Not only do I think such an "end-game" watch deserves the most prestigious of metals, but more importantly, the platinum version is the only one produced before 2009, with a movement bearing the Geneva Seal and not the Patek Philippe seal. And this would be an essential element of my choice, as it was for my 5098P. An early 2009 rose gold variant with Geneva Seal might be possible to find, but I would still choose platinum.
And, like you, I don't understand how so many owners have lost the papers of their precious 5101 !
Best, Emmanuel