Patek Philippe

I have been looking at PP perpetuals recently and have become interested in bioth the 3940 and the 5059. The 5059 seems to be a very special watch that wears quite well on the wrist despite its thickness. In fact i think ithe thickness gives it a presence. The Perpetual Calendar functions are interesting and legible as they are in apetures as opposed to dials and the retrograde date is an added "bonus" complication. The case and lugs are also somewhat different than any other PC i have seen in the line. The 3940 is teh protypical PP is there is a such a thing. It is simple, elegant and thing. it is like wearing air and is much more subtle than the 5950. The dial while crowded is legible and spaced out perfectly. It is in many ways teh ultimate understaed dress watch. The reason I ask everyone's opinion is that i have had a hankering to possibly considate and raise the level of my collection a bit. If i just went out and bought eitehr one of these i would be killed by my wife. Nevertehless i think having a PP PC would be a nice addition to my rotation and something a bit more out of teh ordinary. I was going to traded one or more of my watches and add a littel cash to accomplish this. I missed out an a great deal recentky and had to go back to the drawing board. One of teh watches i will definitely forgo is my Platinum Rolex Day Date. The question of shedding either my gold GMT or Royal Oak PC is not as easy for me to answer. It looks like a 5059 will be much harder to get within my budget without throwing two watches into the mix. The 3940 seems more attainable. Therefore I was looking for opinions on tehse two great watches. Sorry for the length and I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks again for looking.

... I think that it's a matter of sequence, not choice.  HAHAHAHA!  Let me explain:

1.  First, it looks like you're a fan of the perpetual calendar complication - I understand that, as I'm  a big fan as well.  My first PP was the classic 3940P and as I am typing this note it's sitting on my wrist: an absolutely stunning, lovely, timeless piece that I doubt I'll ever sell or trade unless I am in such dire straits. 

My recommendation then, given the preferences and constraints you noted above, is to go for your favorite variant of the 3940 (which metal do you prefer anyway?) and see if that satisfies your desire for perpetual calendars. 

Plus, it looks like this will be the more palatable choice for your wife (not an insignificant consideration), given relative pricing.  Although if you want a 3940P you're moving up there in terms of pricing too, I believe.

2.   Second - and this is the sequencing point - will you really be happy with just one perpetual calendar?  The answer may well be "YES, if I have the 3940" or "YES, if I have the 5059."  But the truth is I'm not sure you - or anyone - knows the answer to that.  I for one have space in my heart for a 5059 sometime in the near future, even though I have a 3940, 5040, 5136/1J and a 3970 now (whoa). 

If you absolutely, definitively will be happy with just the 5059, then I suggest you gun for it.  Otherwise, you might just hanker for "the one that got away" (a bad feeling).  Same for the 3940. 

Just my thoughts.  The perpetuals are just so darn lovely, the cal 240 is PP's reliable workhorse, the finishings are superb.  I don't have a perpetual right now with a retrograde function, and I may be shooting for another piece entirely but at some point I'd love to own a 5059 too.

AESTHETICS:

POTENTIAL MINUS of the 5059 (for me): Aesthetically, I don't like how the "15" and "17" are cut off by the leap year indicator.  But that is a VERY minor point.

POTENTIAL MINUS of the 3940 (for me);  Nothing.  Well, except maybe the 3940P does not come with a display back.  Which is easily resolved if you get a G, J or R!

My thoughts for now.  Sorry for rambling on, but man, I love perpetuals.  I am sure you will love whichever you choose!

However, there is some baggage with both that could be a nuisance later.

The 3940 lacks a constant seconds hand and changing straps on the 5059 requires far more time and effort (to do it right without damaging the case and buckle screws)

Personally, I prefer the 5059 because of its overall appearance and heft even if changing straps is a pain.

I do kind of miss the sweeping seconds hand in the 3940 but others feel that it gives it a more "Zen" vibe (much like how others prefer the 3700 versus the 5711/1A). 

5059 is a great piece!  I'd be fortunate to have one in my collection (maybe someday)...

are you selling the 950 Rolex DD? I have always wanted one of those. The weight must be awesome.

Yes, the heft and  sheen are great. In a perfect world I would keep it and just buy the PC. The reality is that to buy the PC something needs to be shed if I'm to do it at this time. The other issue is that the Rolex just no longer seems as special as it used to. I still love it but you Ted to see Rolexes wherever you go. The same cannot be said for a PP PC which one sees very rarely. Also, as a collector to have and hold and wear what is close to the pinnacle of watchmaking is a tantalizing prospect, to me something like that is wearable art while the Rolex is something a bit less. 

like to own both of them, not either! I clarify that I prefer the 5050 over the 5059. I've achieved half of this mission, when's next to complete my quest?

That's kind of what I wrote.  I kind of want to own both hehe.

5050 remains a dream to me

IMO the 5059 is a very classic (but not timeless) watch in terms of design. I agree that the retrograde adds an extra bonus but to my taste the 3940 is so much more versatile and timeless. I have been in that situation before (where I'm comparing two completely different watches as I like them both for different reasons) but I'd say that 5059 is more of a gamble as I can't see you'll ever grow tired of a 3940...

So naturally my choice is the 3940.

I would prefer a 3940 and a 1st or 2nd series to be even more specific. As for the 5059 it is a fine watch but as I read in another post I would get a 5050P instead. A great collection could have one of each! Why stop there though add a 3970P with silver dial and you have a perfect trifecta! Lol

I just love the structure of the dial just won out for me. The watch feels like it can pull 2x duty as a watch with jeans or as a watch with a suit or tuxedo. The bulk makes it wear bigger than the stated 36mm. Thx for all your opinions. 

No message body