Patek Philippe

SuitbertW
2411

• Show profile
• Show other posts

It only shows...

...that categorizing only tells a small part of the story.

Hi Wilson,
first, your  introduction may be misleading - at least I don't have any hard facts of orders or even sales for both models - and going by "visible" attention for this or  the other  model may not tell much about the truth. I.e. we actually don't  know which one is more desirable, or more impporatntly for the manufacturer which one is "better selling" .
Which one of both "offers more value" is a question which can't be answered by smply listing functions or other "paper specs", IMO - if at alll it would only reflect a minor part of the equation.
IMO, one of the nicest aspects of this passion for watches is the large variety and overall richness .
I'm afraid a good part of categorizing and " in the box thinking"  was and is created by the industry and the entire "marketing machine" - lastly the internet most liikely plays a major role here as well - at least for the more recent   years.
Of course it's much easier to establish certain "signs of quality", a good example would be "column wheel" or "in house", which than can be used as  a "magic word" whenever one decides trying to  impress the (semi?) educated.
Most media chime in here, most likely for different reasons, but reading articles  of  the specialized press at least for me seldomly  is real fun.
I understand the desire of more or less simple, straight analysis, but IMO it doesn't do justice and destroys the fun of learning more and developing some "individual" expertise.  Don't believe anyone trying to explain "different values" by listing some "paper specs" 

Coming back to your question about 5070 vs. 5960,  I believe they're thought to be for different "worlds" of customers (or collectors, enthusiast, or however you'd like the ones buying watches at all).

-5070, the classical handwound chronograph -  very "vintage", IMO. Clean technical case and dial - minute counter only. Everything represents classical  horological "values" of highest standards like  60 (or even more) years ago. The movement is absolutely top notch IMO, virtually a miniaturized version of state of the art pocket watch movements of the good old days - the way it's found to work reliably and beautifull at the same time. Doesn't leave much to complain, even for the picky, well educated and vintage experienced collector. Classical watchmaking at it's best. I won't comment the price factor here - let's face it, anything above the price of a Casio G-shock is luxury already (perhaps even below, as we all have a mobile phone as well ) so why bother with prices

-5960, a child of the last 20years mechanical watch renessaince. Automatic winding - as a consequence  obscuring a large part of the chronograph levers and springs this fact alone has the potential to scare off those from the "5070 camp".   But there are many, many (maybe the more normal mortals ) who appreciate the convenience of an automatic winding watch - but still aprreciate mechanical movements as well.
The annual calendar, flyback, vertical clutch, ceramic ball bearing, "up to date" beat rate...... all this will speak to those of us who like a good part of usefull day to day features and are still looking for "haute de gamme" execution and finish.
With this watch one can have both - classical watchmaking tradition and modern implementations at the same time.
The case, btw, is one of the most beautifull PP cases currently availlable - perhaps the slightly unusual, more coloured and modernistic dial deviates at the first glance, but having a close look at the case alone will tella different story. I've my reservations with the dial aesthetics and personally would love to see a different dial version soon, but, at the end and to say it with Mr. Stern's own words "...it's a dial only, everything is possible...." .
I''ve had the opportunity  to have close look at the movement now for several times and I've to say the finish is really nice - as one can expect from Patek Philippe .

Those two watches aren't competing at all, IMO, they're in two completely  different races.

I'm sure my attempt for an analysis is more confusing than clarifying - but isn't that part of the fun

Best regards
Suitbert