Very happy this beauty has arrived Nils! We already discussed it in private many times and from every possible angle over the last year, so I really don't have much to add....except that it looks great on you, and it is time for the big decision! :-)

Dec 03, 2022,21:49 PM
 

For me, it was kindly delivered to one of the Italian ADs right before I arrived in Summer 2021. It was love at first sight when it sat on my wrist, and not even a couple months later, after a useful chat with Patek about production numbers, I decided to pull the trigger.


To give a bit of context also for our members, I obviously see myself as a Patek collector but also, humbly, as a Rare Handcraft "student" and collector (I reserve the term "scholar" for the only subject in which someone bothered to give me a PhD and then a professorship, which is Algebra, but I guess you get the point! smile)

Any serious Rare Handcraft collection must include all four "main" techniques that Patek Philippe, and specifically the last two generations of the Stern family, have literally saved from extinction and raised to the level of the coveted horological artworks we admire today --- wood marquetry, enamel, miniature painting, and hand engraving. In particular, the latter is the oldest among the decorative crafts employed in horology, and is deeply rooted in Patek's own history and tradition.

As it happened, hand engraving was the one still missing from my collection in early 2021. And the 5088/100P is, by far, my favorite of the hand-engraved models *currently* offered by Patek, not least because it cases the "correct" movement, the iconic caliber 240 smile  To be always honest, would I prefer the "original" 5088P, a lovely limited edition offered right before the introduction of the 5088/100P in 2015? (I believe at least a couple of our distinguished members have this reference.) Probably yes, side by side I might have chosen the 5088P.  But I don't buy second hand, and I find the two pieces equally and *totally* exceptional, both on technical and stylistic grounds smile

Now, while we arrived at the conclusion that this reference was "necessary" to complete my own Rare Handcraft collection (OK, more came after that and also in the future, but that's a different story! ;-)), is the 5088/100P equally necessary for an excellent *watch* collector such as yourself? Strictly speaking, no. It would elevate almost any collection, due to its quality and exclusivity (and unparalleled elegance!), but it remains a VERY niche product.

Perhaps, at the risk of sounding like an emoticon, the most trivial of all questions is the only one that really matters at this point.....How does it feel on the wrist? smile

All in all, if this is your first Patek RH, I would say go for it my friend. If you decline, we both know this one is not coming back for you (in fact, I'm already surprised by such a late delivery ;-) And yes, like many of us did after buying this reference....start checking the time on your phone rather than a watch, and change that incredibly boring and serious strap with a brighter one!! smile

As your moderator, I hope I gave you (and all other members) a brief but fair and balanced perspective on this spectacular Patek --- in the context of both my humble collection and Patek Philippe's own offering.

Cheers!

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Tried on the 5088/100P

 
 By: penfriend : December 3rd, 2022-17:30
So after 1.5 years of wait the 5088/100P finally arrived at my dealership. Today I went to check it out, the watch is really hard to catch under artificial light. Now it is my turn to make a decision ;-) First impressions: a piece of art. Reading the time...  

Yes, this is an artistic piece and reading time is a

 
 By: GLau : December 3rd, 2022-18:00
secondary concern 🤣 The blue strap really makes it pop !!!

Nice decision to have!

 
 By: TeutonicCarFan : December 3rd, 2022-18:11
I believe if people get accepted to buy this they tend to do it because of it being a rare handcraft. I appreciate that you are not letting this be your sole judgememt. I agree difficult to read, but I do love all that engraving and LOVE the case flank. W... 

🤩 Definitely a decorative reference to have!!

 
 By: Patekfinity : December 3rd, 2022-18:18
Wow! I agree with Gordon that the blue strap certainly makes it pop! This is more of a showcase reference that says “You’ve made it!” Despite the difficulty reading the time…maybe was done on purpose so you HAVE to look at the dial MORE in order to tell t... 

I think Victor owns this model…

 
 By: myles721 : December 3rd, 2022-18:21
Bottom line collectors piece and / or black tie watch… i’m not a collector, and I don’t attend nearly enough black-tie events to make it worthwhile… but I definitely think that’s the equation.

Magnificent!

 
 By: InHavenPro : December 3rd, 2022-18:25
Thanks for the candid pictures, cheers, Filip

So, what is the verdict?

 
 By: amanico : December 3rd, 2022-18:26

Killer piece

 
 By: keks : December 3rd, 2022-18:32
If you have the means and space in the box then go for it as it is a real treat. It looks perfect on your wrist.

As a bona fide watch nut I can say with absolute confidence that...

 
 By: BigFatPauli : December 3rd, 2022-19:00
Telling the time is irrelevant!

A beautiful PP

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : December 3rd, 2022-20:08

Very happy this beauty has arrived Nils! We already discussed it in private many times and from every possible angle over the last year, so I really don't have much to add....except that it looks great on you, and it is time for the big decision! :-)

 
 By: FabR : December 3rd, 2022-21:49
For me, it was kindly delivered to one of the Italian ADs right before I arrived in Summer 2021. It was love at first sight when it sat on my wrist, and not even a couple months later, after a useful chat with Patek about production numbers, I decided to ... 

🙏👍

 
 By: Pretty Boy : December 3rd, 2022-22:10