Patek Philippe 5960: Photos and Review

Chromatic Fugue · 2024-01-07T18:40:16Z

Explore Chromatic Fugue's in-depth review of the Patek Philippe Ref. 5960/01G. Discover why this white gold, matte blue dial chronograph is a modern classic.

Chromatic Fugue

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

32 replies9132 views5 photos

Chromatic Fugue, a respected voice in the WatchProSite community, shares a detailed review of his Patek Philippe Ref. 5960/01G. His article offers a compelling exploration into the nuances of this reference, particularly its final white gold variant with a matte blue dial. This piece is invaluable for collectors considering the 5960, providing a personal yet thorough examination of its design, wearability, and unique appeal within Patek Philippe's modern complications.

Hi everyone -- I posted some quick shots of my new 5960 when I got it a couple of weeks ago and promised to follow up with this review (and better shots). For the longest time, this reference wasn't really on my radar. Over the past 5 years, I've enjoyed reading the never-ending "5960 roll call" thread started by our friend keks. But I had never seen a 5960 in the metal; the only similar watch I had tried on until recently was its successor, the 5905, which frankly overwhelmed my wrist. I had thus assumed that, at 40.5 mm, the 5960 would also be too large or at least too top-heavy. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn otherwise when I happened to see a pre-owned one for sale a month ago.

I didn't buy that particular watch, but I was intrigued. I spent hours reading through this site, asking questions of current owners, and comparing various photos online. I eventually decided in favor of the final variant, launched in 2017 and recently discontinued (along with all other 5960s). This is the 5960/01G in white gold, with a matte blue dial. There were a lot of extremely subjective criteria I thought about when making this choice.

First, I wanted something versatile I could wear with jeans, etc., and this version seems slightly sportier than its platinum or rose-gold cousins. And I'm a sucker for red accents.

Second, although I love the steel models, I prefer somewhat heavy watches to light ones, and the steel models become pretty light once you remove the bracelet (as I would have done). That said, this version is *extremely* similar in appearance to the drop-dead-gorgeous black-dial steel version, except that the dial here is matte blue rather than gloss black (and has the tasti tondi pushers).

Third, so much of the soul of these watches lies in the execution of the "bullseye" in the bottom of the dial; the bullseye on this model seems particularly well-integrated with the rest of the dial. The blue in the interior predominate as a microcosm of the blue of the dial as a whole, and the reasonably thin silver outer border is a microcosm of the silver race track along the edge of the main dial.

Fourth, there are a few small details on this version that I love, including the framed borders for all three windows (rather than just the date window, as on the other non-steel versions) and the tasti tondi pushers (see photo below).

Some impressions after a couple of weeks. I swapped out the original tan strap, which didn't really work for me, in favor of a blue strap that the seller threw it for free. It isn't my first choice of strap, but I've special-ordered a shorter strap with white stitching, which I think should work pretty well. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the wrist feel: I was worried that the watch would feel top-heavy or floppy, but it doesn't. The watch is generally very legible as to the time of day, even when the hour and/or minute hands overlap with the bullseye. My only critique is that the hour and minute hands sometimes obscure the chronograph reading within the bullseye. But that "flaw" is obviously inherent in the nature of this movement.

So overall, I'm very happy. Here are some photos showing why!

About the Patek Philippe Ref. 5960

The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5960A, introduced in stainless steel, represents a significant offering within the brand's annual calendar chronograph series. This particular reference is notable for being the first annual calendar chronograph from Patek Philippe to be offered in a non-precious metal, making it a distinctive piece in the Complications collection. It combines practical complications with a robust case material, appealing to collectors seeking a blend of utility and horological complexity.

This reference features a 40.5mm stainless steel case, housing the self-winding Caliber CH 28-520 QA 24H. The movement provides a power reserve of approximately 55 hours and is visible through a sapphire crystal case back. The dial is presented in white, protected by a sapphire crystal, and the watch is water-resistant to 30 meters. The integrated stainless steel bracelet complements the case material, providing a cohesive aesthetic.

The 5960A in stainless steel holds a specific position for collectors due to its material choice and the integrated bracelet, differentiating it from its precious metal counterparts. Its combination of an annual calendar and chronograph functions, along with the 24-hour indication, makes it a highly functional and mechanically interesting timepiece. The special hand set and case back decoration mentioned for this specific 5960A further emphasize its unique attributes within the production run.

Specifications

Caliber: Cal.CH 28-520 QA 24H

Case: stainless steel

Diameter: 40.5mm

Dial: white

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5960 is gaining deserved recognition as one of Patek's most interesting modern references, appealing to a wide range of collectors due to its elegant yet sporty character and versatility.
While personal preferences vary on watch weight, the 5960/01G's matte blue dial, 'bullseye' subdial, and tasti tondi pushers are highly praised design elements that make this specific variant particularly appealing.
The 5960 is considered by some to be the most appealing modern Patek Philippe, offering a 'modern sporty classic' aesthetic with excellent wrist presence, though some desire improved water resistance for a true 'go anywhere' watch.
The choice of strap significantly impacts the aesthetic of the 5960/01G; while the original brown strap may not appeal to all, a blue strap transforms its appearance, enhancing its visual appeal.
The 5960 is lauded for packing four complications—chronograph, flyback, annual calendar, and power reserve—into a single case, with specific details like framed windows and red accents on the blue dial being highly appreciated.
A key functional advantage of the 5960's movement is its vertical clutch, which allows the chronograph to run continuously without concern for wear, and its ability to record up to 12 hours, a feature notably absent in its successor, the 5905.

The Discussion

ChetBaker

Jan 7, 2024

and it is exactly the details that you mention that sealed the deal for me over one of the platinum versions that I also looked at extensively. A beautiful watch that packs a lot of punch with no less than 4 complications (chrono, flyback, annual calendar, power reserve) in a single case.

keks

Jan 7, 2024

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have long been a fan of this reference and it is great to see that it is slowly getting the recognition it deserves. In my opinion one of the most interesting modern references by Patek. Mainly as it appeals to a wide range of people due to its elegant yet sporty character. It can really be worn with any style of owner. Picking one iteration is a most subjective exercise. I was first smitten by the original pt as it was most unique when it was released. But si

Chromatic Fugue

Jan 7, 2024

Yes, it’s a curiously under-hyped reference for all it offers. Which is of course great.

Chromatic Fugue

Jan 7, 2024

apart from the visibility issue I mentioned. Very glad that it records up to 12 hours rather than 30 minutes (and not sure why the larger 5905 abandoned that feature). I’m also glad that it’s vertical clutch, enabling us to keep it running without concern for the movement.

Chromatic Fugue

Jan 7, 2024

starting and maintaining the roll call thread, which sparked my interest!

penfriend

Jan 8, 2024

I am torn but tend towards the pt version - surely it is a top collectible watch in any iteration

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