Patek will not change the dial color

Jul 10, 2011,13:03 PM
 

Back in 1990s, Patek (through their Henri Stern Agency in NY) would routinely swap out dials to replace with an alternative color. I changed the black dial on a 3970 with a white dial and I changed a pink (salmon) dial on a 5035 to black. They even let me keep the old dials. Somewhere along the line, they stopped returning the old dials to clients and then stop the practice of swapping out dials all together. Now they will only replace a worn dial with the same that originally came with the watch (assuming it's still available). Hope this helps.



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5980 - will Patek do a dial swap?

 
 By: cmcm3 : July 7th, 2011-01:34
Hey guys, I'm new on this board although have posted a few times over on the AP section about my ROO Diver I recently got. I've totally fallen in love with the 5980 but like many am unsure whether the charcoal or blue dial is the way forward. I like both ... 

I don't think they would buddy, because

 
 By: mo : July 7th, 2011-07:20
The reference and serial number would change but ask ask ur AD he would know better

I doubt it

 
 By: Park : July 7th, 2011-07:30
While I can't speak to Patek policy, everything I know leads me to believe that they would not do this and that you would be unwise to wish it. Changing the dial of a fine watch makes the watch undesirable to collectors, so you would be paying to reduce t... 

Next week's price increase...

 
 By: cmcm3 : July 7th, 2011-09:52
Is this a world-wide increase? As I've only really decided to go for a Patek recently I hadn't picked up on this! Do you guys have any details as to what % increase will be applied? I hadn't quite got to the stage of being ready to hand over the readies, ... 

the date counter are different colors for the blue and black!

 
 By: doublesix : July 7th, 2011-07:35
you would end up with a mis-matched watch. Any future buyer who is willing to spend so much for a watch would know that the counter on the blue face is black and the counter on the black face is white. Buy the blue dial as it is classic Nautilus and in so... 

that would surprise me ... but ....

 
 By: P@trick@Belgium : July 7th, 2011-14:38
let me convince you to go for the blue dial who changes colour depending the light from blue to grey several times a day if I had the choice again I'd take exactly the same one...  

Beautiful shots Patrick! [nt]

 
 By: bulliondesk : July 7th, 2011-15:02
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WOW!!

 
 By: mjnoumoff : July 7th, 2011-16:40
very nice pictures!!

stunning pics! [nt]

 
 By: playtime : July 7th, 2011-19:44
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Beautiful pictures!

 
 By: radone : July 11th, 2011-11:22
Thanks for sharing them! R

Blue dial would be my choice but...

 
 By: masterspiece : July 7th, 2011-18:58
if you're unsure which color to go with and hoping that PP will change out the dial for you, then I would suggest you think hard about which one would be the one you could NOT live without. That way, you'll be happy with your choice and your purchase. Alo... 

These are good problems to have

 
 By: tahoeblue : July 7th, 2011-23:37
Buy either one and you will not go wrong. Blue is more classic for Nautilus, but black more rare and perhaps with a touch more "elegance."

thanks...

 
 By: cmcm3 : July 8th, 2011-04:40
for all the replies guys, and especially thanks for the photos. The 5726 has also sprung up as a candidate, and it's tough to decide which direction to choose. The 5980 has a nice chunky-ness about it that is quite modern and the bracelet is more versatil... 

Looking at the pics again...

 
 By: cmcm3 : July 8th, 2011-04:49
I think the blue dial would win, because I'm just not super-keen on the charcoal dial's white on black date wheel. I guess in real life things might be different, but in pics the datewheel seems to stand out more in black than in white. So.... Blue 5980 v... 

5980 vs 5726

 
 By: daywalker88 : July 8th, 2011-09:56
Here are 2 pics to aid in your cause ...  

You want the Blue dial....

 
 By: RUpanerai : July 8th, 2011-08:50
Its more rare and from what I heard will be discontinued in favor of the Gray....

Congratulations on your choices...........

 
 By: Topcat30093 : July 8th, 2011-12:31
The Nautilus range is a great all rounder and are superb. But I see that your have moved from having a Nautilus with a Chronograph complication or an Annual Calendar complication. Which from your 2 choices would you find more useful? Regards Tony

Being honest...

 
 By: cmcm3 : July 8th, 2011-15:45
...I use my watches to tell the time. A date complication is nice, but anything beyond that is purely aesthetics, in my honest appraisal of how I use watches. I've really been big into watches for a few years now and never needed reminding of the day or m... 

I would disagree....

 
 By: MiniCooper : July 10th, 2011-06:48
I think that the blue dial outsells the black one... As far either being discontinues that would be anybody's guess unless you have inside information from Patek... I doubt that the blue dial would be discontinued as it is a much loved watch... It could a... 

BLue Blue Blue

 
 By: mo : July 8th, 2011-13:38
BLue...  

Patek will not change the dial color

 
 By: cr1822001 : July 10th, 2011-13:03
Back in 1990s, Patek (through their Henri Stern Agency in NY) would routinely swap out dials to replace with an alternative color. I changed the black dial on a 3970 with a white dial and I changed a pink (salmon) dial on a 5035 to black. They even let me... 

Dial Changes

 
 By: gary01 : July 10th, 2011-22:54
I think Patek general philosophy is three fold: 1. Patek is reluctant to make a "piece unique"............changing dial on 5980 (without changing date wheel color) would render it a non-standard piece. My guess is that Patek would not agree to do so, but ... 

What's not to like about black? But is color the right question?

 
 By: Doctor : August 12th, 2012-10:14
Great choices. I was just looking at the 5980 and the 5712 yesterday. What pushed me away from the 5980 was more of the size. Which also could be something you prefer. But it stands rather tall. I want something a bit more quiet, less like a rolex and mor... 

Nice analysis

 
 By: Park : August 12th, 2012-15:19
Doctor, Nice to see your comments. It's not only a detailed and nuanced analysis, but one that recognizes how others might prefer something different. Park