Right, Bill? ;-D
I asked this question actually not so much to get help with making my personal decision, but just to see what the current opinions are on these two watches. The Patrimony with the slate dial has been out now since 2010 while the gray Traditionelle has been with us for a much shorter time, although a decent enough interval for initial enthusiasm to have died down if it is has at all.
As I suspected, while we have not had a ton of responses here, the Traditionelle is beating out the Patrimony by about 2 to 1. Your point, Bill, about the change of the metal affecting one's preference for the model is well made. I prefer the Patrimony over the Traditionelle, if only slightly, in every metal and dial color except when it comes to the platinum and gray combination -- and there I get stuck between the two gray dials, unable to come down on a clear preference.
I hope others will chime in. 4Js has not participated, for instance, but I suspect that is because he is tired of discussing this exact topic endlessly with me. ;-)
Best,
respo