————————————————————————————
On the wrist
Let’s face it: life could be worse than having the chance to strap on these wonderful watches! After finishing up in the light tent I could hardly wait to get Reference 5070P-013 on my wrist for a quick bit of shooting outdoors.
![On the wrist: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-013 “London”](https://quillandpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Heavyweight_13.jpg)
On the wrist: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-013 “London”
Next up was Reference 5170P, and in natural light the blue-black color has to be seen to be believed.
![Modern marvel: Patek Philippe Reference 5170P](https://quillandpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Heavyweight_14.jpg)
Modern marvel: Patek Philippe Reference 5170P
And thanks to the miracle of an 8 TB backup drive and a just-good-enough filing system, I was able to dig out one of my earlier photos of Reference 5070-001 for comparison purposes.
![Ignore that fingerprint: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-001 on the wrist](https://quillandpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Heavyweight_15.jpg)
Ignore that fingerprint: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-001 on the wrist
What’s the verdict?
I’ll confess that when I began this comparison I fully expected that at the end of the day I’d have a strong preference for Reference 5070P, a watch that I’ve lusted after for the better part of a decade now, over my own Reference 5170P.
It came as a bit of a surprise that once I’d handled, shot, and scrutinized both I found the race pretty much a dead heat. Maybe if somewhere in the Patek Philippe vaults in Geneva there were a Reference 5070P with the more modern fonts and printing proportions of the “London” edition and the blue-grey color of the original Reference 5070 I’d be tempted to sell off a number of watches and get down on bended knee to ask for it. But that seems somewhat unlikely.
For now, I’ll be more than happy to wear my new-age Reference 5170P and borrow my pals’ pieces from time to time!
![Parting shot: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-013 “London” (left) and Reference 5170P](https://quillandpad.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Heavyweight_16.jpg)
Parting shot: Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-013 “London” (left) and Reference 5170P
What are your thoughts? I’m keen to hear your choices in the comments section below.
Quick Facts Patek Philippe Reference 5170P
Case: 39.4 x 10.9 mm, platinum with brand-characteristic diamond at 6 o’clock; sapphire crystal case back
Dial: gold with sunburst blue finish gradated to black at edges, baguette-cut diamond markers; white tachymeter scale and markings
Movement: manually wound Caliber CH 29-535 PS; 4Hz/28,800 vph; power reserve 65+ hours
Functions: hours, minutes; subsidiary seconds; 30-minute instantaneously jumping chronograph
Current retail price: $96,390
Production years: 2017-present
Quick Facts Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-001
Case: 42 mm, platinum with brand-characteristic diamond at 6 o’clock; sapphire crystal case back
Dial: gold with sunburst blue finish; white tachymeter scale and markings; white gold applied Arabic numerals
Movement: manually wound Caliber CH 27-70; 18,000 vph/2.5Hz, Geneva Seal, power reserve max. 60 hours
Functions: hours, minutes; subsidiary seconds; 30-minute chronograph
Original retail price: $87,500
Current asking prices (online): $155,000 to $175,000
Production years: 2008-2009
Quick Facts Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-013 “London” edition
Case: 42 mm, platinum with brand-characteristic diamond at 6 o’clock; sapphire crystal case back
Dial: gold with sunburst blue finish; white tachymeter scale and markings; white gold applied Arabic numerals
Movement: manually wound Caliber CH 27-70; 18,000 vph/2.5Hz, Geneva Seal, power reserve max. 60 hours
Functions: hours, minutes; subsidiary seconds; 30-minute chronograph
Limitation: five pieces
Original retail price: £111,120 (approx. $173,000)
Current asking price (online): $360,000
Production year: 2015
* This article was first published on July 28, 2018 at Heavyweight Bout: Patek Philippe Reference 5170P vs. 5070P (Plus 5070P-013 ‘London’ Edition) Chronographs.
You might also enjoy:
Why I Bought It: Patek Philippe Reference 5170P
Why I Bought It: Patek Philippe Reference 5370P
Eleven Regal Timepieces From Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition At London’s Saatchi Gallery
The Great Chime-Off: Patek Philippe Minute Repeater References 5074P And 5078P
————————————————————————————