Review: Patek Philippe 5164a (HEAVY PICS)

[kilyung]

NOTE: This post is VERY picture heavy so please do not quote when replying!!!

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I gifted myself a Patek 5164a for my birthday and promised to share some of my thoughts on this watch. I figured there was no better way to test my new 5146 than to take it on the road. So it came with me this week on my travels.

Good morning!


Driving to the airport bright and early.


Ooops. Forgot to pump up… the 5146 looks fantastic under the bright lights at the self serve pump.


Distracted driving has an entirely different meaning to a WIS with a new watch!


Shorts and Pateks… I think they work surprising well together!


I’m no Gerardo… in fact after seeing his posts, I persistently feel like I’m eating cardboard (it’s McDonalds… so yeah I am).


Good travel watch on an otherwise boring flight. My neighbor did comment on "my nice rubber strap" (he was wearing a Breitling). Talk about nondescript.


Can anyone guess where I am?


After checking in and getting my bearings, I had a little down time to admire this superb travel watch.




Then I’m up and off to the SuperBowl!


Oh wait, that was last year. Well this game should have been the SuperBowl! What a game. IMO, the winner was going to be decided by the OT coin toss.


The next morning after the ritual coffee (didn’t think to take any pictures of the previous evening’s consolation bar crawl ), it was time to get to work.




The 5164 is versatile. You’d think rubber wouldn’t work in a business environment. However in assessing the watches of my colleagues in suits, it was quite apparent that rubber strap Timex and health monitors are the norm these days among executives.






So what do I think of this watch?

Case and finishing

As shown in my 5711 v. 5164 comparison photos, the 40.8mm case appears much larger than its Nautilus brethren. The integrated lugs of the Nautilus accentuate this difference. The Aquanaut Travel Time is anything but classic. In fact, it has a modern sports watch vibe.




The local/home time complication added to the thickness of the 324SC.


Much has been said about the pushers. Honestly you don’t notice them IRL particularly when they hide under your cuffs.


Interestingly they don’t look awkward at all when worn casually.


The larger face and thicker case serve to make this a rather sporty time piece which belies its luxury oriented travel complication. The 5164a is rated to 120m water resistance - that does not mean you can dive with it!


The larger areas are brushed to provide more contrast and visual interest. The crystal is slightly raised (approx 1mm) above the bezel and creates some nice rainbows and reflections. As with most PPs, there is no AR coating but there's little to no glare.


The transition from polished to brushed is very well delineated. Interestingly some edges are very sharp (and likely prone to nicks) while others are more smooth/rounded.


The polished areas seem to act as accents while the main attraction is the brushed finish. The brushed surfaces flash beautifully and practically GLOW in the sun. It's a terrifying prospect to disturb such perfection with scratches.

The rehaut is bead blasted which provides a great contrast to the polished and brushed surfaces. It also minimizes reflections near the dial adding to the legibility of the dial.


The spacing between rehaute and dial markers demonstrates amazing precision and attention to detail. If you took a micrometer and measured all the panel gaps on a Rolls Royce… that’s what this spacing looks like.

Dial and legibility

Patek calls it a “black embossed dial” but they must be color blind. It's more of a gray sunburst with earthy tones.


Large white major markers and long minute markers make for a very visually crowded dial. Rather than detracting from the watch, it accentuates the sportiness of the 5164.


How legible is the dial in the dark? The white hands and markers are quite visible during the day and low light situations. However the lume is quite weak. Oh it works well when you come in from outside but it doesn’t last very long. It's a Patek and we're all used to no lume anyways, right?


The local and home day/night indicators are not as obtrusive as they look in pictures. The night indicator is a deep blue while the white matches the surrounding white paint. I love that the transition from day to night is diagonal and adds some drama to an otherwise boring process (like scissor doors on a luxury car).


The date indicator is pretty much useless; fonts are too big and too closely spaced but still barely readable to these aging eyes. Still the globe inside a globe embossing is interesting and adds additional depth to an alluring dial. Did I mention the date indicator was useless? Yes a date window would have been more practical but then this watch would look too much like it’s cousin, the 5167. The date indicator adds a “je ne sais quoi” to the look.


Clasp

The clasp is brilliant in its simplicity. It is a simple retention system which eliminates the need for complicated latches and levers. The release tabs are part of the spring system.




With fewer assembly parts and and no complexity, I expect this clasp to last a long time. The only issue could be accidental releases if the tabs are pressed but as long as the straps aren’t too tight this shouldn’t happen.




Rubber strap

The rubber strap is great. It protects the watch against unwanted consequences. It is sized fairly long out of the box and needs to be sized when put on. You can buy another rubber when this one is spent. It is prone to getting a little slick when wet but it’s ribbed which provides enough tactile friction and a pleasing touch. It reminds me of… well a rubber!

It is frequently described as incredibly comfortable. After it’s sized and put on, it barely touches my wrist.


The only two points of contact with my wrist are the caseback and the clasp. Since both are about the same length and the rubber strap suspends the two contact points, the watch is exceptionally balanced. This watch doesn’t “drape” on your wrist like the thin bracelet of the 5711/1a as much as it “orbits” your wrist.


Movement

Much has been said of the 324SC movement found in the 5164. This is the same movement in many other “base” Pateks like the 5227 or 5711. For the 5164, Patek added a local/hometime function on top of the movement. As I mentioned this added to the thickness of the movement and subsequently the case but, as you can see, there’s little visual difference between the 5164 and the 5711 from the back.

5164


5711


Conclusion

It's been a fantastic week traveling with this watch. I have to admit that I wasn't sure if I was going to click with this piece (it's not gold after all ) but I've found myself enjoying the time spent with the 5164. I would highly recommend this model if you're looking for a nondescript sporty travel timepiece with exceptional finish and quality. Cheers!

[Milgauss J]

awesome review. Congrats!

[Rogdogg]

Great photos, Thanks for taking the time to post this. I'm glad you like your new birthday present

[johnbeth]

Awesome writeup thanks sir! Awesome watch as well, enjoy!

[Touring]

Great photos and review. Particularly like the pics with the shirt and blazer, which illustrates just how versatile the Aquanaut line is.

[SearChart]

Great writeup and pictures, thanks for sharing Mike

[RussW]

Great review and photos.

[HL65]

Very nice Mike and great review!

[travisb]

Terrific write up! Thanks for this Mike. Enjoyed reading it and I'm sure I'll be back to this thread multiple times.
Been on the fence on which Aquanaut is the one for me.

[JorgeCCW]

Awesome watch Mike, thanks for the writeup.



Sent from the 3 Watches Philosophy Company headquarters

[sctp39]

[Passionata]

Great report Mike , thanks for sharing ,
two Qs ,
how thick is the watch comparing to 5711 and a Rolex Sub ?
pushers are waterproof or accidental pushing is a problem underwater?
thanks

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Passionata

Great report Mike , thanks for sharing ,
two Qs ,
how thick is the watch comparing to 5711 and a Rolex Sub ?
pushers are waterproof or accidental pushing is a problem underwater?
thanks

5711/1a is 8.3mm vs 5164a at 11mm vs 116610ln at 12.8mm

I'm not about to try it but the pushers feel "squishy" as if there's a rubber membrane between them and the movement. Keep in mind this watch is "water resistant" and not "waterproof". The pushers are high enough on the case that you shouldn't be able to accidentally actuate them while submerged.

[buddydog]

Mike, thank you taking your time to photograph and write this awesome review. I've been trying to justify the price differences between 5167 and 5164. This post has really sway me towards the Travel Time.

My crystal ball tells me that your post will do for the 5164 what Puffy did fior the 5167!

Congratulations on the amazing piece.

[texex91]

Think the entire Aquanaut line is so versitile, as witnessed in your thread.

Nice write up and pics!

[gummy]

Fantastic write up! Thanks for posting.



Great pick up too!

[incontrol]

Mike, great write-up and pictures. I never realized some of the details that make up the 5164 you have pointed out in your review and I have had the watch for about 18 months already. You have inspired me to take off my Sub and put this beauty on to start the weekend!

[nick c]

Very nice review congrats

[kuota_kalibur]

My friends and I love the 5164a. It's obvious in the pic. Congrats again! Perfect travel time watch.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by kuota_kalibur

My friends and I love the 5164a. It's obvious in the pic. Congrats again! Perfect travel time watch.

That's probably 50% of all 5164a sales to date!!

[kuota_kalibur]

Originally Posted by kilyung

That's probably 50% of all 5164a sales to date!!

And the remaining 50% are all here in TRF posting and lurking.

Mike!

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by kilyung

That's probably 50% of all 5164a sales to date!!

[subtona]

Mike great review of a great and unique watch

Originally Posted by kuota_kalibur

My friends and I love the 5164a. It's obvious in the pic. Congrats again! Perfect travel time watch.

this is one of the craziest WIS group shots i have ever seen

[mdtddd2007]

Great review...and boy you don't say...lots of pictures. Thanks for sharing! Make me want one.

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

Awesome write up, I would be nervous placing it on top of a highly magnetic speaker though. Beautiful Patek.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by ELITEVIDEOGAMES

Awesome write up, I would be nervous placing it on top of a highly magnetic speaker though. Beautiful Patek.

Speaker was powered off and the watch has been consistently running -1sec after a week. I'll try to remember to put it on my timegrapher when I get home for a less subjective rating of its accuracy.

[stockjock1975]

Great review Mike! I agree with your thoughts wholeheartedly! The 5164 is an amazing piece. I really enjoyed your photos of the watch while wearing dressier clothes (suit & tie). Many feel it inappropriate to wear this piece with more formal clothing, however I think it looks amazing in that environment.

Great work!!!

[GarageBMW]

Amazing review Mike! Congratulation on a superb gift to you

[cwilson13]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thought.
I want.

[orangedial]

Very nice review. Looks great on you