ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
2 September 2012, 02:11 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
|
5146
Greetings TRF,
After waiting and thinking about it for a little while I've decided to make another review of a Patek Philippe watch, I hope you will find this one interesting as I am about to talk about a piece that I consider to be one of the all-time classics from the brand: the Patek Philippe 5146. The case: With a 39mm diameter it is a tad on the bigger size side, a lot would agree that it is perfect since larger watches are very popular nowadays and it allows the owner to put this timepiece on his wrist to fit every attire and for a lot of occasions. Having tried similar cases myself and despite being a smaller watches enthusiast I can only agree with those people, the watch seems to have a lot of presence on the wrist but remains very elegant with its lugs smoothly coming out of the case, there isn't a single rough cut on this watch and that is what makes it a versatile and timeless piece. The dial: Rather unique when compared to both watches with similar or different complications, the dial is filled with information! The annual calendar is displayed in a quite original way that makes me want to nickname that watch the inverted calendar. Days and months being displayed in windows while a hand is showing the date on a wide selection of other models in a whole lot of different brands, I find it nice to see that Patek has been able to make this timepiece look different (mind you, I used to be a tad skeptical but after looking at it for months I couldn't find a way to say I didn't like it, I just had to get used to the original look and now I must say I just love it). Worst case scenario, some people may find the dial too busy but I do not agree with them, the days and months registers look clean enough to make this watch look quite dressy as well and not over the top, I think it has just the right amount of writing on the dial to avoid making it hard to read the time (if I may be a bit rough, I would say that I like this one much more than the 5140's dial which is, in my humble opinion, one I would describe as too loaded and busy). As for the date, perhaps the most useful information in this watch after the actual time, I think its position on the sixth marker is just perfect, it makes it very easy to notice when one just wants to know the actual date without any details. I am not going to talk about whether the moonphase indicator is useful or not but it does add a lot to the symmetry of the dial and, in my humble opinion, it completes the whole calendar very well. One can also only love the power reserve indicator right under the twelfth marker, nothing too fancy, no horn shaped design, just two little markers and a small hand that let you know about the power remaining in your watch in a very subtle way. The hands and markers: Another forte of this watch, a lot of the contrast between the sporty and the dressy look of this watch relies on those. The long and slim hands are quite easy to notice (even on the complications) and look very elegant, as do the stick markers. However, the great contrast is made with the presence of both the lume dots and lines on the hour and minute hands and the arabic numerals placed at the third, the ninth and the twelfth markers. Their round shapes look very classy and they make the dial look less plain and simple. I've been thinking about the possibility to see this watch with a small second hand placed on the moonphase indicator but I have the feeling it would be the thing that would make the dial look too busy, surprisingly the large center sweep one looks very subtle and makes the watch look more clean. The movement: The case holds Patek Philippe's Caliber 324 S IRM QA LU. Along with the complications described above, this movement makes 28 800 vibrations per hour and will work for a maximum of 45 hours when not worn. I personally love the fact that it looks more open than a lot of other movements I've seen from Patek, it is much more interesting to look at through the sapphire crystal case back despite the presence of a large centered rotor (I usually prefer the mini ones but its original shape, the same as the other models from the brand, makes that piece of 22kt yellow gold look great). The different models: I didn't write a similar section for my other reviews because the watches I've written about so far were all unique models, however I must cover that part because the 5146 is very special for that. As some of you may have noticed I didn't add any letter next to the reference number in my thread title and this is because there are just so many different models. Here are pictures of the currently available ones. 5146G-001 5146G-010 5146J-001 5146J-010 5146P-001 5146R-001 5146/1G-001 5146/1G-010 5146/1J-001 As you can see, whether you prefer your watch on a bracelet or a band, no matter what's the case, the bracelet or the deployant clasp material you like the most, there is a 5146 for you! The wide selection of different models for this particular reference is simply impressive and it makes me wonder why this timepiece isn't much more popular. I am usually not the biggest fan of complicated Patek's on bracelet but I must admit that ever since I started to look at them the 5146 (especially in yellow gold) has been the only one I found truly amazing. The dials make it even easier for one to choose a watch depending on his tastes since all of them (except the rose gold and platinum models) are available with a bright and a dark one. Not only is this piece versatile as a piece of useful jewelry worn with different clothes but it is also versatile as a model available in a very big collection! As for the bands, they chose very wisely! It seems like I can't even find a single model from the ones above that would have looked better with another type or color of leather! Overall: Again, I am surprised that this piece isn't being shown more because, to me, it is one of the current models that truly represent Patek Philippe. We've seen a whole lot of those gold dress watches with calendars and moonphase indicators ever since the brand got created and the look has always been associated with an impressive masterpiece of horology. To me, the 5146 is one of the current models I would definitely consider a classic: it reminds us of the vintage complicated watches we now see being sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars while fitting perfectly in a line that wants to perfectly associate elegance and casual looks. Now I know this was probably painful to read but here is a gift to those of you who have been able to make it all the way to this sentence: pictures! Thank you for reading, feel free to comment!
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin |
2 September 2012, 07:53 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Sydney
Watch: ing you...
Posts: 3,775
|
An excellent review Carl
The 5146 is a great looking timepiece. I encountered it first hand a few weeks ago and was impressed by its look, feel and quality. The colour of the dial was very unique and absolutely mesmerizing! Not sure what the name of the color is, but it looks like ivory or something. The AD sales person mentioned that as of late the 5146 has become increasingly popular amongst watch enthusiasts as this was one on the best "value for money" PPs around, as it had all the hallmarks of the legendary brand,including the moonphase. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346579087.336426.jpg
__________________
'I am easily satisfied with the very best' - Winston Churchill |
2 September 2012, 08:19 PM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Real Name: A
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,180
|
Alex, where did you find that one? The 5146 apparently not an easy model to find in an Australian AD ...
|
2 September 2012, 08:20 PM | #4 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 63,323
|
Great review Carl and a great watch!
__________________
SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT |
2 September 2012, 08:39 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Sydney
Watch: ing you...
Posts: 3,775
|
You are correct Cary, so hard to find anything in Australia...it was in Honolulu.
I was in PP heaven.... ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346582326.022853.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346582339.025364.jpg
__________________
'I am easily satisfied with the very best' - Winston Churchill |
2 September 2012, 08:51 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Real Name: Daniel
Location: Sweden
Watch: 16570
Posts: 7,317
|
I agree, great watch, would love to own one.
|
2 September 2012, 08:51 PM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Here and there
Posts: 12,485
|
great review... agreed the 5146 is a classic among classics..
__________________
Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten |
2 September 2012, 08:56 PM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: John
Location: Australia
Watch: Depends on mood.
Posts: 9,536
|
My next one I think 5146/1G-010.
|
2 September 2012, 09:15 PM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Real Name: A
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,180
|
Ah, that explains it! I was in the Hour Glass the other day (again lol!), and was trying on some PP's ... they were saying the 5146 is the most affordable annual calendar and hence is very much in demand and is very very hard to find new at an AD, whereas annual calendars in the higher prices ranges, even combined with a chronograph, are fairly easy to obtain (they had several chrono annual calendars in stock, can't remember the model numbers, but the same as SteelerFan65 owns).
|
2 September 2012, 10:17 PM | #10 | ||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
|
Thank you gentlemen! I always find it nice to write those want-to-be reviews and am glad you like them.
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin |
||
3 September 2012, 12:27 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: Har
Location: Tukwila, WA
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 1,554
|
Thanks for your in depth review of the 5146...
You are right, there are just many 5146 combo out there, but it is getting harder to find.
__________________
Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Rolex Go for the timepiece you love. You will save more. ... |
3 September 2012, 01:00 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: Anthony
Location: North Jersey
Watch: Daytona 116528
Posts: 3,382
|
Its what a Patek should be...
|
4 September 2012, 08:15 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gotham
Posts: 9,634
|
Wow, great review Carl
|
4 September 2012, 08:23 PM | #14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
|
good stuff, carl.
|
4 September 2012, 09:17 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,251
|
Great read Carl.
This is actualy the first Patek that caught my attention. I just thought the Moon Phase was so wonderful looking.
__________________
When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
5 September 2012, 12:50 AM | #16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Logan
Location: USA
Posts: 2,398
|
Carl, great review as usual. Now I have another patek reference to obsess about.
|
5 September 2012, 03:18 AM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Phil
Location: CA
Posts: 5,371
|
thanks for your hard work! nice post!
I love the 5146 as its an updated case for the Patek Annual Calendar.. I love it in the Platinum with the grey dial..wow! is this piece being discontinued? I may be wrong...
__________________
too much into watches... |
5 September 2012, 04:28 AM | #18 | |||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
|
Thank you all!
Quote:
Quote:
Thank you! Quote:
I don't believe this timepiece is going to get discontinued, perhaps I am the one who's wrong but I didn't hear about such news.
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin |
|||
5 September 2012, 07:28 AM | #19 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 591
|
First of all, thanks Carl for a fine write-up on the 5146 models. I couldn't agree more on what a beautiful and quintessential piece it is. I personally experienced love at first sight with it and looked on as it triumphed in every this.v.that cage match I mentally entered it in. In any flavor, it's a beauty.
Then I purchased it, a 5146G-010, and things changed. I only owned it for 3 weeks and never even put it into rotation, since I was waiting on a shorter strap that was back-ordered. During those 3 weeks I regularly got it out to go ooh and aah but slowly came to some conclusions that became a sizable, collective letdown. To me the watch is definitely more dressy than sporty - not good for me (and the reason I shied away from the YG or RG models.) It also wore smaller to my eyes than its 39mm, adding to the dressiness. The slate dial I was convinced would rock but turned out to be a lighter and softer gray than any photo I had ever seen. Combine this with the WG markers and I thought legibility was just not up to par - kinda like getting MONO when you wanted STEREO. The lume, although not really important, is laughable - 15 minutes tops. And then there was the strap. I just don't know how PP could make bracelets that are sooo perfect and the make a strap/deployant combo that is so visually wrong with the tongue pointing right back at you and uncomfy with the deployant being L-shaped and conforming to your wrist in one way and one way only. I tried every solution short of aftermarket (IMO no-way on a PP) and found no joy. The short strap didn't help and was actually worse. So there I was, full of angst over a watch that if I just held it in my hand and stared, the watch took my breath away. Since I hadn't worn the watch I was fortunately able to unwind the transaction. My double good fortune was the timing coincided with being offered the 5726/1A, a watch I am truly thrilled with. So, live and learn. I hope my data points help someone is some way. That's what the forum is about, right? Here are 2 pics that I never posted, as I wouldn't ever post a pic of a watch I didn't still own... |
5 September 2012, 09:16 AM | #20 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Phil
Location: CA
Posts: 5,371
|
Quote:
and thank you for the contranian view of this piece... How about some photos of the 5726?
__________________
too much into watches... |
|
5 September 2012, 09:55 AM | #21 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
|
Jim,
It has been a pleasure for me to write that little review, I'm glad you like it. To be honest the Patek reviews I write aren't always the best to make an opinion because I am reviewing timepieces I haven't always seen in the wild and I am giving my opinion much more than an actual and precise review. Those posts of mine are much more for fun than anything else but everybody is more than welcome to give their opinions about them and chime in. ...This is where you come in! I am truly glad and grateful you took the time to give us an actual review and your honest opinion about this timepiece. Mind you, I am still in deep love with it and, obviously, I will have to try it on someday to see if I fully agree with you or not but it was very interesting to read your point of view, we can get an idea of the things you want to see and have on a timepiece and it is great to read different opinions on such a subject (the size and the look of the watch for instance, I must say I wear a 35mm gold watch on a leather band with jeans and a t-shirt so my version of casual isn't always quite the same as others, I'm glad you didn't see it that way and told us about the much more dressy aspect of this watch). I'm sorry to read you haven't been able to enjoy this watch! As we always say, different strokes for different folks and I'm sure you are thrilled with your 5726! In the meantime people who are considering this watch will have quite a read to help them make up their minds a little bit (at least I hope, I think your review is much more useful for a potential future owner). Thank you again! Quote:
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin |
|
5 September 2012, 05:51 PM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: Patrik
Location: WISland
Watch: The sun go down.
Posts: 895
|
jim251>> AMAZING pics! :)
__________________
|
5 September 2012, 10:31 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Tony
Location: England
Posts: 5,425
|
Very thoughtfully written review, Carl
The 5146 is imo a true PP classic. It was the first Patek that I bought and I had the honour of owning both the J & G, but I would have liked to have gotten the P. Awesome lume shot Jim.
__________________
|
6 September 2012, 02:22 AM | #24 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Carl
Location: Always moving
Watch: If you wish...
Posts: 22,039
|
Quote:
...Of course, I kind of preferred the J reference but that's just me!
__________________
Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin |
|
6 September 2012, 04:25 AM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Middle England
Watch: Rolex of course
Posts: 526
|
Thanks for the review. The 5146P with slate grey dial and grey strap is my favourate PP!
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.