samwan
2750
A Robust Year
As 2015 quickly drawing to a close in a few hours' time, I reflected on the acquisitions I made during the year...and soon came to realize that it was a prominent year of Patek, for me.
Rather inexplicably, I found this year's offering attractive and soon pulled the trigger on the 5270R, 5270G (blue dial), 5170G (white dial), 5905P (black dial), as they surfaced one by one. Then on Christmas eve, my dealer posed a question (was he Santa Claus in disguise?) - Would I be interested in the 5524G, the controversial and much-talked-about Calatrava Pilot watch? I have to confess that I was not initially drawn when I saw the pictures, but it started to grow on me after Patek;s exhibition in Hong Kong and I had a chance to put it on my wrist. After an anxious wait of a few days, viola...just in time for the New Year celebrations, perfect!
First impressions - I love the rich, textured-blue dial and the Superluminova-filled Arabic hour markers housed in white gold. Quite foolishly, I forgot to show the skeleton hand (depicting time for home town) in this picture. Note the date display at 6 o'clock at three-day intervals.
It features a 324 S C Fus movement, identical to the one used in 5164A (Aquanaut travel time)
The strap is made of vintage brown calf skin, with contrasting stitches. It is accompanied by a white gold buckle
At 42 mm in diameter (and 11 mm in thickness), the watch is very comfortable and feels rather substantial on the wrist
I have a nice problem - my box for Pateks is now full and I will have to put this one someplace else....or should I part with one of them?
Allow me to take this opportunity to wish everyone a prosperous and healthy year in 2016!
Sam
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A Robust Year
As 2015 quickly drawing to a close in a few hours' time, I reflected on the acquisitions I made during the year...and soon came to realize that it was a prominent year of Patek, for me. Rather inexplicably, I found this year's offering attractive and soon...
Hi Sam, congrats on a fantastic 2015 and ...
finishing the year off with a 5524 type of bang! Glad to hear that collectors tend to like this "controversial" reference than not. On the watch box capacity issue , easy fix is to get another so that in 2016 you may continue your strong collection effort...
No, No...
I'm missing all these Grand Complication like 5270 as I'm still waiting for P. But your G with blue dial is really great. Best, Kari
Interesting......
......I am delighted to hear that at least one other person is awaiting 175th pieces - I have still heard nothing and so many have now been delivered it seems that I am losing hope!!
Fantastic collection.
You finished your acquisitions in 2015 splendidly. My admiration , take care of those Pateks and most of all enjoy them. Happy new year. Cheers Geross
Agreed
It was one heck of a year, including other brands like de Bethune as well... Best Sam
Congratulations....
Super Patek collection.....It seems like you are a bracelet lover.I tend towards that these days as well the only problem is that most of the year is summer here!! Enjoy your lovely collection and a new box is the easier solution but definitely not the mo...
A new box may prove to be super=expensive
Perhaps I should expand the Patek into Lange territory Sam
Hi Sam, at the Singapore GTG which I attended 2 days ago, the Singapore PuristS brought many...
Lange\'s ! Out of 15 of us, mine was the only Patek ! :-( BTW, your name was mentioned by horogasm. Let\'s aim for a GTG in Hong Kong when he comes next time. Also, Fernando and I will try to have Hong Kong GTGs that can exceed 15 PuristS. Are you in? Che...
LOL
With Lange rolling out more and more LE, there maybe more people wearing Pateks soon Horogasm was instrumental in help arranging my visit to the Lange manufacture three years ago. Would love to catch up with him. Sure, I am in for a HK GTG. I think Alec o...
Yes Sam, horogasm explained...
how Lange treated you badly and how they are rolling out more and more LE pieces to increase prices. He is a what a great PuristS should be! Irrespectively , now that I have relocated to HK, we must have a friendly competition with the Singaporeans. Happy...
Hopefully I am in HK when you have the GTG!!
My AD showed me a 5524 three days ago as well but I am patiently waiting for my 5131R, 5235 & 5370! Wish everyone a great year and add many pieces to your collections!! Keith
Superb collection!
How do one decide what to wear with choices like that? I for sure would struggle…. especially with a 5524G addition! Clearly another box is the solution here as both there is nothing to get rid of in that box and the fact that you are expecting a few piec...
Nice little problem about what to wear
Honestly, I couldn't decide whether I pick the clothes first and then the watch to match them or vice versa. Any way, some are evidently dressy pieces while others are casual/sporty ones so it isn't too hard. Cheers Sam
Congratz Sam.
This 5524's buckle is really nice looking: clean and discreet and makes it original. I talked about the movement and the different practical and secured features the watch brings: / And I made a little review of the 5524G here if you missed it where I th...
A thousand thanks Mark for referring me to your excellent articles
Gosh....I don't know how come I missed your excellent review of the 5524G and the interesting yet diverse comments from our community. I understand market reactions are a bit mixed but my moles at Patek are telling me that many customers are eagerly await...
Diverse comments about 5524G but...
... more and more positive from what I read here and there (and it is not the only example in Patek's history). This being said, this is not the kind of watch everyone will like and I think this is a good thing. I like getting a watch I love and which rem...
Any single one of these can be a grail to many...
I will be happy to exit this hobby with any Patek PCC. Congrats on such an awesome collection. If I have these, I will add a 5131 or Patek WT to complete the series but that's just me. HNY and thanks for sharing this wonderful post card. Rgds Raymond
Great minds!
I am indeed waiting for the Worldtime Moon as I write. I will happily settle for the 5131R if it comes my way.....
Life is a box of choc...err Pateks...
Happy NY, Sam. Wishing you good health and all the best for 2016! Alfred
Congrats and HNY Sam!
This one is an acquired taste and it's growing on me. However, the one you were wearing during a GTG dinner when you sat next to me is still my favourite. Do you remember? It was just captivating in the metal and I couldn't keep my eyes off it. Best ferna...
Beautiful Collection there!
Happy New Year Sam, and looking forward to seeing more splendid pictures for the additions of 2016!
HNY to you too!
Who knows? I may slow down and focus on fewer pieces in 2016. Regards Sam