Patek Philippe

Indeed, there are no new references in this kind of complications, but long awaited dial and metal variations for at least two references, the 5230, which comes with a platinum case, and the 5231 which is now offered in white gold. The third reference is the 5930 which receives a platinum case. 

I couldn't take any pictures at the Patek Booth, so we will do with the official photos to discover them. 

1/ The 5230P. 

The 5230 was issued for the first time in 2016, in white gold and in rose gold. This was a real novelty, since it received a new case, a new dial and a new set of hands. The movement is the same as the former " world timer only " the 5130 and the 5110, the legendary Cal 240 HU, with its delicious micro rotor and its good 48 hours power reserve. 

So we had to wait 6 long years before the platinum version was issued! 

Here, no surprise about the case and the hands, which are strictly the same than the rose gold and the white gold version, and as expected, the color of the dial changed, but... Surprise surprise, not only! 

Blue is a logical color, as it has been associated to Patek platinum world timers, but the surprise comes from the fact that the famous circular hand guilloché ala SunFlower is back!

A side by side picture to better show you the different guilloché between the white gold and the platinum versions: 

The guilloché is now closer to the 5930 dial, as shown here: 

I must say that I am intrigued by this choice. The specificity of the 5230 was this guilloché. Now it looks more like a 5110 or a 5930. While I like the circular finishing a lot, maybe it would have been better to stick to the style of the white gold dal version, in blue, for some identity reasons? 

2/ The 5231G: 

Long awaited also, this white metal case with an enamel dial for the 5231! 

Here, the only different detail is the dial. The case, the hands, the movement... All the same, but the dial represents South East Asia and Oceania. 

A nice photo of the case back and the Cal 240 HU. 

Always a pleasure to see these enameled versions. 

3/ The 5930P: 

This year, Patek offers a platinum case for its 5930 reference, which existed, till now, in white gold. 

Bye bye the blue dial, hello the green dial. This is the major change, with the heft of a platinum case. 

The movement is the automatic Cal CH 28-520 HU, which is a 30 minutes Fly Back chronograph, made of 343 parts and offering a 55 hours power reserve. 

Since the introduction of this reference in the catalogue, I would have liked a bigger chrono subdial, but I cannot deny it has a cool factor in real life. Now, changing the blue for the green, especially for a platinum case, I don't know... I have to digest that. 

Looking forward to reading your thoughts on these three world timers, 

Best,

Nicolas

as for the 5231G, I would first like to mention I am a touch disappointed with Patek for having continued with the map themes immediately after discontinuing the 5131 series. I think it takes away from the 5131 series a lot and would have wished an enamel 5231 series would have been with something other than world maps even though I understand the world time theme makes sense to have a map. But perhaps trains, planes and automobiles? Or some other travel theme? As for the 5231G otherwise it looks like a nice piece but personally I would pick a 5131G over this, primarily as I prefer the original map version and case. 

as for the 5930P I have not yet seen this in the metal, but really admire the bold green chosen. The 5930G in blue was a very cool sporty elegant piece in my opinion and this green is top cool. Out of these 3 releases easily my personal favorite. I did also like the Singapore red version that was sold in limited quantities not long ago. Overall I like how Patek is moving the non sport collections closer towards the tastes of a new generation of buyers with bolder color combinations. The 5270P in particular with its strong green as well as this 5930P. Well done on this front Patek.