jimjenkins
286
Patek 5159G operational observations: Pleasantly surprised...
I had an opportunity to borrow a friends 5159 G for a month to see how a retrograde PP feels like as I always had reservations about this movement. I am a great fan of 5050, but finding one in a condition I like has been unproductive. The sticking retro date hand has been a concern, especialy with the old models, with long and high cost repairs. I never warmed to the idea of getting a 5050 and immediately sending it to Geneva for 8-9 months. So when the opportunity arised, I took it. Here are my observations on a 5159G, which after 1 month got me hooked.
1. To my surprise the 5159 does not sit thick at all on the wrist. I measured the thickness with a digital caliper, and it reads11.6 mm. Not bad considering the 12.4 mm for the 36 mm 5059 hamburger reported in the literature (I personally experienced this also). So the aspect ratio of 38mm/11.6mm seems to be quite good.
2. Day change starts at 10 PM, which I find a bit too early, but can live with it. However, at 11 PM ish there is a white space at the day window, making it impossible to ascertain which day of the week it is. Common problem with most window displays, but annoying !. (see attached image). The next day starts to creep in and it is completed with a click at 11:55 PM, which is great.
3. Retro date change hand also starts moving at 10 PM ish and completes also at 11:55 PM with the day change.
4. I find it interesting that at the end of the month, both the retro date and month changes were "instantaneous". See attched images for the switch which were obtained within 3-4 seconds. I find this to be a really nice feature for the month and wish the day change was just like this. Hint: My Rolex does change day and date instantly at midnight ! The date, however, first moved to 31 first (30 in September) then jumped back to 1 for October. That is, it did not directly go from 30 to 1.
Overall I must admit that I was impressed with the operation of the 5159G. Maybe I will keep this piece to myself knowing that the retro date is functioning correctly 
.
.Cheers
Jim
PS: I also start to find the Roman numerals dial very pleasing, although a bit crowded, but pleasant to look at. Yes, the cutoff of the dates 15 and 17 by the leap year window is indeed a shame for a watch of this caliber.
Day window almost empty.
Date and month at 11:56:13
Date and month at 11:56:16
This message has been edited by jimjenkins on 2014-10-01 10:39:43
More posts:
Patek 5159G operational observations: Pleasantly surprised...
I had an opportunity to borrow a friends 5159 G for a month to see how a retrograde PP feels like as I always had reservations about this movement. I am a great fan of 5050, but finding one in a condition I like has been unproductive. The sticking retro d...
It is a must (at least for me) to try ...
a watch on your own wrist, before buying. Even better it is to "test ride" it that long, but dangerous as well :-) The 5050 looks almost "protestant" compared to the 5159, but the latter has probably some more "spice" in the long run. Both have to run fla...
patek 5159g
complex watch , but a beauty. definitely looks nice on your wrist. best geross
If you are a dreamer and not a businessman:5050. If a businessman who wants to dream:5159
I understand, as many others too, your reservations regarding these two watches and the retrograde hand. But as Oliver is saying: I also do not think that Patek has produced something that does not work reliably. However the 5159 changes in movement are t...
Nice review Jim! How come...
...the date change completes before midnight but instantaneous for end of month?? Good luck with your hunt !! Cheers, Gordon
I might have the answer why the date and month change simultaniously and istantaneously ..
... but the day not! It is quite simple: your observation means that the day wheel is linked to the 24h wheel. The day is always succession: Monday, Tuesday, ... and hence a direct connection to the 24h wheel is "enough". The months and date are connected...
Thanks Moritz for the explanation which sounds logical.
Looking forward to reading more from you on this topic. Gordon
Reviewed the catalogue explenation ...
but it was not a fruitful explanation given by Patek in their 2009/2010 catalogue as the sketch is too rudimental in explanation. A shame. However Jim's observation is the valuable aspect here and the logical connection that I have done is only a result o...
I think
Patek corrected the retro hand problems long ago and the new watch has a 323 caliber and not the older 315 caliber. As for the dates being partially cut off, virtually every watch this company makes with multiple complications and dials has overlapping di...
