sham1
8992
A blessing in disguise?
I am at Frankfurt airport after having flown here to view a Patek 3969R which I had left a deposit on. Lovely watch which fits my small wrist well but while examining the watch with a loop, I noticed a scratch across the side. I just could not bring myself to purchase the watch even tough it had its complete set of box, papers and commemorative coin.
On the upside, I was doing my pilgrimage to the watch shops in London on Saturday and came across this brand new watch with a full Patek warranty which had been discontinued almost 20 years ago! Many may frown that it is only 31mm in diameter but this is my comfort zone 
The finishing and the engraving particularly on the side of the case are mesmerising. The fact that the movement fills the entire case (unlike the 5180 where there is an outer ring surrounding the movement) is an added attraction. I look forward to hearing your thoughts
The finishing and the engraving particularly on the side of the case are mesmerising. The fact that the movement fills the entire case (unlike the 5180 where there is an outer ring surrounding the movement) is an added attraction. I look forward to hearing your thoughts 
Too yellow perhaps?!
More posts:
A blessing in disguise?
I am at Frankfurt airport after having flown here to view a Patek 3969R which I had left a deposit on. Lovely watch which fits my small wrist well but while examining the watch with a loop, I noticed a scratch across the side. I just could not bring mysel...
Hi Sham, the engraving work is amazing ! Is this a...
rare handcraft piece ? If so, yellow or white would not matter !
Trust you to be the first to reply Gordon! :-)
It is not a rare handicraft piece but quite a rare skeleton watch produced in the 80s and 90s. The ref 3878J . I believe it was only produced in yellow gold.
Much more complete than 5180
the “holder”for the movement is quite inelegant. If you can carry 31 mm it’s much nicer in my view.
Thanks Christian!
My small wrist carries 31mm to 34mm very well. I did try on the 5180 but it was not only too large but as you correctly state, quite inelegant no thanks to the 'holder'!
Sounds like you made a good decision!
BNIB is the way to go. That is a great find. I love the skeleton and yellow gold. Unique Patek. If it fits you and moves you go for it. Sounds like yes to both. Lovely piece.
The parts for the watch were recently discovered in the parts drawer at Patek
so this watch is actually brand new selling at the Patek Salon in London!!! I know - how rare is that?! Unfortunately it is not selling at 1998 prices but at 2018 prices!!
Interesting....
Have always admired the craftsmanship of this piece. Quite small by modern standards, yet has incredible presence. Almost bought a used one in 2005 at a shop in Barcelona for around $17k USD. Lovely piece! Enjoy your time.
That was a very good price!
The new price today is four times higher but still very attractive to me as the watch is new! You are right about the presence of the watch - small arguably but there is so much to admire!!
As long as your elderly eyes can see those delicate hands
I would snatch it up. My Credor skeleton is about that size and it’s okay on my wrist and fine in a photo but I have to bring it right up to my face to read the time - and then get engrossed in looking at the movement (and forget that it keeps the time). ...
Ah! You mean I need to be able to tell the time too???!! :-)
I had been so busy admiring the movement that I conveniently forgot about those obscure hands. It reminds me of not being able to tell the time so well on the 5575G but hell, what a watch!!
31 mm too small? Maybe for some …
but it doesn’t matter if it’s what you like. It is also more difficult to engrave something of that size which, in my opinion, requires even more skill, of which Patek employs. Congratulations on your new acquisition. Aloha. Bob
Great point Bob!
Except the congratulations are a bit premature because I have not bought it (yet). Seriously considering it though.
It looks like a piece of wrist art my friend 👌🏻😘
Just go for what you like the most . Like you said before , life is to short 🙏🏻 . Cant wait to see some nice wristshots 🤗
I must remember to have some taken
when I drop by at the Salon on Thursday. I am trying to juggle some figures to see how this watch can be part of my small collection. Where is that rich relative when you need one??!!
Relative ?? I dont know that word 😉
I think the only thing thats holding us back is our budget 😬 . I hope you will find a way to get this piece of art in your great collection (also the incoming ones)🙏🏻
I appreciate your confidence in me! :-)
It is all about timing my friend. I know I will have the budget later this year but for now, I need the Salon to hide the watch somewhere instead of displaying it in its own display case as a centre piece!! Someone else might see it
I totaly understand your thoughts 😬
But if it has your name written on it ( thats what i allways say to myself to keep me sane 😉) it will stay there till you are able to pick it up 🤗.
:-) you know the right words to say!! :-)
If it is meant to be, it will be I guess. I only wish the Salon accepted deposits but they do not so here I am hoping that for the next 7 months, no one buys the watch. I know, I know - one watch in the main display in the London Salon - the odds are not ...
Keep faith my friend 🙏🏻 .
Otherswise it has to be like that and you will find a even greater watch in the near future . Sometimes things happen for a reason .
I totally agree my friend!
Whatever happens will happens for the best! May the force be with me!!!
I am not hopeful
but at least he has offered to help which is most appreciated. The Salon in London is under the control of Patek HQ in Geneva whereas the retailers are under Rhone Products, a separate entity.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done
the watch was a special order by a prominent Patek collector (must have been to be allowed to order a discontinued watch) who decided to cancel his order. Apparently, there have been many enquiries so I shall drop by tomorrow afternoon for a discussion wi...
Oh yes, they will gladly hold it until tomorrow :-)
but I am doubtful that they will hold it until August. And if they do, I promise not to buy any other brand other than Patek !!(apart of course for the Cartier and RW Smith I have left deposits on! ) A dangerous promise possibly
What a fantastic looking movement!...
I can understand why you like it. And to have a newly made "old" watch. That is really cool. I'm not sure the purpose of a skeleton watch is to read the time - just admire! Hope you figure out a way. Deposit maybe?
Total admiration from me :-)
The Salon does not accept deposits and will not allow payment split via two credit cards but I am not too worried about the latter. If only they took a deposit from me, even a sizeable fifty percent deposit would be agreeable. To find a brand new watch th...
Its like wearing a piece of art or jewellery - AND ITS A WATCH!!
I think those skeletonise pieces are lovely and unique Hope you can get it Julian
Thanks Julian!
I hope so too but it will be fate if I get it due to the timing. I too think that skeletonised parts are a joy to look at. I shall be staring at the watch on my wrist way too often without actually trying to tell the time!!
Hey Sham,
I admire your restraint, to fly out to a location with your heart set on acquiring one piece only to be disappointed. However you found a new love, definitely a blessing in disguise.
Thanks a lot for your encouragement!! :-)
I viewed the above skeleton again today and definitely love the watch. Whether or not I get to acquire this watch will be a matter of timing and fate. I can afford this watch comfortably in August so I am hoping that it will still be around then. If not, ...
Case Like Movement
The case of the 5180 is actually one of the charming aspects of the reference. As the movement is skeletonize so to is the case to reveal the hour markers. Because of this the watch actually becomes much more functional by being readable.
Good observation!
But the case for me at 39mm is a little too large and I think the hour markers are too obvious. Patek could have still made this watch with the glass surround but perhaps a lot thinner so that it is a lot less noticeable than it is. A 37mm case would have...
Quite interestingly
I dropped by at the Salon again yesterday to possibly have one last look at my beloved and was quite disappointed not to see it in the display. Much to my surprise and joy, I was told that the watch had been kept away since I seemed genuinely keen on it!!...
