Patek Philippe 5170J: Unbox and Wear It

dr.kol · 2013-03-12T08:21:55Z

Dr.kol shares humorous 'instructions' for unboxing and wearing the Patek Philippe Ref. 5170J, challenging the trend of keeping luxury watches sealed. Discover why watches belong on the wrist, not in a box.

dr.kol

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

78 replies18584 views22 photos

Dr.kol humorously challenges the practice of keeping luxury watches, specifically the Patek Philippe Ref. 5170J, sealed in their original packaging. His 'instructions' advocate for opening and wearing these magnificent timepieces, emphasizing that their true beauty and purpose are realized on the wrist, not in a box.

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Eiter I have to blame our Moderator small-luxury-world a.k.a. Oliver. He wrote a very good post "Patek Philippe Ref. 5170 - The genesis of a new classic". Thanks to Oliver's post I started to look at 5170J with new eyes and open mind. So now I have a new watch (again) and I must admit that Oliver's post was really the kick I needed to study 5170J closer.

A short time ago "charliewatch" sent tow posts: "the best patek" and "what about this one". From these two posts I understood that some of us like to admire their watches in ugly boxes through fuzzy plastic.

However, there is an alternative way and I will show now how it works!

The unopened Patek box is not very inspiring. Or do you get vibrations from this kind of box?

Some people might cry now: the watch is not anymore Double Sealed... However, even opened a bit, the watch does not look much better.

To keep the watch only in plastic bag is also out of question; even it's single sealed now. It is difficult to set the watch, give power and use the chronograph...

Naturally the clasp looks nice and like a virgin:

It is quite difficult to admire the beauty of the dial through plastic.

Ref. 5170 contains a fantastic movement. It's worth of admiring and showing to others but not through plastic!

The watch clearly requires to be opened but what about this? I guess it's a matter of taste.

Now I have to choose a knife for opening the plastic bag. This one is at least unique with some Ice Aged mammoth bone in the handle:

The blade also seems to be razor-sharp.

No! This knife is not the right one. It is clearly for a Grand Complication. The watch I have to open is just a basic chronograph costing only a little bit more than a brand new Porsche Cayenne here where I live...

So a normal knife for this kind of watch must be enough!

HERE START THE INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a knife to open the watch bag. For a small complication a normal knife is good enough.

Cut from i.e. the side of the plastic bag.

When the bag is opened, take the watch out from the bag.

The first real touch of your watch. The relationship starts from here.

It is time to make the watch alive! Some winding is needed and after that there is 65 hours power reserve.

The feeling is incredible - I would say unreal! Winding is so smooth and because it is not possible to describe it, one must try it to believe.

Even the crown looks and feels totally right.

Now when the watch is alive, it is time to admire the movement.

It's time to check the time and adjust the watch. Taking into account that the watch is a Patek Philippe, this step is easier than normally because of the hacking movement.

The watch seems to be pretty well on time...

Still some protective stickers to be removed...

After the shop a Patek Philippe wristwatch should not be kept Single nor Double Sealed.

The right place for the watch is: THE OWNER'S WRIST!

Best, Kari

About the Patek Philippe Chronograph Ref. 5170

The Chronograph reference 5170, introduced in 2010, marked a significant development for Patek Philippe as it was the first serially produced chronograph to feature a fully in-house manufactured movement. This reference succeeded the reference 5070, transitioning from a Lemania-based caliber to a proprietary design, underscoring the brand's commitment to integrated manufacturing for its complications. It represents a modern interpretation of a classic chronograph layout within the Patek Philippe catalog.

The reference 5170 features a case measuring 39.4 mm in diameter and 10.9 mm in thickness, available in 18k white, rose, or yellow gold. It is equipped with the manual-winding caliber CH 29-535 PS, which offers a power reserve of 65 hours. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 30 meters. The movement is visible through a sapphire case back, showcasing its intricate finishing.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking a contemporary Patek Philippe chronograph with an in-house movement. Early variants, such as the yellow gold reference 5170J-001, featured a pulsometer scale, which was later replaced by a minute track on subsequent iterations. The various metal options and dial configurations provide distinct aesthetic choices for collectors, reflecting different periods of its production run.

Specifications

Caliber: CH 29-535 PS

Case: 18k White Gold, Rose Gold, or Yellow Gold

Diameter: 39.4 mm

Dial: Silver, Black, or Opaline

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The author humorously calculates that saving money from not smoking for 29 years would be required to afford a Patek Philippe 5170G, highlighting the significant cost of luxury watches.
The author clarifies he is not a 'collector' but rather acquires watches to fulfill specific needs (dress, sport, travel, etc.), aiming for a manageable collection of 10-15 Pateks for daily wear.
The post is praised for its unusual approach to 'stripping' the 5170, with agreement that watches should be admired out of their boxes and on the wrist.
The author advocates for wearing watches, asserting that regular servicing maintains their value and that even significant damage can be repaired, making wearing a watch a better choice than keeping it sealed.
A humorous comment suggests the 'Ice Aged mammoth bone' knife would have been more fitting for opening the Patek, praising its exquisite craftsmanship.
The author expresses strong disagreement with the 'sealed/double sealed' Patek issue, arguing that the value of a Patek is not significantly decreased by being opened and used, provided it's well-maintained and documented.

The Discussion

Mark in Paris

Mar 12, 2013

Exactly!

And, to be sure, some may need to have this post translated in local language ;) Thanks for this unusual 5170 stripping, as always I don't see the point when someone just posts a picture of an ugly box (even with a Patek inside). This is clearly a watch one must have a second look at and hold it in its hands to see it completly differently. I would certainly like to be its happy owner one day. Wear it in good health Kari! Cheers, Mark

dr.kol

Mar 12, 2013

Thank you Mark!

Yellow gold is not my #1 choice but this watch is so incredibly classic that YG fits well to that. However, if the coming WG looks much better, I can always trade to that or to do like a top executive of Patek advised me in a cocktail party: "Collect 5170 in all metals it comes". Best, Kari

Mark in Paris

Mar 12, 2013

True but ...

... what if they change the scale into a Tachy. or Telemeter one ? I heard the Puslometer scale could be reserved to YG (maybe internet rumors...). As you said, this YG color is also something that fits very well to the 5170's spirit.

dr.kol

Mar 12, 2013

Then I have to start saving money

for the next one. My dream is to see a 5170P with a blue dial and at some stage 5170A. Best, Kari

Mark in Paris

Mar 12, 2013

Maybe in 1 month ! [nt]

doublesix

Mar 12, 2013

Thank you for sharing this heady experience with us!

And congrats on your new watch. A sealed watch is just a sealed watch. Ownership does not crystalize until it is on your wrist. Enjoy your 5170 in good health!