Patek Philippe

Although nearly identical, I think the arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 on the 5146G "cheapen" the look.  I much prefer the having the baton markers all the way around the dial as they are in the platinum version.  It is more classically Patek to my eye.

I think the Arabics give more personality to the watch; the "stick" hour markers are too serious and teutonic. I think the Arabics give it a nice look.

Now, put the Arabic dial in a Platinum Case and I'll be in even more hot water.

I really love the Platinum dial for the date window. A real metal date window; what a difference!

nt

I love 5936R as the dial, blue indicators and hands just stand out, this is my only RG watch, practical with 24 hour sub dial, only need adjustment once every 4 year (except winder out of battery ....LOL) 

Wish one fine day I will get RL plat another nice manual wind which give you kicking feel

I only wear my collection 1-2 weeks in every 3+ months or so to share equal wrist time, so no particular daily beater

cheers

Hi,

Is it an adjustment once every four year, or once every year except on leap years?

Cheers

Dje

it is once every year except on leap years

Thanks for the write-up, Dje!  This 5146G is indeed a handsome watch!  Do you think the dial would've perhaps benefitted from having the date wheel encircle the moonphase indicator or otherwise be displayed in some other way with an indicator hand in a circular display to match the days of the week and month subdials, as opposed to having the date window at 6?

Cheers,

Daos

I really dislike the 5146 - I guess it is the overall look.

I really like the incomming 5396 - if it was a perpetual and available in steel I couldnt get my money out fast enough !!

...that I find distracting visually is the radial flip in the numerals on the 24-hour subdial.  There's an awkwardness IMO about the position of the "6" in relation to the "9" on the display that is further heightened by the fact that the 24-hour dial shows a number every 3rd hour so the effect of the "6" and "9" following one after the other causes this unpleasant mirror effect for me.  Otherwise, I think the watch is very attractive.

Cheers,

Daos

I just don't care for that 24 hour dial. I think it seems crudely integrated.

I do like the 24 hour dial on the 5140, but just not on the 5396 and even less on the 5135.

Fortunately, the 5146 doesn't have that problem. The one problem I do have with the 5146 is that it has lume on the dial. I don't want lumed hands and dials on my classic Patek...

...but we'll have to agree to disagree on the usefulness of the 24-hour display on the 5140.  IMO its layout and location within the days of the week subdial makes it challenging to read.  The 5140 in WG is lovely overall however! 

Cheers,

Daos

Hi,

On the contrary I like the lume dial and hands on the 5146G (and I don't see it as a dressed watch).

I need lume dial and hands on an everyday watch.

I would not like them on a RL though (except perhaps on a waterproof, antimagnetic steel one).

Cheers

Dje

I personally like to think that Patek watches should be utterly timeless. The 5146 is timeless, but I envision (through paranoia) that the lume on the watch will deteriorate and crack after 50 years and damage the look of my pristine dial. I'm much too paranoid.

I agree with you on the 5146; it's definitely not a dress watch; certainly a great watch to be worn on the job etc. A 5196P or a 5116G would be an excellent dress watch; in my opinion true dress watches shouldn't even tell the date nor have a sweep second hand as sweep second hands have too much movement on the dial.

I like where your mind is at; a waterproof antimagnetic steel RL would be the order of the day! Maybe one with a nicely integrated date would interest me greatly.

I actually agree with u that a lume hands and markers are a bonus to have on a watch. Exposed to light, the lume allows one to read time in the dark. It does not interfere with time reading in a bright setting. Why are there so many purist that prefer otherwise ?

nt

Hi,

The date window is nicely integrated on this one I think.

A date hand like on the 6000 would me too much for an annual calendar like the 5146 IMO (although I have a vintage JLC trilple calendar that works well obviously with a central date hand).

On the 5396 a date hand like on your GP would be perfect for me, instead of the 24h hand.

The date window is the only thing I don't like on the sector dial 5396. The new 5396 dial coming in 2010 integrates nicely the date.

Cheers

Dje

I do not think the luminous hands and markers of 5146 bode well and do not think it is consistent with being a dress watch. Frankly speaking, most collectors today have over 10 watches and U face the dilemma of keeping yr perpetual / annual calendar watches running on a winder (but also increase the wear and tear and service frequency) vs the chores of adjusting all the day, date, moonphase every time U put yr watches on wrist. For me, except  the 5396R and a Roger Dubuis perpetual, all my watches are simple hand-wound, auto or chrono.

I can't say I like the lume on the 5146. Don't like the lume one bit on the hands and on the dial. That's another reason why I'm being persuaded by the 5396.

nt

Hi,

I agree that as a watch collector I prefer non date watches (like the RL).

On the contrary I find my everyday watches more useful with a date and consequently would appreciate an annual calendar.

As long as it does not stop it is better than a simple date, if it stops it is probably easier to set than a perpetual calendar.

Again I don't see that 5146 as a dressed watch (not a sports one either I agree, just a casual watch) !

Cheers

Dje

H Jerome,

if the 3940 is a simple PC, I just gotten myself a simpler one here....

ahci.watchprosite.com

I wear my 3940 more than any other watches and it's the 'longest surviving' watch in my collection. Many came and went, but my 3940 is still around faithfully.

Have fun,

Mech.

To have owned and worn two 5146 J & G and they are imo a true all rounder.

It maybe worn on every occasion and it is so very easy to read.

I did't like the "Train Track" dial 5396 but I do very much like the new and cleaner looking dial.

Will look forward to seeing it in W/G when it becomes available.

nt

Hi Jerome,

Thanks for this post. That for sure my friend is my grale watch. Of course there are many more watches which I could consider as grale watches but these are completely out of reach. This PP is a no option for the coming years, but maybe one day...... It is the watch to dream about for me. And yes, this slate grey dial makes it just awesome. On pictures it seems quite small, but when I visit my AD once in a while I check it on the wrist and it really is superb! The dial layout is just so fine, it has classy written all over it. Man, you made my day with this post but maybe we better keep this watch a secret shall we. Maybe we could post once in a while that is a ugly unreliable and cheap looking watch. Tell stories about the watch breaking up again and the poor service at PP. And than we will wait for what to come in the FS department LOL.

Best,

Starman

nt

the 5396G sector dial. I prefer the day/month windows and 24 h indicator.

The new model is certainly very lovely, but I can not help asking Patek Philippe...Why abandon the beautiful sector dial for another standard Calatrava dial in the collection?

Happy New Year Dje!

--

Richard.

This message has been edited by =RWK= on 2009-12-29 02:34:18

Hi,

On the 5396 I love the classic case, the blued hands, the sector dial, I love the day and month indicators, but I dislike the 24h indicator and the integration of the date window with the sector dial.

I find the date better integrated on the new dial for 2010, but regret the sector dial and blued hands.

And the new 5396 gets even dressier IMO, while I'm looking more for a casual watch.

Cheers

Dje

.... I have owned the 5146J about 3 years now and I haven't had one single issue with it. I know many of the people on this forum don't really appreciate a bracelet Patek 5146 but I would have to say I am on the other side of that opinion. I like to dress this watch down and for me this watch is VERY wearable. I have had more compliments on this watch than any other watch I own. Also, Unlike others here, my watch purchases are not all of the same metal. I choose to have a selection that is versatile in styles. (example 5135R, Richard Lange PT, Daytona WG etc).....I don't see the point in owning 3 or 4 or 5 watches that are all of the same metal and all on a croc. strap.. but that's IMO..... OH BTW.. Dje........I also have my eye on the 5159G : )

This message has been edited by Cool on 2009-12-29 05:18:17

nt

I have the earlier edition in rose on rose gold bracelet cream dial and I get compliments all the time on the watch . It has a lot of "pop"