Patek Philippe Baselworld 2012 Novelties

So the wait is over and all the 2012 novelties are revealed. Patek Philippe plays a very conservative card this year, but offers several very appealing new models. I'll come back later and in greater depth to the Patek Philippe novelty of the year, the 5204 split seconds perpetual calendar chronograph. For the time being let's have a rapid look at the new watches.

So first is below the new 5204. The dial seems to be very white on the pics but it is supposed to be of silvery opaline colour. This new 40mm cased watch is traditional in terms of case form and chrono pushers, but the dial style and hands are new to Patek Philippe. The dial clearly privilegies readability.

This superb watch is only really appreciated on the wrist. It has very simple forms that perfectly accommodate a moderate wrist.

If the calibre is slightly thinner than the 5004 calibre, the watch is just slightly thicker due to the domed sapphire, but the proportions, due to the increased diameter are much better than those of the 5004. It is obviously not a thin watch, but not as overtly thick as the 5004 was.

It is somewhere as much complication as it is possible in a look that is as stealth as it can. Don't judge it on picture and wait until you have it on your wrist. Presence on the wrist is just amazing.

Other chronograph offerings this year are the new dial versions of the 5960R. One in black, one in white opaline.

With these versions the 5960 is becoming more traditional. It is still a gorgeous watch.

I have a clear preference for the black dial.

Of course women were not neglected and they get no less than three new version of the 7071, all three in white gold.

They can opt for a grey dial (above) or silvery dial (below). Both version are just gorgeous.

They can also choose a blue dial. Will it be the Ladies 5070P?

Men looking for a blue dial may choose the new Celestial. The celestial comes this year with a 6102P version that is IMO the most beautiful celestial so far. The watch gets a simpler case and emphasizes on the dial. I just loved it! Not very hard!

It is a 44mm case but it has very short lugs and fits easily moderate arms. Anyway once you have it on the wrist you don't remember you're behind the watch!

I'm pretty sure our friend Nicolas will petrify once he'll have seen those pics !

This Celestial is clearly the most beautiful new Patek Philippe this year ! I don't see how you can not love it!

The new 5213 above and below is another heavy temptation. It replaces the now gone (and still loved) 5013, with this time a round case and an officer back. At 40.6mm of diameter it is a heavy case and the lugs are quite massive too.

The watch is very beautiful and I just regret that in this large case they didn't include the cathedral gongs.

If you look for even heavier pieces you may be interested by the pink gold black dial 5207. I much prefer the amazing platinum version, but why not?

Once again this year we have a new 10 days tourbillon colour. The watch is quite nice but I had not been able to see a white gold blue dial version yet! Apparently the blue dial version will remain a rarity.

The watch is seemingly so much more classical in the yellow colour. Maybe the strong colours were not suited for the tourbillon audience? Perhaps you need to get older to afford such a marvellous piece of chronometry.

Here is below one watch that I really wanted to see. The 5235 regulator launched in June last year was visible for the first time. I can say I loved it. I've never been tempted by regulator dials so far, but this watch is tempting for all its aspects. I wish to come back to it later.

Here is one nice revival. The reference 5020 was my favourite Lemania chrono, for its cushion case and Breguet numerals. No chronograph calibre in this one, but the perpetual calendar 5940 is just perfect (even in yellow gold).

The 37 x 44.6mm case is quite thin. The watch gets a stronger look than the 5140 thanks to its case from and dial treatment. It is IMO the second most beautiful new Patek Philippe this year after the Celestial. It is clearly a watch I'd love to own.

Ladies also get a perpetual calendar this year, the first one intended specifically for them. The reference 7140 is a 35.1mm marvel with a mix of pink gold and shining diamonds.

Ladies also get two versions of a new watch we'll study later. Reference 4968 is a hand wind moon phase watch in a round two piece case set with 273 diamonds that spiral around the bezel and the case band.

The watch is offered in pink gold or white gold.

If 273 diamonds are not enough you can get 480 on one watch case, plus 367 on the dial and 26 on the buckle,  with the reference 7099 in pink gold.

The tonnel case inspired from the 5098 is slightly smaller and thinner. The case measures 29.6 x 38.9mm. It is fitted with a calibre 25-21 REC like the 5098.

Men can also get a new simple jewel, the new Calatrava reference 5123. The 38mm case appears larger than it is due to the thinner band and the smaller lugs. The watch is surprising of originality on the wrist due to the modified proportions.

It sports a calibre 215 visible through a sapphire back. This watch is a true beauty on the wrist.

The annual calendar line gets two bracelet versions of the 5396, with new specific dials.

The white gold version gets a blue sunburst dial and the pink gold version gets a brown sunburst dial.

These watches are quite impressive by their strong and more modern coloured dials, but also by the weight of the gold bracelets.

It totally changes the style of the watch and gives it a much sexier look.

It is clearly the same situation with the bracelet version of the 5130.

The white gold with grey center dial and the pink gold with brown center dial are equally impresive. I remember seeing a white case 5130 on bracelet on the wrist of Brad Pitt last year and found it quite nice. It was quite nice on my wrist too!

No this is not Brad below !

We will finish with the white dial Nautilus models. You may have noticed that I'm a great fan of the blue Nautilus. That won't change.

Of course if you happen to live in the Alps I admit that the idea of a white dial Nautilus is quite relevant. And the result is not bad.

If Patek Philippe offers several dial options on some watches, that's possibly because we may not love them all.

At least I could also try the new 5711/1a-010 with the blue dial. I've not been able to determine why it has got a new dial reference. I've not been able to notice a variation of the dial. The blue Nautilus dial is in itself too much subject to variation depending on the light to notice a change. I just confirmed I love it!

I hope you found your new love in this year novelties. We'll have a deeper look at some of them later this year.

Best

Dje