works out. Even if 5970 doesn’t become your favorite, at least it should be comfortable and very enjoyable to wear.
Will be interested in knowing how it works out for you and hopefully eventually seeing a wrist shot of your 5970 with a new, beautiful and comfortable to wear strap.
In my humble opinion, the triple-lugged 5101 tourbillon
Unfortunately I don't own such a piece. But I tried on more than one 5101, and the reference is wonderful. It appeals to my vanity in the most discreet way. The 5970 is very good; my favorite is the 'g' with black gold hands. And my least-favorite 5970 is...
I share your opinion of 5101. I particularly love the original - platinum with salmon dial. I have been tempted more than once, but so far have resisted.
Also really like its less complicated sibling 5100P. But 5101 is at a whole other level. Love both the aesthetics and complication.