Help Deciding between 5205 and 5960

[soonasu]

Hey all!

Thinking about getting either the 5205g-013 or the 5960p-015. I already have an 1815 Chrono from Lange, so I am covered chrono wise.

Main pros to the 5205:

- The case and lug design are amazing

- Fume looks great in pictures, but I definitely need to see it in the flesh

- Thinner (matters to me since I wear suits regularly and would like it to fit over a normal cuff, although I do have bespoke shirts made with a slightly larger opening to fit). ~11mm vs ~14mm on the 5960.

- I personally think the dial design here is better. Much more dynamic in the light, and I love that sector dial

- Better calendar layout imo

- Cheaper

Main pros to the 5960:

- Platinum

- Deployant Clasp by default (will need to buy one for the 5205 eventually). The price diff is maybe 10k on the used market after taking into account the fact that I plan on buying a deployant.

- Sunburst blue looks great in all lighting situations: I hear the 5205 fume sometimes just looks straght black, but I dont mind a black dial white case 5205 either.

- Chronos is a more useful complication. I love the red accent on the chrono here

- Probably better with straps?


I personally dont mind wearing dress watches super casually; I wear an 1815 chrono with t shirt and jeans all the time, and used to wear a lange 1 and calatrava the same way. I do think the 1815 chrono reads as much more formal than either the 5205 or the 5960.

Value retention matters, but not particularly a lot. If I ever do move on from a watch, I just think of the loss the cost of playing the game.

Im leaning towards the 5205, but open to opinions from people who have seen/held/owned both.

Thanks!

[2000-NJDEVILS]

My 2 cents -
I have owned 3 PP in WG:
5205-G (Rhodium), 5135-G (TV Set square) and 5146 (Grey/Rhodium dial).
For size, 5205 is best with 5135 a close second.
For looks, 5205 is best with 5146 #2
For work/black tie events etc the 5205 is best as it’s a more modern look - 5135 & 5146 were both designed in the mid 1990’s and started into production from 2002-2004 to the public -
Overall choice for me is 5205 as I sold both 5135 and 5146………

[pearson1995]

I picked up a 5205 as my first Patek last week. All your comments about it are correct. If it really bothered you, you could buy a deployment clasp I believe. The dial is almost black sometimes, but it’s amazing.

Personally, if I had big wrists I would go with the 5960. If not, the 5205 is the way to go.

One last thing I would say… my 5205 has really impressed me. In the flesh it’s so much better than in pictures. Even the white gold hour markers almost glisten in person, something photos don’t show.

[John Doyle]

5205 for me

[mickyd329]

5205g was my first Patek. It's a great piece to start the Patek journey. It's dressy yet sporty. It can have many different looks by just changing the strap. The dial is exquisite with the blue gradient scheme. The AC complication is very useful. I'm a big AC and Perpetual fan.

[Pw92676]

Another vote for 5205. I don’t own one but I think it’s one of the best out there.

[Ashj52]

I am no Patek expert, but I love my 5205r! However slightly useless complication of the 24hr indicator?

[salnuaimi]

assuming 5960 from grey and 5205 from Patek AD, I would say if it was me ill go for 5205 for the relationship + you do get a a complicated watch which wears nicely.

But if you are buying from grey ill go for 5960 . Love the white dial on bracelet , you get the complete complications feeling having a annual calendar, day and night indicator, power reserve and a flyback chronograph which i like !

again both are amazing it goes back to you

[soonasu]

Originally Posted by salnuaimi

assuming 5960 from grey and 5205 from Patek AD, I would say if it was me ill go for 5205 for the relationship + you do get a a complicated watch which wears nicely.

But if you are buying from grey ill go for 5960 . Love the white dial on bracelet , you get the complete complications feeling having a annual calendar, day and night indicator, power reserve and a flyback chronograph which i like !

again both are amazing it goes back to you

Thanks for the help all! Looks like the 5205 is the winner hahaha.

Not sure if its worth buying from a retailer though; I dont want any other patek in particular besides *maybe* a 5712, but thats in another galaxy. I can probably hit the spend by combining spend on other watches but not sure what the threshold for one is nowadays