Patek Philippe

If all goes according to plan, I should be able to see the Patek Philippe ref. 5101P in person for the first time next month.



This prospect excites me because this reference, with its hidden tourbillon, seems fascinating.



The photo below gives me a tiny bit of hope that the long rectangular case will fit my rather small 16cm wrist.



However, the measured dimensions and in particular the lug-to-lug (29.6 x 51.7 x 12.2 mm), lead me to believe that this case will unfortunately look too massive on my wrist.

As in the photo below, where it is almost fine, but only almost.



A side-by-side comparison with ref. 5124G-011 (with a Tiffany&Co dial) and ref. 5200G-001 clearly shows how long the case of the 5101P is:

As an owner of this watch I can assure you that it fits neatly on a 17,5 cm wrist. People often exaggerate its size. It has presence but is not huge by any means.

Actually the gold version of this watch is one of the most comfortable watches I wore. Can’t say anything about platinum. It shall weigh more, so it may possibly be less comfortable, but that’s just a thought.

Please bear in mind the watch will not fit you on its original strap. It is too stiff and it won’t bend. So the watch would look like something alien on your wrist. It may not look good on bigger wrists too.

I suggest you buy a very soft leather or textile strap (with quick removal pins) so that the strap hugs your wrist. In that case the watch might be fine for you. And you will be able to try the watch and have your own opinion.

Dimensions of lugs are 20/16.

Hope it helps!)



And thank you for a photo showing 3 PP close to each other. Very informative!

I'm convinced that this watch wears well on a 17.5 cm wrist, especially with a proper strap, as you say, but my wrist is only 16 cm: so, I'll have to wait and see.
Your suggestion of buying a strap in prevision is interesting, but I doubt that the seller will agree to install it.
Anyway, I'll keep your precious remarks and advice in mind.
Best, Emmanuel

Buy a 20$ nylon strap shaped like a band (120-130mm). Maybe the owner will like the idea of unusual strap and will want one for himself

By the way, may I ask if you ended up acquiring the rose gold variant?
I remember your post "5101 as endgame. Yes or no?" from last May, where you were showing the rose gold version.
In any case (pun intended), owning the 5101 makes you a very lucky guy, imo!

It is not the exact watch that I used in my post previous year (that one had a PP seal).

Choosing the metal of the case wasn’t a very easy task as all 5101 are magnificent in their own way.

Platinum was a least desired option for me as it had black indices and hands. I just don’t like it. Also the watch should be 25-30 grams heavier. But nevertheless I respect it for being the OG.

Rose gold is a good all-arounder. Rose gold is warm, it makes you smile and the dial has a rare gold-gray color with a slight green tint. This green tint is something that I have never encountered in my watch journey, so I felt it was special.

White gold is sublime. Very nice as it is super under the radar. Extremely underrated. The watch looks like an ordinary wristwatch, so that’s a great benefit. Can’t say anything special about its blue hue: just good looking medium blue. By the way the watch looks very nice on a jeans strap.

Jellow gold is the rarest of them all. In photos the watch looks very promising as the dial is plain with no white circles. But to have a proper impression you must handle the watch. Maybe one day I will be able to see one in metal.

I believe there are very few timepieces of such a grail level, which so deserve to crown a collection.
And thank you so much for your feedback on the three metals you've had the chance to see in person.
The retailer I plan to meet has both a platinum and a yellow gold example. Hopefully, they'll still be available to try on when I arrive.

I'll try to photograph them together, and even with my Chronometro Gondolo! 

Wore too much like a cuff for me…not that I could afford it… ;-) 

That it ends up looking like a cuff on my wrist is exactly what I'm afraid of, but I'll just wait and see.
Best, Emmanuel

Thanks Emmanuel for the super informative post as usual. Also the side-by-side comparison is helpful.
Are you considering adding the 5101J to your collection? It is a seminal tourbillon for sure!
Keeping my fingers crossed for your tests

But if I really fall in love with it, then I might seriously think about it.
I'll just wait and see.
Thanks for your wishes and kind words!
Best, Emmanuel

Cheers, Emmanuel

Take your time to enjoy the moment.

Thank you, Tony.
Best, Emmanuel

And I agree it's kinda big. I have a soft spot for salmon dials (although I've never owned one) but I'm not sure this watch is one I'd choose.

if everything goes as planned.
It's the only way to get a real sense of how a watch really feels and wears.
Best, Emmanuel

I'm actually drawn more to time and small second hand, Possibly due to my love the of the rectangular one from the 1920s-1950s The gas gauge on top for me I find superfluous.
Have fun trying them out.

But I'm still really excited at the prospect of being able to see this model in person.
The experience will be wonderful, regardless of my final feelings about the watch.

I love these pieces.  The 5101 is in a class by itself and

Only you can tell if the polished case is ok for you or not. It can be done very lightly and nicely, but if any part of the case makes you think that it's been done too heavily, than wait for another example.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Keep us informed of your decision and very best wishes!
Kind regards,
Emmanuel

I find the case a bit wide and a bit bulky for a square model, particularly compared with Reversos.
Tourbillon at the back is where it should be, only to be appreciated by the connoisseurs!
Keep us updated!
Best,
E.

I have doubts, that's for sure. But this Tourbillon is also one of Patek's wonderful achievement, so I'm glad to (hopefully) be able to see it, at last.

Shaped case and movement , how will you resist?!

As I've said to another member: "This watch is in a price range I'm not currently considering, but, if I really fall in love with it, then I might seriously think about it."

poisoned deeper !