Patek Philippe

Did it initially take some getting used to i.e. telling time in the absence of minute markers? Would you much prefer the dial layout of the 5196 instead?

Go for what you like 5119 vs 5196. You will feel good with a calatrava on your wrist. My opinion. 

you do not require minute markers to tell the time. I have owned a 5119R and I now use my Moser fume dial (which only has two hands and is otherwise blank) quite often. No problem for me to tell the time. I cannot tell the seconds but the hours and minutes should be fine. The 5196 is a lovely watch - I tried one on last week. It is slightly larger than the 5119 and has a lovely patina on the dial giving the watch a vintage look. The one drawback of the 5196 is that the movement cannot be seen from the solid case back. Some may argue that this is a good thing as the 215 movement is quite small in relation to the case size. It was afterall fitted into the 3919 which was a mere 33mm. 

Just doing my due diligence, as i've had my share of buyers remorse.
What draws me to the 5119 is definitely the open case back and distinctness of the bezel.

get the 5119. You will not regret it. In fact, I am thinking of getting a 5119R or 5116R in 2017 or early 2018. The watch is slim and I think the size is elegant. Some people do not like the hob nail bezel. That bezel identifies the watch with Patek Philippe

As iconic as one could ask for in the calatrava line, fingers crossed they don't discontinue it before then....

I am sure they will bring out something else worth purchasing!
I have total faith in Patek