5712 vs. 5990 - at retail from AD - which one would you pick?

[Andybethel]

Originally Posted by pav333hp

Yeah, definitely a touch call as I have lusted after the 5990 for a long time, but there is just something really special about the 5712. Plus "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".

As I think about rest of my collection, I have three GMT watches (Rolex, Tudor, and Casio) which can be used for travel. And I have three Chrono's. But I don't have a moon phase... Maybe that's my answer... LOL... But I just find the 5990 so aesthetically pleasing - it's just a beautiful watch! Maybe I get the 5712 now and then discuss how to get the 5990 in the future.

The 5990 is for sure prettier on the eye; I think this is due to the symmetrical balance. But agree, the 5712 is slick!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milibrk@]

I was lucky enough get to try on both 5712r and 5990r last week at a local AD. Needless to say, they were both spectacular watches. 5712r was slimmer.

I wasn't given a choice..lol..I was called in for the 5712r so that was what went home with.

But if given a choice, I would have picked the 5712r because it did wear better on my wrist.

[2nastie]

I’ll take the 5712 any day of the week. For a nautilus, the 5990 is too thick.

[subtona]

On paper the 5990 is perfection but in person I found the dial a bit cramped and difficult to read.

[AK797]

5712 for me, the unusual design just works for me.

[arnage]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I’ll take the 5712 any day of the week. For a nautilus, the 5990 is too thick.

entirely agree with this. the 5712 is svelte and classy..!

[Vipes]

I think the 5712 is more versatile due to the thickness. The 5990 is more sporty.
5712 is like a Royal Oak and the 5990 is like RO Offshore. I like the 5712 as first Nautilus then maybe add 5990 later.

[jwill]

Like others had said, the slim profile of 5712 is fascinated. Good
Luck with your pick!!

[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by Milibrk@

I was lucky enough get to try on both 5712r and 5990r last week at a local AD. Needless to say, they were both spectacular watches. 5712r was slimmer.

I wasn't given a choice..lol..I was called in for the 5712r so that was what went home with.

But if given a choice, I would have picked the 5712r because it did wear better on my wrist.

Oh wow, that's awesome! Glad you got had a chance to try it. And you mean 5990a, correct? Since it's only available in steel.

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I’ll take the 5712 any day of the week. For a nautilus, the 5990 is too thick.

Originally Posted by subtona

On paper the 5990 is perfection but in person I found the dial a bit cramped and difficult to read.

Interesting, I can see it since the dial is a bit busy given how small it is.

Originally Posted by arnage

entirely agree with this. the 5712 is svelte and classy..!

Originally Posted by Vipes

I think the 5712 is more versatile due to the thickness. The 5990 is more sporty.
5712 is like a Royal Oak and the 5990 is like RO Offshore. I like the 5712 as first Nautilus then maybe add 5990 later.

Oh this is a good comparison :)

Originally Posted by jwill

Like others had said, the slim profile of 5712 is fascinated. Good
Luck with your pick!!

Thanks, yeah, based on people personal comments, it sounds like 5712 is more true to the Nautilus idea of a slim sports watch.

[JorgeCCW]

5712 wins for me, but the 5990 it's an awesome watch and has lots of presence.
Actually the 2 nautilus references I had are exactly those 2.

[endo]

The 5711/5712s have never really done it for me, the bracelets always felt rattly and cheap vs a 15202 which is just as thin, but overall felt a bit more refined and precise.

So 5990 for me, great daily wearer imo, the bracelet is a little less rattly being thicker, and I like some heft to a “sports” watch.

One not so great feature of the 5990 is the movement is noisy... constant zip zip of the rotor whenever i move my arm. (Checked against a friends watch, so not a fault, just seems to be part of its “character” lol)

[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by endo

One not so great feature of the 5990 is the movement is noisy... constant zip zip of the rotor whenever i move my arm. (Checked against a friends watch, so not a fault, just seems to be part of its “character” lol)

. That's actually kind of really cool! Also, thank you for the honest feedback! Glad you are enjoying the 5990; love reading stories like this.

[azizu]

i was fortunate during one of my visits to my Patek AD to actully see and handle an original 3700 jumbo and man the dimensions and proportions on that watch was just perfect...
i got the 5712 after having handeled the jumbo and it is very close to the feeling of the jumbo.
so i would defenitly choose the 5712

[subtona]

Originally Posted by endo

The 5711/5712s have never really done it for me, the bracelets always felt rattly and cheap vs a 15202 which is just as thin, but overall felt a bit more refined and precise.

So 5990 for me, great daily wearer imo, the bracelet is a little less rattly being thicker, and I like some heft to a “sports” watch.

One not so great feature of the 5990 is the movement is noisy... constant zip zip of the rotor whenever i move my arm. (Checked against a friends watch, so not a fault, just seems to be part of its “character” lol)

When I owned the 5167 and 5711, the rotor noise was apparent in my 5167 but not my 5711. Can’t for sure say why, I would only guess it had to do with the level of adjustment?

[pav333hp]

So I talked to AD today - they have the 5712 now and I can pay for it and take it. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and then put a plan to get the 5990 next year. This will give me time to enjoy the beautiful and unique 5712 which is more true to the original Nautilus concept than the 5990. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I already have 2 GMT and 3 Chrono watches - which meet the need.

[Humble michael]

Originally Posted by pav333hp

So I talked to AD today - they have the 5712 now and I can pay for it and take it. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and then put a plan to get the 5990 next year. This will give me time to enjoy the beautiful and unique 5712 which is more true to the original Nautilus concept than the 5990. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I already have 2 GMT and 3 Chrono watches - which meet the need.

Great decision :clap enjoy your beautiful new piece :-)) james in San Antonio Tx

[WHSclub]

Uh, can I get the one you don’t want? Which AD?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[wulin]

Tough choice.

I would have taken 5990 over 5712 if both are available.

But since only 5712 is available now, you got to take it.

[ma.st.]

excellent choice, congrats in advance!

[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by james272

Great decision :clap enjoy your beautiful new piece :-)) james in San Antonio Tx

Thank you James! I have followed your posts and pics of the 5990 - love that watch, but love even more that you are genuinely enjoying it.

Originally Posted by wulin

Tough choice.

I would have taken 5990 over 5712 if both are available.

But since only 5712 is available now, you got to take it.

If 5990 was available, I would most definitely have went with that, but the 5712 is available now and 5990 is still TBD unfortunately. Also I don't know if I turn down the 5712, the AD will offer 5990 later. Most likely would, but I can't predict the future.

Originally Posted by ma.st.

excellent choice, congrats in advance!

Thank you!

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by pav333hp

So I talked to AD today - they have the 5712 now and I can pay for it and take it. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and then put a plan to get the 5990 next year. This will give me time to enjoy the beautiful and unique 5712 which is more true to the original Nautilus concept than the 5990. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I already have 2 GMT and 3 Chrono watches - which meet the need.

Sounds like a plan. Congrats in advance. Can we spect pics soon?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eddie_b]

Congrats and you made the right choice!

[ValueYouWatch]

Originally Posted by MCMartiny

Although both are Nautiluses (Nautili?) these are two very different watches. The choice comes down to personal preferences and what else one has in the collection. They are of course both great - and very sought after - PP references.

5712 (my own choice)
Elegant, original Nautilus (thin) proportions. Beautiful chameleon blue/gray dial colour. Romantic (but not that useful) moon phase complication. Power reserve which is sometimes useful but less so on an automatic. Historic 240 "micro rotor" caliber with lots of "golden age" PP DNA. Asymmetric dial that should not work, but does. Can feel a bit "flimsy" when at first if one is used to Rolex subs etc. Limited to 60m water resistance rating. This is the elegant choice for purists that are into Nautilus because of history and wants something closer to Gerald Genta's original design. This is a great alternative to the 5711.

5990 (might add one day, if offered at retail)
More sporty and hefty proportions which are closer to a Sub than to the original Nautilus. All the buttons does make the flanks of the watch (especially the left) look a bit too bulky (IMO). Grey gradient symmetric dial which deliver a more somber monotone impression. Useful travel time complication. Chronograph function might not be that useful in everyday life, but is cool and sporty nonetheless. Patek's modern CH 28‑520 automatic chronograph base caliber which seems better proportioned to the size of the Nautilus case. 120m water resistance, which makes the watch more suited for actual swimming, if you are so inclined. This is the sporty choice for the collector that prefers wrist presence and masculinity over understated elegance. This is a great (more refined) alternative to a Royal Oak Offshore or a Rolex Sub.

Good break down.

[ap1]

Proper lead for 5712 now

[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by ap1

Proper lead for 5712 now

Yes :). I wonder how the 5712 would do against the 5726. I like the 5726 but the 2019 steel version with the silver gray ring. The current blue dial is nice, but I feel it blends a bit where the previous version had beautiful symmetry.

[GB-man]

5712 would be my choice. Bird in hand.

[m3tek44]

Enjoying 5712... picture doesn't justify.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

[pav333hp]

Originally Posted by GB-man

5712 would be my choice. Bird in hand.

Yeah, that's the thinking and I agree.

Originally Posted by m3tek44

Enjoying 5712... picture doesn't justify.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

Enjoying 5712... picture doesn't justify.

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

AWESOME pic! Good gravy that thing is crisp! Honestly that may be the best pic I've ever seen that actually captures the textures and finishing of a nautilus.

[m3tek44]

Originally Posted by ma.st.

AWESOME pic! Good gravy that thing is crisp! Honestly that may be the best pic I've ever seen that actually captures the textures and finishing of a nautilus.

Must see in person to appreciate and thank you!

Originally Posted by pav333hp

Yeah, that's the thinking and I agree.

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Thank you!