Patek folks,
In a little less than 2 months the Basel fair will open its doors to unveil the 2017 novelties. As usual, it is time for predictions and expectations!
Let’s make our Patek Philippe 3-piece wish-list for this event.
It can be about a new dial or case material for a watch you like or something completely new in terms of complications arrangement or case generation. The question could be what would like the brand to present (even if less affordable) or what you would like to find as a potential purchase.
We have talked quite much in the recent years about the new page that is being written from an aesthetical perspective. Times are different, our world is different, the aesthetical trends, the economy, new developing countries with different tastes, how internet has impacted all these changes, not only about our knowledge but also about how our tastes are evolving on a yearly basis.
As I said before, we all have a different approach on this matter but I think they all answer to our instincts and true desires.
2017 will be secondarily the year of some anniversaries too: the Aquanaut’s 20th anniversary and the 240 caliber’s 40th anniversary.
But, as I said in the past, Patek doesn’t really wish to favor a reference over the others and isn’t really into celebrating too strongly these anniversaries. Hence, I wouldn’t expect something really but it was worth mentioning them however.
Here are a few of my thoughts and I don’t think that, in spite of the changing period, Patek Philippe will lack of courage and will. I think it will be another interesting year.
Last year, I wished to see the launch of a new Perpetual Calendar generation borrowing the 5227’s case. Let’s try to see what I would like next…
5711 in Titanium but with the dark grey dial.
It will never happen IMHO but that’s what I would be happy to see: a 5711 in Ti with the dark grey dial available on the 5726 and 5990. It is a color combination that would remain discreet and beautiful. Especially knowing how fantastic the dial coating Patek Philippe is offering in the Nautilus line-up is. The Titanium would be the perfect material for someone like me who loves light watches.
The 31-260 caliber in a new watch.
This caliber was first introduced in the 5235G several years ago. I love the way the caliber is designed, the bridge’s curves, the wheels integration… it is a real marvel. I hope we will be able to have a new reference soon.
However, this might be the thing that I asked for last year already but would still like to get new dials for the 5170 with the tachymeter scales I appreciate very much.
The yellow, white and rose gold versions have already been made available, so I guess there is only the platinum one to be discovered (or maybe a new dial for the others but I doubt it as there has already been several versions).
I could be very satisfied with a new dial with Arabic (non-Breguet) numerals at 12 and 6 only and applied markers (baton or nail shaped) for the other hours. And dauphine or leaf hands.
Here are
some examples (pictures from Antiquorum
base).
The classical version...
Or the
wonderful sector dial (like on the gold and steel versions
here below). I didn't think last year Patek would release a Steel version for many reasons
but as we know the sector dials are back in the trend again (Laurent Ferrier before or JLC this year), who knows... Not that Patek follows trends but, as collections are usually built 2 or 5 years in advance, maybe it was already planned? We'll see.
What do you think?
Best, Mark