5146 vs 5396

[Demonoid]

Hi fellas. First of all, Christmas is upon us and in case I don't see you again soon, I want to wish each and every one of you a very joyful Christmas. God bless you all... it what a good year for the forum and I love you guys.

Ok, time for the post, I know Puffy and Carl have covered these two amazing references in the past, but that was a long time ago and opinions and tastes change. So.... What do you think today? 5146 or 5396? Wg with cream and white Dial?

[FeelingTheBlues]

5146 would have my vote Logan.

I understand that when it comes to annual and perpetual calendars knowing if your watch is at 6 in the morning or at night is indeed useful but I still cannot think of it as a very necessary feature (as opposed to the power reserve indicator that is not only convenient, even for an automatic watch, but also something you don't see that often on timepieces). Otherwise the overall looks of the 5146 just seem nicer to me than the 5396's, the display of complications on the latter may be more classic but subdials for months and days sure look nice and I love the very clean and simple look of the moonphase indicator, it simply appears on the dial without big rings surrounding it.

I have read some opinions that said that the lume markers and hands on the 5146 made it a less elegant watch, therefore I'd like to point it out in case it's something that would make you reconsider this choice. As far as I'm concerned I think it gives this otherwise pretty dressy watch a casual look, especially with the three arabic numerals and even if it was something that could be bothering me it's a sacrifice I'd gladly make to end up with a watch with very classy curves, beautiful hands and a subtle crown.

All in all, 5146 has my vote (although I must say that the 5396 remains a nicer model despite my arguments against it).

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones my friend, I wish you all the best and I hope you'll enjoy some quality time with your family.

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

5146 would have my vote Logan.

I understand that when it comes to annual and perpetual calendars knowing if your watch is at 6 in the morning or at night is indeed useful but I still cannot think of it as a very necessary feature (as opposed to the power reserve indicator that is not only convenient, even for an automatic watch, but also something you don't see that often on timepieces). Otherwise the overall looks of the 5146 just seem nicer to me than the 5396's, the display of complications on the latter may be more classic but subdials for months and days sure look nice and I love the very clean and simple look of the moonphase indicator, it simply appears on the dial without big rings surrounding it.

I have read some opinions that said that the lume markers and hands on the 5146 made it a less elegant watch, therefore I'd like to point it out in case it's something that would make you reconsider this choice. As far as I'm concerned I think it gives this otherwise pretty dressy watch a casual look, especially with the three arabic numerals and even if it was something that could be bothering me it's a sacrifice I'd gladly make to end up with a watch with very classy curves, beautiful hands and a subtle crown.

All in all, 5146 has my vote (although I must say that the 5396 remains a nicer model despite my arguments against it).

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones my friend, I wish you all the best and I hope you'll enjoy some quality time with your family.

Carl my friend, I wish you the same for you and your family. Regarding the 5146 I have to agree with you, I see this piece and

And you know what, actually those lume hands give it an edge in my humble opinion. Who said a dress watch can't have lume?... Some time is pure laziness IMHO. On the other hand the 5396 is soooo clean and the case is perfect, with its moon phase sticking out like a 3d movie... But for me the 5146 has the edge.

[Presa canary]

Merry Xmas to all. As to the question both are awesome. But I just love the symmetry of the dial on the 5146. And that light cream color is just so understated and beautiful in the metal. Kinda of like its vintage in appearance. This watch gets my vote for sure.

[conkers]

Happy Xmas everyone! 5396G for me!

[elcompa]

5146, no doubt. Simply has more going on. I love the colors scheme too. Blends so well...it simply goes together.

[PatekCollector]

I'd say 5396G.

[Oryx]

5396G or even better the 5396R

It is slightly less dressier than the 5146 so could easily be worn with a tshirt and jeans. Whereas the 5146 would look a bit too formal.

The only minor gripe I have with the 5396 is the thickness of the case.

[Puffy]

The cream 5146 is unreal. 1mm extra on the dial which gives it a bit more pop and egde from a futureprooof point of view

The chapter ring and power reserve are also lovely

5396... love this one too... it'd be a hard decision!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by Puffy

The cream 5146 is unreal. 1mm extra on the dial which gives it a bit more pop and egde from a futureprooof point of view

The chapter ring and power reserve are also lovely

5396... love this one too... it'd be a hard decision!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

I couldn't agree more Anders. It's really a hard choice but when you take into account that the 5146 has more going for it and the fact that it's almost 5k cheeper than the 5396 you get like this....

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by Presa canary

Merry Xmas to all. As to the question both are awesome. But I just love the symmetry of the dial on the 5146. And that light cream color is just so understated and beautiful in the metal. Kinda of like its vintage in appearance. This watch gets my vote for sure.

That's what I think as well Presa. I think it's kind of obvious I am leaning towards the 5146.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Demonoid

I couldn't agree more Anders. It's really a hard choice but when you take into account that the 5146 has more going for it and the fact that it's almost 5k creeper than the 5396 you get like this....

I'd go 5146 - bezel is also quite a bit below the glass and bevelled so will show less wear than the highly polished 5396's

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[nick c]

White

[Soly20]

5396 for me. The dial looks better, cleaner....

[Toony]

I voted 5396. I prefer the white dial over the cream. I also don't like when the hour markers are a mix of numerals and marks. I prefer one or the other. But we all know either is a great choice.

[codecow]

5146! There is a small chance I may be slightly biased...

The power reserve indicator is something I use all the time even more than looking at the date and certainly the day and moon phase. If I have my AC sitting on my single winder (set for Rolex) it will stop, so I look at the power reserve to see when to pull it off and wear it.

The picture without lume I attached was taken when I looked at it in the winder and saw the power was kind of low.

[Qimchi]

Tough choice for me. But I think I choose 5396.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Soly20

5396 for me. The dial looks better, cleaner....

[mps354]

I'd gladly take either one. Today, I voted 5396g, but it's close enough to change by tomorrow

[Demonoid]

Why do you guys think the 5396 is more expensive than the 5146? Calatrava collection maybe?

And, do you think that any of this references is harder to find from the other?

[subtona]

Prefer the balance of the 5396...just seems more harmonious...but that cream dial is lovely:)


Fundamentally, i am averse to looking at the information which is not relevant, other months/days of the week.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by subtona

Prefer the balance of the 5396...just seems more harmonious...but that cream dial is lovely:)


Fundamentally, i am averse to looking at the information which is not relevant, other months/days of the week.

Actually I completely agree with your assessment, but if I understand correctly your reasoning and we were to apply that logic uniformly, then we would have to eliminate all but the current minute and hour from the dial! Then we'd have - a digital rather than analog display.

Still I think your point is valid and I do share your sentiment.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Demonoid

Why do you guys think the 5396 is more expensive than the 5146? Calatrava collection maybe?

And, do you think that any of this references is harder to find from the other?

Not sure the answer Logan, but like most things economic its usually a matter of supply and demand. The 5146 has been around for a while now and is readily available in the secondhand market often at a substantial savings. The 5396 I believe has less market "saturation" and perhaps is able to command a higher premium from that basis. Cost of production I assume would be comparable..

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by codecow

5146! There is a small chance I may be slightly biased...

The power reserve indicator is something I use all the time even more than looking at the date and certainly the day and moon phase. If I have my AC sitting on my single winder (set for Rolex) it will stop, so I look at the power reserve to see when to pull it off and wear it.

The picture without lume I attached was taken when I looked at it in the winder and saw the power was kind of low.

The slate grey dial and yellow gold is probably the best color combo on a watch ever.

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Not sure the answer Logan, but like most things economic its usually a matter of supply and demand. The 5146 has been around for a while now and is readily available in the secondhand market often at a substantial savings. The 5396 I believe has less market "saturation" and perhaps is able to command a higher premium from that basis. Cost of production I assume would be comparable..

Thank you Tony for your comment. The only gripe that I see with the 5396 is that the dial can also be found in the Nautilus line. Therefore more variety to your collection can be added by going with the 5146 (Classic AC) vs the 5396 modern. Here is a pic I found courtesy of Puffy....

[Demonoid]

By Puffy....

[Demonoid]

Last one by P...

[Vipes]

I like the dial layout of the 5396. I like the case of the 5146. Overall I give the slight edge to the 5396. Happy Holidays to all here!

[Viv Savage]

Merry Christmas to you. My choice was easy.

[Demonoid]

Originally Posted by Viv Savage

Merry Christmas to you. My choice was easy.

Sweet looking piece Viv. The RG enhances the watch imho.