Patek Philippe

Mike H
[AHCI Moderator]
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"New comer" presenting 5125R

I am not really a new comer but was registered since few years without posting (however regular reader). Thus before starting to become more active on the forum, I thought a quick introduction might be relevant.

I am leaving in the most beautiful city of the world near the Eiffel Tower, married since 22 years, and have a 15 years old son (difficult age, possibly for him but for the parents too!).

I am since long watchaddict and obviously a PP fan. My small collection consists in less than 10 pieces as I prefer having fewer exclusive watches rather than collecting many which I would not be completely in love with. My preference goes to beautiful vintage pieces, but some recent limited editions somestimes make me crazy too.

I thought introducing myself together with presenting one of my prefered watches could be a nice combination. Therefore I'll be glad to tell you a bit about my W125 also known as ref 5125.

This watch combines several of my favourite choices: annual calendar complication with digital displays fot the date, day of the week and month (that reminds me of the 3448, my absolute graal), dauphine hands, and a decidedly classic Calatrava rose gold case with a sapphire crystal back and a crown inconspicuously protected by shoulder flanks.

And as if it would not be enough, it was offered as limited-edition in 2003 only so as to celebrate the 125 years of cooperation between Patek Philippe watchmaking company in Geneva and Wempe, the Hamburg based firm of precision watchmakers and jewelers. For such a special anniversary, Patek Philippe has designed a horogical gem with a nostalgic touch.

One of the great difficulty for me was to choose between the platinum version (with black dial) and the rose gold version that I finally choose. Although I am sure they look both great I have no regrets as I love this watch. The 125 units manufactured per color for gold versions (YG, RG and WG), and 100 units only for PT are giving to the owner the feeling that he is the lucky owner of a very special piece. Even if a watch collection does not remain unchanged forever, this watch is one of the ones that you keep forever ("for the next generation" as PP say).

But if the dial is a real beauty, the back side also deserves a thorough attention : the high-precision self-winding 315 S QA LU 24H caliber with its unidirectional winding 21 K central gold rotor and center sweep seconds hand consists of more individual parts than a movement with perpetual calendar (363 components for the 315 in contrast to the 275 parts for the legendary Patek Philippe 240Q perpetual calendar caliber). Finally, its heart beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, the 48 hours power reserve is reasonable, and the highly coveted Geneva Seal lies proudly on this piece of art.

Some details definitely in line with the PP tradition of understatement: a second full case back, and a discreetly embossed Wempe logo below the magnificent moon phase indicator:

Hope you enjoy reading this as I have writing it.

Mike