Patek Philippe

I will choose YG most of the time, call me old fashioned - for me, the default would be YG, unless RG or PG or WG is better looking...unlike most whose default would be RG or PG or WG and YG would be a last look, should the rest is not available.

Best,

Horo

Like you at first I thought it was a very conservative novelty.

As you said, problem came from 5070 which had a shocking a 42mm, an inedequate XL bezel (actually adequate to compensate the size of the caliber), a concentration of info per square meter rarely seen (and awful to read especiallly in platinum), and these objective flaws made it a subjective marvel with a lot of character. The 5070P remains one of the most amazing horological experience I ever had. After that the new caliber was revealed in a surprising women's watch and everyone was eager to see this new chronograph caliber in a man's watch,

And then come that 5170J.

well hmm... very conservative. I think there was a lot of contrast between what people were waiting for (being surprised, being amazed) and what was delivered.

But time goes by and the more I see it, the more I must admit it is a real beauty. Quite vintage in yellow gold. The caliber is really nice and the the dial too. Like a lot of Patek it needs time to be fully appreciated, simply because it is never "too much", it is balanced. If some datas are crossed by other, it doesn't bother me at all, many beautiful watches have the same detail, and it is charming. Still I think the case could have had a more personal touch which is my only regret on that watch.

Measse dia

Francois

Many thanks first for this enjoyable post.

With this one some things went wrong and some things are top.

First the strongpoints:

The design is classic, indeed, with a nicely polished case.

I prefer all polished cases a bit more as I like to polish my watches myself, from time to time.

The movement is very elegant, thin and very much a Patek, but the beatratio is too high to call it a clasic chrono.

Also the scaling is wrong.

I would also say that a tad smaller would have suited this watch better: hence the C3PO comparison.


What I completely do not understand is that Patek is releasing theire first inhouse chrono movement

(although the balance spring might not be) for 60 odd years without any limited model first.


As you are asking: the Lange chrono is more traditional and still the real benchmark.



Best
Moritz

a wonderful watch. There are a few remarks in the thread referring to the pushers that I must shed some personal light upon.

The 5170 definately evokes much reaction, some positive,some indifferent and some lets say are not so enamoured by its presence!

For me, this is a quintisential Patek; all the ingredients are there, the lineage, DNA  (altough I really don't like using this comparison) is all there...

you can clearly see the lineage from 130, to 530 to 5170. I think its important to remember that when the 5070 was launched, they would not sell at the then asking price of just £12,000.

Many where in windows, gathering dust. the change happened when everyone thought they were being discontinued, then the rush.................the lure of a quick profit if I am being cynical.

I think the 5170 will become a legend....its just a matter of time, and the metal.

I dream of steel, maybe one day?

I am legend.............

 

Thanks for your great review of the 5170, which is IMHO, already an absolute classic.  This message has been edited by Georg on 2012-11-25 08:37:21

What a wonderful opinion piece on the 5170!

This is my favorite chronograph. The yellow gold is classy and sophisticated. I changed my strap to black. Looks much nicer.