5146 or 3940

Mar 26, 2016,02:18 AM
 

The more I see the 3940 the more I'm drawn to it but I am a little worried about the size (I have tried it on). The dial is perfect to me and if it had been the size of the 5140 I think I would have already jumped on it.
I'm beginning to find my 5146 a bit large and thick, although I do still love it as it was my first Patek complication. I knew Patek were releasing their update on the 5140 at Basel this year so I waited with bated breath to see it and I'm quite underwhelmed. I don't like the fact that it has increased in size, nor the fact that they still have the small date problem and as much as I like breguet numbers I just don't find it works on thei model.
So back to my original dilemma- keep the 5146 or trade for a 3940?


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New 5327 <- 5140 <- 3940 and some observations.

 
 By: jimjenkins : March 25th, 2016-20:35
After seeing the pictures of the new 5327, I had to compare it side by side to my favorite 5140 (37 mm) and 3940 (36 mm). My initial reaction is that the 5327 really looks very nice. The new 5327 at 39 mm has Breguet numbers that covers up the empty space...  

Agreed with you. At 37 mm, it would have been a killing watch.

 
 By: amanico : March 25th, 2016-23:57
I love this blue dial and the breguet numbers a lot, but 2 mm less would have been perfect. Best, Nicolas

The more I play with the basic PC of Patek,

 
 By: dr.kol : March 26th, 2016-00:32
the more I'm impressed about 3940. Even it is the smallest of the three, it is without any questions the most readable (for me). I love my 5550P but if they would have placed it to 3940 case and dial, that watch would have been Perfection. Think about the... 

Agree...

 
 By: mdg : March 26th, 2016-01:44
...hard to compete with perfection.

5146 or 3940

 
 By: Cinch : March 26th, 2016-02:18
The more I see the 3940 the more I'm drawn to it but I am a little worried about the size (I have tried it on). The dial is perfect to me and if it had been the size of the 5140 I think I would have already jumped on it. I'm beginning to find my 5146 a bi... 

If that was a question,

 
 By: dr.kol : March 26th, 2016-02:37
then all I can say is that 3940 is perfection. And naturally, AC and PC are two different classes. Best, Kari

Yes it was a question

 
 By: Cinch : March 26th, 2016-03:10
But I didn't want to hijack the thread. From the posts I have read there seem to be many who love the 3940 and consider it to be the ultimate PC.

The ultimate would be

 
 By: dr.kol : March 26th, 2016-03:35
5140 case and 3940 print. I might ask Patek if they would make that but at the same time I think I know the answer already. It's funny but for my eyes the dial of 3940 is easier to read than the one of 5140. The latter is somehow too full and it's difficu... 

I agree

 
 By: Cinch : March 26th, 2016-03:50
The 5140 case and 3940 dial would be perfect! Yes I'll let you know, thanks.

It would be great but

 
 By: dr.kol : March 26th, 2016-07:11
in such a case that should be an additional pusher. Best, Kari

I agree with all of your thoughts. The 3940 is perfection.

 
 By: geross : March 26th, 2016-05:19
Don't have yet a perpetual calendar but observing your observations i agree with all of you. The 3940 is the most dainty and discrete. The new model is too big for the movement. Best Geross.

37.4 mm was a good size

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : March 26th, 2016-08:14
But not "good enough" to many? The new 5327 needs to be seen first to judge fully. The tonneau shaped 5940 with its Breguet numerals is a very, very tasteful piece. Let's see how the 5327 will be looking, especially in coloured metal but the blue WG could... 

Good Point

 
 By: mdg : March 27th, 2016-00:53
The 5940 is the only other perpetual that would tempt me over the 3940. Love the numerals and case shape and size. It would be an easy choice if a shaped movement were designed for the case, but I doubt that will ever happen...not enough volume to make it... 

Hi Jim, thanks for pointing the subtle differences, which are actually ...

 
 By: GLau : March 26th, 2016-09:19
quite important for Patek Purists ! I have always wondered why the issue of the "smaller" date numbers is not addressed. Is there a technical and/or design reason behind it ? On the choice between 5140 vs 5327, I believe it would come down to whether a pe... 

Interesting comparision

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 26th, 2016-09:29
The size issue is always a dilema. Generally speaking, I think that the size is not an absolute criteria and I think that it is what you summed-up well while saying this is also a matter of owner's wrist and tastes. You're totally right. 37mm on a big wri...  

Patek ruined their flawless peretual after the 3940

 
 By: Mostel : March 26th, 2016-13:12
So cluttered! So un-Patek... it always left me baffled. the new one is even more cluttered with Breguet numerals... Another 'Modern Patek' strike out. But it is true, at the very ethereally high levels, Patek is still extraordinary. they just seem to have... 

I understand your point very well

 
 By: dr.kol : March 26th, 2016-13:26
and I never understood why the perfect dial of 3940 was ruined and "developed" to 5140. The latter is messy and the dial lost much of its beauty. Best, Kari

3940 was PS's favorite piece.

 
 By: jimjenkins : March 26th, 2016-16:27
Later on he felt the numbers on the date wheel were getting too small for aging eyes. So PP created the 5140 with larger font sizes. Frankly, I can also read the 3940 dates more clearly. I think the font they used in 5140 and 5327 are what results in the ... 

I also love my 5550P and it is close to perfection.

 
 By: dr.kol : March 27th, 2016-03:42
However, the only thing I would change is to put the 3940 print there. It's always possible to get stronger glasses and if that does not help, go through the laser operation of eyes... Best, Kari

You're not the first one I read would like to see a second hand on the QP

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 26th, 2016-16:36
I feel that a central second would perhaps make it more cluttered How would you see it integrated? Cheers, Mark

I agree completely.

 
 By: jimjenkins : March 26th, 2016-16:31
Actually there is a mechanism for a ps in the 240 mechanism. I was also hoping for the ps being the next phase in the evolution process. But instead we got a physically bigger case fitted with the same movement. Best Jim

Yes. So this is where some creativity and engineering comes in.

 
 By: jimjenkins : March 26th, 2016-20:52
In your 5712, the moonphase and date wheel are at 7 o'clock and ps at 4 o'clock. Lets rotate the movement ccw by 30 degrees. Now we have moonphase and date at 6 o'clock and ps at 3 o'clock, where they belong in the pc. We can couple the ps with the month,... 

It is an interesting way to imagine that

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 27th, 2016-06:15
in order to use what is available already. The 240 on the PC is already moved at 6 so maybe there is "only" a second hand to add and move the Leap indicator somewhere else. I don't think I would like to have a second hand in the PC (though I like it in th... 

Love the thought

 
 By: keks : March 27th, 2016-08:24
I would love to have a seconds hand with a perp 240 movement. Ideally they leap year indicator would be on the back. Perhaps in a new thin Nautilus ref 5740?