Messages: 58 Location: Singapore
Registered: June 2012
Happy New Year everyone... plus 5146 goodness!
Mon, 31 December 2012 18:27
Hi everyone,
It's already 2013 and I'd like to wish you all a fabulous New Year...!
This is my very first Patek and interestingly enough, it was launched the same year when I made it to BaselWorld. I do recall looking at it for quite some time at the PP booth, along with rest of their amazing pieces. I've owned (and still do) several Omegas, Rolexes, and Audemars Piguet - with Chronographs (column-wheeled cal.321 Speedies from 1965 being the 'best') at the height of "complications". Therefore, having this beauty along with the moon-phase has been extremely thrilling.
The Calatrava design of the case is just incredible, as I do have a penchant for smooth and rounded surfaces; However, I've yet to see another design that flows as well as this. You've got to see and handle it in person to appreciate how intricately Patek craft these cases. It's no surprise that I'm aspiring to add a 5960R in the future as well.
The watch has not been re-set once in the past four months; it has spent some time on my Orbita Sienna winder, and for the most part has been worn daily during daylight hours (during the night, I switch to my steel Royal Oak). At 3-am today, 1/1/2013 I noticed, it was running just under a minute, and a welcome surprise indeed. For about three-months, I've been wearing it 12 hrs and allow it to 'rest' for the next 12 hrs - and ignoring the use of my winder.
I've read elsewhere that one should be gentle with the Calatrava deployant (not the 'Stern' type) as some have had the Calatrava seal 'pop' out. Thankfully, I have instinctively been pressing on the outer ring of the deployant, although I can see those with smaller fingers managing to push on the cross itself. Has anyone else had this same issue? Was it easy/quick to rectify @ your PP service centre?
Re. spring bars - For those having worn PP's for years on end, do you let your service centre replace these annually or do you purchase them and give it an annual replacement?
I'd certainly appreciate any advice you may have to spare on caring for your 5146. I am aware of the 5-year service period, and will be getting mine across to PP Geneve in 2017.
- apCaliber