Patek Philippe

I have been out of the game for some time, but now I have saved up for a 5960P - a watch I think will fit all purposes for me: can be dressed up and down, and will fit a number of strap options. I give a lot of lectures, and a chronograph is very usefull in my work.

But then it hit me: what else can I get for that money?

I think I can squize in a 5110P, a 3800 a/y (JC style) and even a girard-perregaux ferrari chronographe a rattrapante foudroyante in white gold.

What would you chose? One watch - or many?

And the way you dress as well.Casual or formal?Do you travel a lot?It seems like chronograph function is of use to you.

But for me,I would get a 5960P first then save up some cash later to get the 5110P.

Best,
Ahmed

I mostly dress up rather than down. I dont travel a lot. No other watches to speak up about in the collection.

Chrono is definitely the most useful complication!

But is not being able to switch between different watches the ultimate "complication" of them all?

As with anything a lot of complications are not useful in today's world, I consider a chrono one of them. However I would advise to get one watch only - aim for the best, plus you are sure it will get used, as opposed to sitting in a watch winder.

it is an extremely elegant understated versatile timepiece packed with tons of useful complications. 

I was so sure you guys would vote for the "many" approach!

As for the chrono function: I had a 1815 chrono for many years, and I actually used the chrono function a great deal. Im my work, I'm often in situations that requre me to time events discretely.

I very much like the idea of going for the one that really sings to me 100% and take it from there!

But saying no to both a 5110P, 3800 AND a rattrapante? Hard choice.

Anyone thinking the latter is the best choice?

. . when the time comes to have your one watch serviced in a few years time, you will need another watch for the long while your one watch is away.   I recommend two watches: the chronograph you like and a quality plain dress watch as an alternative.   You may well find you will alternate them regularly according to your mood.   There lies the dilemma that starts a watch collection!

Best

Clive   

Whan its time for the spa, I ll go for the next one.

In my head the simple dress watch will be the 5110P. Maybe too sporty for a dress watch, though.

I was hoping you would weigh in on the discussion!

My choice is getting more and more clear.

Now Im just waiting for Nicolas to come in and say "5110P for sure".

Until then Im very happy with the team advice: 5960P grey dial.

Thanx again!

but for me different class.
Patek's World Time complication is not perfect - that's why I wear mostly 5134P when crossing several time zones. Let's imagine I'm flying from Tallinn to Frankfurt. Time difference is one hour and 2 hours flight. To adjust a World Time, 23 clicks are needed. Then I fly from Frankfurt to London - again 23 clicks. The World Time is made for travellers who always travel towards east!
At the same time 5960 is perfect. The complications are very useful and if we compare the watch e.g. with 5270, it's costing about half even the functions are the same. I know, perpetual vs. annual calendar and manual vs. automatic. But we could see it from other perspective: 30 minutes counter vs. 12 hours, no power reserve indicator vs. having that. And half the price...
Best, Kari

on the watch I really want and love. And never would make a compromise.

We all have different tastes, attitudes and personal circumstances. So you will get a plenty of "good" advices. The best advice IMHO is: simply let your heart speak!

All the best and enjoy the "decision phase" ,

Thomas

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Maybe some years down the line, I ll shoot for a double split perp chrono like yours.

That has got to be the ultimate one-watch.

Keep the photos coming!!

If I have few pieces, I can wear them more regularly, and so I have more joy of each piece.
By the way I avoid the time-consuming adjustment of the so beautiful and complex manually wound perpetual calendars...
So I can fully enjoy the 30s daily morning ritual of wounding my Patek...

One or several? Good question. It all depends on the intensity of love you have for the watches you consider. 

I really like the heft of platinum, and for second hand watches the premium for the P over the A is not that high.

If I get the 5960, I'll be happy to wait a while for the 5110P.

Then 3940 and a sports watch (extreme lab 3, 44mm)!!

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This is a question most of us had already

Always hard to bring an answer considering we are all different but this is how I see things.

There are many watches we find appealing but it is not because I'm attracted by one that it would be a good thing to get it. Comfort, fad etc are elements you may not think of at first (comapred to the look that pleases you) but may make the purchase a mistake on the long run.

Hence, it is not because because other watches are appealing that it is a good decision to get them.

This leads to ask what is the most pleasing on the long run after asthetical aspects.

Why it may not last:

- if it is too heavy or the caseback is uncomfortable;
- if it is too big for what we like or for our cufs' size;
- bold asthetical choices.
etc...

Anything that seems a little annoying, that you think you might cope with rather easily, but you finally won't.

I know today what can be a problem for me while wearing a watch.

This being said, I would focus on selecting the watch I really like and would really enjoy on the long run. Hence, if it is the 5960P, it is the one I should take, even if I can't get the others.

If I think the 5110P is the best on the long run, then I should go for this one instead (or any other from you list).

Thus, for me, my budget doesn't drive my decision. Only the enoyment of the watch after several months.

About the 5110P: I think it definitely can be worn as a dressy Calatrava. That's how I see it too (5110R for me).

The 5960P is a fantastic patek, in many aspects: it has all. The complication, the nobless, the beauty, a little sportiness but still elegant, the material, the DNA and for an rather affordable price for a Patek.

This is the one I would get as well but my concern today is about if I would like its weight as I like light watches (one of the elements why I love Richard Mille).

Keep us informed

Get the 5960 that you obviously love. Then pick up a Girard Perregaux 49865-which, by the way, solves the issue Kari raised as it can be set clock-wise or counter-clock-wise. There are numerous dials and case materials from which to choose.

I'll look into the GP. Looks really nice at first glance!!

Thomas

What else is there to do on a rainy day other than stack watches?

Well-played.

I'd suggest you buy what you like the most, and if that purchase consumes the full budget, then that is the one watch to buy.

I love the 5960P and have found the reference as adaptable as you hope it would be.  For me, the complications it presents are everything I want in a watch and nothing that I don't want, which has the advantages of adding no extra clutter, no extra steps to fully set it, and no extra maintenance fees.

The only disadvantage to it as a one-watch for all seasons option is that the supplied straps are not ideal for tropical conditions, so it is helpful to also have at least one watch on a bracelet or rubber strap.

If your lectures are more than an hour, you'll also want to note that there is no indication that Patek will continue to offer a 12-hour chronograph, as the models replacing the 5960P and 5980 have only a one-hour chronograph, and the hand-wound versions are only good for 30 minutes.

If you opt for the 5960P, you won't regret it.

Park

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3800aj : I'm so happy that my "unfashionable" 3800 a/j is source of inspiration
This watch is a beauty. But most of them are a bit sad and mat. This one was the first I ever seen, that was in this brand new condition.
So this would be difficult to find a perfect piece.
And I love this watch a lot but understand that it's not an iconic piece (as a 3700 would be for example) which does not matter at all as soon as you love it, but still, if you hesitate, this point can be considered.

5110p : this is my favourite PP (that I own). And this was my first PP I bought this one without knowing how popular this watch was. I just loved it and it was in the price range I wanted to pay at that moment.

5960p : I have never worn this watch. Therefore It's hard for me to give advices. But to be honest this watch never held my attention, until this forum... As you guys love this watch, I have to try one on...

Well, my answer is useless and not an advice at all sorry!

.... is that over time, most collectors tend to consolidate a large collection into a few select pieces.  I've seldom observed the opposite.

In other words, do get the 5960P.

......the question is....should i plough all my funds into my No.1 or should I own Nos...2, 3 and 4 instead.

For me, if i was in this position, I would take No.1.

It would bug me that my main target was not in my keep. It would bug me that I had settled for the "next bests".

If i took the multiple buy route, I would know, every time I looked at my wrist, that the watch there was not my top dog.

I would take your top choice. If, in teh future, you accumulated more funds for watches, you can always add the No.2....3...4

I think you are probably right. In close competition with the Datograph, the 5960P is my "top dog". The GP Ferrari would feel like a substitute...

Thanks again team!!!

I also considered numerous other watches before the 5712 - the new Piaget Polo S, or the AP RO which I can get for 9k used with box/papers. At the end I realized I buy watches to wear them, not to keep them in the safe. My personal rule was one dress watch, one sport watch and one OMG Holy Grail. Dress watch is covered with FP Journe Chronometre Bleu; 5712 as my sports watch; holy grail will wait once I figure out what it is