Comments:
I am also very attracted to tonneau-shaped models, but I have not been able to find a reference that really fits my needs.
All photos except the first one are taken from various sources. Thank you.
This is a 5940j that I once owned. I bought it because I was very attracted to the tonneau case and the cream-colored dial. However, the main reasons I ended up selling it were that it didn’t have a second hand (I'm picky about second hands on anything other than the Golden Ellipse) and the shape of the leaf hands (especially the 's') was too rough. It's puffy inside and I don't like it.
My ideal leaf hand is something like this. It has a great proportion.
After the 5940 was discontinued, I first saw the 5940g-010 in a Japanese department store and was fascinated by the bold black dial and the clear white lettering on it. However, the market price for the 5940 at the time had softened considerably, so I hesitated to buy it at the list price of over 10 million yen in Japanese yen.
I generally like white models, so of course I find the 5940g-001 to have a clean beauty. At the time, I asked a certain store if they could exchange it for my J, but they asked for a huge difference in price, so I gave up on getting it again. In any case, the lack of a second hand remains.
As you know, Patek Philippe has several pairs of round and tonneau cases equipped with the same movement. The most famous are the 3970 and 5020 (manually wound CH27-70), the 3940 and the 5040 (which have many variations), and the 5140 and 5940 (both 240Q). Of these, I like the case design of the 5940 the best.
I am very picky about having a second hand, and even the well-proportioned 5140 was a big sell for that reason, but the 5020 doesn’t appeal to me. It doesn't feel right on the wrist, and it's just too expensive.
This message has been edited by India Whiskey Charlie on 2025-07-29 01:29:03
This is a 5940j that I once owned. I bought it because I was very attracted to the tonneau case and the cream-colored dial. However, the main reasons I ended up selling it were that it didn’t have a second hand (I'm picky about second hands on anything other than the Golden Ellipse) and the shape of the leaf hands (especially the 's') was too rough. It's puffy inside and I don't like it.
My ideal leaf hand is something like this. It has a great proportion.
After the 5940 was discontinued, I first saw the 5940g-010 in a Japanese department store and was fascinated by the bold black dial and the clear white lettering on it. However, the market price for the 5940 at the time had softened considerably, so I hesitated to buy it at the list price of over 10 million yen in Japanese yen.
I generally like white models, so of course I find the 5940g-001 to have a clean beauty. At the time, I asked a certain store if they could exchange it for my J, but they asked for a huge difference in price, so I gave up on getting it again. In any case, the lack of a second hand remains.
As you know, Patek Philippe has several pairs of round and tonneau cases equipped with the same movement. The most famous are the 3970 and 5020 (manually wound CH27-70), the 3940 and the 5040 (which have many variations), and the 5140 and 5940 (both 240Q). Of these, I like the case design of the 5940 the best.
I am very picky about having a second hand, and even the well-proportioned 5140 was a big sell for that reason, but the 5020 doesn’t appeal to me. It doesn't feel right on the wrist, and it's just too expensive.
This message has been edited by India Whiskey Charlie on 2025-07-29 01:29:03
Hi Shun san, Thanks for sharing your thoughts !
Interesting to learn that the seconds hand is important to you ! Is this function important to you because of time measurement or aesthetic reasons ?
This ref. 5030 is truly beautiful and your example is really lovely.
The reference also exists with leaf hands, generally with painted Arabic numerals.
But there is a very rare and, to my eyes, absolutely wonderful variant with a black dial and diamond indexes.
Vacheron Constantin has also done a no-date, no-seconds hand version, ref. 31150 with Breguet numerals and textured dial.
Best, Emmanuel
credit: atelier tempus, antiquorum & arbitro
credit: atelier tempus, antiquorum & arbitro
The 5940 is a lovely watch, but you are correct about the hands...
...they are not the traditional 'leaf' hands. They are similar to the 5950A, but I think they look better on the 5950A. Japanese special editions are usually very beautiful and interesting as long as the price isn't too high.
It's true that the minute hand is slightly different from the 5950. By the way, I didn't know that there was a Japanese LE version.
I didn't know about the Japanese version either...
...but it is an important market, and some of the most beautiful limited editions from any manufacturer are for Japan...
Interesting thoughts 👍🏼
Actualy I do like the missing second hand a lot. It somehow slows down and I'm retired and don't need the second information anymore 😉 I never recognized an issue with the leaf hands but understand your point. Considering size, proportion and esthetics for me personally the 5940 is the favorite classic PC
The only alternatives I can think of
with such a tonneau-cushion case and a seconds hand are the following ones.
credit: analog shift
credit: @timvaux
credit: antiquorum
credit: antiquorum
Best, Emmanuel
credit: analog shift
Ref. 3670A www.watchprosite.com
credit: @timvaux
Ref. 5275P
credit: antiquorum
Ref. 5135
Ref. 5013
credit: antiquorum
It is stunning...but a very limited edition if I remember correctly...16 pieces...
I'm really glad that the 3670 isn't a leaf hand model. If it was, I would have wanted it at all costs (^_-)-☆
Nice 😍
The case size- and shape of the 5940 was a bit more to my taste. Details. Both watches are just great and still underrated 👍🏻
Couldn't agree more!
I've been meaning to put together a post presenting it, since it's my latest addition. I guess this was a sneak preview!