Basel 2010: Amazing Patek Philippe's new range of calendar watches!
You've
already seen them all through the official pics and even some live ones so that's
time to show you my own!
The new range
of chronographs is fantastic and we've begun to discuss them. The new
range of calendars is equally amazing!
Let's
discuss!
Tempted ?
Patek Philippe 5140 P and R, the understated perpetual calendars!
Let's
begin with a long favourite of many and the new iterations of the classical
perpetual calendar 5140, itself derived from the 3940.
The Patek
Philippe perpetual calendar 5140 is a classic with its thin case and very sober
style. This is the understated perpetual calendar in its best.
The specificity
of the 5140 P is its unique blue dial. While the 3940 P was made with the same
silver dial as the 3940 G
version, the 5140 P is now differentiated from its white gold sistership. Honestly
I'm not too proud of my pics for this watch as they don't show the
true beauty of the blue dial. I promise I'll go and try it again as soon
as possible to bring you better pitures.
My picture of
the 5140 R is slightly better and shows the brown dial of the pink gold
version. The watch is really beautiful too and offers another style option for
this fantastic family.
I will confess
that I much prefer the P to the R though, or another Patek Philippe perpetual
calendar R to this one! But each man his taste!
The thinness of
this watch is really a proof of the excellence of Patek Philippe regarding the
tradition of elaborating thin calibres and watches. The trend for large watches
in the last years has too often made us forget the pleasure of wearing a nicely
and finely elaborated watch.
I can just advise
you to go and try this marvel by yourself.
Cheers
Dje
I'll go first with the 5140P...
Basel, 2010, my prayers have been answered (not literally). However, the blue dial wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I was hoping for a watch that was more like the 5140G but instead in platinum. Maybe I will wait for a one-day black dialed version and see how I like that one; but I am still hoping for an off-white or silver dialed platinum version.
I share your sentiment
My sentiments exactly..
I was on pins and needles waiting for the 5140P, as the 5140 is at the top of my "get" list and I thought platinum would be the correct metal to get it in. Granted that blue-dialed Pateks typically need to be seen in person to be fully appreciated, I was still disappointed that it was not similar to the 3940P. I already have a 5070P and 5712/1a, so I'm pretty set with blue dials.
How about a 5140P with white enamel dial? Sign me up!
Steve
I like your 5140 Enamel dial idea! Now that sounds more like it! [nt]
5140 P
I was there at Basel and spent precious time looking at the 5140 P, it looks stunning and the blue dial and strap fit very well with it. Of course, they were unable to show me the piece due to large media demand. But the indicative price should be in the region of 60k euro. Patek have been successful at launching new versions of the same models when the old ones are losing their edge in the company of formidable competition.
But the Lange has won many hearts and the decoration of the movement cannot be ignored!
If I could afford and had to choose just one Patek, it would be this one.
And you perfectly stated why, Dje 
"The thinness of this watch is really a proof of the excellence of Patek Philippe regarding the tradition of elaborating thin calibres and watches. The trend for large watches in the last years has too often made us forget the pleasure of wearing a nicely and finely elaborated watch."
I cannot think of any other watch that so perfectly matches elegance, finesse and beauty with such an outstanding complication.
Regards,
Marcelo
That is my favourite PP watch, this year...
If I had to get another PP, it could be this one!
The bluie dial gives a totally different look to this superb PC.
In Whiyte Gold with the white dial, I found it a bit ...sad.
Now with this very nice blue, the Beauty of the 5140 pops up.
Superb, really superb!
Best,
Nicolas
Il Contraire
Tastes...
It is a very subjective matter, and, as always, everyone has his favourite.
The white dial is very elegant, sober, understated, as you said, the blue adds something very special, different to put in words, but something like " dynamism " or " youth " on a Classic Timepiece.
Maybe this is this blend I love so much.
Best,
Nicolas
The blue dial ...
Anyway, it is not my favourite.
Oliver
Patek Philippe 5159 R and 5160 G, the new officer's watches.
If you were
wondering which is my favourite pink gold perpetual calendar, here is the answer.
I was already a
fan of the 5159 G.
I even more appreciate the pink colour for this kind of historical model.
Opening the
perfectly adjusted pink gold case back is a real pleasure. No wonder why the
adjustment of this opening case back takes so long, it feels like an eye
twinkling.
Do you really
wonder why this gorgeous watch has its own fanatics? Isn't a
perpetual calendar by essence a reminiscence of the past? Isn't this case
style a celebration of the historical significance of a perpetual calendar?
The true
novelty is not the pink gold version, but the 5160, a fully engraved 5159
available in white or yellow gold. The work done is truly superb and remains somewhat
discreet as the case back is the main engraved part and the case engraving is
in my opinion totally coherent with the classical style of the watch.
The differently
guilloched dial adds to the refinement of this watch.
The center of
the back is marked with a Calatrava cross. All this engraving really enhances
the watch style.
Cheers
Dje
I like the 5159R, I'd like to see the 5160G in person...
The 5160G is beautiful, however, I've yet to see one in person. The engravings are indeed beautiful, the craftsmanship is superb. But, I still wonder if it is as attractive on my wrist as I hope it to be.
It's a good thing they chose to engrave the officer-watch...
If I owned a 5160, I would imagine that I'd be in the woods with an engraved Purdey shotgun, hunting for my next trophy; with a Patek Philippe 5160 to spend the time waiting with me.
Patek Philippe 5205 G, the new annual calendar with triple windows (and triple appeal).
The Patek Philippe
annual calendar 5135 was recently discontinued as it seems that this very
beautiful watch was too often regarded as too large. It was not the case but
the lugs of great length that were sometimes problematic. The 5135 was really
appealing with its annual calendar indications in triple windows. This disposition
of indications was seen then on the 5960, 5207 and 5033. There was certainly
some room for an easier "simpler" watch. Here it is!
This 40mm watch
is certainly the best surprise of the Patek Philippe range this year. This
annual calendar is really nicely designed and in fact brings a much modern
option in the annual calendar range. While the watch is very reasonably
positioned it is perfect in every detail!
Obviously the
first aspect to notice is the triple windows for the annual calendar. Could it
be more readable? No of course, and no more elegant!
Then the very
finely made pierced case is quite intriguing and appealing. The concave bezel
is even more so!
The watch is
discreet but really present on the wrist. It looks like no other and instantly catches
the eye.
The matt black
and slate grey dial version won my heart. It currently blows my mind and I'm
back to 0!
The watch is offered
with a beautiful crocodile strap with contrasted stitching and a tang buckle. It
is in my opinion a watch intended for a younger audience.
For once I can
even say that I like the 24 hour dial as it allows some play with the dial
colours.
Yes I love it !
Cheers
Dje
Very beautiful...
The 5205G is indeed a very beautiful watch, and I imagine it will become one of the most popular watches in the Patek Philippe lineup.
I especially like the concave bezel, but the pierced lugs throw me. I'm not sure I like the pierced lugs. My favorite parts about this watch are (1) the concave bezel, a reminder of Patek Philippe watches from the past; and (2) that it is perfectly readable, no hands will ever completely cover the month, date, and day indications.
I wished Patek Philippe made the 5205G in a slate dial color. The black dial is too black and too formal; when the silver dial is too conservative. I wonder how this watch would look with a slate dial.
Patrick, go for the 5205...
Jeff.
Hard to answer
It's hard to answer your question.
I'm still very much appealed by the 5146G slate dial to be honest.
I prefer the triple window but I like the 5146 design a lot, the hands, the fact that they are luminous (something I really need for an everyday watch), the case, the dial colour, I appreciate the power reserve on such automatic as I keep changing watches and would not want to have to resettle it often.....
The 5205 is very beautiful too. I see it more as a dress watch. Still I'd let some time and another opportunity to see it again to make a final decision. But indeed it won my heart (but not alone)!
I'd may also let my wife see them both and give her opinion!
If I had the money in fact I may also wonder how far I'd be from a 5170J (that is my new and current dreamwatch). A 5711/1A could be perfect for my everyday watch and to complement a 5170J!
Cheers
Dje
This message has been edited by Dje on 2010-04-04 11:32:41
Thank you for your thoughts!
All the best my friend!
"It won my heart" ...
In most of the cases I am not a big fan of Dauphine hands, but there are exceptions.
My father had the same thoughts when I showed him the pictures, so maybe it is a family bug
Most of my watches have black dials and I think I really like this one, as well.
"Black one" for me - not sure in this case ...
... as the grey one is very, very appealing.
Somehow sophisticated, but still "understated" at the same time.
So is the case - sophisticated or shall I say "sexy"
, but not "too loud".
I have to try it on my wrist, but at the moment I am in love
Unfortunately it is not that easy to try fine pieces from PP at their ADs,
but that is another story ...
Oliver
Very beautiful indeed....
The colours (black and grey), size and layout are more modern than any other Annual Calendar.
I also like the fact that the day, date and month windows (and fonts) are bigger than the 5396.
Black or grey? Difficult to decide in this case.
Goh
The 5205 is my absolute..................
Favourite of all the new releases that came from Patek this year.
I cannot wait until I am able to see one on my wrist at the AD.
At the moment I think that prefer the black & grey dial, but again seeing them both in the flesh will help.
I like the open lugs and the size is just perfect.............Well done Patek Philippe.
Well
It is based on a classical calibre 324 (updated 315).
I have no pic in fact of the back.
Sorry
Cheers
Dje
the 5205G is a WINNER!!!
Thank you Dje for another great post
christian
Patek Philippe 5396, the classical annual calendar.
Here is a new
annual calendar we already saw at the beginning of the year. This year's
show was the opportunity to see it.
The new 5396 is
in fact a new dial variation after the launch a few years ago of the so called
sector dial version.
This very
classical watch is very pure and offers now in some way the opportunity to get
closer to the best perpetual calendar models of the Patek Philippe's
past.
I've
already said that I'm not too fan of this one so I'll let you make
your own opinion. In fact as much as I get older I prefer younger looking
watches so I'm very happy to see Patek Philippe issue watches for new
youngs like me!
Still I admit
that this watch is obviously beautiful, if not for me.
Cheers
Dje