patekova
1851
The controversial Patek Cubitus 5821/1A - yea or nay? When this watch came out there was much I appreciated about it - non-round case, dial color, something different
yet pleasantly familiar. But I was turned off a bit by its reported 45mm size ( especially having a small 6.5”/16.5 cm wrist) and it generally seemed to fall considerably short compared to the iconic 5711. I also felt that perhaps a bolder and more colorful dial would work even better (eg like the blue dial on the 2 tone version). I was definitely feeling luke warm until I tried it on.
I liked it including the dial color. I tried it on a second time and I liked it a lot. I tried it on a third time and I loved it.
Credit: Patek Website
It did not wear that large at all. I found its wearing size similar to 5711. I loved that it is square ish. The relatively small and round movement didn’t bother me at all. Historically I noted Patek’s use of round movements in square watches . I found the watch including the bracelet super comfortable to wear.
Do I think it is as good or better, whatever that means, compared to 5711. I don’t think of it in those terms. For me Cubitus despite the obvious similarities to 5711 occupies its own lane. If I become an owner will I like it as much as 5711? Only time will tell. I hope to be able to put that to the test.
(When I tried on the later 40mm variants, they seemed relatively small and less appealing compared to both 5821/1A and 5711.)
So I am definitely smitten. I wonder how others feel about the steel Cubitus, particularly those fortunate members who are owners and/or have had the experience of wearing it.
How do you feel overall about the steel Cubitus? What do you like and what do you dislike?
Best, Patekova
Credit: Patek Website
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The controversial Patek Cubitus 5821/1A - yea or nay? When this watch came out there was much I appreciated about it - non-round case, dial color, something different
yet pleasantly familiar. But I was turned off a bit by its reported 45mm size ( especially having a small 6.5”/16.5 cm wrist) and it generally seemed to fall considerably short compared to the iconic 5711. I also felt that perhaps a bolder and more colorf...
A huge fail IMO
I tried it out in-person and disliked it a lot. I am not a huge Nautilus fan either though and strongly prefer the Royal Oak. I think the other big turn off here were the comments made by the CEO about the design being "all him" etc. That is not something...
If you have the unique opportunity to buy one, definitely worth trying it on in person. Always hard to say without trying it on in person.
It may not look good on your wrist. So it has to be tried on in person. When I was a teenager, I was introduced to the 5711 Nautilus by my mother. She thought it looked quite nice. I said, "it looks strange and it looks like it has ears!" I thought it loo...
Thank you for your reply. As I mentioned I have already tried it on a few times. I have yet to be offered the watch, but if I were offered it today I would buy it.
Thanks for sharing your path to 5712. You made a great choice for yourself. Also it is IMO a great watch.
Thank you!
Yes. You did mention you tried it on. And I realize my response implied that you hadn't - not my intention. Only go for it if you're absolutely smitten about it!
Not for me
I've tried it on several times, and it doesn't look good on my wrist. And the proportions look weird to me. Much better with the 40mm, but a hair to small and it didn't sign to me on the wrist either. I must confess that I'm a bit too picky with square wa...
It looks and feels good in the hand
Check my video of it with a 41mm RO to get a sense of the real size, because it's nothing like the claimed 45mm. I couldn't wear it if it were a 45. That said, it's not original enough to anticipate it will become a classic just yet. This is a reasonable ...
If this is Tim M from 1916 Company, I have already viewed and enjoyed your review of it. As always, extremely interesting, enjoyable and informative!
Also interesting your comments here as to what you feel it would take to set Cubitus apart from its Patek brethren and to create something more special than what it is now.
I suspect we need to see a Cubitus exclusive
Yes, I'm that Tim M. My thoughts on setting the Cubitus apart converge on the same point; it needs to offer something never offered on a previous Patek sports watch. A Cubitus-exclusive full tantalum case and bracelet would be great. Some kind of true div...
Thanks for your very detailed and creative analysis and suggestions. Hopefully Patek is listening!
There is one Cubitus right now that while not different in a revolutionary way is nevertheless different. Aside from the platinum having a large date at 12 it has the days of the week around the moon phase rather than the date. I don’t recall seeing these...
I agree with it not being a future classic...
...but if you love it, that should be enough...
Thank you, dear Patekova,
for sharing your thoughts and try on experiences concerning the steel Cubitus. I have only tried on the rose gold 40 mm variant. It wears well on my wrist and I find the watch globally refined and well done. But I don’t like the stripes decorating the rot...
It works better on a strap than the Naulitus imo. Conversely Naultius is better on the bracelet
But there is only one strap model so far
It felt smaller than its size on my 7.25" wrist...
...I was also worried that it would be too large as I usually try to stay under 40mm unless it's a dive watch, for example.
I don't care for it today, but I am keeping an open mind about it.
I also don't like its name.
When 5020 came out the general view of it was that it was ugly. With time many viewed as being more like a beautiful swan. Time will tell
how Cubitus will be viewed years from now. I certainly am making no predictions
I happened to be in Las Vegas in October 2024 ….
… when the boutique received the courier package with the first two. They wear way smaller than the 45mm would suggest. Here they are on my 17.2 cm wrist. Interestingly it was the 5822P that appealed to me the most. But I’d have to say I wouldn’t take eit...
A definite nay! :-)
Too large. The size of the smaller 7128 is so much better for a square watch.
Thanks Patekova for an interesting post on the controversial Cubitus !👍 It is a yea for me😃 because
5821/1A regular production has a green dial which many loved for the last run of 5711/1A. As mentioned in my post on trying on this piece, it is a “small” 45mm which I can still just pull off with my small wrist given its thin case. I do also love the col...
It's not for me.
Admittedly I have only seen in in shop windows and have not tried it on, but I am not a fan of the case shape or the colour of the dial. I was surprised that I like the two tone version more (because I don't normally like two tone watches), and out of all...
Yes, I think the 2 tone is at least as attractive as the all steel. As for the platinum, between the added weight, added thickness and added price
there are other watches I much prefer.
Yes, I'm not rushing to buy the platinum version, I just like its complications and the way it looks more than the all steel version.
I have previously owned a 5712, and that was nicely made and very comfortable. I am sure the steel version of the Cubitus is too.
Here’s a pic I took of it on my wrist.
Definitely wears large imo. I feel like patek should be sleek and refined…. ...
They managed to kill two birds with one stone:
1. Make an inferior copy of the Cartier Santos 2. Make an inferior version of the Nautilus I have tried it on and it did nothing for me even though I like integrated bracelet watches.
Tough crowd here 🙂
In most cases when I see a wrist shot of a cubitus, I have a reflexively negative visceral reaction. But it’s an odd reaction because I did try it on and liked how it felt well enough on the wrist…plus I like green dials. However, I couldn’t parse out how...
As you know, this is often not about rational alone...
... but unfortunately also the rational is difficult if you copy paste a design that is simply too close, too "wanna be", too much "non professional" from a design point of view [I am sorry - I am honest here], compared to the uinique design of the Nautil...
Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. Makes for a great dialogue. Yes, my opinion is of course the determinant in whether to make a purchase.
It is interesting however to know other people’s viewpoints. Also, someone might say something I never thought about or somehow never noticed. Also, interesting and perhaps informative to know how actual owners’ views have evolved after wearing a watch ma...
A close friend just started wearing this very reference.
I still prefer nautilus but I think it looks great on his wrist. It wouldn’t be a watch I would chase. But I do like it.