There are many nods within the 5170 towards the first Patek chronograph, the 130, and they begin with its case. There are only three known examples of the 130 in white gold, and this 5170G continues the use of the metal with a watch case formed by very traditional codes in 18ct white gold. The straight yet gently curved lugs, smooth bezel, rectangular pushers, and prominent crown all point to a beautifully restrained, timeless blueprint. This theme continues throughout the dial, as despite the two scales around the periphery and detailed sub-registers, for a modern watch, the 5170 is a charmingly straightforward realisation that reveals more the closer you look. Surrounded by a pulsometer scale as seen on 20th century 'doctor's watches' outside of another vintage watch classic, a railroad scale, right from the off, this is a watch for the vintage-loving modern collector.

Similarly, large applied white metal Breguet numerals – perhaps the most evocative of numeral type – fill the space its sharp black dial presents. There's even a second use of these numerals within the railroad track. Feuille hands with a needle-style chronograph hand sit at the centre, injecting a sense of versatility into this otherwise dressy occasion. Completing the dial are the bi-compax registers at three and nine, with the left register showing running seconds while the right measures elapsed chronograph minutes up to 30. Both registers are sunken on the dial and sit slightly lower than the central pinion of the hands.