Patek Philippe

Okay..  I can read the case dimensions like anyone, but I always thought this watch came-off larger due to the case-style, lug positioning and oversize crown chrono pusher.  In New York today, I tried the 5959 on at a reseller's gallery and found it wayyyy too small.  I am really disappointed because this was an aspirational timepiece for me for quite some time. Off the list now. I understand that the big draw with the piece is the complication/thinness etc, but it's so small it comes off un-sexy.  

with Pateks. If you are 6 ft 4" with a large frame (not overweight) with a 8.5" wrist, it becomes a problem trying to fit a watch that was made for someone say less than 5 Ft tall. I have a 5960P which I absolutely love. The reason being that it is a chrono and has weight to it. If it was another 2 m larger than I would love it even more. Sure I can get a Patek bigger than 42 m but not prepared to spend that kind of money for it. Are the designers at Patek all short people? if they designed shoes for the entire world I would be walking barefoot.

nt

... last time when i paid a visit to the Patek factory, each of us visitors were given a lube and a magnifying glass, because everyone working there were very very tiny !!  But thats alright, some of us out there ( not all ) still enjoys their watches.  Should you have a size problem, i wonder if you like to make that complaint directly with Patek, im sure after reading your post, they will drop everything, and make larger time pieces from this moment on.

My post was not ment to offend anyone.

If all watches are relatively small the larger persons may go without a gratifying timepiece.  If overly large, then smaller persons are left without.  So it is good that there is variety in size among manufacturers.  Variety in size may, in this case, indeed be the "spice of life"!

tempusfugit

..and on our celebrity flavored vein of the last few days..  the name on the papers of this 5959 were that of a former movie studio head Michael Ovitz.  Not sure if he was cured of the collecting bug or if he needed to raise the cash. Apparently only 25 of these pieces ever produced and in another interesting twist, I was offered one of the last of these pieces to be produced by Patek, in black dial (december 2009 delivery).  Can not overstate it.  I would much, much rather have a 5004 having seen this piece up close.

A Richard Mille RM004. Like the Patek 5959 it's a pure rattrapante
(no other complications, not even a date). Like the 5959, it is
arguably one of the most significant and innovative new rattrapantes.
But, a RM004 has a significantly larger case.

I happen to like the 5959. Even though larger cases are in style, a
small case is most appropriate for the 5959's movement, and a large case for
it would look ridiculous. The RM004 also has an appropriately matched
case size for its movement.
Eric von Schonberg

Frankly,  the current trend is producing large size watches.

What I understand is that Patek is one of the few watchmakers which insists to make small watches and pocket watches nowadays. 

In fact, it would be a technical challenge to put a small ratrappante movement into a 33 mm watch!  Similarly, I would appreciate the Patek company to make the 3939H as it is also a technical exploit to put a minute repeater and toubillon into a 28mm small movement.

We, of course need contemporatory watches like 5070/5970...However, as a the leading watch manufacturer in the world, Patek has made its leadership role by making 5959 and 3939, which I think no other companies dare do this!

Finally, I would like to remind our friends that, during post world war II era, Patek was the ONLY watch manufacturer insisted to make perpatual calender chronograph, 2499, which become a legend today...

Just MHO

 

 

 

i keep on touching on these references as they are my particular favourites. i do believe that the 5959 was deliberately an exercise in creating the impossible thus the movement and case size. the 3939 was in keeping with tradition and both hark back to the days of deceiving  simplicity. i can perfectly appreciate the problems for those collectors who have a large frame. 

that said if i recall there are only two references that are of 33 diameter, a few at 36, the standard is 38 and then there are 40 and 42. so perhaps there is enough to satisfy a diverse clientele.

as to the 5959, i am surprised to learn that only 25 were made and that 2009 will be the last year of production. i was under the impression that over 45 have been made so far.