Comments:
Emmanuel, thank you for taking the time write such an extensive and interesting recap with images of your
visit to the Salon. Here are some thoughts for you. IF you love 5396 in RG with a blue dial without diamonds and are open to pre owned you can find it on the secondary market.
My approach for whatever it’s worth or not: if in doubt, pass … don’t buy unless you are convinced as best as you can judge that you will love it; if you love something eg bracelet Ellipse that might seem a little crazy, don’t buy it without spending more time with it, to see if your that passion remains and that you think it is something you are likely to continue to love after the initial excitement fades.
Best, Patekova
My approach for whatever it’s worth or not: if in doubt, pass … don’t buy unless you are convinced as best as you can judge that you will love it; if you love something eg bracelet Ellipse that might seem a little crazy, don’t buy it without spending more time with it, to see if your that passion remains and that you think it is something you are likely to continue to love after the initial excitement fades.
Best, Patekova
Thank you for your ideas and advice.
I very much appreciate them. I would have to see the 5396R with a blue dial in real life. I would in particular have to check the color which if I’m not mistaken is slightly different from the one on the white gold diamonds version, as it doesn’t have the black-gradient rim. But, even if I happened to like the color, I’m not sure this reference is exactly the right one for me. I feel that a tiny little something is missing.
As for the bracelet Ellipse, I am indeed letting the excitement cool down and I will see if I feel the need to see it again (and how I would feel then when trying it on again).
I would also very much like to be able to try on both the 5100R (modern manta ray) and the 5489R (trapeze), because I think these models could be very much to my taste.
Best, Emmanuel
As for the bracelet Ellipse, I am indeed letting the excitement cool down and I will see if I feel the need to see it again (and how I would feel then when trying it on again).
I would also very much like to be able to try on both the 5100R (modern manta ray) and the 5489R (trapeze), because I think these models could be very much to my taste.
Best, Emmanuel
As always, an amazing post.
I remember reading the Hodinkee articles on these reference. I think this is one of the cleanest and best perpetual calendar designs. I’m assuming the leap year indicator is on the back (although I couldn’t find it just now) which makes the dial very balanced. Pink on pink and YG and black are my favorites.
Thanks a lot for your kind words, Gary!
As far as I know, there is no leap year indicator, as is the case with ref. 3448, which means it has to be set to the proper year by a watchmaker. In this post, Patekova showed an instruction manual stating:
There should be no need to set the calendar for leap-years as this is in principle already done by the time you buy the watch. No further setting is required, and your watch will automatically display February 29. If the watch has not been adjusted for leap years, it should be left with an official Patek Philippe Agent for the necessary correction.
I think my personal favorite is the first one in the post: yellow gold with 1st series dial and Vichet case.
Thanks again and have a great weekend. Best, Emmanuel
Interesting. I wonder how to set it if you don’t wear a watch for a while.
It’s fascinating. The beauty of vintage.
I imagine you can stop wearing the watch for a while, but really need to have the watch set and running from 31 December to 1st January...
Wowww
These are really nice.. my preference would be the ones with hour indices but without the date ring
I wonder how does one set the perpetual calendar function without the leap year indicator?
Concerning the setting of the perpetual calendar without a leap year indicator (which also concerns other models like the 3448),
Patekova showed us an instruction manual in one of his post (click to see) stating:
There should be no need to set the calendar for leap-years as this is in principle already done by the time you buy the watch. No further setting is required, and your watch will automatically display February 29. If the watch has not been adjusted for leap years, it should be left with an official Patek Philippe Agent for the necessary correction.
As far as the date ring is concerned, I agree with you: it doesn't look very nice. My favortie models are the 2497 with Vichet case and 1st series dial (Arabic numerals for the even numbers).
Have a nice Sunday.
It doesn't get any better 🥰 Thank you gor the post 🙏🏻
I can only afford the modern Interpretation 😉 But I'm not unhappy with it!
Very sharp shot of the 5320, which is a very beautiful perpetual calendar.
Among the little details I particularly like is the way the crown is slightly recessed into the case.
And of course, the stepped bezel and lugs are fantastic.
Have a nice Sunday.
And of course, the stepped bezel and lugs are fantastic.
Have a nice Sunday.
This is a wonderful review of this timeless classic.
Really doesn’t get much better. I was not aware of all these variations. Truly fantastic. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much, Gary!
I agree with you: it doesn't get much (or even any) better than this!
Best, Emmanuel