Patek Philippe 5370P - an owner's review

Jun 08, 2017,11:12 AM
 

I have owned the 5370P now for 4-5 months and have had several opportunities to wear it and see how it felt as a part of my collection. I think one can often look at watches for sale and imagine how it will feel if one owned it. There always needs to be a leap of faith in buying. I have certainly bought watches before because I looked at them when released and just fell for the watch. Yet, after a year or so, the honeymoon effect wears off and I find the watch uninteresting. Over the years, the experience of owning many different types of watches and also learning about myself has helped me become more discriminating in deciding to make that leap of faith. Having said that, for a watch like the 5370P, it still requires a fairly big leap of faith. But i did leap, and this is my initial review.

First things first…..why did i buy this watch?

Five broad reasons;

1) I have no Rattrapante in my collection at all, and in the construction of my overall collection, I look for watches that fill specific criteria. So, as a genre, a Rattrapante is always likely to get my attention as it is such an interesting complication. But up until I saw the 5370, nothing had really grabbed my attention.

2) I do adore the combination of manual watches in white metal and dark dials. Black or blue dials contrasting against a white metal is something that creates a stunning aesthetic to my eye. Yes, it is a personal taste issue, but that combination is very appealing to me.

3) Breguet numerals in white gold set against a deeply black enamel dial provides a further aesthetic that I find hard to resist. The black enamel is mesmerising.

4) My heart is very much embedded in the vintage era. When a watch is introduced that provides a modern twist to an overtly vintage spirit, it inevitably catches my attention. The 5370 has this spirit in abundance.

5) In house movement, finished to a stunning level and applied to a complication in its purest form.

I wear watches that vary in size between 35mm and 42mm. At 41mm, the 5370P is at the upper end of my comfort spectrum. At a height of 13.6mm, it is also quite prominent on the wrist. I gave a brief review of the ALS Datograph that is also similarly prominent on the wrist. It is a factor that I particularly enjoy in a watch. The Rolex Sea-Dweller 16660 is a vintage piece that i love that also shares this prominence. It is either something that you do or do not like. I like it.

Using the in-house CHR 29-535 PS caliber (previously used in the 5204 split-second perpetual), the 5370 applied the caliber in its most purest yet most complicated chronographic purpose - a Rattrapante. Finished to an extraordinary level, the movement of the 5370 can be adored through its casebook. Beauty in a movement and its finishing is very much in the eye of the beholder. What is beautiful to one is maybe not so beautiful to another. To my eye, the movement is spectacular and the finishing of a quality that one rarely sees. When one winds the watch, it feels like silk. I have never experienced a winding process that is so tactile. I appreciate that talking about the winding process is not something that is normal discussion topic on the forum, but in this instance, I just cannot stress enough how perfect the process is on the 5370 - more so than any watch I have ever owned, by a margin.

Turning to the case, it is in this domain that the vintage spirit plays out so strongly. Taking inspiration from such vintage classics as the 1436 and 1563, the 5370 merges the spirit of these vintage classics into a modern day marvel. The 5370 borrows from the past without stealing from the past. This is an important distinction. It develops a distinct personality of its own whilst retaining distinct echoes of the past.

Now it is time to turn attention to what is one of the most overt characteristics of the 5370 - the deeply black enamel dial. The dial is made in-house from white gold. The enamel that is applied is baked at super-high temperature and then polished to such a sheen that it is essentially like a mirror. The dial is absolutely captivating. Again, I am hard-pushed to find another watch example that is at the same level on this front. The contrast between the white gold Breguet numerals and the deepness of the black enamel is a standout feature of the watch.

Finally, i want to mention a factor that is highly relevant to me, namely the cohesion of the dial. As a general rule, I tend towards watches that have a very specific objective. For me, the 3448 is a jewel because it is a pure perpetual calendar. The 5070 is a jewel because of its singularity of purpose - namely simple chronograph. The 570 is the quintessential time-only Calatrava. There is a purity of purpose that i like. The 5970 is very much an exception to the rule for me, as it mixes complications in a way that I normally do not gravitate towards. The 5370, however, is a pure timing machine. A chronograph par excellence. But the dial of the 5370 is so straightforward. No dates. That would have killed it for me. Only two sub-dials. No portholes. No reserve indicator. It has JUST what it needs, with nothing that is superfluous. That is what I call cohesive, and it works for me perfectly. It also has that 1950s feel to it.

Over the years, I have been lucky enough to own some wonderful watches. I have lived with and enjoyed some true beauties. I have owned the 5370 now for just a few months, so it is still clearly in the honeymoon phase and as such my subsequent comment needs some small qualification. Notwithstanding that caveat, I can say that as an experience of wearing, the 5370 is in the top two for me of all time. I put it in the same category as the 3448. It is thrilling to wear.



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Comments: view entire thread 

Great review Baron

 
By: Harry2 : June 8th, 2017-11:56
I like your criticism/thought process. It's like a wiser version of mine! You're cohesive in your quest for cohesiveness, perhaps that's how I'll put it! Do you have any nice movement shots? Also, I've never even seen a 3448 in the metal, but I think you ... 

The new King of Rattrapantes?

 
By: amanico : June 8th, 2017-11:58
I do think so. A Rattrapante is something magic. Making a Chronograph is something quite challenging, all the brands will tell you. But a Rattrapante is another level, THE other level. It would deserve a movement shot! Of course I am mentioning manual win... 

owning something....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 8th, 2017-13:51
......means one has an emotional investment in something. In some sense, the act of buying creates a bias to want to like it. When a watch cannot overcome that bias, it really needs to leave a collection. Equally, living with a watch allows one to learn a... 

Lovely review. Very much enjoyed reading but had wished for more pictures of this beauty!

 
By: keks : June 8th, 2017-13:17
I had the privilege of handling this reference for a few minutes and vividly recall the magic emotions it evoked. Congratulations to you and hope many enjoyable moments for you to come with this exquisite timepiece!

That was trully great reading

 
By: Mark in Paris : June 8th, 2017-15:02
We don't have often the possibility to see pictures and read from owners of such rare pieces and that's why I love being here looking at what people share. I imagine that what you mention about falling in love with a model and buying it right away, leadin... 

It appears this watch has every thing for you

 
By: watch-guy.com : June 8th, 2017-18:31
Platinum case with stunning lines Exceptional movement with uncommon complication - spit second or rattratpante Breguet numerals on a Black enamel dial The contrast of the black dial and case looks spectacular A perfect choice for a connoisseur like yours... 

This makes for wonderful reading.

 
By: TheMadDruid : June 8th, 2017-22:51
You've laid out your argument beautifully. And the watch is certainly worthy of your high praise. Perhaps a perfect watch.

I am very happy that...

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 8th, 2017-23:12
.....we had a chance to meet, to dine and to share our thoughts on watches. A totally pleasurable way to spend an evening! Best Joe

Thank you for the wonderful review.

 
By: zabreg1 Mr White : June 9th, 2017-02:53
It pretty much reflects all my thoughts on the piece, except I did not FA, and jumped right in when I first saw it. Love at first sight. And, btw, that photo is still the best I have come across of the 5370.

Great review for a fantastic watch!

 
By: Mike H : June 9th, 2017-03:06
Thank you Joe for sharing with us your thinking and decision process. 5370 P is surely my (inaccessible) grail and a real keeper. Enjoy it and wear it in the very best of your health my friend, Mike

Very insightful review, not only of a mesmerizing watch, but of the thought process leading to its purchase. When one loves watches with a great passion

 
By: patekova : June 9th, 2017-09:13
acquiring one does have the leap of faith element, unless prior to the purchase one has spent considerable time trying out the exact model/reference. Even then over weeks/months of ownership one's appreciation can grow or diminish considerably. I guess th... 

Thanks Joe for

 
By: sham1 : June 10th, 2017-01:03
sharing with us your ownership experience and what made you decide on this watch. If you had a choice of all the split second chronographs including say the 5950 and 5959 (perhaps too small for you but my ultimate watch), would the 5370P still be your pre... 

Sham....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 10th, 2017-01:37
The 5370 is my favourite split second watch. More than any other split second from Patek and more than any other from another manufacturer. For me, it is the finest watch made by Patek in the last 25 years. There is nothing I would change in it. For all t... 

And that is what ultimately counts!

 
By: sham1 : June 10th, 2017-02:31
If we are all able to own what we feel is the best Patek in the last 25 years, we would all be quite content!

Exactly

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 10th, 2017-02:42
So much time seems to be spent soliciting what other people think. That really should have nothing to do with it. Outside of minute repeaters, the 5370 is, to me, at the very top of Patek Philippe watches. I would choose it over any other watch that has b... 

That's easy :-)

 
By: sham1 : June 10th, 2017-03:29
Outside the 7000R and 5078G, I would love to own a 5959 which happens to cost a third more than my preferred minute repeaters. In my lounge, I have two limited edition lithographs framed up of Patek movements, one is 28-20/222 from the 10 day tourbillon a... 

One of the highlights

 
By: sham1 : June 10th, 2017-03:45
of my watchmaking passion must have been when I was allowed to try on a 5959 in the Patek boardroom during a factory visit. The world could have ended then and I would have died a happy man!

consistency and passion

 
By: tanknwater : June 30th, 2017-05:29
Very interesting explanations on your choosing process. I love the notion of Honeymoon. Got a long honeymoon with one of my watches. Stopped to wear it during a long while (10 years !!!); when refurbished -thanks to Mike- felt in love again, for long time... 

consistency

 
By: tanknwater : June 30th, 2017-05:29
Very interesting explanations on your choosing process. I love the notion of Honeymoon. Got a long honeymoon with one of my watches. Stopped to wear it during a long while (10 years !!!); when refurbished -thanks to Mike- felt in love again, for long time... 

many thanks.....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : June 30th, 2017-06:11
.....yes, i think the process behind "why" we buy a watch is fascinating. Best, Joe

Glad to see you finally joining the PuristS family my friend...

 
By: Mike H : July 2nd, 2017-07:49
You obviously know whose post to choose from for one of your first replies as you by chance just took the article of my English Vlad You now know of his 5370 P but most probably did not realize where you put your hand... the finest PP collection I know wi... 

? There is no reason to thank me...

 
By: Mike H : July 2nd, 2017-08:49
You know how much I don't like you for you really are the temptation embodied

Yes, that is why !!!

 
By: Mike H : July 2nd, 2017-09:04
You helped me to succomb to the temptation ! Surely a great destination (still top banana !) But the terrible thing is that you also helped me to raise my level of requirements. They are only very few (and fewer and fewer) watches that retain my attention... 

Use the function

 
By: watch-er : July 5th, 2017-11:33
Do you use the split seconds chronograph for timing two movements at once? What is the service recommendation? I would think it would be more frequent for so many tiny moving parts.

perhaps one of the nicest chronos with patek's inhouse chrono movement

 
By: georgeszaslavsky : July 6th, 2017-11:18
Very nice timepiece and fabulous craftsmanship on it. Congrats on your acquisition and wear it in good health

Great review, thank you!

 
By: Langeholic : August 27th, 2017-04:21
I spent an enjoyable period comparing the 5204, 5270, 5372, 5959 and 5370 (I am a chronograph fan). Although they are not direct comparisons, the 5370 stood out for me for many of the reasons you mentioned, the only thing I would add is every square milli... 

i feel the same way.....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : August 27th, 2017-04:36
.......i have said before that when i saw it i knew i had to have it. For me, the finest watch they have made in several decades....at least for my taste.

Lovely review, Baron

 
By: Magoo : September 1st, 2017-10:07
I enjoyed reading your review of a truly spectacular timepiece. As a long time collector, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, perspective and insight, which undoubtedly is welcome by all on this forum. Many thanks and may you enjoy this piece for many years... 

Hi Magoo.....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : September 1st, 2017-10:11
......that is really kind of you and much appreciated. Many thanks. Joe

Nice! How are you able to gather your thoughts and express it in writing in such a way that hardly anyone can argue with your choice 😊

 
By: Greenwatch : September 1st, 2017-21:52
I struggled most of the times in my desire to eloquently explain my choice. But I guess it takes a lot of soul searching and a highly intellectual capacity to discern such thoughts. Definitely lovely thoughts on your excellent choice. I'm really learning ...