Patek Philippe

I took a drive over to my AD today to see two outstanding pieces he had just received for clients of his.  This was my first chance to see and hear Patek repeaters in person.  A 5074 and 3939, both in rose gold - absolutely breathtaking!  I was only in a position to take a couple of crappy pictures with my phone.  I also video'd both of them to record their chimes, but I'm not succeeding at getting the video uploaded.

The 5074 is very big and heavy and is obviously derived from the 5070 design.  The "cathedral gongs" sound exquisite and robust.  The 3939 has a lot more presence than one would expect from a 33mm case, and I think I would probably prefer wearing it over the "impossible to hide" 5074.  Its chimes are more delicate and subtle, but still rich with texture and overtones.  

My aplogies for the lousy pics.  I felt like I was pushing the limits of propriety by even having the chance to ogle these works of art for a little while.  If anyone has advice on how to post the video I'd be glad to do so and let you have a listen at them.

What an honor and treat for me to see these masterpieces - I just wanted to share a truly special experience with the Purists!

Steve

 

heard the 'chimes' in person, only on U-tube and the u-tube didn't overly impress me.  However, your enthusiasm has convinced me that I must hear them for myself ....thanks for the post

Hi,

A day you had!

By the way, what was the colour of the 3939 dial?

Cheers

Dje

 

It is indeed a very beautiful champagne / brown color.

I hope I am not betraying a confidence here, but my AD had a neat story behind this.  Apparently my AD and his client were seated with the Sterns at a dinner gathering around the end of last year.  The client provided some type of valuable business information / advice to Thierry who was very appreciative and expedited the manufacture and delivery of this piece.  My AD thinks it may be a "one of a kind" dial at Thierry's request.  I have no way of knowing this for sure, obviously - but this dealer is a very classy, honest and honorable guy.  I do not believe he would hype a story like this to impress somebody.

Nevertheless, it is a sublimely beautiful timepiece!

Steve

 

a great treat indeed to have been privy to two repeaters about to be delivered. As Dje pointed out, the RG 3939 looks like it has a brownish champagne dial? Something not seen on the PP website. Is it just the angle and phone camera used that it came out such? If it was indeed a champagne dial, its a nice contemporary take on the classiest of all the PP repeaters.

Thanks again for sharing...

I am curious why the 5074, a heavy watch, using the 5070 style case would not have a more secure deployant clasp?  Is there a reason why PP chose to use a more simple buckle?
This message has been edited by wilson on 2010-09-09 06:00:13

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but I think it is riskier for dropping the watch just before you slide the band into the tang buckle, since the 5074 is heavy.  The deployant buckle eliminates that risk, imo.

Hi Steve,

That must have really been a treat - I would love to have such an opportunity even if briefly to see a few rare models in the metal.  I've consistently been impressed with how much more presence PP watches have in person vis-a-vis the photographs and the 3939 has always been a favorite. 

You might be the wrong person to ask this question as you simply accepted the kind invite from your AD, but I'm curious if you or others have some experience with this question:  In what form and how are new grand pieces like this delivered to customers from ADs?  For example, for such complications, I would expect the watches to arrive in pristine condition and packed in sealed plastic and boxed for the end-buyer.  There then would follow a process similar to Jerome's earlier post on the black 5016 and 5970 whereby the watches are unwrapped, fitted, etc., in front of the end-buyer.  I'm a bit surprised that non-buyers get a chance to handle let alone play the minute repeater of such expensive watches.  Perhaps these are "post-ceremony" watches that were being held for some reason?  Any insights appreciated - I will certainly ask for an unsealing ceremony if I get my grand complication someday!  All the best.

one assume that if for whatever reasons...a husband not daring to bring the watch back and face the wrath of the missus for example....does that AD have permission to exhibit those watches to customers and also even test  them as in this case? as i understand, the insurance policies of these ADs do not extend to watches already sold to customers. so if one accidently dropped it on the floor, what happens? 

Whenever I have been shown either one of the new releases or have beeen fortunate to see one of the big pieces.

They have always been double sealed and waiting collection by their new owners. 

i am glad you get to see them...i am envious!!! too many are bought and stored

for every grand complication that I have been fortunate to see firsthand picked up/opened up/worn by owner, there was always the 4 more that were double sealed.

I couldn't believe that anybody would buy watches like these and not insist on being there when it came out of its box.  I know that the buyer of the 3939 lives quite a distance away and is fairly elderly, therefore that watch was going to be shipped via Brinks.  The buyer of the 5074 was more local and was going to be picking it up.  I was told that both these guys definitely wore their watches, so maybe they just didn't think much of it being out of its cage.

In hindsight I sure hope I'm not getting my AD in trouble by blabbing about this, although he never expressed any concern about keeping our "private showing" a secret. I do have a pretty chummy relationship with him and he knows how much I love and appreciate these pieces and the whole "Patek aura".  I think he just knew how much I would enjoy seeing them and I have to assume he also knew that his customers would not mind me "ringing the bells" before they did.  I for one, would probably not be so gracious! 

Steve