Patek Philippe

Park
547

• Show profile
• Show other posts

5980 Compared to AP

I have six years experience with a wide assortment of AP ROCs and ROOs, but much less experience with the 5980, which I've only worn often for a few months.  So far, my observations, when comparing steel to steel (and no limited editions), I'd say:

5980 has superb in-house movement; whereas ROC and ROOs have fully or partially outsourced movements finished by AP.  If you are a movement hound (which I'm not), they are in different leagues.

The movement of the 5980 is beautiful and more deserving of a display back than those of the APs.

ROC and ROO have a more complex finish than the 5980, and I believe that special finish of the APs is more easily marred to a noticeable degree.  Some people care about keeping the watch looking as though it was never worn, and that is probably easier with the 5980.

Reading elasped minutes on the 5980 monocounter takes some getting used to compared to the widely used subdial system of the ROC and ROO.

The flexibility of the bracelet of the 5980 makes it a good and comfortable fit to a larger number of wrists than the ROC and ROO.

The bracelet of the 5980 has less taper than that of the ROC, and I think that leads to a less delicate appearance.

Although the thinness of the 5980 bracelet initially struck me as "flimsy" compared to the APs, this impression has diminished with time.

The 5980 is close in size to the ROC and smaller than the ROO in all dimensions.

The 5980 comes in few versions, so it is easier to choose.  This is a big advantage to those of us with the unfortunate tendency to pursue every variation of our favorite designs.

They are all wonderful watches and my favorites among every sport watch on the market, so in the end its a question of what makes you smile.  Switching back and forth among them makes me smile every day.

Park