Patek Philippe 5970P - the perfect farewell to the Lemania super complication watch
Throughout Patek Philippe’s long tradition, linear grand complications have elevated Patek Philippe replica luxury watches to the status of master watchmaker. They are arguably the most important combination of complications in 20th century horology, especially the iconic perpetual calendar series.
Patek Philippe’s first mass-produced perpetual calendar watch with a chronograph date function was the Ref 1518, launched in 1941. The Ref 1518 is the one that started it all and is now a highly collectible and elusive reference model for collectors.
With the birth of this iconic watch, the world has witnessed a series of stunning successors such as 2499, 3970, 5020, 5004, 5970, 5270 and 5204. The evolution of the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph has been dramatic, but it still maintains a traditional and heritage reference. 1518. The Perpetual Calendar Chronograph is arguably the most important watch in the history of Patek Philippe.
Today we’re taking a look at what many collectors consider to be the “best” Patek Philippe watch ever made (not just a grand complication). Some even call it the last of the great Patek Philippe models. This statement is significant considering that the brand has created numerous classics over the years.
It's still the iconic 5970P. This specific example I got my hands on today is in pristine, unworn condition, safely in the previous owner's safe. Patek Philippe Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar
5970 was the first time Thierry Henry accepted his father’s challenge to assume a management position at Patek Philippe. Its purpose is to reinterpret the perpetual calendar chronograph with a modern identity.
Introduced in 2004, the Patek Philippe 5970 was an instant hit and had a waiting list for years before it was discontinued. It was subsequently replaced by the 5270 and a completely in-house movement was introduced. The seven-year production cycle means that the 5970 has the shortest production cycle of any Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph. The expected output of 5970 is about 2,800 pieces, and the value appreciation potential of 5970 is very high. Approximately 300-500 units of the Platinum Edition were produced.
While it shares the same movement as its predecessor, the 3970, the increase in diameter makes the watch far more balanced than the smaller 3970.
It’s no surprise that 5970 is highly collectible. In my opinion, 5970 is the most perfect, balanced, and wear-resistant contemporary formal complication watch Patek Philippe has ever designed. replica Jacob & Co EPIC X Watches
The Patek Philippe 5970 is probably the closest balance between a pre-2000s perpetual calendar chronograph and a contemporary watch. It’s slightly larger than the 2499 and 3970, still using the base Lemania movement and a very traditional dial.
It pays homage to the best elements of Patek Philippe’s historic perpetual calendar chronographs, while also bringing some very unique design elements to the table, presenting Patek Philippe’s most visually appealing timepiece. The visceral appeal at first sight is incredible.
The Platinum 5970P is the only regular production model that differs from other 5970s, with two subtle but noticeable differences. The first is that each case is set with a diamond at the six o'clock position. The second has the 120km mark appearing on the tachymeter scale, while in other versions the word "Swiss" appears. In this case, "Swiss" is cleverly integrated into the second track below. This is the only regular production 5970 to bear the 120 mark.
case
Despite a girth of 13.5 mm, the fantastic engine that powers it and the well-proportioned case size overcompensate for this. One of the best things about the 5970 is the way it wears. At 40mm, that's a full 4mm larger than the 3970, and you can't miss the change. The case is heavy but well proportioned and it truly does look like a dream to wear. There aren’t too many watches with this level of complexity that you can really consider as an everyday wear option. If you get the chance to wear it on your wrist, don't miss it. It was a very pleasant experience.
Thierry Stern started with one key criterion in mind when designing the 5970: making the watch 40 mm in diameter to improve visibility. For him, 40mm is the perfect size for a modern classic. The focus is on legibility, which means the 5970 will require more space than the 3970 allows. The display of the date and month was a challenge and he almost had a magnifying glass mounted on the glass for easier reading. Thank God he didn't! Instead of this radical idea, he added 3mm to the case size and a bold tachymeter, creating a more confident and sporty high quality replica watches than the 3970. The 5970 was 40 mm in diameter, not large for the time, but it allowed for the use of small dials. Room to breathe; therefore, the date on the subdial at six o’clock is noticeably more legible because Patek Philippe made the subdial larger.
Patek Philippe decided to opt for rectangular pushers instead of traditional round pushers to give the 5970 a more aggressive and youthful appearance. The use of rectangular buttons is the visual throughline, perfectly complementing the equally more aggressive bold speedometer.
Another design highlight associated with the 5970 is its unique lug shape. Patek Philippe has always shown bold design and flair in its lugs. Although the 5970 did not inherit some of the iconic lugs such as the “spider” and “flame”, Thierry Stern and his team managed to find a solution and create a new lug design that is both strong and sophisticated.
The dial is rich, yet somehow each component has its own designated, uncompromising space.
It expresses perpetual calendar and chronograph information in the most balanced way, while perfectly integrating the second track, tachymeter and date display, presenting a refreshing design brilliance. 5970 is an important milestone in the Patek Philippe family heritage, as Thierry Stern accepted the challenge of designing a new perpetual calendar chronograph to replace the venerable 3970. The conceptualization of the 5970 was based on Thierry's (Thierry)’s vision that a watch would represent a bridge between his father and his father. A generation and his.
One of the most notable features of a Patek Philippe chronograph is the tachymeter, a scale used to calculate average speed over a predetermined distance. You start the timer at the beginning of a kilometer and stop the timer at the end, and the timer second hand will show the average speed of an object (such as a horse or car) over that distance. Since this chronograph is rooted in sports and motorsport, the first Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 1518 featured this scale around the dial perimeter, giving it a more aggressive, instrument-like appearance. Speedometers have another important use. This is to ensure that the watch’s subdials don’t feel trapped in the center of the dial. replica Breitling Navitimer B01 Watches
It’s worth noting that the 5970’s hands also harken back to Patek Philippe’s past. 1518, 2499 and the 3970 watches in the first two series all use leaf-shaped hands. However, in the last two series of the 3970, these hands were replaced by more minimalist baton hands. Considering that 5970 is more transportable
The Lemania-derived CH 27 needs no introduction, as it has been the foundational movement for Patek Philippe’s advanced complications since the Ref. 3970, is also based on the same Lemania movement that powers the Omega Speedmaster Space.
Like all Patek Philippe modified Lemania movements, the CH 27 has been significantly improved over the standard movement to become a beautiful masterpiece. The CH 27 features a snap-free Gyromax balance, completely redesigned chronograph lever and spring, fully supported chronograph drive wheel, escapement wheel endstone, Côtes de Genève hairspring stud holder, and column cap wheel.
As you'd expect, it's beautiful to look at, with incredible steel construction, crisp bevels, and a proportionally proportioned balance wheel that dominates the sapphire case back. This CH 27 is one of Patek Philippe’s most historic watches, and it’s special to find it in a very modern watch. The caliber's level of finishing was so impressive that it earned it the prestigious Seal of Geneva (later replaced by the Patek Philippe Seal on other new production models).
The chronograph functions clearly and resets briskly, but is characterized by a distinct click as the reset hammer engages the heart-shaped cam to reset the chronograph. Patek Philippe has also taken steps to minimize the chronograph backlash that can occur when the driver and chronograph wheels engage and the gear teeth do not mesh precisely. replica Bell & Ross BR 05 CHRONO
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