Belated 5711R announcement of incoming

Aug 31, 2019,19:41 PM
 

I meant to write about this several months ago when I picked it up but have not had time really! Now I’m sitting having a lazy weekend it seems like a good moment to write a few words about a very polarising piece.

We all know how mad the world has gone over luxury sports watches and certain models are trading at frankly crazy prices and dress watches seem to be in the shadows of these ‘bright lights’.

My tastes have always been quite eclectic as I balance classics (Omega Speedmaster) with some more avant-garde (UN Freak) but generally I prefer 40mm and less. I sold all my Panerai a few years back as I struggled to follow the direction Richemont were pursuing for the brand although I still find myself admiring them. I remain a loyal JLC advocate and collector but otherwise find myself increasingly drawn to independents such as Journe, Kari, Gronefeld, Akrivia, UJ and other either very small ‘boutique’ independents (the definition of which is becoming harder to agree on I suggest!) or the larger family owned firms such as PP and AP. (While I have a few Rolex they tend to be older pieces as I can’t be bothered with the ‘game’ now sadly).

Anyway, back to this piece.... back pre-Basel this year one of my favourite AD’s for Patek back in the UK contacted me to enquire what I might be interested in and he would send me ‘live’ details from Basel. Suspecting that a blue dial Nautilus annual calendar was in the offing I mentioned that. Sure enough it was confirmed and I was assured of the first piece! Great I said, I will dive in to the Nautilus world with this (pun intended). Having been more of a classic PP guy of modest means I had opted towards Royal Oaks over Nautilus previously but felt I needed to try.

Meanwhile, my AP Royal Oak blue dial perpetual arrived. Figuring that the annual calendar had no place side by side with the RO I emailed to say I would pass as I didn’t want to take up a piece someone else could enjoy and I’m not one for buying to flip at profit.

A few weeks later I was at a small gtg here in HK with a fellow Purist who kindly let me try his 5711R. That set in train a series of evil thoughts in my head and following a further try on at the Geneva PP boutique my mind was set! Naively thinking that the full rose gold wasn’t subject to the same insanity as the steel versions I emailed my friendly Ad to enquire as to the possibility. Less than a week later the answer was through. Yes, we can get one for you and will be with us in four weeks! Wow.... i now realise my good luck.

Thankfully it arrived while I was back in the UK for work and I was able to pick it up in person! And there you have it... the longwinded story of my good fortune and rather surprising (to me) journey to a piece I perhaps never thought I’d want but now I have tried and now own really struggle to see it leaving my collection! I know it is a ‘workhorse’ movement albeit a tried and tested one and the design still polarises opinion and some would say rose gold has no place in a sports watch but hey... I’m happy!


























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Incredibly beautiful

 
 By: mj23 : August 31st, 2019-20:02
RG and brown dial goes so well

Who could argue with that? Congratulations!

 
 By: Ano Nuevo : August 31st, 2019-20:30
I didn’t think that a solid gold watch and bracelet could appear understated, but your photographs prove how wrong I was. A very handsome acquisition. Wear and enjoy! Ano Nuevo

Merci mon ami! [nt]

 
 By: Gus7 : September 1st, 2019-10:02

Huge congrats Gus ! Trust that you are appreciative of the other Purists in...

 
 By: GLau : September 1st, 2019-01:17
poisoning you !! IMO this version of brown dial with rose gold is very attractive.

If you start ‘poisoning’ me...

 
 By: Gus7 : September 1st, 2019-10:01
I’m in REAL trouble Gordon!

Well, Daniel and I are aiming to have a...

 
 By: GLau : September 1st, 2019-11:08
GTG to de-stress on Monday and if it happens, I have promised to bring a special piece !! Come for some FREE poison if you are free !!

Yes, I read that. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 1st, 2019-11:43

Looks magnificent, congatulations!

 
 By: jkvs : September 1st, 2019-08:07
You really are a man of honor as you withstood the 5726 offer.

Many congrats! Nice story and good choice you have made.

 
 By: Stek : September 1st, 2019-12:46
The steel version is incredible but in my opinion the rose gold version even more special.

Love this watch

 
 By: jamesbutler1222 : October 15th, 2019-21:33
This watch will hold the test of time and look good forever!