Ornatus-Mundi
[Zenith]
7136
Thank you Mark for putting the 5200G into context...
I have a weak spot for shaped watches, particularly if they carry complications - thus is much less easy to implement and often requires a lot of additional thinking to achieve a pleasant and harmonious result. Patek I guess has done very well with the 5200G, its dial layout is marvellous and the colour combination difficult to beat.
Here are few impressions Oliver and myself collected during a spring 2014 visit to the PP salon in Geneva (not the best ones...):
A very clear dial (above) combined with an Art Déco case (below), exceptional watchmaking...
The movement... the 28-20 square shaped caliber, typical Patek (but I just wished some shortcuts would have been avoided...):
All critique vanishes once this peice is on the wrist. The 5200G has an untouchable aura which I fear only Patek can achieve.
To me the 520G carries the qualities of an eternal watch, a timepiece that puts and end to it all, the exit watch... Good or bad? You decide!
Cheers,
Magnus
[Review] Patek Philippe 5200G Gondolo "blue dial"
Gentlemen, If you remember, I had a chance to handle the white dial 5200G earlier in the year (here: ). This time, I could try the Patek Philippe 5200G blue dial version launched in 2013 (but which has just recently arrived in stores), and now I am able ...
Blue dial is stunning
And I like the case as well My complaint is the white small hands, like for the small seconds, look cheap and hurt this version and the 5124 blue dial for me. I understand they are more readable with the contrast but they don\'t ooze quality like the rest...
It is indeed a very interesting comincation of dial and case
as the latter is quite more classical and the blue dial looks more modern. As for the white hands, I guess we all have the little things we really don't like (I usually don't like brushed dials and blackened hands... just my "thing") I think you have an i...
Thanks Mark,
5124G is closer to my hearth. This introduced watch is not very readable in real life and also a bit "messy". Not exactly a bargain either. Best, Kari
The 5124G is a very nice novelty
The Gondolo case in a smaller dimension, with still the as beautiful shaped movement and blue dial is a great choice Kari, and more elegant IMHO. Cheers, Mark
Only Counts can say
that a Patek Philippe is too CHEAP! That was the best of the month. Next time I'll buy a Patek, I will tell that "this is nice but I think it is too cheap". Today I ordered my Xmas present and that was over 70k. Perhaps I could ask Patek if I could pay 10...
Happy that it is amusing you :-)! A Patek is never "cheap" but sometines, RARELY, good
value for money. Like Patek's pilots watch that, being a WG watch (!), costs the same as an Aquanaut traveller watch in steel. I feel the same here too, as it does offer quite a lot, albeit the one short cut, but that is a lapsus that we overlook generous...
Perhaps I should run for the Pilots'
My wife loves it. I have no opinion as I have not even seen it. Best, Kari
My Dear Count!
I'm not a Collector... I just happen to love nice watches and my favourite brand happens to be PP. I happen to have four on order, all platinum, but then I start to have what I would like to own. Till something Cool will be introduced. Best, Kari
Personally, for cars, watches, real estate etc... I don't look at the price but more
the difference between the purchase price and the selling price, hence the amount of money I may loose or gain. If I buy 50K and loose 2 K it is something. If I buy 40K and loose 10K this is worse of course. I'm sure you think the same of course Kari but ...
I agree. However,
I have never gained by selling a watch. I have some which I could easily sell with profit, but I do not buy watches in order to gain something. Naturally, I need to take into account the expected "value" of my purchases because it is just fair to think ab...
I have mixed feelings on this one
when it came out and I saw the first pictures I was bitten by the blue dial an rectangular case, a few months later I had the possibility to try it on during a showcase weekend at my AD, and then came the disapointment, ... I found it looking a bit to sma...
This is trully a very appealing watch and dial but I think that...
one has to be open to this style of shaped watches. However sometimes it is not enough! (and in love with the 5070 doesn't leave a lot of room to others either :p). Me it was the opposite: I wasn't that much into it from pics but liked it very much on my ...
Thanks for sharing
I do like this watch and tried on a white dial version a few months ago. I recently also handled one in blue, which I prefer. However, I find the price a bit high for what it is. I did acquire the 5124G, which follow a similar form earlier in the year. It...
The 5124G presented this year is a great alternative
It looks very nice and more peaceful. The 5200's dial is more exciting to me but I understand the "more complicated" feeling, it is less something which remains discreet on the wrist. It is normal to be attracted by round watches but I must say I've been ...
Thanks again Mark for the informative reviews!
I am very happy for your PP Mod. election, you're doing a great job. Thanks! Regards, Chris
My pleasure Chris!
Thank you very much for you warm comment, I appreciate it very much. Have a nice end of WE Chris Mark
Nice review Mark
One more informative article on a watch that I have never thought about because of the rectangular case,I think I have to get more open to different case shape. Thanks. Best, Ahmed
I followed the same path, not so long ago
I wasn't really attracted by shaped cases but once I went trying them by curiosity, I came to like them quite much and even conclude I could buy one. A lot of character for sure. Thank you very much for your nice comments! Cheers, Mark
Thank you Mark for putting the 5200G into context...
I have a weak spot for shaped watches, particularly if they carry complications - thus is much less easy to implement and often requires a lot of additional thinking to achieve a pleasant and harmonious result. Patek I guess has done very well with the 52...
My pleasure Magnus, nice to hear about your view too
About shaped watches, I come to them quite clearly. Recently we had the new 5135 of Patrick and WatchLifer and I could experience in the last 6 months the two 5200G versions and the cushion-shaped 5940G. As you said the fact they are complicated bring muc...
I see you like it quite much Moritz.
As I said earlier, I wasn't into shaped case watches but slowly coming toward them. This is really one I could get too (with white dial though). Cheers, Mark
Beautiful Watch! And I'm am not P.P fan!
Patek Phillipe is hit or miss with me. Their ludicrous prices and fan based manufactured "infallible" reputation are deal breakers. Pragmatic and firmly planted on the Terra Firma, I am. No matter how irrational the Horological Pursuits may be. Having bru...
You seem to be liking shaped watches!
The 5200 with its Gondolo case is indeed a very appealing and original one. It has a lot of character and I share you appeal for this reference. Thanks for sharing your opinion Harvey. Cheers, Mark
I am not sure if I have seen it sofar :-)
But I know that I have not tried it on! When it came out I was not fond of it due to the full calendar function "only". But same time later I find it quite an appealing watch at an appealing price point: 8 days power reserve and a calendar function for tw...
It is indeed a model which is worth trying even once
When trying it, the word big didn't come to my mind a all I must say. It was more, maybe, is it too long compared to the wrist (top to bottom): for me it is "limit" ok. The blue indeed seems to be attracting more people. Thanks for your input (and sorry f...
You did a good job covering the 5200! But I do have one question...
what is the general opinion on the use of ''faux'' bridges? It's an attractive timepiece with great attention to details - aesthetically and technically speaking - at a reasonable price (relatively speaking). The ''faux'' bridges offers the advantage of b...
Thank you!
Well, this is something I didn't care about that much and I thought that watchmakers tried to find ways to avoid torsions (because of the mainspring torque for instance, which must be quite important here with a 8 days PR). But I prefer when they are sepe...