Patek Philippe

or already a classic?

The movement (CH 29-535 PS) was already introduced in 2009 ...




... and the watch itself in 2010. We can´t call it a classic after a few years only, can we?


For a better (common) understanding we have to look at the watch, in detail. Therefore I used the opportunity to handle the watch and to take pictures of two pieces, at a very kind Patek Philippe AD. It took me so long to see one and now I was lucky enough to see two - even better



My first impression, from "official" pictures only, was: Nice, but somehow cold and boring. That it was (and still is) only available in "old fashioned" yellow gold didn´t help.



First impression in the metal: Better, much better!

I was positively surprised about the solid weight of the watch - very balanced, not too heavy and not too light. Just perfect for a classical chronograph.




The readability is just fine and meets all my expectations if we talk about classical chronographs.

Sometimes the dial looks a bit cold, but it depends on the light and if you look closer it gets totally different.
It is far from beeing cold, it is outstanding - if we look in detail.



The watch and especially the dial is full of sublime details and a real feast for the eyes of a connoisseur.

But have a look on the pictures I took for you and tell me afterwards what you think about the grainy dial, the polished indexes, the undestated but sophisticated hands ...
















The details of the case are very well known from any Patek Phillipp admirer. Nothing new in general, but a  lot of attention to the details and nothing is missing at the end.
E.g. the crown is slightly bigger than former ones, without being too big for the case or uncomfortable on the wrist and it is a pleasure to use.



The lugs and the pushers are well known and close to be perfect.












Is there anything I would improve on the case? Yes, it is slightly too shiny for my taste.

Easy to solve as it just has to be worn

The first scratch will hurt, even when it is a small one, but after some time it should look perfect when wearing frequently.
It definetly belongs on the wrist - frequently.





The movement was topic of several discussions before. Quite often there is a comparison between the CH 27-70, the CH 29-535 PS and the chronograph movements from A. Lange & Söhne.
Which one is superior or more beautiful? Well they all have slightly different approaches, but all of them are among the best you can get when you look for a manual winding chronograph.

The approach and some technical features of the CH 29-535 PS are described by Patek Philippe in the next two pictures:





Does it fit to the approach you ask for? Well, only you can give the answer!

Before we look at some movement pictures, I would like to talk about the chronograph pushers. Their feeling when you push them, to be exact.
Personally I prefer it smooth, very smooth. The pressure point and the smoothness is very important to me, if we talk about chronographs on that level and not all the manufacturers take care of it.

Only had the pleasure to try two examples and that is maybe not enough for a final judgement. One pusher was less smooth but you could feel the pressure point very well and one pusher was smooth like warm butter. It was the same feeling on both watches I tried. Why are they different? I don´t know at the moment.

Are other examples different? Please give us a note if you have your own experiences.






(Note: There was no tripod with me and the light was far from beeing perfect, but I tried my best.)

The layout of the movement is very classical and the finishing was what I would expect from Patek Philippe.
Almost perfect, but something like the CH R 27-525 PS is superior.
Nothing is wrong with that, because we talk about different approaches and totally different price tags.












You think you saw all the details the dial offers, above? No, there is more to show ...


















As I didn´t take a proper picture from the side, I have to choose this official one - even when the colour looks wrong.

Very classic, well balanced and top notch I would say.






How does it feel on the wrist? On mine (17cm) it feels almost perfect. I would not mind if the watch would be a bit smaller,
but only a bit and at the end it is far from being a show stopper.

How does it look on my wrist? Well, have a look ...












Because of understatement and comfort below the sleeves of my shirts, I would go for a simple buckle.
The Calatrava Cross is nice and impressive, but just not me.



A classic, yes or no? It shows superb details from the Ref. 130, 530, 533 ... it comes with some good improvements and interesting innovations ... it is not a top-seller from the beginning (like the 5070 and some others) ... .

It will be great (one day, for sure ) in white metal ...










... and then it will be a classic, at the latest.

Hope you liked my personal views and I am looking forward to your experiences and comments.

Oliver

I am not convinced at all...

The 2 subdials which are below the 3 and 9 o clock line, which, therefore, eat the minute indexes ring, the hands, the combo of colors ( that may change with the further versions, though ), the finish of the movement ( I much prefer the 5070, go figure why! ), the prifle of the case, the bezel.... All these details make me much prefer the 5070 to this 5170.

For me, the 5070 has much more soul, at least.

Very nice post, actually!

Best,

Nicolas

Due to the caliber design, the position is very hard to change

reply. I see what you don´t like, but most of this is typical for PP if you look at the old ones. Can we blame PP for being PP ;-)

It is the 5070 which is "uncommon" for a PP, isn´t it? Maybe that´s one of the reasons why you like it that much.

Oliver

Look at the 5960 and the 5980... These are Chronos I love a lot, and these are modern Pateks!

Best,

Nicolas

and really breath taking pictures.

I thought it was a quick packshot but it is fantastic.

I think, as I mentionned in my post some weeks ago, that we arrive to the same assessment: a great Patek Chronograph, so elegant, classic and desirable.

Funny how I also have a little problem with Patek deployant buckle's round Calatrava clasp.

Thanks for the beautiful picture that I'll carefully keep on my HD :p

Cheers,

Mark

and I have the feeling that we are brothers in mind when it comes to watches - quite often

Oliver

... I've read. I was about to sleep, now gonna need some pills

I agree 100% and I love those kind of magic

Thanks for your kind reply!

Oliver

a classic ... at least for me
and now let the roasting begin....
I like it more than 5070

Do I smell burned meat

Thank you very much for great post and awesome pictures
Damjan

No message body

grill on Thursday ... (together with a new range cooker, but that is another story).

Both the 5070 and the 5170 are great watches, but only one would get a place on my wrist

Thanks!

Oliver

Thanks for this post and your beautiful pics !

is not new and was seen at several chronographs in the past. Good or bad, quite a few people still pay a fortune to get one. But I get your point, in general.

You mentioned the 1815 Chronograph ...





... and I am quite familiar with this one, if you talk about the old version. Don´t ask if I prefer this one or the 5170, because I have no final answer to this and would prefer to have both

Thanks!

Oliver

Great photos and great explanations! I used to dislike 5170 a lot, but you just described the feeling and impression I had when I saw it in metal and tried it on. The watch is very understated yet very sophisticated. For me this is one of the best examples Patek offers.

for your reply.

bauhaus - Only simple things fit to their approach and something like the Datograph is far from being simple.
Maybe the old Langematik could fit ;-)

Oliver

but as sensational as your write up is... I believe this model will always have a mixed reaction... there will be the crowd who feels it is too dry, too dull.

And the clarity of the photos, especially the very clever magnifier ones are some of the best that I have seen recently.

Frick's your description of the pushers, is exactly also my impression, when I saw one, for the first time last week. I thought at the time that the return pusher operated just as perfect as humanly possible, with no resistance at all.

I also found your views interesting, when comparing it to the Datograph.

Now after having the opportunity to see & wear one, I am afraid that the piece still leaves me cold.

Nothing is wrong with that! Imagine we all would have the same taste. The world would be even more crazy

Thanks, for your kind reply!

Oliver

is everybody´s fool. Polarizing - I like that

If the crowd will never like it. I couldn´t care less.

If they will love it in the future. I hope I will get mine before

Oliver

I would love to see the 5170 IRL

one day you will see one, for sure. Took me some time as well

Thanks, for your kind reply!

Oliver

I know you changed your mind ;-) But I always thought about the opposite

 

Doesn't this feel 'warm' ?

 

 

 

btw, thanks for the review. I really enjoyed it

for you

To be honest, on your picture the watch looks cold to me.
Why? Because I miss the grainy structure of the dial, which is the key for me
(ps: There have been some pictures from you, which are better - much better and much warmer )

Hope you are fine and one day we should meet again.

Thanks, for your kind reply!

Oliver

one day we'll meet again Oliver ;-)

being a former owner of a 5070, i must admit, however hung up we are with the Lemania caliber, that the 5170 is FAR superior in interface and chrono operation. its very much like how Dato owners(myself included) keep insisting that the new Dato up/down is inferior to the old.

I am not sure why we all bow down to the holy altar of Lemania.

I would imagine that PP can present a superior product ( at least in terms of movement, if not also aesthetics)

Julian

PS What did you recently purchase from PP?

Not sure about the wise bit, to me, it's like a no brainer!! I am however not concluding on collectability.....that's for the individual to decide. For example, as "clumsy" as the 30CH Longines is by today's standards, it's still a wonderful piece, with a load of horological historical significance, so to me, there is no question about it's collectivity. But the lemania behind the 5070?? Get the offering with same movement from VC, Breguet and RD, given the way it is priced, even accounting for the "improvements" PP has done to the base. That's why I sold my 5070J. And also reason why I cannot understand why the 5170s are readily available from most ADs....there are some that are even in display case!!!, and we go on and in about the 5070, when the "better" 5170 is available immediately, without all the grey and used dealers bullshit, newer and warrantied and IMHO better looking.

I am a lover of Patek's annaul calendars. Had the 5135...first Patek love and 5056, and now the 5960. Just added 5205 into the fold to pair with 5960.

Best,

Horo

Your post is absolutely right. The Lemania is fault - not a virtue. But say something like that to most 5070 owners and they start crying. 

I've just read your answer Horo and this is something I had in mind since quite recently and I wished to post a little note about it on HOME.

I really like RG look and light but in spite of the fact YG was old looking for a while, I'm sure it will be back again ... maybe quite soon.

Cheers,

Mark