patekova
1418
Thank you for your thought provoking analysis. Also for the very nice things you say about both references. Yes, they are both very similar and very different at the same time.
I have a somewhat different perspective regarding the “classic” versus “modern” comparison. For me and of course it is just my personal viewpoint, the 5231 is more classic. I say this because, the font is more traditional, there is no crown guard and Patek Philippe is on the dial not on the bezel. Most important for me the overall look makes it seem like a modern derivative of the historic and uber rarer Ref
2523 world time. I attach an image.
Of course what I write is just my opinion, no more - no less.
Certainly our 2 viewpoints can easily co-exist and having them makes for an interesting discussion. So many thanks for your response. Best regards, Patekova
More posts:
Inspired by Gordon Lau’s post comparing 5131 dials, I thought a comparison of 5131J and 5231J might be interesting. Which do you prefer?
While both have basically the same map, the differences between the 2 references are quite stark. Even the maps, in terms of color and detail are quite different. Different fonts, different size case (5131 at 39.5 is a mm larger), different style minute h...
Love the crown guards, but...
...the 5131 typeface is awful...I can’t get past it. It looks like the default in MS Word for wedding invitations.
Btw, I am being honest...
...and don't wish to cause offense, but I am/was a graphic designer and art director with 40 years of working with design and type...
Here my thoughts given my experiences with both pieces in the metal....
1. The focus of these enamel pieces is the enamel work and 5231’s is definitely better in terms of intricacy and color gradations because the enamelers have improved their skills since 2008. Hence, although it is a proper comparisons but is not a fair one...
Gordon, thank you for your extremely interesting and thought provoking response, especially #s 2 and 4. Your comment in
2 about seeing the dial from afar is spot on. Best, Patekova
No expert, but...
Earth best represented on 5231. Water on 5131. In my opinion. 5131 for me.
Superb comparison, and great to own both! I'm frankly in the camp of the 5130/1 case vs. the more formal 5230/1, though I've slowly learnt to appreciate the latter as well over time...;-)
The 5231 expectedly looks neater in terms of enamel, an obvious testament to the technical progress that took place over 13 years (2006 vs 2019 when they were first introduced). The name on the bezel has frankly never bothered me, in fact I like it that i...
I prefer font and map of 5231J, while I prefer case and diameter of 5131J.
Since, for me, the enamel work is the decisive factor, I would choose 5231J. However, as Gordon pointed out, 5131J is special because it brought back the cloisonné dial WTs, and, looking at the map of yours, I would assume that you have one of the early p...
I like the enamel on 5231 but prefer the size of the 5131 and case shape as a flatter fit on my wrist. I am extremely
Critical of embossing a big brand name in the northern Atlantic as it hides the very reason why the watch is coveted (enamel) and I really don’t think we wouldn’t recognize this as a PP if it was unbranded at all!!! An interesting comment on quality of di...
I think that “corporate knowledge” can grow
and multiple individuals can improve their competence together over time as one learns and shares with another, so it need not be one person only doing both watches. The “house style” can evolve to a higher level. We would need more examples to confirm th...
There's a recent fascinating interview of John Reardon on his new site, Collectability, with arguably one of the top names in the art of engraving, Christian Thibert.
An interesting passage is indeed Thibert's own description of his collaboration with Anita Porchet, another famous artisan and a leader in her specific field (enameling). Though this is an example of collaboration at the highest levels, and might be neces...
Both are wonderful in their own merits
and perhaps the beauty is the fact they are subtly very different for the same watch (enamel, font, size, crown etc.) It also looks like the 5231J is properly a more modern version of the 5131J and you can enjoy the evolution over the 10+years. 5131J is w...
Thank you for your thought provoking analysis. Also for the very nice things you say about both references. Yes, they are both very similar and very different at the same time.
I have a somewhat different perspective regarding the “classic” versus “modern” comparison. For me and of course it is just my personal viewpoint, the 5231 is more classic. I say this because, the font is more traditional, there is no crown guard and Pate...
You are just lot more knowledgeable than I am!
In your context, you are absolutely correct! I was just comparing the 5131J to 5231J without going back so far in history. My modern/classic bias stems from the fact that I got into watch collecting in the 2000s and specifically Patek in 2008! The forum i...
Don’t sell yourself short. You may be a newbie, but I certainly would not know it from your comments.
You clearly have an artistic sensibility and passion for Patek that I appreciate, as I sure others on the Forum do or will. So please keep contributing your viewpoints and perspectives. Best, Patekova
Both references are amazing!
But I prefer the sleeker/sportier case design on 5231J as well as the deeper blue tones on the enamel.
