Comments:
yet pleasantly familiar. But I was turned off a bit by its reported 45mm size ( especially having a small 6.5”/16.5 cm wrist) and it generally seemed to fall considerably short compared to the iconic 5711. I also felt that perhaps a bolder and more colorful dial would work even better (eg like the blue dial on the 2 tone version). I was definitely feeling luke warm until I tried it on.
The controversial Patek Cubitus 5821/1A - yea or nay? When this watch came out there was much I appreciated about it - non-round case, dial color, something different
yet pleasantly familiar. But I was turned off a bit by its reported 45mm size ( especially having a small 6.5”/16.5 cm wrist) and it generally seemed to fall considerably short compared to the iconic 5711. I also felt that perhaps a bolder and more colorful dial would work even better (eg like the blue dial on the 2 tone version). I was definitely feeling luke warm until I tried it on.
I liked it including the dial color. I tried it on a second time and I liked it a lot. I tried it on a third time and I loved it.
Credit: Patek Website
It did not wear that large at all. I found its wearing size similar to 5711. I loved that it is square ish. The relatively small and round movement didn’t bother me at all. Historically I noted Patek’s use of round movements in square watches . I found the watch including the bracelet super comfortable to wear.
Do I think it is as good or better, whatever that means, compared to 5711. I don’t think of it in those terms. For me Cubitus despite the obvious similarities to 5711 occupies its own lane. If I become an owner will I like it as much as 5711? Only time will tell. I hope to be able to put that to the test.
(When I tried on the later 40mm variants, they seemed relatively small and less appealing compared to both 5821/1A and 5711.)
So I am definitely smitten. I wonder how others feel about the steel Cubitus, particularly those fortunate members who are owners and/or have had the experience of wearing it.
How do you feel overall about the steel Cubitus? What do you like and what do you dislike?
Best, Patekova
Credit: Patek Website
A huge fail IMO
I tried it out in-person and disliked it a lot. I am not a huge Nautilus fan either though and strongly prefer the Royal Oak.
I think the other big turn off here were the comments made by the CEO about the design being "all him" etc. That is not something any founder or high caliber CEO would say. You should ALWAYS praise your team and give them all the credit. Reeks of nepobaby...
The only Patek I am interested in now is largely neovintage stuff like the 3970 and 3940. I hope the next generation of CEO is much less arrogant.
If you have the unique opportunity to buy one, definitely worth trying it on in person. Always hard to say without trying it on in person.
It may not look good on your wrist. So it has to be tried on in person. When I was a teenager, I was introduced to the 5711 Nautilus by my mother. She thought it looked quite nice. I said, "it looks strange and it looks like it has ears!" I thought it looked strange. The 5167A Aquanaut, looked inexpensive and playful in my eyes - with the rubber strap. Another watch I liked at the time that they no longer produce was the 6000G, very nearly went with that watch. I had already written off the Nautilus as being too strange, but then I tried on the 5712/1A one day and it instantly hit me! It looked good on the wrist! Decision made! Bought the watch! Back in this time, over a decade ago, the Nautilus was not the hard to get item it is now.
To date, it's still my favorite watch - although I don't wear it anymore because it's too often recognized now.
Thank you for your reply. As I mentioned I have already tried it on a few times. I have yet to be offered the watch, but if I were offered it today I would buy it.
Thanks for sharing your path to 5712. You made a great choice for yourself. Also it is IMO a great watch.
Thank you!
Yes. You did mention you tried it on. And I realize my response implied that you hadn't - not my intention. Only go for it if you're absolutely smitten about it!
Not for me
I've tried it on several times, and it doesn't look good on my wrist. And the proportions look weird to me. Much better with the 40mm, but a hair to small and it didn't sign to me on the wrist either.
I must confess that I'm a bit too picky with square watches, and there are very very few that I like.
But all the above is very subjective, so if you love it after trying out three times, then I would definitely go for it!
I must confess that I'm a bit too picky with square watches, and there are very very few that I like.
But all the above is very subjective, so if you love it after trying out three times, then I would definitely go for it!
It looks and feels good in the hand
Check my video of it with a 41mm RO to get a sense of the real size, because it's nothing like the claimed 45mm. I couldn't wear it if it were a 45. That said, it's not original enough to anticipate it will become a classic just yet.
This is a reasonable alternative to launching a 5811/1A if you don't want to have the distraction of a regular-offering steel three-hand/date Nautilus in the catalog. We all heard the rationale for discontinuing the steel 5711 a few years ago, so I get that.
This is a reasonable alternative to launching a 5811/1A if you don't want to have the distraction of a regular-offering steel three-hand/date Nautilus in the catalog. We all heard the rationale for discontinuing the steel 5711 a few years ago, so I get that.
If this collection does become classic, I suspect it will be on account of something we haven't seen yet - a style or complication that has no Aquanaut or Nautilus analog. Kind of like the way the 5164 broke the Aquanaut away from "little brother" status or the Millenary 4101 breathed new life into that collection, I think the difference maker for Cubitus will be if this case shape or proportion can accommodate something no Nautilus or Aquanaut has done previously.
A baroque skeleton variant, true ISO diver, or maybe the long-anticipated next generation Patek Philippe perpetual calendar mechanism will launch on this model line to give it its own identify. Because right now... I look at the 5821/1A-001 and see it as the half brother of the 5711/1A-014. So, we're still waiting for the definitive Cubitus.
A baroque skeleton variant, true ISO diver, or maybe the long-anticipated next generation Patek Philippe perpetual calendar mechanism will launch on this model line to give it its own identify. Because right now... I look at the 5821/1A-001 and see it as the half brother of the 5711/1A-014. So, we're still waiting for the definitive Cubitus.
If this is Tim M from 1916 Company, I have already viewed and enjoyed your review of it. As always, extremely interesting, enjoyable and informative!
Also interesting your comments here as to what you feel it would take to set Cubitus apart from its Patek brethren and to create something more special than what it is now.
I suspect we need to see a Cubitus exclusive
Yes, I'm that Tim M. My thoughts on setting the Cubitus apart converge on the same point; it needs to offer something never offered on a previous Patek sports watch. A Cubitus-exclusive full tantalum case and bracelet would be great. Some kind of true dive watch would be a first-ever for Patek Philippe, and it doesn't necessarily require a rotating bezel to meet the ISO 6425, so Patek could preserve the lines of the watch. Also possible is some kind of dedicated metiers d'art selection skeletonized, engraved ENTIRELY over its exterior, or with unique enamel dials. All of these could be cool.
If the 5236 really is done, then a digital inline perpetual calendar Cubitus might be a great place to re-deploy this system provided it never appears again on any other model lines. Any of these would rocket the Cubitus from probational towards a long and fruitful future. And - I can't emphasize this enough - these potential breakthrough additions to the Cubitus must never be shared with other Patek sports watch lines.
Best Regards,
Tim
Best Regards,
Tim
Thanks for your very detailed and creative analysis and suggestions. Hopefully Patek is listening!
There is one Cubitus right now that while not different in a revolutionary way is nevertheless different. Aside from the platinum having a large date at 12 it has the days of the week around the moon phase rather than the date. I don’t recall seeing these in other Pateks although it is very possible I am just not aware of a prior uses(s).
I agree with it not being a future classic...
...but if you love it, that should be enough...
Thank you, dear Patekova,
for sharing your thoughts and try on experiences concerning the steel Cubitus.
I have only tried on the rose gold 40 mm variant. It wears well on my wrist and I find the watch globally refined and well done.
But I don’t like the stripes decorating the rotor: they look too casual imo. Just my personal feeling of course.
And, even if I like that the watch is square, I don’t care enough for this kind of watches to be interested.
Anyway, it will be a pleasure to see your photos and read your owner’s experience if you decide to acquire one (and get an allocation).
Best, Emmanuel
It works better on a strap than the Naulitus imo. Conversely Naultius is better on the bracelet
But there is only one strap model so far