Patek Philippe 5951 Watch, Boring at Baselworld?

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Mar 25th 2010 at 6:02PM

While to an extent it is true that "Patek Philippe can do no harm," it is also true that they can bore you to sleep. New, less than exciting watches for 2010 feel aimed square at collectors and do nothing to make newbies interested in the brand. In fact, with mostly Asian buyers seeking out the brand, the tiny new calibers and "same as before" looks show unflattering hesitation in the brand to do anything that isn't going to appeal to people who are just buying their watches as investment. The sad thing, is that Patek Philippe really is good at making nice designs - they just hold back most of the time. And yes, the watches are still mechanically good. Nothing new there, but no new technical innovations as far as I am concerned.

For 2010 there was no Patek star at Baselworld. Though this new model might be claimed as one give that the rest are less than 'descript' - it is the Ref. 5951 in platinum. It looks smaller than it is with a effeminate cushion shaped in the precious metal. Though the red and black colors prove it is a man's watch. It has a good look, in a "dandy" sort of way. Is that really the look you are going for Patek? Inside the watch is the new manually wound CHR 27-525 PS Q caliber, with a bunch of complications. There is the time, monopusher split-second (rattrapante) chronograph, perpetual calendar, day/night indicator window, and moonphase. The watch also comes with a hot injection of Patek snobbery no doubt.

Patek Philippe has made a nice watch, in the wrong case. And I don't understand the sporty colors at all. These odd elements really take away from the cool movement, and symmetrical (though cluttered) dial design. Patek should really stop sitting around thinking about what their core customers want to buy, and start making watches that they themselves want to make, once again. At least that is my view. No doubt, the watches will sell as Patek Philippe can't do wrong...

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, 5951, basel, Baselworld 2010, patek philippe, PatekPhilippe, platinum, watch