Patek Philippe

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 Colton!

Cheers, Mark

This one looks pretty darn good especially with the black dial,Thanks Mark for highlighting a reference that I would have never considered.

We never know, our tastes evolve and maybe one day we may want something else. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers, Mark

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 raise the selling figures of a done reference simply making it available with a black dial, no matter which finishing. I'm getting wrong? Well, I don't have any numbers to confirm this rule, but I'd like to hear your opinion. Of course, this assessment doesn't spoil my appreciation for the 5940G black dial: it's a quite attractive wristwatch independently of having a black dial.

Could we ask more to PP? Yes, I'd really like they could provide shaped watch with shaped movements. The problem is: giving the small numbers and the actual price of the 5940G, how much it should cost the same reference with a shaped calibre? A lot, or even too much.

Ciao,

 

Elio

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

If they only made it in platinum...
Best, Kari

But it is unlikely to happen now. Maybe blue as you already had the 5905P in black?
Cheers, Mark

Steel Nautilus case and blue dial. What a perfect 40th Anniversary piece of Nautilus!
Best
Kari

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 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

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

 

 

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 years or much longer...

It is important to be able to manage the collections in order to stop references that are not that successful but also to stop sometimes very successful ones. It helps getting a better turnover of versions and preserving iconic or very sought after models.

The first reflex from many brands would be to sell as much as long as it works, as long as it remains successful, to make more money. This is not how Patek has managed its references, otherwise they would have left the 5070P in the catalogue for much longer for instance etc... A watch with a strong demand can also be stopped in order to create a strong desire for them. I think it is a clever way to ensure a strong legacy and, from the owner, that you don't buy something that will loose 50% of its value in the next years.

Furthermore, my opinion is that it is sometimes replaced by another dial combination (with the same metal). For instance the 5940G was available in silver then in black, so more than two years but with a wider choice. I think it is a good thing to work that way for the diversity.

Cheers, Mark

It could indeed look very nice. The cushion-shaped 5950 has a long second hand. Yes, it may fit the case too!
Cheers, 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" shape makes the dial wider so the sub dials are not as crowded. It is more pleasing to the eye. Thanks very much for opening my eyes to another reference. Best wishes for a new year, Constantine

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 imho.

I must say the black dial is here a major asset of the reference.

Thank you for your comments and I wish you a happy new year too Constantine.

Cheers, Mark

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