Lack of Imagination

Apr 25, 2019,13:26 PM
 

These days, when I see the new releases from Patek, I feel disappointed.. Most of the designs are combinations of past features presented in different sizes, different metals, combinations of fonts and hands. The overall designs lack clarity, aesthetics and simplicity for which Patek is known for in their adaptation of Bauhaus design principles when they came up with Calatrava line and Calatrava cross for the deployant clasp. The map on these 2 world timers is so rudimentary.. it looks like some school kid has drawn it..I can go on and on.


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5131J versus 5231J - Which do you prefer? And how do you feel about both having maps (versus eg the 5231 having a scene), and maps that are virtually identical?

 
 By: patekova : April 25th, 2019-08:12
There are many rather obvious differences: case size (5131 is larger) and case style, different font (more traditional font on 5231), Patek Philippe on dial (5231) rather than engraved on the bezel (5131), different minute hand ... But in the most importa...  

Old style...

 
 By: alexxelor : April 25th, 2019-08:19
What happened the designers?

Good point! [nt]

 
 By: patekova : April 26th, 2019-05:22

with the new 5231J

 
 By: patrickh : April 25th, 2019-09:05
No one near you can miss the BIG logo: "PATEK PHILIPPE GENEVE". A new style ;-((

Which are the same for almost 100% of PP watches.

 
 By: FRAMII : April 25th, 2019-09:20
I like the new stile and have ordered one. It’s different from 5131J but i would say it’s an upgrade due to the better enamel dial. But thats only my opinion.

Thanks Patrick for your reply! [nt]

 
 By: patekova : April 26th, 2019-05:23
No message body

My first reaction was indeed to wonder why the re-proposed the same enamel theme, which also makes the rest of the 5231 series very predictable...

 
 By: FabR : April 25th, 2019-09:57
Except for this, I've read positive reviews from nearly anyone who already had a chance to see both in the metal, because of the various improvements you mention... So I'm looking forward to seeing the 5231 too next month before arriving at a "definitive"... 

5231 in my opinion.

 
 By: BMR : April 25th, 2019-11:47
I have ordered one. I prefer the enamel work on the dial itself, the vintage aesthetic, the size, etc. are all more to my taste.

Lack of Imagination

 
 By: parle73 : April 25th, 2019-13:26
These days, when I see the new releases from Patek, I feel disappointed.. Most of the designs are combinations of past features presented in different sizes, different metals, combinations of fonts and hands. The overall designs lack clarity, aesthetics a... 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 26th, 2019-14:19
Sorry you don't like Cloisonné World Timers. I'm not sure if you've seen one live or if you've only seen them on a computer monitor, ... but in my opinion it makes a big difference. Remember, ... the art that looks rudimentary on a large monitor screen fi... 

A few of my thoughts on this..

 
 By: keks : April 25th, 2019-14:12
I happen to prefer the case of the 513x over the 523x. Generally I not a huge fan of flat bezels and I really like how the 513x wears on my wrist. It is less in-your-face elegant in my opinion. I like to dress down mine with a calf strap and find it becom...  

Definitely the 5231...

 
 By: pfang56 : April 25th, 2019-15:44
I actually was looking to get a 5131 to complement my collection but hesitated because I had some misgivings about the engraving of the brand on the bezel. It just seemed a just a slight bit tacky and if anything, given that the bezel will get scratched I... 

Just to reassure you, ...the engraving is not really visible ...

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 25th, 2019-20:47
... except by the wearer. In fact, ... if you hand the watch to someone not familiar with the reference, they don't even recognize the Brand Name and Geneve until you point it out to them?

Hi there...

 
 By: pfang56 : April 25th, 2019-22:01
Good point. I guess after collecting watches and wearing watches I’ve been more picky at the details I still have the eyesight to visualize . I’m sure all of us have been caught staring at our wrists during downtime - and for me and only me, I know a slig... 

I know exactly what you mean!

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 26th, 2019-04:21
The good thing is that the Cloisonné watch is not really an everyday wear ... so not too many scratches.

Thanks for your detailed and well thought out reply.

 
 By: patekova : April 26th, 2019-05:30
Regarding the engraved bezel, I am not 100% sure but I think it can be removed and presumably replaced if the damage warrants it. If not, that would be a big problem.

Probably not needed ...

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 26th, 2019-15:54
... because a cloisonné watch is not an everyday wear, ... but I'm sure the engraving can be fixed to near perfection. I've had a number of pretty significant "dings" on some everyday Patek's ... some of them too deep to simply polish ... but when they've... 

As we know the 5230 is available at every AD

 
 By: Patekphilippecollector : April 25th, 2019-19:52
With no waitlist and both metals. In order to use up the scores of spare cases building up in Geneva tbey dug around the warehouse...found a few dials from previous 5131 and did a quick dial replacement to the enamel....instant success!!! The good news i... 

You do realize that this one is yellow gold...

 
 By: BMR : April 25th, 2019-20:00
How could they just go pick up spare cases lying around since the existing 5230s are only in white or rose gold? Your thesis makes no sense.

I was being facetious!!!! [nt]

 
 By: Patekphilippecollector : April 25th, 2019-20:14

👍👍👍 having a few dials lying around will give the

 
 By: Patekphilippecollector : April 25th, 2019-20:19
The purist a heart attack. I remember heated discussions on another forum as to how many are made a year and how few!!

Great topic discussing the two references.

 
 By: uaewatchguy : April 25th, 2019-23:22
I may be biased but I prefer the 5131 because of all the reasons you mentioned Case design,size,and I think the patek logo on the dial is too much . Iqbal

But then the writing would obscure the hands of the watch?

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 26th, 2019-13:56
Just my opinion after inspecting the watch carefully ... but I'm happy the way it is. ...  

The writing is very small

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 26th, 2019-14:04
I think sometimes we all forget how minute the cloisonné art on these references really is? Remember, ... the art is on a disc smaller than a dime! In an image on a large computer monitor I can really visualize whatever feature I want to concentrate on ..... 

Hi Patekova , thanks for this post that brings out great discussion points. Based on not having seen the 5231J in the metal, my comments here are...

 
 By: GLau : April 26th, 2019-03:33
at an initial stage based on 5231 photos only. I like the 5230 case (refreshing for a new reference) but wish that the 5231 would retain the 5230 hands which are attractive in their own rights and which can continue the 5230 lineage. Having said that, I p... 

Great question my friend.

 
 By: Miles_151 : April 26th, 2019-04:49
And for once in a long time I am actually leaning towards the new model. Will need to see it in the flesh to confirm for sure but on first impressions I prefer the case much prefer the Patek Philippe on the dial instead of bezel I agree a bit of a shame a... 

Application piece [nt]

 
 By: Mean Solar Time : April 27th, 2019-09:09