Patek Philippe

I think either watch will be a super fit to my tiny wrist and both have similar appeal to me. Which piece do you think I should go for? They both are very beautiful and hence the dilema. Also, if you compare a 5970G (which I already own) to a 5050J, which you rather have and why? I know this sounds like a question that I should already know the answer, but I'm truly in a dilema :-) Lovesss*CL

... why would you choose a 3970 over a 5050? Wouldn't you want something completely different? That's a dilemna I'd like to have.

5970G and 5050J. I have always love 5050 and 3970R....they both are quite petite and so thought it will get more wrist time with me and my tiny wrist, when compare to my hefty 5970G :-) *CL

...5050 would seem like a natural choice to me.

However, if I did not have 5970, I would pick 3970 over 5050 any day though ;-)

CL,
If i was in your posistion, I would have the 5050 ahead of the 3970 since you already have the 5970.  However this is my head talking! ;)
I think you are smart enough and experienced enough as a serious user not to be blinded by the "hype" of the 3970.
I remember that in past posts that you do state a love for both, so i understand its hard! 

...... so since you love both, I would say take the 5050 for now.  Also I would also choose the one with the baton markers and not the romans.  I know the romans is more rare and that I love my 5059 with romans, but for some reason, on a classical feel watch, the raised romans of the 5050 look very very busy and cluttered.

also, consider that this.... I get the feeling that a good 39970 comes around alot.... a good 5050 comes on the market less often, so maybe there is another oppotunity later for the 3970.

I also agree that the 5059 is just simply perfect with its Roman marking. Both my lady and I like 5059 but my tiny wrist can't wear it well enough. It tends to roll on my wrist alot and make me feel very conscious :-) Btw, I just realise that the 5050 is also quite a thick watch at 12mm. Thank you for your advise. Lovesss*CL

so a 3970/5970 will be a wiser choice for you when comparing it to a 5050. I will think about that seriously. Thank you :-) Lovesss*CL

Hi CL,

I think your in an enviable position of even considering the purchase of these two fine watches (3970/5050).

My opinion will appear bias (as I own a 5970), but I will try to give you an objective opinion nonetheless. 

3970 vs. 5050:

I Like both watches , however I find the 3970 , due to it's thickness, gives the appearance of being  bit small and thus lost on my wrist.  Notwithstanding, it's still a beautiful watch, especially in pink gold.

I love the 5050, and it's a much more rare watch then the 3970 (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the production run , for the 5050, was only approx. 7-8 years, vs. 18 years for the 3970???).

I'm actually also looking for a 5050 to add to my small collection, that's how much I like it.

Having said that, IMHO, I would chose my 5970wg over any of the above watches, ...hands down.  I love the dial, with tachymetre, and the perfect size.

My 2cents.

Good luck.

 

but do note that I have a small wrist and the 3970R may just look perfect on me...LOL Though deeply in love with my 5970G, there's time when I feel it is a bit 'heavy' on my tiny wrist. It is not the diameter but the overall thickness. I wonder if the 3970 will have the same effect on me since it sports the same thickness. I just find out that the 5050 is also quite thick at 12mm. So it may not exactly be comfortable too :-( Lovesss*CL

3970R would be my first choice among the 3 through it aesthetical stand point as I was lucky enough to purchase one years ago before the hype. I sold my 5050J off to get other watches and recently got a 5970WG.
I would rank 3970R before 5970 or 5050 any day but because of its size I don't wear it much as I used to.
So IMO you should get a 3970R and though it looks similar to 5970 yet they are much different as 3970 has that vintage look on it especially in RG.

VERY nice. Add a YG 5050 or 5015 and that will make an incredible trio!

Edwin

btw, that brown(?) strap on the 5970 looks gorgeous!

getting the PLM and get the RG 3970 and YG 5050 first

:-)

Edwin

Hi Cl:

I own and wear all 3 models (and also have a small wrist). Comparing the 3970  and 5970 is like comparing "apples and oranges". Even in the same color they are markedly different watches, both aesthetically and size wise. The 3970 for me wears "much smaller" than the 5970. The fact that one is rose and one is white accentuates the different look (see Zane's beautiful photo). For me, of the 4 metals, the 3970 looks best in rose. The 5050 is by far the nicest looking recent perpetual and pretty rare; however, yellow is by far the most common 5050. If you prefer the 3970R to the 5050J, I wouldn't  let the fact that the 3970 and 5970 share the same movement deter you from buying the 3970. No matter what you do, you win, which is a very nice position to be in. Please let us know what you decide.

Best,
David

May I ask which metal is your 5050? And of the 3 watches, which get the most wrist times? Also, what's your wrist size? Cheers...CL

Hi CL:

I have the exact colors - 5970G, 3970R and 5050J. The 5050J has Roman numerals.  As far as wrist time, I wear all about the same amount, although none are worn as "every day" type watches. I don't know what my wrist size is, but, in general I wear regular size straps on the last or next to last hole. On a large watch, like the 5970 I wear a short strap (of the type intended to be worn with a tang buckle) and I believe I wear that on the next to last hole. Hope this helps.

Best,
David

Since you already have a 5970G which has the same DNA as the 3970 except with some modifications on the dial and the case, the 5050 will bring out a different watch - it's not a perpetual calendar with chronograph like the 5970 and 3970. The 5050 is purely a perpetual calendar with its unique retrograde flyback date hand (it differs from other Pateks like 3940, 5040, 5041, 5038 or 5039). It's also the first contemporary Patek model which has such complication after a lapse of almost 60 years (it followed after the earlier Ref. 96 in the 1930s). The only current model with such complication is 5059. The 5050 can be a daily watch as it's not a thick watch and a classic too. However the 3970 being a chronograph is sportier whereas the 5050 is dressier.

Thank you very much. I didn't realise 5050 actually look smaller than a 3970. Interesting. Lovesss*CL