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You have to follow your heart...
Of the three, my preference is the 5235R.
The 5015J is polarizing for sure. Much like a Ref 5059 it's either great or horribly outdated. Depends on the day. The 5396R is not my favourite, as I just don't find it attractive enough to overcome the conservative styling. The hands of the 5235R are a better match to the rest of its dial. It carries a clean, conservative look, but the unconventional layout makes it intriguing at the same time.
It's hard to know what will look best in 20 years, but the 40 year old 3940J looks great today. I simply don't feel that way about the 5015J. If it is a great design, it hops from contemporary to vintage without spending time in the outdated box. Hopefully people saw the same the mid 1980s. That's basically the logic I'd use to choose from these three.
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Choosing my first Patek -- or, how to save my marriage from imminent doom
I live in Pakistan where buying a Patek is no small feat. Thanks to our economy, these beauties cost way more in relative terms, and there’s no secondary market to save me if I pick the wrong one. So, this decision is huge for me — especially since there ...
Good luck with the selection
5396 would be my choice but it is the only one from your list that I have tried so I am biased!
Whichever one feels like it's in the best condition and from the most reputable/real seller...
Welcome to WPS. And this is one of your first posts! I normally give my customary "you have to choose yourself without the influence of strangers" statement (some of the old guard on WPS say I sound like broken record, forever repeating the same message) ...
Thanks so much, Patrick.
For your detailed and thoughtful response. I've read your past posts and I feel like I'm addressing Patek forum world royalty right now! Your comments wrt fitting a watch under a French cuff and the challenges of polishing/maintaining sharp-lined cases ar...
The Nautilus is a weird watch...
The Nautilus is indeed a strange watch. When I first saw it, I didn't like it neither. I said - it has "ears" and I found it very strange. And then I tried it on my wrist and the rest is ancient history, I became a fan. Something about it on the wrist, sl...
Hi and welcome. I hope what follows will be helpful to you.
First, two reasons would have me set aside the ref. 5396. The first is purely subjective, the second a little less: I personally don't like sector dials, so the aesthetic of this timepiece isn't for me. More importantly, the 4Hz central rotor caliber (324...
Love the title, if this was the title of a book I’d buy it..
I would definitely go for the 5396 of the 3 as it’s more of a perfect daily. I do love the 5235 especially in white gold but it is not the easiest watch to live with and wear as a daily. The 5396 is a lovely daily wear annual calendar, has the layout simi...
This actually leads me to another question...
Another way I look at it is -- what's likely the best purchase today that will allow me to, say 5 years later, switch to another reference in this shortlist without losing too much money, or having to put in very much more? Thanks for your response!
We don't really discuss investment/value as we keep it to the love of watches,
But none of these will be great investments Pateks, I fear. A more experienced Patek person can PM you.
Thanks for your input
I'm not looking to make money off the watch. I don't mind losing a few thousand dollars for the joy of owning a Patek. But I also don't want to be stuck with a watch nobody wants, in case I ever do take it back to the market.
I would agree: the only sensible rule, imo, is buy what you really like,
what speaks to your heart, the rest is pure speculation (meaning (i) very uncertain bet on the future of secondary market and (ii) money concern where it should be "lovely daily wrist companion" concern, if that makes sense).
Thanks!
Super helpful comments. I don't like most sector style dials either, but the silvery grey, blue, and rose gold combine to do something very special to my eyes. I don't know enough about movements to have strong preferences, but even for somebody like me, ...
I definitely think the 5235 would suit your wrist very well (according to this photo with your Rolex).
But if the design of the 5396 touches your heart despite the less attractive caliber (imho) or if the more traditional 5015, with its gorgeous hunter case back and cal. 240 is dearer to your heart, then simply forget about the 5235. I just know that I per...
Thanks quattro!
I've never been able to visualise a dress watch over 37mm, leave alone one that's 40mm. Would you also think the 5235 could work well as a dress watch on my wrist?
Both my LUC Quattro Spirit 25 and Laurent Ferrier micro rotor are 40mm,
so I personally don't have a problem with that size for a dress watch. Btw, I wear these watches daily, for me, they're not dress watches (meaning: to be worn at certain occasions only): they are daily companions. I only wear my steel bracelet watches (Al...
Great selection you have, I have had the chance to try on the 3 of them, here are my feelings
- 5015: I am in love with this watch, size, originality, there is everything to love there. It is true, it has a very 90's look - 5396: Lovely watch, even though I tend to think that the looks will go out of fashion quicker than expected, in comparison th...
Finally another 5015 fan!
But unlike me, you've had the opportunity to try on all three. I have to ask -- how would you categorize your design sensibilities in general? I'm beginning to really appreciate what the kids these days call 'dark academia' -- that's the 5015 in me. I've ...
Happy to help ! My tastes are towards very classical watches, I am a lover of vintage, anything that looks old is gold to me ! :D
The 5015 is very classic, probably not the watch you would wear to go the game, yet it is the essence of classic, and of Patek Calatrava vibes: round "clous de Paris" bezel, very classical, officer case back, movement 240 (a pure beauty). As "Quattro_Spir...
I find all these models interesting.
But I don’t think 5235 or 5015 are my first (and only) Patek. 5396 (IMHO) has the most classic and timeless design. And would probably be my choice. I would also look at a 5205 and 5396r non-sector.
You guys are awesome.
My wife and I are forever grateful. I love how each reference has at least one strong vote. They're all gorgeous in their own right and I'd be over the moon(phase) with either. I also recognize how privileged it is to be confronted with this 'difficult ch...
You have to follow your heart...
Of the three, my preference is the 5235R. The 5015J is polarizing for sure. Much like a Ref 5059 it's either great or horribly outdated. Depends on the day. The 5396R is not my favourite, as I just don't find it attractive enough to overcome the conservat...
I've been seduced by the 5235, taimur97.
But might opt for the original iteration in white.
There is only one for me…,
5396 All day and every day, the 5015 will quickly loose favour, the 5235 a curiosity that yiu can indulge in if you have a few Patek in the collection InshaAllah you will enjoy the annual calendar for its function and it dresses up or down, so great forma...
Welcome to the forum. A wonderful place!
So, given the choices you present, either the 5396 or the 5235, leaning towards the latter. Having said that, please forgive me for suggesting another option, which granted only complicates matters. I posted something similar as you, but in celebration of...
The 5015 is retro in the best possible sense...
...I have admired this one from way back.
Welcome!
I’m not an expert and I did not try these watches myself, though I always liked the 5235 even when I didn’t know that it was commanding a premium, after reading the replies that people wrote for your post my choice is now cemented to 5235, but you do you ...
A warm welcome to our forum !
Given your profile, IMO I would select between 5396 and 5235 because I do not prefer the asymmetrical dial of 5015. 5396 has a lovely sector dial and apertures make the dial clean and balanced. 5235 is an atypical Patek watch and I love the design and his...
The most special and rare from your selection
is certainly a 5015 in white metal. These are quite rare but you could find them with a bit of patience. This watch will then be much, much more special than any of other options you consider. Also, I would consider it a good „investment“.
Decision made!
I wanted to share with this lovely group of people that I eventually zeroed in on a 5235R, single sealed, box and papers, from a reliable and established global seller. It was an agonizingly difficult decision, and a very expensive one, but one that I'm h...
Huge congratulations 🍾!
5235R is a lovely piece ! We keenly await your wrist shots and an owner’s review.
Congratulations! I think you made a wonderful choice!
The 5235R is a great watch, with a beautiful and original case (I’ve just posted a thread on the Padellone case, as you might have seen) and a great caliber too. I couldn’t be more happy for you and I’m very much looking forward to reading your owner’s po...
hard decision and 5235R feedback
good luck for your decision! i have a 535R and my wrist is 17.5 cm. It perfectly wears my wrist. not too big, not too smal..perfect to my eyes. I would absolutely go for the regulator. The other 2 are not my cup of tea but my feedback with the 5235 is tha...