Patek Philippe

The 5940G would be a clear choice for me, I mean who doesn't love a perpetual calender . I also love the 5940 as it is very similar to the 5020, which I want to add to my collection but it is a little out of my price range at the moment.

Let us know what you choose
Sean

From collectibility point of view I would take 5235 for sure! This watch is unique in the Patek line and so is the movement. 5940 is beautiful but that same movement has been used for a VERY long time in all of their thin perpetuals starting with 3940 and 5040 variations in every metal, which are now selling for $40K. 

I own 5940 and 5235 and would take much more versatile 5235 all day long over the 5940!

but to me a regulator from PP is more special than their well-known perpetual calendar´s. Quite a few people don´t even know this very special regulator, but even some people not into watches know the 3940/5940. Good or bad, it´s up to you.

A personal collection has to mirror your taste and your requirements - nothing more, nothing less.

Good luck with your decision, but you can´t fail here anyway ;-)

Oliver

Don´t reply to posts when you are still working on something totally different from daily business. I mistook the 5140 for the 5940. Sorry!

The 5940 is one of my favorite PC from PP and it looks very nice on my wrist ...

but still have a stronger "weakness" for the regulator. The latter is just so understated, uncommon and add´s a lot of spice to any collection.

Oliver

i'd take the 5940G. It has a design, retro art deco that doesn't look like anything else. It has already proved its timeless beauty, and the breguet numerals just make it even nicer.
Plus as you've said, a perpetual calendar is just something else, another league. On top of that, the micro-rotor allowing such a thin case, the white dial allowing swapping different colors of straps, that one has a lot of appeal.

5235G is nice, and i'd add it sooner or later, but when i must decide, 5940G would be my choice.

Anyway, you cannot go wrong.

Last night at a Patek event I saw the regulator in person for the first time.  Much nicer in person than in pictures. The pictures don't do it justice.  And it wears great.  Definitely a keeper whenever it is I get mine.  But a perpetual always on my sights. Last night I also live again the 5159R, a watch I have been admiring for many years, even before they enlarged it.  In fact, I would have bought it years ago if not for its former small size at 36.  Been thinking about it on and off for a few years after they enlarged it to 38.  I would get the regulator regardless when its available, but between the 5159R and the 5940G, what say you? I really like them both for different reasons.  Thanks. 

the 5940G. But I will no doubt buy the regulator when my turn comes, I just hope its not for a few months!  I always wanted a Patek perpetual but never did for several reasons, chief among them, that I found the round ones to small for my wrist at 37 (I do have a 5117 in that size that I love, but I bought it a long time ago and at that price point, I took the smaller size.  I also have a 5146 at what I think is the ideal size of 39). While not really that much bigger, the 5940 wears a lot bigger because of its shape.  And its shape is why I liked it. Its obviously not new at all, but its somewhat unique for a Patek perpetual and I thought it is extremely elegant and looked good 80 years ago, and will look good 80 years from now. Some might find it old or too vintage, but I call it timeless elegance. It also dresses up to a tux, or feels comfortable with jeans.  Another interesting issue. I bought it at Tiffany. It has Tiffany on the dial.  I have always been ambivalent about that, but first, its very small, and second it sort of balances the dial by being centered in the otherwise white space of the moon phase dial, so I think it actually looks good. With my calatrava 5117R, my annual calendar 5146G, the new 5940, I think my Patek collection will be complete once I get the regulator.  Anything else I would want (I don't like chronograph watches) would at that point be way out of my price range--like a repeater!!!! 

is the way to go. As was said, the 5235 is the far better buy from a value retention standpoint over any 240Q movement based watch.

.....there is nothing in the Patek stable that really looks like the 5235. It is one of the reasons I like it so much. I understand what you are saying about the 5940...... i have a massive penchant for the 3940.....so i do have a similar dilemma....for me  3940 or 5235. I will take both because as you rightly suggest, they both fill a gap.....but which would i take first?

because the day-aperture on the dial is larger than the month-aperture.

Do you see that as a flaw or a deliberate choice?

.....some watches gain their beauty through a lack of symmetry.....i don't see why you see a lack of symmetry as a flaw. A watch only has a winding crown on one side....does that make it a flaw?

on this stubborn side of my persistence on symmetry.

Rgds

Raymond

I would say if I were in your position, the 5235 would be the choice. You have waited a year for the watch, no harm waiting slightly longer. Remember, the longer you wait, the better it is, and the better you will appreciate it. Nobody likes an easy A.

Economically speaking, this year of waiting and the further 3-5months would help you keep your banker happy, and also allow you to take opportunity of the markets to earn some extra dough if short term opportunities arise.

However, on a serious note,  the 5235 presents itself as an important milestone watch for Patek. The regulator, the hacking seconds, the unique dial layout, the first Spiromax and Pulsomax hairspring, escape wheel, anchor all in silicon, the supposed longer power reserve, the departure from the 'boring', 'predictable' dials, movements, parts of a normal PC, AC etc.

These makes the watch not only 'attractive' on the outside, but also on the inside! A real understated historical timepiece! Remember, a FIRST is always better than a reproduction or 'relaunch' of a previous model.

Not forgetting, I doubt there ever will be another production piece from Patek that would look similar to the 5235. The perpetual calendars have been in the catalogue for the past 20-30years, all with the same movement, case designs, layout, Mostly at least. The 5235, a look and you would know it is the regulator from Paatek without scratching your head which verison/year/brand/model it is.

Therefore, it is definitely worth the wait for the 5235. Don't forget, there are dime a dozen of the perpetuals in the market and if you want one, you could pick it up CHEAP in the second hand market or the dealers. The 5235 is so so so so tough to get that adds to its allure. The 5235 might be cheaper than the  5940, But hey, if you ever wanna get rid of it, you know it's gonna move fast, without sacrificing on the price!

I would say if I were in your position, the 5235 would be the choice. You have waited a year for the watch, no harm waiting slightly longer. Remember, the longer you wait, the better it is, and the better you will appreciate it. Nobody likes an easy A.

Economically speaking, this year of waiting and the further 3-5months would help you keep your banker happy, and also allow you to take opportunity of the markets to earn some extra dough if short term opportunities arise.

However, on a serious note,  the 5235 presents itself as an important milestone watch for Patek. The regulator, the hacking seconds, the unique dial layout, the first Spiromax and Pulsomax hairspring, escape wheel, anchor all in silicon, the supposed longer power reserve, the departure from the 'boring', 'predictable' dials, movements, parts of a normal PC, AC etc.

These makes the watch not only 'attractive' on the outside, but also on the inside! A real understated historical timepiece! Remember, a FIRST is always better than a reproduction or 'relaunch' of a previous model.

Not forgetting, I doubt there ever will be another production piece from Patek that would look similar to the 5235. The perpetual calendars have been in the catalogue for the past 20-30years, all with the same movement, case designs, layout, Mostly at least. The 5235, a look and you would know it is the regulator from Paatek without scratching your head which verison/year/brand/model it is.

Therefore, it is definitely worth the wait for the 5235. Don't forget, there are dime a dozen of the perpetuals in the market and if you want one, you could pick it up CHEAP in the second hand market or the dealers. The 5235 is so so so so tough to get that adds to its allure. The 5235 might be cheaper than the  5940, But hey, if you ever wanna get rid of it, you know it's gonna move fast, without sacrificing on the price!

i also agree that the 5235 is the way to go and find your analysis on why totally correct. i have just one comment: IMHO the watch is not really rare. in the last months i have seen it in most ADs around the world and my home AD has one sitting there for about six months - and they are willing to discount significantly. i wanted to pull the trigger three-four times at least, but so far didn't because there are just too many 5235s around..... it should be considered a milestone piece for PP but seems to get little love so far.