Trade 3940J for a 5140G?

[MrBenF]

I am contemplating trading up my 3940J for a 5140G. Both sets come complete with full box & papers. The price delta is $21-22k.

I’d like to keep a Patek complication in my collection but am not ready to move up to a PPC or spit chronograph just yet (one of the reasons being illiquidity that was discussed in an earlier post). And I consider all variants of the AC to be a less attractive proposition than a PC.

So:
- would you do this trade?
- do you feel that the price is fair?
- any other suggestions other than a 5140G or hold out for a 3940G?

Note: If I go ahead with the above, it’ll be part of a 4 watch deal at the same time. The other being a Calatrava + cash for a FP Journe Centigraphe in Pt which will likely proceed regardless. For this reason the 5170 is not under consideration.

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[nyc2la]

No. It’s a trade down (not up) in my opinion.

[rolex_addict]

Keep the 3940 and get something else with the delta

[sensui]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

No. It’s a trade down (not up) in my opinion.

Pretty much.

[Bearxj86]

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

NO

[toucan]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

No. It’s a trade down (not up) in my opinion.

Exactly!

[jon_jon]

If you want a white metal Patek and no longer want a YG watch, then it is a fair trade. 3940J was produced in fairly high numbers relative to that time period and you won't get much if you are selling or trading one.

[MrBenF]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

If you want a white metal Patek and no longer want a YG watch, then it is a fair trade. 3940J was produced in fairly high numbers relative to that time period and you won't get much if you are selling or trading one.

Yes and no. Whilst I’d like to trade the 3940J for a WG model, the 3940, 5140, 5327 and 5320 are all available in WG. Having said that, I’m not keen on the 5237 and prefer a micro rotor v the full rotor in the 5320. So the question is do I wait for a 3940G or is the 5140G acceptable at the right price?


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[MrBenF]

Apart from jon_jon, the replies have been unanimous (5/5)-NO.

Is it because:
a. As seasoned Patek collectors, u find the 5140 reference a poor cousin of the model it replaced? The date sub-dial is an obvious flaw. But anything else apart from that?
b. The price delta is too large?
c. Some other reason?

Keen to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by MrBenF

Apart from jon_jon, the replies have been unanimous (5/5)-NO.

Is it because:
a. As seasoned Patek collectors, u find the 5140 reference a poor cousin of the model it replaced? The date sub-dial is an obvious flaw. But anything else apart from that?
b. The price delta is too large?
c. Some other reason?

Keen to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

I initially owned the 5140p (blue dial) and sold it. I couldn’t get past the squashed numerals and the expanded case size for the sake of upsizing the watch.

I picked up a 3940p and it is it even close. The 3940p is the perfect dress watch. The dial, the font, the layout, the case, the history. If your wrist can manage the 36mm, then the 3940 is the better watch IMHO.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

I initially owned the 5140p (blue dial) and sold it. I couldn’t get past the squashed numerals and the expanded case size for the sake of upsizing the watch.

I picked up a 3940p and it is it even close. The 3940p is the perfect dress watch. The dial, the font, the layout, the case, the history. If your wrist can manage the 36mm, then the 3940 is the better watch IMHO.

Agree 100%

A 5140 would not be a trade up. OP, if you like your 3940 but want to trade up then the 3940p is the only way to go.

[gsg]

I prefer the slightly larger case of the 5140 and do not care much about the squished numerals. The 5140 feels overall like a more modern iteration of the 3940. To me the print on the 3940 dial screams 80s and feels dated, specially in the yellow gold version.
I would do the trade in a heart beat but the price delta feels a little elevated. Maybe if the price difference was closer to ~$15k I would consider it.

[MrBenF]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

I initially owned the 5140p (blue dial) and sold it. I couldn’t get past the squashed numerals and the expanded case size for the sake of upsizing the watch.

I picked up a 3940p and it is it even close. The 3940p is the perfect dress watch. The dial, the font, the layout, the case, the history. If your wrist can manage the 36mm, then the 3940 is the better watch IMHO.

Originally Posted by Tony64

Agree 100%



A 5140 would not be a trade up. OP, if you like your 3940 but want to trade up then the 3940p is the only way to go.

The Pt with the extra heft would be ideal but the deal-breaker for me is the lack of a sapphire case back. I’ve 17.5cm wrists and 36mm is (IMHO) a good size for a dress watch but I don’t want to go smaller than that.

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[ts3]

I prefer the 3940 over the 5140 which leaves the 3940G and the 3940P for going white metal.

Between those I prefer the P despite the lack of a display back as the 3940G have been ruthenium plated as far as I understand. Plating has been a deal breaker for me in the past whereas I don't have to have a display back. So I'd shoot for the P or keep the J.

In terms of size the 36mm 3940 is good for 17.5cm wrists in my view. I am happily wearing a 34mm 3998P on 16.75cm wrists but wouldn't go smaller.

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

No. It’s a trade down (not up) in my opinion.

This 100%!
I would never make that trade personally. I own and love wearing my 3940J. The dial symmetry and proportions are to me as good as it will ever get for a PC.
If you are eager on a white metal, I would trade for a 3940G or 3940P.
The 3940 is already a classic. Generally, I cannot look at a 5140 and not feel that they really messed up something that was already perfect.

[Josh1000]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=287739

[erics]

The 3940 is all PP in one single watch. The swap you are planning to make is Blasphemy.

I have a 5712r and the 3940 is pretty much the only other attainable PP i long for.

Unlike the others i find the white metals cold and boring.

Love the J, even more the R.

Oh well what did i say? I also love a 5170p. Ahahahahaha.

[mps354]

I wouldn’t do it...the 3940 is close to perfect

[AlexWazo]

NO!!! The 3940j is perfection

[jon_jon]

The 3940J was one of Philippe Stern's beloved watches. I don't know if he still wears it regularly. I would say if you were to purchase one pre-owned, its price is quite the "bang for the buck".

It is an older watch and it has been discontinued for over 10 years and it was in production for 20+ years from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s IIRC. It is definitely a nostalgic watch from a different era of Patek Philippe.

It definitely is not a modern watch. Patek's production of YG watches have declined significantly over the past 10 years. What used to be the standard metal for Patek dress watches is now replaced with the RG.

Keep the 3940J if you love it. However if you are looking for a white metal Patek, which has increased in popularity significantly over the past 10 years during the same time YG has decreased in popularity, get the 3940, 5140 or 5327 in WG or Plat.

I own the 5140P and platinum Pateks are definitely more special compared to their brethren in a YG/WG/RG case.

[MrBenF]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and insights. Whilst I agree that the 5140 is a more modern watch, the sub-dial remains an issue for me and I will either stay with the 3940 family or wait for a new PC with an all new caliber to come out.

So I will keep my 3940J and will re-evaluate when a 3940G or P becomes available. Meanwhile I have a new (to me) FPJ to keep things interesting. And possibly something else in addition to that.


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[Ramiks]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

NO

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[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by MrBenF

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and insights. Whilst I agree that the 5140 is a more modern watch, the sub-dial remains an issue for me and I will either stay with the 3940 family or wait for a new PC with an all new caliber to come out.

So I will keep my 3940J and will re-evaluate when a 3940G or P becomes available. Meanwhile I have a new (to me) FPJ to keep things interesting. And possibly something else in addition to that.


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I do not think the 5140 is a more modern watch. Its a tad, why even bother, larger but the dial is pretty loud to me with the printing and the date numbers are squashed in places making for an awkward look. The movement is the same as the 3940 which is perfection for this PC. First is best in some cases. This is one of those cases. The P is spectacular but back then the platinum watches did not have display backs as someone noted, if that is an issue. Not for me, I like the heft and feel.

[MBYSF]

Ive had both, 5140 just feels better.

[_____]

Prefer the 36mm size of the 3940J. Philippe Stern also used to wear a 3940J.

[Platypus]

I wouldn’t do it.