Patek Philippe

Sadly gone, and deeply missed. 

...I can overlook the subdial position : )

Loved its heft !👍

Then I tried one on and didn’t feel a passion for it. Strange how that works and a good lesson for me.

Summer 2024, midtown Manhattan.  Lost, late and looking for an address on Madison between 58th & 59th.  Never enough spare time to relax.  Late for an appointment with Michael Safdie of Madison Time - the pre-loved Patek specialist.  I was a sweaty, badly dressed mess and finally found the correct building entrance, the right set of elevators, the correct upper office and knocked on the door.  Michael answered and he was tall, smiling, cool & composed, impeccably suited with this 5196 Platinum beauty smartly sitting under his crisp white dress cuff.  Feeling like a country bumpkin in the moment, I seized the opportunity  to compliment him on his piece. I was so pleased that I knew the full reference number because I needed gravitas in that moment!  What surprised me at first glance was how large this 37mm diameter case appeared on Michael.  Infinitely appropriate styling - 50 years ago, today and 50 years from now.  Unassailable!

Among modern Calatravas, this and the current 6119G appeal to me the most.

outer track. The 6196P might rightfully be deemed by some to be a “better” watch. More advanced full sized movement, see thru back etc. and yes, it has caused quite a sensation. But comparing it to 5196, while it is certainly elegant and fabulous, I find it to be somewhat boring. A bit heretical on my part. Yet that’s how I feel comparing the 2 references. Now if the 6196 had Breguet numerals and/or or something more exciting than a simple one color dial that might totally change my feelings about it and change my overall view from “like” to “love”.

I just love every model that has them applied on the dial. Absolutely gorgeous...
Rishi

Is the lug width 21/22mm.. I find the position of the lugs to be too wide for a 37mm watch.. same with tbe 6196.. and of coz of the subdial position looks awkward to me

I just checked Tim mosso’s review

This is one of the few modern Calatravas that really does it for me. Glad that they did not interrupt the dial with a date either.