Affordable Rolex Datejust Replica Shop | www.rolexgrade.me

At the end of the 5970's alas-too-brief production run a series of special end-of-line models were made in four-piece sets of white, yellow, rose and platinum. These are distinguished by dials that, instead of batons, have a Roman XII and rather brilliant, droplet-like hemispherical hour markers. In December 2013, a champagne dial execution fetched USD 353,000, with a white-gold and salmon-dial making approximately USD 400,000 in May 2014.

The white gold, salmon-dial "end-of-series" ref. 5970 sold in May 2014 by Christie's for approximately USD 400,000.

Also rather special was a brace released for Patek's Grand Exhibition in London, which offered, among other amazing resurrections, two 5970s, one in white gold with a salmon dial (Rolex Datejust Replica) and one in yellow gold with black dial (PS162,970). Having seen the salmon and white gold in the metal I can confirmthat it is (almost) as beautifuland striking as the brown andyellow version I encountered ontheRue du Rhone.

Of course, Eric Clapton can be reliedupon to shake things up a bit, requesting the baton hour markers on his pink-gold 5970 be replaced by Breguet numerals at 8, 10, 11, 12 1, 2 and 4, and adding a pink-gold brick-link bracelet. There is also a rather indistinct picture of him attending a motor race with what looks like a white-gold or platinum 5970,alsowithBreguetnumerals.

Because of its recondite nature, slightly increased size and old Lemania-based calibre, Patek snobs who like to show off in a "things ain't what they used to be" way describe it as the last great Patek. I prefer to see it as the first great Patek of the Thierry Stern era. His tenure has already seen some noteworthy designs including the controversial Pilot (U-Boat Replica Watches), andjust last Basel there came the white-gold Jumbo Aquanaut with blue dial, as well as the gorgeously balanced ref. 5320 Perpetual Calendar. But I reckon that if you were to press Thierry Stern to say which design makeshim most proud, the chances arehe will tell you that it is the 5970. Seeing that brown-dialled beauty leavemy wrist and go back into stock, Iwould find ithardtodisagree.