Loading...From a pulsometer scale to a tachymeter scale. That is what Patek Philippe with the new reference 5170 chronograph just introduced at Baselworld. While the pulsometer could be used by doctors or older people to measure their pulse, the tachymeter serves to measure speed, generally the speed of a car or an airplane for example.
Introduced in 2010 with reference 5170J in yellow gold whose production stopped in 2013, this new chronograph is coming in a heavy platinum case with a stunning blue sunray dial adorned with baguette diamond indices referenced as 5170P-001.
Yes, we have heard all the stories about watches with diamond dials, but this is very different. First, it does not at all look ostentatious, instead it is looking very elegant and at first sight, you barely notice that the indices are not gold indicates but diamonds. At least that is how my eyes perceived it and I am not blind.
This dial is playing in a league of itself. The sunray blue which is quite well captured in the bright light of the Patek Philippe pressroom at Baselworld shines like there is no tomorrow. It covers all shades from bright blue to dark black. The outer circle is actually black which gives the dial a degradee style look. Now add to that the baguette diamond indices, and you have a watchdial that we have never before seen at Patek Philippe and most likely nowhere else either. A uniquely beautiful dial. While blue seemed to be the color of choice for dials this Baselworld (look at the steel blue Skydweller, and and the Aquanaut and other Pateks as well as many other manufacturers who all presented blue dialed watches!), this blue dial is a class act. Cudos to Patek Philippe.
Patek Philippe is historically known for their classy and simple looking chronograph watches with only two totalisors indicating only the minutes on the chronograph and not the hours. This includes references as famous as the 130 and 1463. Both amazing vintage chronographs highly coveted by collectors now and fetching quite high results at auction.
Don’t beat me, but I do not have a good shot of the movement side which shows through a sapphire caseback. The handwound caliber is the same reference as on previous 5170 chronographs: CH 29-535 PS. It is an inhouse column wheel chronograph movement. It carries the Patek Philippe seal to emphasize its high quality standard as set by Patek Philippe.
I heard from friends that for certain watches of Patek Philippe you have to submit an application. This may be one of them, I am not sure? However, it would be worth it for those who possess the funds.
I do not know the price of this watch yet, but I heard it will be something over 80000 USD or 80000 CHF or over 80000 Euros. I will update the price once I find out.
While by today’s standard, a watch sized at just over 39mm is considered small, this one sits just perfect on the wrist. Not too small. And while some may recall reference 5070 which was 42mm in size, I find this watch much more comfortable on the wrist, and it also looks more elegant as the bezel of the 5070 was quite wide. This is more classic, timeless and understated.
Let me finish this with the Technical specifications: (taken from the Patek Philippe homepage)