Bennett
1
First Patek - 5127 or 5196
Hitting 40, having first kid, got a nice raise, and my Rolex Sub is now 10 years old (and working perfectly though worn hard every day, including countless dive trips, with only basic maintainance), so... it's time I stepped up and bought myself a great dress watch and the mark I've always wanted, a Patek. I've narrowed it down to the 5127 or 5196 (in WG). I don't have a real preference for manual or auto. I'm not a collector so it'll likely be solely this and the Rolex for some years. I'll wear it daily to work (jeans or trousers, dress shirt and blazer), and then give it to my kid when I'm 102. WIll keep the Rolex for casual/sport, etc.
Which do you all recommend? I'm in California, so I can see both, but not in WG (which I would have an authorized dealer order for me). Retail price difference between 5127 v. 5196 is about $2k. Not insignificant, but not enough to sway a decision. Seems like the 5196 is slightly thinner and thus would appear dressier, but the case edges in some photos look brushed and not polished so that could make it less dressy. The 5127 appears to have more "heft" to it. I'm average size, but strong hands make my Rolex and any 37-38mm watch look perfectly sized for me.
I think both refs could be worn for all of the same occasions. Your thoughts? Any longer term considerations? I know I can't go wrong, but would appreciate some advice.
Having done a bunch of research (including this well-versed forum) and tried a bunch of watches (including VC, AP, Jaeger (liked the MUT), Lange, etc.), I'm looking forward to getting one of these Pateks... (I started my search by looking for a vintage Omega, then a vintage Jaeger, then a vintage VC, then a new Jaeger, then a vintage Patek, then a newer vintage VC, and now just going straight for the spanking new Patek - I've gone from $500 to $15K+ in a matter of weeks! This would be one tough hobby.)
Available on the marketplace
