Patek Philippe

Gentlemen,

The 5270G-013 (Silver dial) and 5270-014 (blue dial) have been replaced during the Baselworld Fair 2015.

I think it'll be nice to come back to these versions to say good bye.





First version of the 5270G on the left - Late 2013 two new 5270G versions on the right



As you know, the new perpetual calendar chronograph 5270, iconic model of Patek Philippe, was launched in 2011 with a new exclusive and completely in-house movement, the CH 29-535, to replace the legendary 5970 and its Lemania-based caliber.

It was back then available in a unique white gold version with a brushed silver dial and darkened markers and hands.

In late 2013, the brand had launched two new standard versions of the first white gold model with a silvery (5270G-013) and a blue dial (5270G-014).

They were unveiled 2 months after the Munich Watch Art Grand Exhibition held in October 2013 when Patek Philippe presented in the first place the 5270G-015 limited edition (50 pieces).

This limited edition had the same characteristics as the following "013" (Silvery) but with dark blue printings instead of the black ones.








5270G 'Munich'











The main differences between the first 2011 5270G and the two new iterations, aside from the dial color, were:

 - The applied markers and hands were not darkened anymore;

- Addition of a Tachometer scale, without much reducing the room in the center of the dial;

- Modification of the numerals and scale ring's style in the two subsidiary dials;

- Downsize of the "Patek Philippe, Genève" logo at 12 o'clock.

- Addition of an extension of the tachometer scale at 6 o'clock, following the date subsidiary dial's curve and allowing a more precise reading of the chronograph measures in that area.


I was very curious to see how these two watches looked like and I decided to have a look at them to make my own opinion.

The blue dial choice is a very attractive one when considering other Patek Philippe models in the recent history (5070P, 5200G...). It gives a more casual touch to the watch and can very well match with jeans, summer time clothing or even a grey suit.










The silvery dial is absolutely beautiful, especially when under daylight when it comes to a whiter color.

Furthermore, I wanted to have a look at the tachometer scale curve at 6 o'clock as it was quite an unusual characteristic to say the least.







Well, handled it confirmed (if it has to be) that looking at a watch in the metal is always mandatory compared to pictures viewing experience only.

This is not an exception.

In live, the dial is of course much less magnified than on the material we can see on the internet. Thus, all the details are much smaller and take much less importance in the whole picture.







I was very positively surprised and even said to myself that it looked really good. I must say this new scale is not what comes to your attention at first and it is definitely not the main element you see when you look at the watch.

The date windows, hands and sub-dials are clearly coming in first position and grab your attention. In the end, as I always do to make a global idea of a watch, I asked myself "would I be buying this one if looking for a Patek Philippe Chronograph Perpetual Calendar?": the answer is definitely yes.






I would have chosen the Silvery dial over the Blue one, but this is really a matter of taste of course.

As a conclusion, I wanted to shed a little light over these two versions we didn't talk that much about, excepted at the beginning as the tachometer scale addition at 6 o'clock generated many questions from the watch fans.






I imagine any of these two versions, in ten or twenty years from now, may very well become a great collectible 5270.

I wonder what is your opinion: did some of view had a look at it, or as time goes by, did your opinion evolve on these two specific watches, as I did? Feel free to share your comments!

Cheers,

Mark




This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-06-24 07:44:41

and the pregnant tachymeter scale does not hurt me. 

Most of men love their "pregnant" woman, isn't it? ;-)))

I think it indeed deserves to be worn

Cheers, Mark

Thank you for the post Mark

5270g-014 received a fair share criticism over the last year. I would like to add several details trying to be objective:

1. The blue color on this model looks very different under different light. It is nearly black in a dimly lit room, but brings deep blue like an ocean under direct bright light. Some radiant appearance seems to come only under the bright sun, when the watch is moving. Most of the time it appears as plain blue, perfect for my taste - not too shiny to remain inconspicuous and at the same time not too dull to allow me to enjoy the depth of color.

2. All hands (with the exception of white chronograph hand) although perfectly polished, are not quite reflective of light and are hardly seen in dim light. This makes rather difficult to see them in darker environments. It is not in any way a "show off" watch with bright stand-out features. This watch is unlikely to "turn heads" when entering the room. It does require some reasonable light to appreciate the face, but then it's appearance become truly noble. 

3. Some reviewers mentioned "empty" upper part of the dial with heavy bottom, exacerbated by the "chin". I fond it to be true in darker environment when hour markers on the top are not clearly seen and appears to "melt" with the dial. Under the light the watch looks very well balanced and very uncluttered, which I love in this quite a complicated model with 11 indicators. When compared to a new 5270g-019 dial, the addition of extra tracks spoiled the uncluttered looks for my liking. At a glance one may struggle to choose which one of these three scales to pick for each particular purpose.

This watch happened to be very versatile - it looks good with formal suit, with jeans and even with shorts. However it is probably not a right watch for a very young person, nor the rapper, nor the gangster. It will sit perfectly well on a hand of an intellectual as a distinguished noble instrument with finish and details which are truly second to none. Side by side I could not match it so far to any other watch to replace it on my hand.

Of course, the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. This watch is no exemption to that rule

a + and very appreciated,

First, welcome on PuristSPro!

As for the "empty matter", well it is how people try to express how they feel: some say "empty" when others say "pure and light". On the other hand some may say "busy" while others may like it a lot that way as it is more decorated.

I really don't feel that way about the 5270's dial.

So, in the end it is clearly not an objective judgment but more a way to discribe how they feel concerning a watch (and what watch they held before).


You mention a very interesting point concerning the hands which can "dive" into the dial. It is what happen with mirror polished elements: they look nearly black under a specific angle and, hence, they merge with darker dials.

I feel really the same about this version, quite elegant but very "below radar", and very unique as you really won't see this one often to say the least.

Thank you very much for your comments Club and I hope you'll give it much wrist time, as it deserves

By the way, could you try different strap color combination with that dial? It should be a quite interesting exercize.

Cheers, Mark

Thank you Patrickh and Mark

I attempted to capture the blue in different shades - under the sun, different light conditions (it appears as near black sometimes) and to demonstrate how the part of the dial and the hands "disappear" in a dark environment. Interestingly, the blue of day/night indicator is different from the blue of the main dial. 

Hard to capture on camera, but I guess, provides some idea.

Mark's idea of experimenting with different straps is great, will try to get to that in the near future

I didn't notice that with all the boutique lights.

Thanks a lot for sharing these pics !

Cheers, Mark

Well, this 5270 model has known quite a number of evolutions since it was launched.

I don't know yet if we can even call this an evolution or just different interpretations...

I think that I would have been very pleased with these versions but if I had to choose today I may be following you on that matter even if I may have to consider the 2013 ones have leaf hands whereas the subsidiary dials have thin baton ones in the 2015 version.

If there were to be changes, I think it will be in the same 5270 model until all materials (PT and YG) have been offered in this familly.

Thanks for sharing your interesting opinion Kari.

Cheers, Mark

That watch really looks big on your wrist. The 5970 seemed to wear a little smaller to me. The 5270 at 39mm would work the best I think.

and my pictures were taken from quite close. I guess this is why it seems massive to you.

When I tried them it didn't look too big to me in this 41 case.

The 5970 was 40 x 13 mm if I remember well whereas the 5270 is 41 x 12.5 mm: the proportions would make the 5970 look a little thicker I guess compared to the 5270.

Anyway, nothing is better than a live experience to be sure

Cheers, Mark

Years from now, there will be an article listing the different "versions" of the 5270, with future collectors determining which is more "collectible".  We are living it at the present.

No message body

It was not loved, nor produced very long.  I wonder if years from now, it will the PP 5020 in the making.  Personally, I like the blue with the chin.  Plus, it's a buyer's market currently for this model.

No message body

about the blue dial 5270G, I was hugely excited due to my affection for blue dial.    However, having examined the watch closely, I came slightly disappointed due to the following subjective reasons:

1:  That chin.  While I like the concept of tachometer, the chin proves too much of a disruption to the harmony of the dial.  

2:  The blue dial was a bit dull and not as brilliant as the one on 5070P or 5100G.    

I'm actually waiting to see the new version without the chin.   Somehow I doubt the blue dial would be much different but I'm curious to see how more 'balanced' dial would make up the lack of few 'second' indices around the 6 area.

Failing that, then I might have to go and hunt for the first generation 5270G white dial w/ darkened indices.   But then again, given the fact that I would most likely have to hunt in the used market, it would then become another problem of choosing between 5270G vs. 5970G...    Decision, decision, decision!!!

I found the blue dial a little different in the 5270 than in the 5070 and I think I prefer the latter too? I also perfectly understand the "chin" thing may not appeal to everyone.

I thought I would say I prefer the 2015 version if I had the choice but I'm not that sure anymore... Maybe I've been trying the 5270 with that additional "scale" enough time to digest it now?

Anyway, what we can say is that the 5270 has a tough time competing with the 5970.

So you are willing to go for a Chrono-QP Patek? That is a very nice project I share too... "When" is another subject :p

Nice to hear your opinion Jester.

Cheers, Mark

but for me… 5970P (or any metal for that matter) any day over the 5270. 

As I said earlier the 5970 is a very strong competitor to the 5270. It is so appealing and elegant. It also has this historical perfume that makes us proud of wearing it.

On the other hand, the 5270 brings this model a little step further in our very modern world, aesthetically and mechanically

Furthermore, I think that for the mechanical amateurs, the new chronographe movement (CH 29-535) is very interesting and brings several clever (because efficient and simple in their design) improvements.

But as you say, there are watches for every tastes!

Cheers, Mark

I don't like any of them and for me the 5270 is a great disappointment. The 5970 was and is a magnificent watch with such old school style and vintage appeal much like the 3970. I had the first dial version of 5270G and did not warm up to it at all and believe me I tried. The cold empty dial left me unfulfilled so it left me quickly. 

I very well understand your point SF'.

I guess the 5970 is a little more looking at the past whereas the 5270 is looking at the future with a purer (simpler?) and more modern look.

I don't know how appealing an dfamous is the 5270 to other markets in the world.

I guess the 5970 was very European and America oriented, which was true to the brand's DNA by the way.

Is the reference evolving to reflect this move? I don't know.

I guess we'll have an answer in 10 or 30 years from now and see if it is a very nice footprint of our time or not.

Thanks for sharing your owner's opinion SF'

Do you possess a 5970 (in order to replace the 5270) or if not why? (as you seem to like it).

Cheers, Mark

And yes Mark 5970R. Cheers,

I remember your 5070J and 5970R picture... Sorry, with all these watches around ... :p