Patek Philippe

I know opinions run high on this Forum about the merits of both the 5070 and 5970. I am thinking of trading my 5070 toward the purchase of a 5970, a watch I have long desired. In part, it's to help cushion the high cost of the upgrade. It's also because I feel having fewer watches makes sense, so I could wear the ones I have more often. I'm wondering if anyone here has made such a trade, and whether they regretted it, missed the 5070 too much, or does the sheer wonderment of owning and wearing a 5970 make up for that? Thanks.



my 5070G

The 5070 is a beautiful watch. Almost a unique look for Patek. As much as I like it in pictures, however, it has never felt comfortable on my wrist. In contrast, the 5970, in whatever iteration, has always felt perfectly proportioned to me. It’s obviously a personal decision, but for me, the beauty, balance, and comfort of the 5970 can’t be beat. It’s a trade I would make.

I feel the same way about the 5070 -- it is a beautiful looking watch, and historically significant among other fine points, but it does feel a little bit big on me. I have a smaller wrist and for perspective, my 5146G is the most PERFECT fitting watch. That 3 MM difference is big in my case, and the smaller 5970 (compared to the 5070) does suit me a little better.

I own both. So when I acquired the 5970R later all my attention was on the PC chronograph and less so on the 5070. However I am quite sure if I were to sell the 5070 I would miss it. It’s a great watch to have in the stable. If you can, sell something else. Otherwise if you can only keep one definitely sell the 5070 and get the 5970. There’s no comparison there. 5970 ftw.

Best
Gatsby

I’m really curious to  hearopinions from people who own or owned both of these. I understand very well the point of owning both, they are apples and oranges, but what if one really HAS to choose?  

have recently thought about this same trade, oddly enough. Some thoughts: First, if I had to choose between them and their prices were at all comparable (which of course they’re not), I’d go with the 5970, hands down. Second, and on the other hand, you can feel reasonably comfortable wearing the 5070G as much as you like, almost wherever you like, whereas the same is probably not true of the 5970, given the valuation delta. I would probably never wear it. Third, if you put the 5070 in a safe for two months and then take it out, you can set it in 10 seconds, whereas if you do the same for a 5960, you will have a more complicated task (unless you don’t mind the calendar being off). Fourth, is it just me, or is the 5970 a bit hyped at the moment? That said, it’s hard to say when a watch as spectacular as the 5970 is *over*-hyped rather than justifiably hyped!

I worry about wearing it outside and doing something clumsy with it on my wrist! As for setting it, I've probably learned to do one or two more complicated things in my life and could probably figure this one out. But my manual 5070, or my 3941 that stays on a winder, and my other watches that can easily be reset have spoiled me a little. I don't know about "overhyped" -- it seems universally loved, I would say -- but something that eats at me is how badly I wanted one three years ago when the price was, well, different. It wasn't the right time for me then, which is one of the reasons I bought the 5070G instead.

...I would do everything possible to have both.

If you must trade the 5070 to get the 5970, then by all means, do it.

If it’s not necessary, then maybe get the 5970 and consider keeping the 5070 for the time being. You can always sell it later.

In my case, that might move me in the direction of the 5970R, as the G along with my 5070G and 5146G might be too much of the same (good?) thing.

I have a 5070, and I have a bathroom (actually, several). I much prefer the 5070!

A great bathroom has proved to be one of the best places in the house to stare lovingly at a nice watch for a while!

But 5970 is on another level. Prices keep going up. Where’s the 5070 is staying flat over the past decade. But in reality you can’t go wrong here. Both are fantastic.

So I would have to be honest about how I felt about both the 5970 and 5070, and buy and hold on that basis." Polyamory" is ok when applied to watch collecting!

With this watch, you have to decide whether you are actually going to wear it on a regular basis. I think that’s the key. If you are willing to keep it in a safe then you need both. if you’re going to wear it, you really don’t need the other one because this one requires winding every single day. Constantly resetting this one because it’s been sitting in a safe will be a nightmare.

My intention would be to wear, or at least wind it everyday. I would probably only put it in the safe if I were going on a trip to a place where such a watch wouldn't make sense to take. Since the pandemic, and now that I've recently sold my business and retired, I'm home a lot anyway and the house and around my city is where it will be worn most of the time.

I have been looking for a 5740 for long time but i failed to get one at a reasonable price until one dealer showed me the 5970R last week… this is a different level watch… i was blown away even when i compare it to my 5270P salmon… of course the 5740 is a different category (more sporty)…

Having said that, it is not a cheap watch at all… i feel lately everyone is running after this watch… not sure what changed…

Is easily solved by trying out the 5970 on your wrist..

I find myself wearing my white gold watches much more than my rose or yellow gold ones and although they are all different movements and styles, I think the versatility and relative quietness of the white gold really suits me.

afford to trade up with your 5070, IMO it is a good move because 5970 is simply another level !

But I can only imagine how difficult it will be to part with your 5070. The 5070 is a very special watch. But the 5970 is just that bit more special.
Good luck and obviously you could always sell one of your kidneys and have both 😜.
M.

onerous, difficult or challenging to set all the calendar/moonphase functions. Each function is quickset by its own individual corrector. It is quick (pun intended) and easy.