Jump to content
_DC_

THE DC REVIEW: Patek 5130 World Time

Recommended Posts

budfox1028

Thanks DC, love the work you do here! Hope we see many more to come!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
anemeth

Thanks DC for the great review. I just ordered one from Tim.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
_DC_

For anyone who's interested the rose gold one is currently for sale in M2M!!

 

DC

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Time bandit

Great review ,I ordered one because of this post thankyou

 

I've the stainless version and I'm interested in a rg version but I'll double check the rear bezel as one pictured says

Vacheron constantin ,

I wish they would do a 16mm and 14mm rep deployment clasp

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Brendan777

Thanks for the review DC, now I am wondering if they will ever do an improved version of this to get it to "Good rep Level 1". I am thinking that the gen is probably too complicated for them to try.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Pascalfree

Nice topic, always wondered how this worked. A really beautiful and pure watch, love it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
ej0304

Nice review. Thank you!

 

I personally think it's good effort but definitely long way to go

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
watchsean7

Firstly an apology for the fact this has taken so long, I know some people have been waiting on this before making the decision to buy so hopefully now you can make up your minds, but I've been a busy boy lately and not had the spare time.

 

Anyway, it's here now, and as ever we start with a history lesson...

 

The Patek World Time traces its lineage back to the 1930's, with the reference 1415 HU (heures universelles). And a quick look at this watch shows you just how little the design has changed in over 70 years, such is its brilliance...

 

8B9D9303-2C91-413C-9775-12909C25324D_zpsza3li7xd.jpg

 

The simplicity of displaying 24 time zones all at once on the dial, with a time ring that moves counter clockwise to track the times in all those locations simultaneously, as well as divided those times into day and night hours so you know if it's safe to call or if you're going to be waking someone up :giggle:

 

The Gen

 

Today the "World Time" is as synonymous with Patek Philippe as the Nautilus or the Calatrava, and in many ways is even more important, as a product line defined not by its style but by its function. In this sense it is as important as the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph or the Annual Calendar, which have become flagships of the brand at different price points. And so the introduction of a new reference is always much anticipated, much discussed and much critiqued, as with the recent launch of the limited 5575 World Time with controversial "realistic" moon...

 

48819163-EDA8-413D-9B85-6F4B0D24FCD7_zpszpsy6bss.jpg

 

But skip back to the previous incarnation of the World Time and we arrive at the watch in question, the reference 5130. The principal is exactly the same, outer city ring displaying 24 time zones, inner ring displaying the time in all those zones simultaneously, and central dial displaying the home time...

 

36B6FA43-8462-4D3E-A442-EA76710F47C3_zpst3oprvdf.jpg

 

However, the inclusion of a button at 10 o'clock tells you there is something more going on. With the modern World Time, rather than move the outer chapter ring and have to reset the home time manually, there is a "time zone advancement" function, which skips to the next time zone, moves the outer city ring accordingly, the inner 24 hour ring accordingly and home time accordingly, all at the push of a button!!

 

All this functionality (and, might I add, useful functionality as opposed to a chronograph which no one really ever uses) in a sleek elegant 39.5mm case, available in white/yellow/rose gold or platinum.

 

2E8F2567-6AED-4BA5-9FE2-64FE9A77297A_zpsryhawvwc.jpg

 

FAE97FF8-5CE5-4D15-819D-992531848921_zps3zdaexlx.jpg

 

49F2ACEB-C4FE-4AF8-90CA-07420F26D8D5_zpsnmlnmbrt.jpg

 

481F43B2-D02C-423B-844E-4610CD522642_zpsqbtrgf7e.jpg

 

The Rep

 

So there is a rep, several in fact, two of which I currently own. One in steel (replicating the white gold 5130g) and one in rose gold (the 5130r).

 

Now at this stage I want to discuss something that the Patek rep lover has to come to terms with at one time or another, and that is the fact that there are two types of "good rep" in this world. We all know what makes a good rep, those reps which at arms length or even up close are very hard to discern from the gen, and so by definition they are a good replication and so a good rep. Us Patek lovers have a few of those to enjoy, mostly in the sports ranges. There are then definitely bad reps, these include fantasy reps which I will never understand the point of, and reps which are just awful in every way. But I do believe there is another type of "good rep"... bear with me!!

 

We all know that some watches just can't be repped, they are too complex or have dial layouts that can't be achieved with the movements we have available, and for Patek lovers that's pretty much 99% of gen Pateks. But sometimes the rep factories decide "You know what lads, let's have a go anyway". A lot of the time this doesn't work well at all, but sometimes they manage to capture the essence of the watch, the elegance and the look and the character, if not the exact lines and layout. And when they do this with a quality movement that is reliable and feels solid, you have the second type of "good rep". One that is a quality product, looks good, wears well, and is as close a nod to the gen as is possible within the limitations of the rep world.

 

That, ladies and gentleman, is where this rep comes in...

 

6347D7CA-44CC-4C3F-8127-D3CA9E6CC46E_zpsmheux5sx.jpg

 

Does it have any of the functionality of the gen? Well it tells the time, and has a 24 hour ring which also tells the time (though it moves clockwise and as such has no relation to the corresponding zones on the outer ring, but if you want to you can adjust the 24hr ring manually via the crown giving you GMT functionality, which is useful). But other than that, it does nothing that the gen does. The button at 10 o'clock is just a button, push it and nothing happens. But that's my point, despite its lack of purpose that button is a prominent feature of the gen, so the rep factory said to themselves "Let's put it on there anyway"!

 

The overall look is unmistakably Patek World Time...

 

FADDEE21-A517-4303-AFE3-EE7852E76F8C_zpsqsm7263l.jpg

 

A lot has been said about the sunken dial, by which people mean the 24hr ring that resides under a secondary crystal below the main dial and city ring...

 

D3CB21C4-F606-4B20-824C-2E9370D7C4C4_zpskukhbobo.jpg

 

Honestly though, this isn't as noticeable in real life as it is in pictures, as with most things on a watch, but I can see how for some this would put them off, so again to those people I say you'll have to resign yourself to never owning a rep of the world time, as I can't see a more gen configuration happening any time!

 

It's also a little small compared to the gen, which is a refreshing size anomaly as it's usually the other way round, but at 37(ish)mm rather than the gen 39.5mm it fits my modest wrists perfectly, and will look just as classy on a larger wrist...

 

C9E47F25-6499-4975-A08F-ACEAC21BC594_zpsdmf2nqs6.jpg

 

To illustrate how this watch is flawed yet captures the essence of the gen, I've done a few side by sides...

 

7D123DB5-42CF-4D37-9FFC-793BEF0EDBB1_zpshexfsvcx.jpg

 

F17BC72D-D47D-412E-B5AF-FEB9D36EA63B_zpsvu6cbgyh.jpg

 

49A1B5AA-5589-4405-AE91-2D1DE5905B4D_zpsjcrpjpv5.jpg

 

8AA94858-ACEB-4CD9-901A-2A87CA7FA6F0_zpseoaygigs.jpg

 

Maybe you'll all look at those and say "It's nothing like the gen, the shape is wrong, the dial is wrong, the bezel is different" etc etc, but I haven't spent several hours on this post to point out the bloody obvious. If you're like me and you love the World Time for its history and its importance within the Patek lineup, and you want a rep that represents all that in a solid feeling, classy looking reassuringly weighty rep then get one of these!!!

 

Inside you'll find a 2824 movement that's smooth and reliable and solid, no rattle or 21j "whizz" when it winds, just silent and robust...

 

D964E679-B266-464C-90EF-676DA50AA908_zpsnwkujs1i.jpg

 

My only gripe, I wish they'd put a good Patek style rotor on it, I know the gen has a micro rotor but when you flip a Patek over you expect to see a gold rotor!!! And yes, that is the 5130r, so I'll leave you with a little side by side...

 

0EAE2FF9-1933-4502-B1DD-E5EE3905F6A6_zps6zgxwrrc.jpg

 

Hopefully this answers some of the concerns of those thinking of purchasing one, or maybe I've convinced you that it's not for you. Either way I hope I've helped, but please let's not have a string of posts pointing out the obvious flaws, we all have eyes, we can see!

 

And if you do want to buy one then both mine came from Tim over at WatchFinder!!

 

Thanks for looking

 

DC

DC !!!

 

Wonderful post. Is Tim at watchfinder still around?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
_DC_

He certainly is, just check the TD section of the forum!

 

DC

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
watchsean7

He certainly is, just check the TD section of the forum!

 

DC

Thanks DC, you are a wonderful addition to this forum. We are blessed to have you mate!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
jm_brc_7057

Interesting to see if they will release a new version of this watch with the microrotor movement. The gen is 39.5mm, they can easily fit a miyota based micro rotor movement used in fx the PP Celestial Sky moon reps into a 39,5mm case.  The miyota based micro rotor movement can also drive the 24hr disc like it is movable in the current rep.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×