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Technically great but...
There is no doubt that this grand complication is an amazing technical feat and from what I've read on another site the watchmakers have been quoted as saying they even had room to fit a tourbillion if they so wished. Wow. I also agree that Patek should be pushing their high end credentials and more power to them.
However, despite the ingenuity of the piece, I find two elements that don't quite work for me. Firstly, the size of the watch, at 44mm wide and just under 16mm thick it just seems too big for a Patek and i can't help feeling it kind of undercuts the achievements of the watch. I mean at that size a brand could probably fit any number of complications! Perhaps I'll just have to get used to the idea of a 'big chunky Patek' but even writing those words seems odd (maybe this is a 'sporty' watch?!).
The second element is the size and position (too low) of the the chrono subdials. For me they are just too big and overpower the dial with it's markings. The balance is off somehow. For some reason, and I hate to say this, it reminds of something I've seen on of one of Maurice Lacroix's watches. No offence to ML.
I understand these are fairly trivial points when looking at the watch as a whole but unlike other brands Patek, to me, is all about the details...
...and thank god there are no diamonds on it! (or have I spoken too soon?).
Baselworld 2011: Patek Philippe 5208 triple complication with minute repeater monopusher chronograph and instantaneous perpetual calendar.
Obviously many here and myself first may wonder if we will ever see this watch out of the Patek Philippe window at Baselworld or the Geneva boutique. Those who may not wonder such question may answer "why bother?". I've read your many answers complaining ...
I love a lot this blend of tradition and modernity.
Awesome dial, great to have a monopusher, and I appreciate these " empty " lugs which give a lot of modernity to this watch. Aren't the unreasonable dreams the nicer? Best, and thanks for this great post. Nicolas.
My pleasure Nicolas.
Hi, In fact I hope to see it someday, even if 44mm is not very much Patek Philippe for me, so far. Cheers Dje
I had great pleasure in reading this!
Thank you, and I guess this is not far to be ma favorite Patek (with the 5074 & 5004), I especially like the date position. I have maybe a little doubt about the upside down moonphase. This message has been edited by Borale on 2011-03-27 15:00:24
You're welcome
Hi, The 5074 is a favourite of mine. I've just always feared it to be slightly large. But compared to this 5208 the 5074 is a small watch, so perfect. The 5004 was a dreampiece, but on a daily basis a 5970 or 5070, or even a 3970 would be enough for me. I...
Technically great but...
There is no doubt that this grand complication is an amazing technical feat and from what I've read on another site the watchmakers have been quoted as saying they even had room to fit a tourbillion if they so wished. Wow. I also agree that Patek should b...
Putting a tourbillon would have been....
Hi, Putting a tourbillon would have been quite easy as they just needed to take the 3939/5339 base instead of the 5078 base. But that would have meant to add an extra 1.53mm to the thickness and as you pointed out the size of the case is already significa...
movement
thanks very much for this post. does the 5208P movement have the micro rotor of the 5078/5074 or a full size rotor please?
Here
Hi, Here is the view of the same calibre on the back of another watch. Cheers Dje...
A true grand complication...
The term "grand complication" is used very loosely these days. Today, Patek Philippe uses it to describe just about any of their watches that are special, assembled twice, and assembled by one individual. Anything as complex or more complex than a perpetu...
Thank you for your report............
This is the one that I have been waiting to read. I hope that soon we shall see some photos of the watch. Is this the largest diameter watch that Patek have made, excluding the 5002? And would this also be their first 12 hour chronograph? The piece is tru...
That is achingly beautiful...
...shouldn't be saying that about a watch. Should be saying it about a beautiful woman... But that is stunning. Breathtaking. Detail like the lugs are incredible. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome, and for your questions...
Well, Is this the largest diameter watch that Patek have made, excluding the 5002? I don't think so.The pilot watch from 1936 may be larger! And would this also be their first 12 hour chronograph? The 5960 has a 12 hours counter. Cheers Dje
Speechless
Such a beautiful watch, I might need to sell my kidney, house and wife for it! I wonder why they put 0.02ct diamond between the lugs at 6 o'clock? Thank you for the post, I'll dream about it tonight.
Best watch by far at Basel 2011......
Best watch by far at Basel 2011......Now where is that order form? Best, K
is this PP's Veyron?
the 5208 looks like a techonological as well as a design challenge but i am questioning its financial sense for a smallish privately held company. for example, the veyron apparently costs circa €5mm per car to produce and it's sold at circa 25% of that. T...
No, definitely not!
Hi, Patek Philippe will not loose a penny on this watch! The base is well know, the Advanced Research part was already tested in the last three years or more, the perpetual calendar is an evolution of the 5207, the chronograph is new but uses former Pp ad...
Your slightly snobbish remarks are really comparing apples with oranges...
Frankly, I don't see what justifies the comparison between this watch and the Veyron. And while I have never served as CFO of watch manufacturer, I don't see why one would assume that the Patek Philippe 5208 is a watch that Patek Philippe is selling at le...
apples and oranges....
you're right that i am comparing apples and oranges when i state that the 5208 may be PP's Veyron. however, i stand by my comment re: the vanity of the nouveau (super) rich. having been many times to the wempe and pp boutique here in london and observed c...
Stunning reference by PP...
wow..love to see more movement shots and maybe a video...
Video (of sorts)
Mods: Hope this link is okay. If not, my apologies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0pXvzF592w Tony
re:5208
My good friend went to Basel and said that this watch was really impressive. He is an AD but he is realistic is his assessments with me. I buy what I like not what will be a good investment. That being said, this is a very expensive watch, period. I think...
OMG !x3
OMG superb creation for patek the most beautiful watch from pp ive everseen!! OMG superb complication ,innovation and creation from pp ever produced!! OMG perhaps ive to sell my house and car to get this watch!!
A marvel, a remarkable marvel.
Would have loved to see it with a co-axial crown, so no pusher at 2. The moonphase indicator look a bit too Lange, to me. LOVE it. Thanks. Vte
even if you have the money
this watch will be almost impossible to get. This, to me is a shame but I understand they can only produce very small numbers. Just do not put it in the catalog as its not generally available.