Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe: The millennium: my favourite top 5

We all know the special emotion tied with vintage Patek. Some of the pieces are agonisingly beautiful. But what of the modern era? Specifically the new millennial’s. Can modern Patek’s live with the history of their illustrious forebears?

Well, I think some modern millennial’s already do. So here are my personal top five modern post 2000 pieces.

So where to begin? Actually this was easy, right at the beginning, in 2000. To celebrate the arrival of a new century Patek Philippe launched the limited edition ref 5100. An exceedingly striking piece with vintage DNA and a thoroughly modern heart. It had a superb shaped movement with an incredible 10 day power reserve. Brains and beauty. The pick of the crop, for me the platinum. But I would say that!

Next up, it has to be one of the lemania chronographs. Yes, I know the movement was used prior to 2000, but the exquisite pieces that collectors most covet came after 2000. This was a nightmare to choose. How do you distinguish between a steel 5004, a platinum 5970 and platinum 5070? By a whisker it has to be the to die for 5070p. When I saw it a Basel, I fell in love straight away. I wanted it so badly it hurt. Alas it was not meant for me. One day I will share the story of the watch too far.

Succeeding the 5070p, I move onto the 175^thcelebrations, and perhaps the most enigmatic Patek of the modern era, the ref 5575G. What a watch!, A fantastic asymmetric case, a glorious dial and a superb new complication- moon phase and world time together! I think this piece has already hit cult status.

Now possibly the finest modern day Patek ever made. A piece dripping with DNA , with eminent forefathers, the 5370p. This piece has everything. Incredible case design, a magnificent movement, enamel black dial with Breguet numbers and a split second chronograph. If only I could win the lottery. I have been tempted to sell every watch I own just to try and get this.

Finally, oh finally……a piece that is both stimulating and vexatious. The infamous 5131. The true successor to the unbelievable enamel dial world timers of the 1950’s, they are already cult objects. Desired by just about everyone, pieces of art, but unfortunately never enough. Which metal? Honestly these are not about the metal, it’s about the enamelling. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me the best are white followed by rose then platinum. But that’s me, so for that reason I present all of them, you can decide which enamel floats your boat the most.

I am sure there are many other pieces, such as the 3712,5550p, the 5650G, so many like the 5101p, minute repeaters etc., but these five were relatively obtainable and I think you will agree, even if you may have alternative choices, they are five special pieces.