Patek Philippe

I mentionned in the past that I really have a soft spot for this romantic watch. This is due to the case of course but also because it shows the Retrograde date and PC complications in a very beautiful way...

One of the last in the collection with Roman numerals.

Generally speaking, these kind of specific case shapes bring a lot to the brand's DNA, even if some references are not the most sold in a collection, each reference bring an element that contributes to build the whole picture. A 5x96 case, the 5123 or this 5159 case family, the 5170's discretion, the Gondolos or the Nautilus.... all these types help making the brand as it is today.

Even a watch that prepresents a very small part of sales may be of the utmost importance. This one is definitely among them.

A picture from the profile and its "hunter" caseback's hinge:




I could quickly have a look at the 5160G (case fully engraved) and I was suprised to think it was a little marvel. Have a look if you can.

Have a nice week-end

Cheers, Mark



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This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2016-06-04 05:26:32

First, you certainly remember the review I made of the R version of this 3rd generation: www.watchprosite.com

I think it is a fantastic watch, technically speaking, the new in-house movement is much more than a in-house adaptation of a Lemania or other existing caliber. This is a real and guenuine Patek movement (I'll make a post about the 29-535 soon).

This caliber thing is why I prefer the 5270 compared to a 5970, even if I love the refinement and beauty of the latter. Depends on what we are looking for.

On the aesthetical side, the 5270 is more modern in the good way: it gathers the classical look, very traditional in the spitirit but with a contemporary touch that brings it in the new era without altering Patek's DNA.

And I love tachy scales: on this last generation, they are back and I like that (on the other hand, some people might prefer cleaner dial).

I also wrote in the past that the winding feeling is fantastic and that the pushers' softeness+sharpness is the best I could experience (last one was the Datograph which I feel now is a little too soft, to my own taste of course).

I don't see an objective negative element.

I'll post some pictures in the future too.

Cheers, Mark

This message has been edited by dr.kol on 2016-06-04 11:09:38

I can understand that some details in a dial can be something we can't get used to, I have some too in other references.

For the holes, I'm totally ok with them (I must say I didn't like the 5970 very short hands used for LY and 24Hrs indications).

As for the Pt, yes, it is most likely that they'll choose a black dial as they already used the blue one in the WG version. I guess in a matte finish as the glossy one was already used in the 5271P (and is more dressy that way).

Interesting to read your feeling about the size as I had the same. I was wondering how the +1mm would look like on my wrist but it is perfect for such a complicated watch.

We'll see that and discuss about it when it comes

Cheers, Mark

Mark,

The 5159 is one of those watches (and before it the 5059) that I have always liked, but for some reason have never acquired.  I like the look myself - it does "feel" like Patek to me, and the officer style case with hinged back is quite my cup of tea.

With 5059, I always found it a bit fat in thickness versus the diameter, so I never got one.  5159 felt better to me proportionally, but for some reason I found  the 5059 dial a bit more harmonious and have never landed either.  I watched prices climb over the years and then felt I had better alternatives.

Perhaps a second hand one at the right price (in a white metal) will catch my eye one day.

Dave 

and for the same reasons!

The proportions when I tried it were perfect, especially as it is 38mm.

The guilloché of this dial is another element that makes it so appealing imho.

As you mentionned, the prices for PC are quite high, I totally agree...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this reference Dave!

Cheers, Mark



This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2016-06-04 15:16:34

you won't regret it, even just for the pleasure of seing another kind of Patek. Very unique from the collection, even for someone who has already seen a 5153 for instance (same case).

As for the legibility, I must say this is never an issue to me so I don't really pay attention to this point. However, I didn't have a problem with reading time and, in the picture from Suitbert here below, you can see the hands are quite easy to discern.




I'll be curious to know what you thought about it if you try one

Cheers, Mark

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I must say that it could have been mine too as a Patek PC... Now, I have a very soft spot for the 5227R's case and, as it has been used this year for the new 5327R Perpetual Calendar, I think the latter may have reached the 1st position in the end. However, I totally understand your choice.

Thanks Riddler!

Cheers, Mark

retrograde date hand goes counter-clockwise or not?

My watch friend sworn that he saw the hand went clockwise at the end of the month.

Cheers

Gordon

but I must say that getting a retrograde indication (for the date or another element) is something I would really like.

I remember the post about this observation of your friend but I don't think it does as others witnessed the opposite and that it doesn't seem mechanically right (how does the srping rewinds then?)

Cheers, Mark

I wanted to love this watch or I wouldn't have purchased it, but in hindsight the most fun was the screen saver and the long wait time before I received it double sealed from my AD. 

Always interesting to have an owner's point of view.

I personally think there are not many PC watches with a caliber as nice, accurate and reliable as the 324 in the traditional watchmaking area and I had a little different experience from what I could try (for a much smaller period of time of course).

The 5170R is a totally different offer and I totally understand your will to go that way. They are very different, in many ways and I must say I don't know which one I would pick...

Appreciate your feedback

Cheers, Mark

After 5050, for some reason Patek never got it right again. Never understood why they had to tamper with perfection. 

This message has been edited by jimjenkins on 2016-06-05 01:12:16

I don't have the same issues on the dial and think it is very personl. I know other watch fans who hate when numerals are cut by subdials, others would don't like Roman numerals, others who don't like blackened elelements etc... the list is long!

However, thank you for your feedback and pictures.

Cheers, Mark

Opinions differ and it shows again in this matter.

I have been into watches for several years, but never felt so much affection for a piece like for the 5159 (while unfortunately it is beyond reach for the time being). It looks and feels unique and I entirely agree with Mark that it is an essential part of the brand DNA. 

Who else offers such a romantic case? 

Who else has such a mix of playful and refined design elements? 

Whether it is the elongated, elegant Roman numerals, the stunning guilloché of the dial, the gorgeously-styled hands, or the lovely design of the arabic numerals displaying the date (just compare to the rather technocratic-sober design of the 5216 numerals), I do not believe I could ever get tired of looking at it.

To me, the 5159 is the epitomization of elegance and beauty.  A watch which is timeless, and will appeal also in one hundred years from now. 

 

Thank you Mark for sharing the photos. 

 

The proof that it remains a very subjective field and that watches characteristics appeal differently to everyone.

In terms of spirit, finishing, movement and decoration it is a fantastic offer and bring a spirit that not many watches have today. Straight cases, standard shapes etc.... it is nice to see something different and this is what Patek preserves in many of its models.

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts with us!

Cheers, Mark