Patek 5212a vs 5205g

[midwesterner]

Hello friends,
I need some advice. A good friend is well connected to his AD and offered me a BNIB 5212a for what he paid. I am new to Patek but have wanted to join the club and a dressier watch would add some diversity to my Rolex collection. This friend also has a 5205g with a blue face dial which is pre-owned but he would let it go for roughly the same price.

I am looking for some guidance from all of you Patek experts! Any thoughts on which watch I should go for? Pics below may help. I have my own thoughts, but since I am a newbie, it would be great to hear from some seasoned veterans

[sxdcfv911]

You can't pick wrong here. They are both excellent references in their own rights. I think the 5205G edges out the 5212A for functionality. The 5212A is a bit quirky with the weekly complication and if you like to travel a bit off the beaten path, the 5212A is the way to go.

[bp1000]

If you like the weekly calendar dial this is very hard. Much easier if you don’t like the hand written type font and busy dial.

I do and love both. I’d buy both but as to which if I had to choose, probably the weekly calendar. There is no doubt the annual calendar is a display and theme that is quintessentially modern Patek with its implementation running across annual calendars all the way up to minute repeaters with the same aperture layout. Ie it’s here to stay and they are relatively easy to get, weekly calendars not so much.

But as your friend has found, not everyone gels with them so really, you need to decide, ball is in your court. Ps given 1-2 price increases recently (one due), what he paid is a very good offer

[MP777]

5205 looks much better imo. The bezel is slightly curved and the drilled lugs are unique to just this reference.

[mickyd329]

My preference is the 5205. I've requested this piece as my first PP purchase from my AD.
It's all subjective, but I find the 5205 to be an attractive piece.

[vitalsigns]

I would opt for the 5205. It's a modern iteration of Patek's famous annual calendar.

The 5212 just doesn't do it for me (looks like an old-man's watch; and the date window cut-out seems terrible).

But try them both on for a while (perhaps your friend will allow this).

[Harry_S]

5205G gets my vote such a classy reference.
5212 is definitely unique but I just cant get my head around the written fonts on the dial.

[midwesterner]

Great comments. It’s really getting me excited about both although the 5205g seems to be the crowd favorite thus far. I’ve seen it in rose gold with the green dial and while I liked it, it felt a bit too formal. My thought is the blue dial gives it a bit more versatility. Anyone have pics? Especially if you’ve changed up the strap, I’d love to see your watch!!

[Mbbgysam]

Keep in mind that, although they're both 40mm diameter and within a mm thickness, these watches wear very differently.

I personally went with the 5212a. You really can't go wrong either way.

[uniqueMR]

Go with 5205G.

[DavidSB]

You can change the look of either with a strap change and easy to change back. I've posted this photo on other threads but this is it on a blue 5172 chrono strap.

[Vipes]

I like the 5212 better. It’s quirky, casual and steel. 5212 also looks good with any color strap.

[bobernet]

I’m not sure there’s any objective reasoning here other than something like “the week number complication is something I use all the time.”

I’m not a fan of the look or (to me) useless complication on the 5212, so I’d take the 5205 every time.

The 5205 is much easier to read the date rather than hunting all over the dial. The negative is the squished font on the month aperture compared to the day of the week (all about the amount of text and size of the wheels).

[Coolcamden]

I’d take the 5205 any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Those lugs, like the 3 tiers on the 5320/5172 are just so unique.

[danwang0520]

Personally, I would get the 5205 for sure.......it's a beautiful annual calendar~whereas I feel that 5212 is cluttered busy dial and you would have to adjust it every month which is a hassle......




Current collection: 1) Rolex Submariner(116610LV), 2) Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional(311.30.42.30.01.006), 3) Rolex GMT-Master II(126710BLNR), 4) Breitling B01 Navitimer 43(AB0138211B1A1)

[DK7]

5212 sure

[ts3]

Never been a fan of either of these two specific references. The catalogue has so much more to offer than your friend and I would not buy a Patek unless I myself am 100% sure I want it. But if forced to chose among those two only I'd go for the quirky 5212.

[Vasco]

It's nice to start such a project. They are quite different watches and it will come to your tastes.

The 5212 in steel is more discreet and feels very light on the wrist.

The 5205 in white gold is heavier and thicker. On the other had the blue dial works very beautifully with white gold. The case design and grooved lug sides is very interesting and attractive. So is the bezel, even if it makes the watch look thicker. I you like more presence this proportion is very nice.

Steel looks colder, with less shine, than white gold and this has an impact on how impressive (for some "appealing") the watch looks.

In terms of function, it's a question of taste.

I would go for the 5205G personally because of the case design, the beautiful blue dial and white gold.

It depends how you want to experience your watch, if you want to feel it or to forget it in a certain way.

[ade]

You have picked my 2 favourite Pateks in my collection that get regular wrist time. The 5212A is a wonderfully casual, but still smart, Patek that doesn't look like other Pateks. And for a watch to be regularly worn, that is a good thing. But it is slim, wears so easily with either jeans or under a cuff, and it is a strap monster that takes on different characteristics by just changing the strap. Amongst watch afficionados, it is a quirky watch which generates lots of discussion - even if you don't use the weekly calendar. But the handwritten typeface is unique and reflects some lighthearted thought that went into the watch so you don't take it too seriously. The 5212A is a watch to be a worn, regularly, is a steel Calatrava which supports it's humility, but it remains finished to an unquestionable Patek quality of finish. It is an unusual and fun watch that gets worn alot and doesn't attract unwanted attention.



The 5205G is a watch that can get matched with more casual outfits, but it always leans towards formality. It is a serious watch: the concave/convex surfaces, the scalloped lugs, the art-deco AC window apertures... the some of the parts makes for a complex and beautiful watch - an archtypical Patek. I paired mine with a blue croc and contrasting stitch to actually dress it down slightly compared to the standard gloss black croc. It feels more expensive than the 5212A, and it commands respect on the wrist like a traditional Patek does. It is my go-to when I have a formal or special occasion, and is beautiful in evening settings when dinner lighting catches it at different angles.

I don't think you can go wrong with either - both have stayed in my collection alongside a Nautilus and many other Rolexes that still get worn daily. Both 5212 and 5205 have longevity and are unique in their own right. It depends on what you are looking for. More formal / traditional Patek? 5205. Fun, more relaxed, still special amongst Pateks? 5212.

[Trailboss516]

I am so far from being an expert here, but my choice would be 5205g.

[Vasco]

@ade, fantastic pictures, congratz on the strap choices as well :)

[midwesterner]

Originally Posted by Vasco

@ade, fantastic pictures, congratz on the strap choices as well :)

I absolutely agree. Straps really transform the look of either of these watches!!

[Gebbeth]

I'm a fan of the 5205g, but annual calendars are one of my favorite complications that is extremely practical in my opinion.

The 5212 is also a beautiful watch, and you really can't go wrong, and I also think it might be the better long-long-long term investment as I don't know of that many Patek's with a week complication, but my money would be on the 5205g on aesthetics and practicality.

BTW, I think the Sinn 6052 Frankfurt is a better execution of the weekly calendar complication, but of course, not in the same class as the 5212.

https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/6052.htm

[watchgeezer]

5212 all day every day

[ExplorerI]

I think the 5205 looks great and is a nice classic watch that’s a good choice. However, I’d take the 5212. Quirky and not something you see every day and the weekly complication is just fun.

[Benzsiam]

This is totally personal preference. I like the look of 5205g much more than 5212a.

5205g is WG with beautiful blue dial, it's gorgeous.

5212a is SS with plain white dial and very busy looking, I don't really care for.

To me 5205g should cost more than 5212a if they are in the same condition.

[anx21]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

5212a is SS with plain white dial and very busy looking, I don't really care for.

5212 dial is not plain white when you see it in person, it's actually silver/white depending on lighting.

5205 proportions look off to me (case too thick, dial too small), and I've never liked the radial-aperture annual calendars (5960, 5205, 5905). The apertures are oddly asymmetrical and quite small (hard to read).

5205 also has an annoyingly short power reserve (~40 hours), especially for an annual calendar.
In terms of steel vs gold - the lightness and durability of steel makes it perfect for wearing semi-daily.

Overall, the 5212 stands out to me as a unique proposition in Patek's offerings, while the 5205 to me is just another variant of the 5960/5205/5905 line, none of which I particularly like.
(I'm also biased because I own and love the 5212 lol)

[Hulkhunter]

If they are the same price I’d take the 5205. I tried one on at a Patek Exhibition and loved it.
Plus you are getting white gold with it and steel with the 5212

[JMac6]

A man after my own heart. I only have two Pateks - the 5205G and the 5212A. Ade pretty aptly summarized the major differences, so I do not feel much of a need to further expound. He is 100% correct, the 5205G feels dressier, the 5212A feels more casual. The 5205G feels more like a Patek - it honestly feels / looks like a jewel - the 5212 is approachable but also unimpeachable (provided you like the aesthetics).

In addition to what Ade mentioned, I would think about how this might fit into your collection. Are you planning to wear this daily? If so, I would stick with the 5212A, since it is SS and feels more casual. Is this a special occasion watch that will be put into the rotation? In that case, I'd go with the 5205G.

Further, is this going to be your ONLY Patek? If it is, I would go with the 5205G. It is a classic complication, has an interesting case, etc. If you plan on getting more Pateks down the road, I'd maybe go for the 5212A. It is super quirky and different, and you may end up wanting a PC instead of an AC.

[midwesterner]

Originally Posted by JMac6

A man after my own heart. I only have two Pateks - the 5205G and the 5212A. Ade pretty aptly summarized the major differences, so I do not feel much of a need to further expound. He is 100% correct, the 5205G feels dressier, the 5212A feels more casual. The 5205G feels more like a Patek - it honestly feels / looks like a jewel - the 5212 is approachable but also unimpeachable (provided you like the aesthetics).

In addition to what Ade mentioned, I would think about how this might fit into your collection. Are you planning to wear this daily? If so, I would stick with the 5212A, since it is SS and feels more casual. Is this a special occasion watch that will be put into the rotation? In that case, I'd go with the 5205G.

Further, is this going to be your ONLY Patek? If it is, I would go with the 5205G. It is a classic complication, has an interesting case, etc. If you plan on getting more Pateks down the road, I'd maybe go for the 5212A. It is super quirky and different, and you may end up wanting a PC instead of an AC.

Thanks for the comments. Very helpful and I found it interesting that you own both. Could you share some pics of the 5205g on that blue strap. That is a stunner!!