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Advice needed - 5170J vs. 5140G

By: msimhamb : January 10th, 2012-08:39

I'm looking for help from this forum on deciding between a 5170J chronograph and 5140G perpetual calendar,.

My current perpetual calendar collection includes a GO navigator, Moser perpetual, UN GMT +/-, IWC WG Port perpetual, JLC SS Master Control perpetual, and JLC SS Master Reveil perpetual.

My chronograph collection includes a 10y year old YG Zenith El Primero, Zenith Striking 10th, GP ww.tc, JLC Master Compressor chrono and an Omega speedmaster.

On looks alone, the Zenith chronograph is the most classical and elegant of the lot (even more so than the Moser to my eyes) .

The primary factors for me, in choosing between the 5170J and 5140G are the elegance of the case/dial (appearance) and sophistication (innovation/finish) of the movement. Investment considerations or depreciation are not important to me as I wear my watches for all normal activities, and they all have their own unique dents and scratches.

I travel frequently across the dateline, but leave my perpetuals (except the UN) on home time and do the hour change math in my head. It is not major inconvenience for me to do so, nor is the inconvenience of not having a date as I have my Blackberry for that..

I look forward to your comments in helping make a decision in light of the above factors and within the context of my collection.

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If I owned what you have listed and had the choice of

By: whit : January 10th, 2012-11:47

the two Pateks, I would choose the 5140. I like chronographs but the perpetual is my favorite of the two complications.

Either will more than address your primary factors.

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I have both....

By: patekben : January 10th, 2012-14:30

But if I can choose one as a regular daily wearer 5140G . This watch is by far my favorite.

I also travel a lot and usually wear a 5130R, 5134R, or a Lange TimeZone.

The 5170J is awesome, but I enjoy more looking at it then wearing it.

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5140G as a daily wearer

By: ivanclai : January 10th, 2012-19:41

it perfectly fits the job of a daily wearer, subdue and classical. 5170 is not my cup of tea, I'd rather go for 5070 if you want a classic chrono. If the choice is between the 2, I will go for 5140G. If you choose between 5140 and 5070, it will be a tough choice as they are so different. You will want them both.

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Another vote for the 5140,,,

By: Greenwatch : January 11th, 2012-07:38

Coming from someone who doesn't have a perpetual. Patek to me is still a strong dress watch company.

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Thanks all for your comments....

By: msimhamb : January 11th, 2012-21:02

I was leaning towards the 5140G and your comments cemented it for me. I picked up the watch this afternoon and will report back in a few weeks if my very favorable first impresssions hold up.

Thanks again for helping me make my decision!

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two entirely different watches

By: watch-er : January 12th, 2012-14:48

I would go as you did with the 5140. The 5170 is more a special piece after you have the core collection.

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Some pictures of my just acquired 5140G

By: msimhamb : January 12th, 2012-18:35

I have not posted pictures before, so please pardon my poor attempt at conveying the elegance of this watch. The restraint of this watch is a perfect counterbalance to the drift towards large ostentatious watches over the past decade. The flow of the curves, the thinness of the case, the beautiful shape of the bezel and the barely protruding crown all contribute to the coherence of the look.

I plan on getting the supplied solid caseback engraved and inlayed with a map of the world with dots indicating all the places we have been fortunate to live in and experience.

Please enjoy the pictures.

Beautiful understated dial. Very legible considering all the information displayed.