Patek Philippe 5205: Ill-fitting aperture surround

[kingofthehill]

All,



I am currently considering the purchase of a Patek Philippe annual calendar, weighing the 5396 against the 5205. In both cases, I am slightly frustrated by the placement of the central pin on the '24' of the 24 hour dial. Moreover, in the case of the 5205, I cannot understand why the metal date aperture surround does not conform to the shape of the actual opening, extending beyond it and leaving an odd gap. Does anyone have any insight on these design decisions?

Thanks

[dysondiver]

maybe its just the angle the picture was taken at

[Yk101]

I think this is an esthetic decision. Patek was trying to balance the dial. Making actual aperture larger is likely not possible due to date ring print spacing. That being said, I like my 5205, and do not find the dial layout flawed due to the size of the frame.

[AK797]

I've heard this mentioned before, doesn't bother me.

[Calatrava r]

I have always disliked this dial for that exact reason. The center axle/pin comes right up through the 24 mark on the sub dial. This is a terrible design and it amazes me the people who either do not see it or are happy to live with it. I believe the cardinal rule of watchmaking should always be functionality and legibility of information. This watch fails on that.

[ap1]

I guess go with the other then. I'm rarely wearing a watch at 11/12pm

[KarlS]

I am more worried about that huge gap between the strap and the case and why the crown is out

[KarlS]

Which one is it, looks odd!! Almost like a negative!! 5205G-010? The moon phase I remember being blue

[kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Which one is it, looks odd!! Almost like a negative!! 5205G-010? The moon phase I remember being blue

KarlS, I think I may have just selected a bad picture...others are better - here are several more;

[kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by ap1

I guess go with the other then. I'm rarely wearing a watch at 11/12pm

Sadly a similar issue in this respect.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by kingofthehill

... I am slightly frustrated by the placement of the central pin on the '24' of the 24 hour dial. Moreover, in the case of the 5205, I cannot understand why the metal date aperture surround does not conform to the shape of the actual opening, extending beyond it and leaving an odd gap. Does anyone have any insight on these design decisions?

The hand’s position is only wrong in the context of the dial design being fixed – the reality is that it’s the sub-dial design which is flawed for the movement being used.
Ideally, the movement needs to be redesigned, and an am/pm disc and aperture used, which would leave the moon and date free from interference – but that costs money, which Patek can’t afford whilst it’s currently spending 500M CHF on the new building that’s due for completion next year.

The metal surround on the date window – contrast. They obviously wanted to frame it (which then begs the question, why not frame the day and month displays as well?), but with a white background and a bright high polish metal, they felt some of the dial colour should be present to add contrast.
Equally, you could ask why not leave the surround off and/or colour match the background?
This is the whole thing with aesthetics and design – you either accept it (compromises and all) or you don’t, and shift your focus elsewhere.

The 5396 uses the same 324 QAL movement, albeit a slightly smaller diameter.

[martinr]

The date window at the bottom and the way the cutout interrupts the 24 hour dial is what bugs me about the design. The calendar windows on the steel 5960 and the new WG 5960 are surrounded. I don't think they look better than the platinum version but the dial is different also.

[martinr]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[KarlS]

Thanks for the pics of the 5205 ....I kinda know what it looks like just yours looks odd...fortunately I am not a true WIS...I buy what I like and never even noticed or bothered about the subdial as pointed out now. What you may gundcsnnoyi g us tgat the hands being fault full will block most the subdial out when say showing 6:35. I don't think I own a watch that's absolutely perfect. If I waited for that one I would probably have a care wrist!!

[KarlS]

PJ S blaming building is not totally correct. Thierry had to buy a new Gulfstream in October and finance the NYE

[PJ S]

^
Must’ve missed that episode of the Kardashians.
Thanks for bringing me up to speed.