Tonypatch
331
A few days ago...
...I have spent a whole afternoon at Wempe and Bucherer. And also went to see a vintage dealer which I had not visited before.
Verdict:
- 5196 does not work, not in R, not in G. Too large(!), too simple. A pity, I cannot understand why it does not "click". 37mm but too "large" on my wrist, it felt like wearing a saucer on a strap.
- 5110G is very very very nice....but...almost toy-like, very feminine, very delicate. The hands remind me of a very precious mantlepiece clock. It is a great watch but on my wrist it felt wrong.
- 5227: I had it on my wrist for 3 seconds. Does not work at all.
- Finally, 5130: Tried the RG version with metal bracelet (!) and the brown dial. A gorgeous watch. 5130 in RG is great,in particular in this dial version. Still - it felt like binge-eating on cream cake and sweet liquor. Tried the P version - not sure about the tone of the blue centre. Finally, the WG version.
5130G. A cold, but sunny spring day in Lugano. Flower beds are blossoming. Mountains still snow-capped. A small bite at Grand Cafe al Porto. The silvery 5130 mirrors the silvery Aston/Pagoda/Corniche Coupe. Navy blue suit, or grey. Light blue shirt, simple navy tie (Hermes or knitted T&A). Can't linger for too long, need to catch the plane to Zurich. A swift drive to the small airport in Agno, navigating through the unique urban sprawl of DIY markets, fashion outlets and manufacturing sites so typical for Northern Italy. The ciosco outside the terminal building provides a newspaper (International Herald Tribune, before its re-branding) and a chocolate bar (Kägi-Fret). Arrival in Zurich's spotless airport. Unexpected delay - two hours until departure to Heathrow. Stock up on Aqua di Parma? Sample a few bites at Sprüngli? A new pen? Maybe just a book, at Orell Füssli. Pick-up at T2 is arranged, quickly set the watch to GMT time and off for a mini nap.
More posts:
In case you could not sleep....
....because you were waiting for me to solve my first-world problems, here is an update on my search for the perfect PP: - went to an AD and tried a 5196P. It may sound silly but it felt like a toy watch. I could not stand the glare of the platinum, the d...
5196P a toy watch? Yes, that sounds a bit silly. ;)
As for the 5110, we already told you... The one to get. Best, Nicolas
"Toy watch"
As I may have mentioned in a post much earlier this year, I had a 1950ies PP - that had perfect proportions, maybe it was the slightly domed glass that made it look soft and pleasant. The 5196 in real life felt like a posh Swiss railway Bahnhofsuhr, and t...
Compared to a..
...Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Jumbo Ultra-Flat Weißgold 81180/000G-9117 the 5196 looks to plain for my taste - It would be interesting to see a 5196 scaled down to 3119 proportions. Edit: I hope you don't mind Tony, I edited the link to leave the name ...
Ah, the perfect PP!
This is a nice quest Tony :) And the journey is so worth living. We all have our past and thus our subjectivity. If the 5196P looked wrong to you, then you're right to move on. Maybe that in several months you'll change your mind. The 5107 looks warmer (d...
To me, the 5196P is one of the most...
attractive simple watch from Patek. IMO, the dial design is elegant and timeless. The brequet numerals (which does not appear often in Patek), the railway tracks for the seconds sub-dial, and the weight of the platinum are just perfect. Different strokes ...
To me....
...the two-tone dial with its many subsections seemed to stare at me, with a watery iris....imagine a cylope version of Joe Jackson (the musician of "Steppin' Out" fame) staring at you. I could not stand it. Still need to check out the 5196R - I hope the ...
A few days ago...
...I have spent a whole afternoon at Wempe and Bucherer. And also went to see a vintage dealer which I had not visited before. Verdict: - 5196 does not work, not in R, not in G. Too large(!), too simple. A pity, I cannot understand why it does not "click"...
I have to disagree
I love the Patek 5196P. Quintessential Patek Philippe dial. Love the heft that platinum brings to a timepiece.
"Heft"
I disagree to your disagreement. While the heft is there, the 5196P's "airy" and "playful" (Breguet numbers) design do not play along with it. I think the 5107 would be much better in P, because of its burly, baby pitbull look.
IMHO
The 5110 and the 5196p are the most beautiful of the ones you mention, and true grails. A Patek world timer is quintessential Patek. The 5196p is in a true connoisseur piece in the holiest metal. Both are grail pieces in my opinion and a highlight of most...
