Doctor
37
What's not to like about black? But is color the right question?
Great choices. I was just looking at the 5980 and the 5712 yesterday. What pushed me away from the 5980 was more of the size. Which also could be something you prefer. But it stands rather tall. I want something a bit more quiet, less like a rolex and more like a thin patek, ergo I leaned toward the 5712 on shape and dimensions. Also I love the added complications. But then when looking at the 5726, I think the following rank it tops when compared to the 5712, 5980:
5726 Advantages over 5980 and 5712:
- Black goes with everything, yes the patek blue is classic and nearly as flexible, so its a thin argument. Although color consultants would say if you are a "Winter" (dark hair) vs. a "Summer" (blond) you need to go with black, as is the case for me, and wow, has my wardrobe improved after following the consultant's advice. Perhaps this plays into your decision. Although the blue is dark enough to fit into the winter category, black would win out as a stronger color for winter, blue wins out for more apt with summer.
- Black has greater contrast, again not a major difference but consider it
- Thinner is better on a fine Swiss watch, when is thicker really better unless you are looking for that Panerai or Rolex Sea dweller look
- 5726 is one of the most balanced dials on a watch with a few nice complications, to me it has a distinct beauty above the 5712, despite the 5712 being so nice
- Annual Calendar! - Come on, isn't this a great complication? Only having to change the date on February is quite nice. Obviously perpetual is the best but is it worth six figures to you?
- Moon phase - another great complication, fun to watch.
- I don't know how much less water resistant the 5726 really is over the 5980 with its chrono buttons but this could be a consideration, I don't like taking off my piece at the beach
- This might be the more rare piece, I have yet to actually see a 5726, but I've seen a few 5980
- Extra straps gives you more variety of looks if the 5726 is shipping with two straps.
- The overall shape of the 5726 is staying truer to the Nautilus' original and in many folks view more beautiful and distinct design. Yes AP had the concept first, but many like the Nautilus shape better, as do I. The 5980 looses some of that beauty in my opinion with the pushers sticking out so much, but for others that may add a more attractive girth.
Advantages of the 5980:
- I think the red on the dial just makes this and many other watch pop
- If you ever have a use for the chrono, well then why not?
- Thicker can be better, especially if you are a big guy
- More markings on the face actually adds to the look for some people.
I doubt you'd regret one over the other unless there is a complication for which you have a particular passion. I've had chronos when I thought I loved that feature, yet I really didn't want it much or appreciate it after having it. Moon phase, thinness and the black color, push the 5726 over the edge for me.
5980 - will Patek do a dial swap?
Hey guys, I'm new on this board although have posted a few times over on the AP section about my ROO Diver I recently got. I've totally fallen in love with the 5980 but like many am unsure whether the charcoal or blue dial is the way forward. I like both ...
I don't think they would buddy, because
The reference and serial number would change but ask ask ur AD he would know better
I doubt it
While I can't speak to Patek policy, everything I know leads me to believe that they would not do this and that you would be unwise to wish it. Changing the dial of a fine watch makes the watch undesirable to collectors, so you would be paying to reduce t...
Next week's price increase...
Is this a world-wide increase? As I've only really decided to go for a Patek recently I hadn't picked up on this! Do you guys have any details as to what % increase will be applied? I hadn't quite got to the stage of being ready to hand over the readies, ...
the date counter are different colors for the blue and black!
you would end up with a mis-matched watch. Any future buyer who is willing to spend so much for a watch would know that the counter on the blue face is black and the counter on the black face is white. Buy the blue dial as it is classic Nautilus and in so...
that would surprise me ... but ....
let me convince you to go for the blue dial who changes colour depending the light from blue to grey several times a day if I had the choice again I'd take exactly the same one...
Blue dial would be my choice but...
if you're unsure which color to go with and hoping that PP will change out the dial for you, then I would suggest you think hard about which one would be the one you could NOT live without. That way, you'll be happy with your choice and your purchase. Alo...
These are good problems to have
Buy either one and you will not go wrong. Blue is more classic for Nautilus, but black more rare and perhaps with a touch more "elegance."
thanks...
for all the replies guys, and especially thanks for the photos. The 5726 has also sprung up as a candidate, and it's tough to decide which direction to choose. The 5980 has a nice chunky-ness about it that is quite modern and the bracelet is more versatil...
Looking at the pics again...
I think the blue dial would win, because I'm just not super-keen on the charcoal dial's white on black date wheel. I guess in real life things might be different, but in pics the datewheel seems to stand out more in black than in white. So.... Blue 5980 v...
You want the Blue dial....
Its more rare and from what I heard will be discontinued in favor of the Gray....
Congratulations on your choices...........
The Nautilus range is a great all rounder and are superb. But I see that your have moved from having a Nautilus with a Chronograph complication or an Annual Calendar complication. Which from your 2 choices would you find more useful? Regards Tony
Being honest...
...I use my watches to tell the time. A date complication is nice, but anything beyond that is purely aesthetics, in my honest appraisal of how I use watches. I've really been big into watches for a few years now and never needed reminding of the day or m...
I would disagree....
I think that the blue dial outsells the black one... As far either being discontinues that would be anybody's guess unless you have inside information from Patek... I doubt that the blue dial would be discontinued as it is a much loved watch... It could a...
Patek will not change the dial color
Back in 1990s, Patek (through their Henri Stern Agency in NY) would routinely swap out dials to replace with an alternative color. I changed the black dial on a 3970 with a white dial and I changed a pink (salmon) dial on a 5035 to black. They even let me...
Dial Changes
I think Patek general philosophy is three fold: 1. Patek is reluctant to make a "piece unique"............changing dial on 5980 (without changing date wheel color) would render it a non-standard piece. My guess is that Patek would not agree to do so, but ...
What's not to like about black? But is color the right question?
Great choices. I was just looking at the 5980 and the 5712 yesterday. What pushed me away from the 5980 was more of the size. Which also could be something you prefer. But it stands rather tall. I want something a bit more quiet, less like a rolex and mor...
Nice analysis
Doctor, Nice to see your comments. It's not only a detailed and nuanced analysis, but one that recognizes how others might prefer something different. Park