Which one: 5524g, 5230g, or 5146g

[watchnerdofficial]

These are three great watches, and all actually have complications which are useful!
I personally have the 5524 and I got this mostly for the clean dial and GMT function. The design gives it versatility as I can wear with a suit and also on casual. With the world timer I have always seen them as more collectibles and not a regular daily wear, the dials arent very legible to tell the time quickly. The 5146 I think its not a bad price to get a Gold Patek with annual calendar and moon face. the design is more classic Patek unlike the 5524 which is new for Patek. My vote is 1. 5146 2. 5524 3. 5230

[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by goog53

5524G looks great in your grouping. The others I would pass on for sure. They just sit in display cases

Thanks! I agree, I tend to find the other two at ADs easier than the 5524G.

Originally Posted by bearxj86

5524 - you could use a blue dial

Thank you. Very true, and blue is the color I wear most in terms of clothes as well!

Originally Posted by golfski

5524G, can be dressed down or up.
Attachment 1082517
Attachment 1082513

Awesome photos, and a great example of it being a versatile watch. Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by mzcloud

my vote goes to the 5524

Thanks!

Originally Posted by MilesB

Not at all, you can easily wear it with a suit. The strap might be a bit light for formal settings, but that's easily changed. The 5524G is closer to a dress watch than a sports watch.

I appreciate your thoughts. I can easily imagine the watch fitting in better in formal settings with dressier strap options.

Originally Posted by locutus49

Ano ne, ano Patakuno 5524 ga tsugoi desu...

Argato!! Nihongo hanasemasuka?

[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by golfski

I think that looks great! Definitely not too big, I honestly wish it was a tad bigger!

Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad that I wasn't the only one thinking that it's not too big!

Originally Posted by sokoloka

5524 is my vote. Been eyeing one myself, leaning more towards the 5524r personally however.

Thanks! The 5524r is gorgeous, maybe able to pull off formal settings better than the 5524G.

Originally Posted by watchnerdofficial

These are three great watches, and all actually have complications which are useful!
I personally have the 5524 and I got this mostly for the clean dial and GMT function. The design gives it versatility as I can wear with a suit and also on casual. With the world timer I have always seen them as more collectibles and not a regular daily wear, the dials arent very legible to tell the time quickly. The 5146 I think its not a bad price to get a Gold Patek with annual calendar and moon face. the design is more classic Patek unlike the 5524 which is new for Patek. My vote is 1. 5146 2. 5524 3. 5230

Thanks for the great advice!!
I was at the watch store yesterday to see all three watches, and as you have mentioned, they are all beautiful pieces. I like them all, and for different reasons. I find myself leaning towards the 5524, but am pulled back by a voice telling me "you'd be better off choosing a more traditional reference, which would be timeless and has already stood the test of time."

[ramenjiro]

I appreciate everyones's help! I have a follow-up question.
I am looking at a pre-owned 5146G, manufactured in 2006.
I have checked with the store, and the watch was made before Patek shifted to "grey gold," therefore is rhodium-plated.
Are the WG pieces that are rhodium-plated less valued than the grey-gold variant, especially if it was the same reference?
Anyy advice would be much appreciated!!

[Mike Jab]

Worldtimer

[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by Mike Jab

Worldtimer

Thank you!


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[RyanO]

Great question regarding the difference between rhodium plated and grey gold. Am curious if anyone has any insights into this. I am surprised there isn’t more love for the 5146 here. It gets my vote. I love the classic proportions and retro classic aesthetic. It’s also quite versatile, and I feel comfortable wearing it casually or a bit more dressed up. I am not a fan of true dress watches.

Here’s mine:



Please keep us updated!


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[locutus49]

Tsukoshi. Nihongo ga zen zen wasurechatta.

Originally Posted by ramenjiro

Thanks! I agree, I tend to find the other two at ADs easier than the 5524G.


Thank you. Very true, and blue is the color I wear most in terms of clothes as well!


Awesome photos, and a great example of it being a versatile watch. Thanks for sharing.


Thanks!


I appreciate your thoughts. I can easily imagine the watch fitting in better in formal settings with dressier strap options.


Argato!! Nihongo hanasemasuka?

[JorgeCCW]

Why buy such an old watch , there are so many better offerings out there. Why go back to the rhodium plated era ? Probably has the old clasp too
My advise is look somewhere else


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[AK797]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Tsukoshi. Nihongo ga zen zen wasurechatta.

Me too, used to be fluent as a kid, so fluent in fact I forgot English.

[RyanO]

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

Why buy such an old watch , there are so many better offerings out there. Why go back to the rhodium plated era ? Probably has the old clasp too
My advise is look somewhere else


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Agreed. Another consideration is if doesn’t have the updated deployment buckle which is so much more convenient not to mention better looking. Adding this cost several thousand.


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[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by RyanO

Great question regarding the difference between rhodium plated and grey gold. Am curious if anyone has any insights into this. I am surprised there isn’t more love for the 5146 here. It gets my vote. I love the classic proportions and retro classic aesthetic. It’s also quite versatile, and I feel comfortable wearing it casually or a bit more dressed up. I am not a fan of true dress watches.

Here’s mine:



Please keep us updated!


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Ryan, thank you for your kind suggestion.
And, your photo is simply awesome!! Your strap is a beauty too.
As I am going through many photos of the 5146 here on the forum and also on instagram, I'm finding the watch very versatile, fit for multiple occasions.

[ts3]

I haven't been a big fan of the 5524 in the past but I think it fits better to your collection than the 5146 and 5230. Maybe because I see the 5524 on the sportier side, also compared to some of the other posters here. However, it does not dress up very well in my view, think overall size, big lumed numerals, big left-side pushers, not exactly a subtle piece.

In terms of standing the test of time I don't know. Fast forward 20 or 30 years and the 5146 and 5230 may look just dated (whereas I expect the 3940 and 5110 to become / remain classics). While the 5524 hype has subsided I wouldn't be concerned that it will go out of fashion. Patek may well expand the Pilot line further after just having added the 5520 alarm watch. Predicting what will still be sought after in decades is pretty much impossible in the end.

[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Tsukoshi. Nihongo ga zen zen wasurechatta.

Subarashii! Itsuka nihonn ni kitara, aitaidesune!

Originally Posted by JorgeCCW

Why buy such an old watch , there are so many better offerings out there. Why go back to the rhodium plated era ? Probably has the old clasp too
My advise is look somewhere else


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Thank you for the advice. I have passed on the said watch from 2006, and am searching for another one in the grey gold era.
However, still am very intrigued by the 5524 as well...

Originally Posted by AK797

Me too, used to be fluent as a kid, so fluent in fact I forgot English.

Wow, lot's of Japanese speakers here! I am surprised! Do you still visit Japan sometimes?

Originally Posted by RyanO

Agreed. Another consideration is if doesn’t have the updated deployment buckle which is so much more convenient not to mention better looking. Adding this cost several thousand.


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I see... I see here that Patek used to exchange your Chevron buckle to a Calatrava buckle free of charge. Do you know if this is still the case?
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=406556

[ramenjiro]

Originally Posted by ts3

I haven't been a big fan of the 5524 in the past but I think it fits better to your collection than the 5146 and 5230. Maybe because I see the 5524 on the sportier side, also compared to some of the other posters here. However, it does not dress up very well in my view, think overall size, big lumed numerals, big left-side pushers, not exactly a subtle piece.

In terms of standing the test of time I don't know. Fast forward 20 or 30 years and the 5146 and 5230 may look just dated (whereas I expect the 3940 and 5110 to become / remain classics). While the 5524 hype has subsided I wouldn't be concerned that it will go out of fashion. Patek may well expand the Pilot line further after just having added the 5520 alarm watch. Predicting what will still be sought after in decades is pretty much impossible in the end.

I truly appreciate your insight!
I completely agree with you in terms of how the 5524 fits in with the rest of the collection. Looking at the 3 images in my original post, the combination with the 5524 looks most well-balanced.
Looking at my current lineup, I feel that my ALS and JLC are very formal, and my Rolex and Aquanaut are very casual. For my next piece, I'm looking for something in the middle, but somewhat discreet (doesn't scream PP in a bad way).
It is interesting to read your reasoning behind how the 5146 and 5230 may become outdated, and 5524 has a chance of expanding as a collection and becoming a staple. As you say, since it's impossible to predict what till happen few decades from now, buying what you like most now is what matters.