While I do like to collect the very best, I also have a wide pallet and enjoy collecting watches that I think have their own merits even if not close to being the best. For me, as a lover of PCCs, I had to own at least one of every generation. I wanted a complete selection of Patek history in this family of references. I own multiple 5270s because I found so much character in the few I am enjoying. Salmon gave me an opportunity to strap a salmon dial to the wrist that isn’t a piece unique. Admittedly, I’ve gone skiing with a 5002, so I’m not exactly the most cautious, but it’s nice to have a regular production salmon with a very specific shade of salmon. The R I bought because it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The J was to show respect for the tradition and I love me a yellow gold PCC.
I have many watches I wouldn’t class as the best but I enjoy them for what they are. I am not the biggest annual calendar guy but it was hard to say no to the 5205 case for example.
As for comparing the 5970 and the 5270... 5970 wins no contest. The 5270 is more legible but sacrifices balance of dial (symmetry) for readability. The 5270 is also a little on the larger side. I will also always prefer a PCC with subdials aligned with 3/9. However, I love the chemin de fer subdials in the 5270, I love the movement and the feel of the pushers and I love how the 30 min register indicator and chrono hand are matched with a different tone to the rest of the dial to improve legibility.
Ultimately there is a lot to love about both, but the 5970, well that’s something that I rank in the all time greats. The 5270 is close, and certainly far beyond any competitor, but it doesn’t bring me the same emotions of the 5970.