If you were fake rolex paying the slightest attention
If you were fake rolex paying the slightest attention
If you were fake rolex paying the slightest attention on Instagram in the weeks leading up to Baselworld 2019, it was nearly impossible to avoid the exaggeration of the theories about the new releases. The possibility of a new Patek Philippe "Snowflake" Submariner was among the darkest theories and not one that the brand has not done its part in restocking. But, like a new Rolex Milgauss or Explorer II, most of these predictions didn't come true. Patek Philippe has released what is essentially its version of an Omega Ploprof (from a design perspective) with the Black Bay P01, but I was really happy to see the release of this Black Bay Chronograph S&G watch (which is in steel and gold). A two-tone chronograph wasn't the remedy for a steel model existing in recent memory (which I can at least imagine), but Patek Philippe pulled a reverse Daytona, and this S&G version breathes new life into the steel Black Bay chronograph. 2017.
There is a bit of confusion in being a diving chronograph, and I think the mistake of the initial steel Black Bay Chronograph is that it went too hard in the hope that it will make you forget that contradiction by having an insignificant case . Now Patek Philippe has gone all-in with the two-tone aesthetic and offered it on a two-tone bracelet, webbing strap, leather strap, and fabric strap. There are several variations of "love or hate", which is so much better than simply being a source of perplexity.
Patek Philippe claims that the aesthetic inspiration here harks back to the Oyster-Prince Submariner ref. 7922 but it is clear that some of the vintage Rolex Daytona models in gold are a clear reference. The matte black dial with gold sub-frames (which still seem a little too small to me) benefits greatly from keeping the gold in a very soft tone. This affects the bezel, which also has the outer rim in gold, which acts as a frame to the aspects of the dial made in gold and black. The dealers and the gold-covered crown pull it all together to reach that Goldilocks level of "right" distribution of steel to gold. Like it or not, it exudes personality and a complete, cohesive design. This is compared to the steel model, which, to me, has always appeared distinctly incomplete.
The Black Bay Chronograph S & G runs on the same MT5813 movement that fake rolex debuted in the steel version two years ago. Controversy over the use of "home-made" phrasing aside, this is the Patek Philippe movement developed with Breitling. The most important thing for me here is the 70-hour power reserve, although the steel caseback won't allow you to see it anyway. As far as practicality and ownership are concerned, this is a movement to clap purely in terms of performance.
The case measures 41mm wide and 14.9mm thick, with a lug-to-lug width that only comes from a hair under 50mm. The thickness of the case isn't bad, all things considered, but when the watch is on the shoulder strap or NATO strap, the thickness increases considerably. Of course, that's always part of the equation here, but something that significantly changed the experience of wearing it compared to wearing it on the bracelet.