My vote goes to 3940

Sep 03, 2015,01:52 AM
 

Everything seemed perfectly harmonized and balanced on the 3940.  A case of less is more that give rise to the elegant and timeless appeal.  One never gets tire of looking at the sublime dial. 

In additon to what other Purists have already pointed out on the 5940, a minor flaw in my eyes would be the feeling of distortion caused by the compressed numbering (i.e. 5 & 29) that wraps around the moon subdial.  All said, it is a beautiful watch and I like the dial color combinations very much. 

Thank you for the fantastic photos, Nico! 

Cheers,

 

Ken


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For the fun: Patek 3940 or 5140?

 
 By: amanico : September 2nd, 2015-13:59
3940P: A summit of understatement ( not to say coldness ), elegance, discretion. For a mature taste: 5140P: Cooler, easier, a tad bigger, but maybe less... refined? Which one do you prefer? Aaah, in both case... Same movement... Cal 240 inside. Worth a ph...  

I may be biased, but maybe not...

 
 By: mauiguy : September 2nd, 2015-14:14
Since I own both references. My preference goes to the older model, but find the blue-dialed 5140P stands in a league of its own. I'd even choose that over a 5550P (and I have). I think it has to do with the strong contrasts present in this watch. The blu... 

I can also be called biased...

 
 By: dr.kol : September 2nd, 2015-14:26
but after looking enough 5140P and 5550P side-by-side, my favourite is 5550. The reason is that on a long run 5140P is a bit "boring". At first sight(s) it is really cool but it lacks the capability to attract again and again. When comparing 5140 with 394... 

At the same time

 
 By: dr.kol : September 2nd, 2015-23:44
5550P is so different that you lear to appreciate it more and more, time after time. The old 3940 is nor easy or complicated. It's just pure and in that, it's the purity I appreciate. Best, Kari

Since everyone seems to like the 3940...

 
 By: mauiguy : September 3rd, 2015-18:50
Here's the rose gold version in the sunshine... ...  

Pure Class! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : September 3rd, 2015-22:41

Very nice.

 
 By: dr.kol : September 4th, 2015-00:55
Even coloured gold is not my first option, in the case of 3940 the R version is perhaps the nicest. Best, Kari

Here's a few more pics....

 
 By: mauiguy : September 5th, 2015-18:31
...  

I don't know why that last image is so skewed.

 
 By: mauiguy : September 5th, 2015-20:42
The original size is 1024x758 pixels. I linked the image (did not use the uploader) so you can open the image in a new window and view it properly. For some reason it displays funny when I view it on the forum.

I know from my very own experience

 
 By: dr.kol : September 6th, 2015-01:26
that 3940R looks much better on the wrist than in any photos taken. However, your pictures are great and give a good hint... Congrats! Kari

This is an interesting comparision

 
 By: Mark in Paris : September 2nd, 2015-14:22
I've prepared a post about the 5140R mainly but which makes the link with the 3940 reference. I really like both (especially the upsize for the 5140) but one thing I prefer from the 3940 is the subdials' printings (again!) which are lighter and more elega... 

Same here. Same here.

 
 By: amanico : September 2nd, 2015-14:27

I like the concave bezel of the 3940

 
 By: mkvc : September 2nd, 2015-15:20
(and don't underestimate the difficulty of making those). Overall, if I had to make the decision each morning whether to wear my 3940 or my 5140, I would not find it too upsetting.

That is indeed the kind of nice dilemma we all want to live. ;) Back to these...

 
 By: amanico : September 2nd, 2015-22:46
... The concave bezel is more my taste, too. More sophisticated, more sensual, maybe, too? Best, Nicolas

Both will do. Hard choice.

 
 By: geross : September 2nd, 2015-16:24
But 3940 g is more refined. Discreet and really a statement watch. The 5140 g j or even p slightly more sporty. My opinion. Thanks for the pics nico. Best Geross

3940..The only problem is

 
 By: beejo : September 2nd, 2015-16:58
the dial is too busy and not clear,you feel its out of focus. Best, ahmed

Same feeling here.

 
 By: amanico : September 2nd, 2015-22:48

The 3940 is my favourite.....

 
 By: Sandgroper : September 2nd, 2015-17:21
less cluttered which suits this watch better in my opinion. Nice pictures mate;) Cheers Francois

The 3940 is a nice experience to live. Even for a few minutes.

 
 By: amanico : September 2nd, 2015-22:50
Thanks for your feedback, my dear friend. Nicolas

My vote goes to 3940

 
 By: Tank-OZ : September 3rd, 2015-01:52
Everything seemed perfectly harmonized and balanced on the 3940. A case of less is more that give rise to the elegant and timeless appeal. One never gets tire of looking at the sublime dial. In additon to what other Purists have already pointed out on the... 

3940... no contest

 
 By: rcg412 : September 3rd, 2015-05:49
basically for the font spacing! Never really thought about the concave vs convex, but that is a good point! Best, Ross

3940

 
 By: descartes1 : September 3rd, 2015-05:08
It's proportions are "right"

Agree here too

 
 By: rcg412 : September 3rd, 2015-10:14
I had my heart set on 5130g. Then tried the 5110g on for kicks. No contest, 5110 was more elegant and had better spacing/proportions

One picture, for the demonstration...

 
 By: amanico : September 3rd, 2015-10:16
...  

I love that strap.

 
 By: rcg412 : September 3rd, 2015-19:28
Here is my first series on a dark brown chocolate matte. ...  

First series, wow! They are becomming hard to find.

 
 By: mauiguy : September 4th, 2015-02:32
So balanced and beautiful. I love the vintage aesthetic of this version. Well done!

I like both, but would go for the 3940...

 
 By: kkwn98 : September 3rd, 2015-08:36
... all day long. The words that immediately came to mind when I saw the pictures of each one in your post were "elegant" (3940) and "cluttered" (5140). To me, the 3940 is one of the great Patek designs and definitely one of the most beautiful modern era ... 

As always, you are right!

 
 By: kkwn98 : September 3rd, 2015-15:11
Thanks very much for your original post and for giving us all the opportunity to air our thoughts. The 2015 "gimmick", as you say, does not, I fear, do justice to an iconic watch and modern classic. The two watches show, very clearly, the differences betw... 

We'll see. We have to give time to the new CEO. I didn't like the 2015 Re Editions, though

 
 By: amanico : September 3rd, 2015-22:49
That reminded me a certain italian brand re launching some Out Of Range pieces. Which is not the best way to keep the faitfhul lovers of the brand. Best, Nicolas

I have an absolute love / respect for all what is visible

 
 By: massi. : September 3rd, 2015-12:56
under the 3940 glass, a reference, for my taste. Well, the case shape is not my cup of tea... I can only dream about this 3940 dial on a 5196 case: it would be something that could make me do anything crazy! Can't say the same for the 5140... the date in ... 

That's for sure! ;)

 
 By: amanico : September 3rd, 2015-13:44

Simply put……….

 
 By: Topcat30093 : September 3rd, 2015-20:01
The 3940 In the past I have worn both of these models, but the 5140, only stayed for a short period, whereas the 3940 remained a lot, lot longer. For me the dial on the 5140 was just too cluttered and difficult to read, especially the date sub dial. Thoug... 

Now we need a new thread about the merits of the different series!

 
 By: rcg412 : September 4th, 2015-04:21
Thats definitely a more technical debate :)

A simple solution...

 
 By: Chimaera : September 4th, 2015-06:32
...as the very happy owner of the 2015 salmon 3940.....see other thread on this where I (attempt to) analyse that piece: 3940 elements, 5140 elements and some completely unique elements. So this is a 3 way choice: 3940, 5140, or 3940 of 2015 (apparently a... 

3940, always - and I am hunting for one!

 
 By: Anatol : September 5th, 2015-13:13
I almost got a 5038 recently. But even though it was very nice and rare with its fantastic black dial, I just did not like the pearls on the bezel. Small things can spoil a beauty, I guess. And that is my issue with the 5140: just a bit off from true grea... 

3940 Sotheby's

 
 By: Chimaera : September 6th, 2015-01:05
Anatol There is a rather nice one in the catalogue for the next Sotheby\'s Auction in London. Take a look - and laugh at the silly thing they say about the differences (or not) between 3940 and 5140.

bad answer

 
 By: ch9698 : September 6th, 2015-09:34
excuse me Nicolas [/URL] ...  

You see... The Advanced Research on the moonphase subdial is tasteless, imo.

 
 By: amanico : September 6th, 2015-09:52
That is something you would not see with a 3940! Best, Nicolas

I agree with you!

 
 By: dr.kol : September 6th, 2015-09:53
Best, Kari ...  

Beautiful picture

 
 By: mauiguy : September 6th, 2015-14:36
The watch is stunning, and nice picture off the stern of the ship! Aloha

Was absent for a few days, I missed that one but...

 
 By: Mike H : September 6th, 2015-16:31
I suppose you know my answer ;-))) Needless to say that my vote goes for 3940, and specially the P or the R versions. The P has a wonderful dial, slightly brushed (a bit like 5235 regulator but less brushed), thus giving a lot of life to the dial, much mo... 

I had 3940j, 3940g, 5140g all at the same time

 
 By: Mech : September 7th, 2015-05:26
though I didn't own any pt version of any so I could safely say my choice is definitely the 3940 in whatever metal. Mech

Mech, the pictures of yours over the years were inspirational

 
 By: mauiguy : September 7th, 2015-13:22
And among the reasons why I grew so attracted to the 3940!