Patek Philippe 5110P: 20th Anniversary!
amanico
In July 2004, I got a call from my Patek AD in Sicily who asked me if I was interested in a 5110. He kept in mind a conversation we had about Patek watches. I told him that I didn't have a big interest in this brand, except if he could get me a world time, which was my dream, in white gold, or even better, in platinum.
We became friends, quite quickly, spending some hours in his shop, in May 2004, speaking about watches. He was an AD for some of my favorite brands, such as Glashutte Original, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breguet and... Ulysse Nardin.
I knew he also had Patek, but well, you know, each time you ask for a Patek, the answer is the same...
But this man is mischievous, and his question about the 5110 was not innocent, as he knew my love for this reference... 
So my answer was quite logical. I told him that if he could wait 4 months ( Sicily is not close to Paris, and I had to find the funds... ), I would go and pick it... Done Deal...
2d of November 2024... 20 years after. I just cannot realize that 20 years have gone like that, in a twinkling of an eye... With the Ulysse Nardin Sonata, it is the oldest watch in my collection. But it seems it was like yesterday!
I remember the flight, as he took me 10 hours to get there, instead of the normal 2 hours.... Just because of an air traffic controllers' strike. The arrival at the Catania Airport, with him asking me if I came from Paris or Cancun. 
You have to put in some effort for such a watch.
You have to put in some effort for such a watch. I remember when we arrived in his shop. The ceremonial, as he wanted me to enjoy each moment of the delivery. And finally, it was here, in front of me, I could finally see it, touch it, feel it. A dream I was finally living for real! Heaven was in Sicily, at that time.
I didn't even want to do the check-in in my hotel. I wanted to see the object of my dreams.
I lost any notion of time, admiring the decoration of the dial, playing with the angles and the light to taste every hue of grey blue, to read every city of the world. There was no shop nor friend, there was me and the watch, this watch. Its dial, its case, its movement, the magic was there.
There are only a few watches in my collection which made my heart beat that fast.
20 years later, Love is still here for this watch, indestructible. No weariness. Here again, there are only a few watches which can withstand the test of time passing.
It is not only the watch, it is also all these moments spent together, the good and the bad. It is maybe also because it was my first Patek, and I didn't have many from this brand.
It is also its complication which is double. It is helpful when you travel, it makes you dream about trips when you are at home.
Helpful when you travel, as you can set your destination time and keep an eye on your home time easily, via its pusher. And yes, this watch was everywhere with me, in Singapore, Hong Kong, USA, Europe, Morocco.
It also helps you to keep track of the different time zones of your friends all around the world, which is another notion of a " friendly " watch.
To me, it is my favorite watch from this brand. Yes, I know, there are more sophisticated and prestigious Patek watches, but in terms of charm,this 5110 is hard to beat. And in the world time category, all brands included, a Milestone.
At the point that I consider it as one of the very rare watches I will keep in my collection forever.
Happy 20th birthday to the 5110P!
Best,
Nicolas
Comments:
KMII November 2nd, 2024-09:24
One of the most interesting watches from PP for me 🙌🏻👌🏻👏🏻 And what a story! Hope the AD is still around 😊🤞🏻 We could definitely do with more of ADs like this one 👍🏻
quattro November 2nd, 2024-09:29
What an epic post! What a pleasure to read and share your excitement and long lasting love of this particular watch! And what you say of the virtues of the world time complication (practicality, dream, friendship) is so evocative! Thanks for sharing this anniversary in such...
amanico November 2nd, 2024-18:33
Thanks for reading, mon ami. Now you are even more convinced, right? ;)
quattro November 3rd, 2024-08:50
Convinced that this story of yours is a wonderful one? No doubt about that! Convinced that I should get a 5110 for myself? Not quite yet. Too soon. I'm a "wearer" more than a collector and more watches=less wrist time for each. Plus, if this piece stops being a dream, another one will take its place: so I think "it is urgent to w...
jlux November 2nd, 2024-10:08
Wonderful post! I can understand why you like this 5110 P so much. This is execatly what PP should be and what it also means to me : refined elegance and timeless beauty. Now on for the next twenty years of wearing pleasure !!!
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