Mark in Paris offers a detailed review of the 2015 Patek Philippe 5940G with a black dial, a significant release that expanded the brand's black dial offerings. His analysis delves into the watch's design nuances, case dimensions, and the strategic choice of dial color, providing valuable insights for collectors considering this perpetual calendar reference. Mark also explores Patek Philippe's broader approach to dial colors and reference management.
Gentlemen,
Last
year, during the Basel fair, Patek Philippe has unveiled a new very attracting
version of the
5940G with a black dial. If you remember,
this model already exists in Yellow gold Creme colored dial as in a Grey gold
and silvery dial versions.
Here is the 5940G with Silver
dial...
...and the 5940J...
INTRODUCTIONIn
the black dial momentum, only for this year and together with the 5370P, the
5170G, the 5227G, the 5905P and the 5950/1 (and maybe the 6102R Celestial), the
5940 black dial is a very appealing layout, whether it is a an enameled,
lacquered, satin or sunburst finishing.
It is bringing black
dials much more available and I don't think it is a bad thing. Of course, when
a dial color is very unusual and rare, it is even more appealing. But it is
often even less reachable. I think the brand is aiming at finding the right
balance about this particular layout. The most important is to bring black
dials (or blue as we also found many in this year's novelties) in the right
models.
Remember that most of the clients wishing to acquire
this kind of high-end Patek watches will get only one. The issue is not whether
they are more available in the collection but if the only one is proposed in a
watch we don't like or we can't afford.
People wearing their
Patek are not necessarily doing so knowing all references available in the
catalogue. The most important is to fully enjoy what is on our
wrist.
Whether they are matt or glossy, the way black dial
watches look (sportier or a little old looking with the right fonts) make them
a very different offer from the silvery or opaline ones. Especially when we
have here the black dial combined with polished gold Breguet
numerals.
THE
PIECEThe 5940G is a very nice cushion-shape
reference with thin and smooth lines... The
37 x 44.6 mm
case is very elegant (thanks to the 240 caliber it houses) and caries
more character than a round one, without looking too heavy. A thick-shaped case
is much more difficult to wear than a thinner one as it will remain more
discreet. Thickness brings sportiveness and I don't think that such a perpetual
Calendar piece would match "sportswear"
outfits.
What
my pictures don't show at all is the refined style: it is thin but not too much
and the case's edges are very smooth (a little more rounded than the 5496's
case I reviewed earlier). Patek Philippe really excels in choosing the right
kind of edge finishing whether we talk about, lugs, cases, bezel etc... You can
notice there is no real bezel on the 5940 case, except a little
"step" around the glass.
These are the details why
it looks beautiful as a single piece case.
It
is a very interesting move toward shaped watches without reaching very strong
character ones like the Gondolo line for instance.
You get
the originality in a less exposed way.
The
choice of white painted subdials' hands in opposition to the hour and minute
main gold ones is interesting as it discreetly separates the way you read time
from all the other functions. In a kind of complication (Perpetual Calendar
with moonphase) where you usually have much information on the dial, this is a
clever way to provide an uncluttered and more legible dial.
You
can notice here below, with the help of the light reflection, their thickness
which brings smoothness and a nicer artistry
work.
The
subsidiary dials' fonts have a very nice old school look which suit perfectly
imho to the black dial and Breguet hour numerals. A more contemporary font
would have brought a modern touch but which I would have found less refined and
coherent, especially with the case's shape.
The gold (or
rhodied?) ring decorating the subdials and the moonphase's bottom side is also
a very nice touch of classic elegance which compensates the white markings
which look more satin. It also helps balancing the polished gold Breguet
numerals brightness.
A
dial decoration is a difficult balance between bright, satin or mat or between
thick and thin elements, curves and squares etc...
You also
may notice that the gold hour nails are bigger than the other minute's ones.
Patek always pays attention to details in that
area.
The
dial looks very well balanced that way and is my favorite among the 5940
versions.
THE
MOVEMENTOn the movement's side, the
240
Q caliber is a perfect movement for this kind of thin watch. If you
want an automatic wound one of course. The 240 has always proposed the beauty
of a manual movement with a clear view on the bridges and balance wheel and an
automatic winding feature working very well from my own experience.
It
is offered in this configuration with the
Spiromax spring
(the new Silicon-based
material).
CONCLUSIONI
think this is the kind of watch the owner who wishes to go a little aside from
the main trend might really be proud of wearing. Not only because of the
complication but also for the more exclusive look yet refined and classic. The
black dials make the watch discreet but the white painted elements bring
modernity (and more sportiveness) while the main hands and Breguet numerals
will bring the touch of chic and luxury.
This is a watch I
always have great pleasure in looking at, in every metals, as it reminds me
what Patek Philippe is all about: appealing elegance and
refinement.
You of course already know the 5140 Perpetual
Calendar from the current collection and I wonder which one would attract you
most: the 5940G black dial or one of the 5140? I think that, even if I prefer
round models, I would go for the 5940 because of this amazing
dial.
Cheers,
Mark
This message has been edited by MTF on 2016-01-07 15:22:26 
