Patek Philippe

the size I must go for the 5078P

the sound never heard the 5078P, if someone has an mpeg sound of the 5078P can you please post it here....

the numeral and hands definitely 3939H (love breguet hands and numeral)

so all and all............??????????????????

When I looked at both of these watches in the flesh, I too had this question. I asked the watch boutique agent which one would he acquire, he said the 3939, and I asked my heart which one I would prefer and my heart very quietly said 5078P louder than it said 3939H by a very small margin.

Honestly, for every-day use I personally prefer the 5078P. I personally saw the black dialed version, but I would probably try to get the white dialed version since it has the enamel dial.

The reason why I prefer the 5078 is because of the clarity of sound, despite having a platinum case, the quality of the sound emanated from the case is crisp and offers good tones. I'm also reading in my Patek catalogue that it is possible to specify cathedral gongs on this piece. Honestly, to my somewhat limited experience (I don't own a minute repeater, although I've heard many of them) I cannot say that the cathedral gongs make that big of a difference to me. There's a bit more of a resonating chime, but I don't think it's significantly louder.

Another reason why I prefer the 5078P is because it feels like an everyday watch. This is a minute repeater designed to be worn everyday (it feels like it can be worn everyday) and seems to be a watch that can sustain everyday usage. It's even an automatic! The dial is attractive, Roman numerals with leaf hands is a mainstay in Patek history.

Stout traditionalists will state that the classic piece that will be coveted by collector's will be the 3939H, which I agree is a fantastic watch. Breguet hands, breguet numerals, the classic sized case (I have a small wrist, so small cases work well on me), and even a tourbillon, which is the cherry on top. The sound of the 3939 is very good and very crisp, it's just not quite as loud as the 5078. I have no fault with the 3939's sound, but I do prefer the sound of the 5078 simply because it seems louder.

But to me, I personally think if I had both of these watches, I would end up using the 5078P more often, it gives me the impression it is a more robust watch. Fortunately for me, I don't have this problem yet.

Another watch to consider is the 5074. If you like the 5070 chronograph, the 5074 has a virtually identical case and also feels like a watch that can be worn everyday.

Conclusion; if you're going to wear this watch somewhat often (2-3 days a week or more) then you should probably get the 5078. If you're only going to take it out for special occasions (special dinners, anniversaries, weddings, corporate takeovers, and major events) then you're better off with the more impressive 3939H.

I envy you greatly, I hope one day I have this problem!

Hi Patrick,

Thank you for sharing your encounter with those marvels.

I must confess that each encounter of a Patek Philippe minute repeater leaves me a strong impression.

I'd be interested to know in which catalog you read that ref 5078 can be ordered with cathedral gongs?

Only two models currently house the cathedral gongs AFAIK. The 5002 is the "extreme" Patek Philippe and the 5074 is also larger than the more classically sized 5078 or 3939, due to the room needed to house the cathedral gongs. Ref 5078 replaced ref 5079 which was a 5074 case with a 5078 styled dial and a 5078 calibre with cathedral gongs.

My very little experience of cathedral gongs has been very positive, even compared to "normal" Patek Philippe gongs.

Maybe the ultimate Patek Philippe minute repeater (for me) would be a 37mm 3939 with only cathedral gongs added to the (for me) already perfect 3939, keeping the same style of case, dial and hands? Who knows?

Regarding quality of sounds, out of the improvement brought by the cathedral gongs, I've never felt an order of references as the sound of a minute repeater can (and should) vary from each specific watch to another. Among non cathedral PP repeaters, I didn't really notice a significant difference.

If I had to ever own a Patek Philippe minute repeater, that would be a white dial in platinum case (but I've yet to see a pink gold one). If I could get a second one.....

Cheers

Dje

Thank you Dje for your impressions! I agree, after hearing the minute repeaters, my already high opinion of Patek Philippe has grown even higher. I would agree this experience has left a very strong lasting impression to me. It's a pity here in the United States, it's very rare to see a minute repeater in a boutique. I have only personally seen about three minute repeaters for sale in the United States.

I have seen and heard many minute repeaters from various brands (many from the wrists of other fellow PuristS), but I had only heard my first Patek minute repeater recently. To me, the minute repeater is the complication that seems to give the most life to a watch (in my opinion), I feel that the watch is but not a watch, but almost an animated object telling me something, every time the message is different.

Honestly, I wasn't particularly impressed with the sound quality of the 5002, it was impressive, but not as impressive as other minute repeaters. I feel that despite its cathedral gongs, the sound quality seems muffled probably due to all the other complications within the watch. My biggest impression of the 5002 was the wearability of the watch; I was originally overwhelmed of the size of the watch; I was expecting the watch to be extremely large and unwearable, but I had no problem wearing it and fitting it under my off the rack shirt cuffs.

I've attached photos of the catalogue and a photo of the page itself where I read it is possible to outfit the movement with cathedral gongs. I realize after reexamining this, that I may have misread and the catalogue may be referring to the possibility of fitting cathedral gongs to this movement, but only in conjunction with the perpetual calendar complication. Thus, after some careful thought, I find it is less than likely the 5078 is available with a cathedral gong arrangement. However, if you see the photos below, one can perhaps understand how I was misled.

I think I'll have to go and listen to the Patek minute repeaters more often to be able to establish the difference between the normal and cathedral gongs. Despite the minute repeater being my favorite complication, it is possible my ears were unfortunately "popped" during my experience and this would affect my ability to hear.

As for the quality of sound between watches that all do not have the cathedral gong, I still find that the 5078 seems to sound better to my odd ears. I tried the 5016, 3939, and 5078 all simultaneously and despite the 5078 having a platinum case, I found it to be slightly better sounding than the others (this is just my opinion, furthermore it could be my ears were not consistent on that day).

Oh, as for that 5016, it was in pink gold, and I was told that pink gold in general sounds better than most other metals. So, the pink gold is possible, so you can get a second minute repeater! Please excuse the poor quality of the photo below... I am not adamant at all when it comes to photography.

My personal favorite is the 5074, but I love all of them extremely!

This message has been edited by patrick_y on 2009-10-20 12:30:54

The information in the Patek catalogue is a typo.  This is confirmed by Patek.  The 5078 cannot be fiited with cathedral gongs.

No message body

nt

I prefer the manually wound 3939H.  It is one of the most classic watches Patek has ever produced.

Well...I asked similar question  2 weeks ago...Below is the link:

patek.watchprosite.com

I suspect that every sincere collector; when they reach a certain level, would ask the same question.

BTW, I have heard 5078P; 5079J; 3939HP and the 5074J and 5016P over the past few years.

What I can conclude is that:

1. Individual RP has its own characteristic sound; even the same model!  In a special occasion; I heard 2 3939HP.  Though both were excellent; I dare say one (a newer production) was better than the old produced one in terms of clarity.

2. Pure RP sounds better than  RP with complications.

3.  To me; catherdral gongs do not impress me very much; though the 5079 is really cripsy; loud (I was in a big room at that moment) and almost  no sound of "mechanical vibration".

4. Compared between 5078 and 5079; I would go for 5078 in which the size; the design and the metal is more suitable to me 

5. Compared between 5078 and 3939; it is really difficult.  For 5078; it is louder and pure; for 3939H; it is cripsy and clear.   Anyway; either one you would go wrong.

Finally, 2 questions remain in my mind.

A. Is the white dial really better than black dial?? Personally, I found the black dial is much more stunning; though it is not enamal.  However; an enamal dial will reduce the wearability of the watch, agree?

B. I wonder if the "cathedral gongs" are possible in a 37mm 3939H as Mr Jerome mentioned, since the 5078P is 38mm in size and I query it can accomodate the cathedral gongs.  Futher, if cathedral gongs is really good enough; why Patek manufacturer not put in other later models such as 5207 or 5104; I suppose these wathces are big enough to accomadate the cathedral gongs?

Hope buddies can share their view on this topic.

Just MHO,

Little