Patek Philippe

• cal. RTO27 PS-QR nickel lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 28 jewels, free-sprung Gyromax balance rotating within a one-minute tourbillon carriage, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, minute repeating on two steel gongs • opaline-white dial, applied white gold Breguet numerals, retrograde date hand, apertures for day, month and leap year indication, subsidiary dial for constant seconds with moon-phases • platinum circular case, minute repeating slide to the band, sapphire crystal display back • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum PP buckle

Movement and all functions are in working order while cataloguing. Repeating mechanism has full, even tone and clarity. Dial and hands are nice and clean. Case with superficial hairline scratches, only visible under a powerful loupe and mainly to the lugs. Overall condition is excellent. An extraordinary timepiece. Highly recommended. Additional dials: Black dial with applied gold Breguet numerals (1.905.045), dark gray sunburst dial with applied gold Breguet numerals (1.905.045), and black dial with diamond-set indexes and outer minute track (1.905.067). **The strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information**.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, C.O.S.C. certificate and Instruction Manual all in a leather folder, a setting pin, spare solid case back and a presentation box with an outer card box.  Further accompanied by 3 additional dials and an Extract from the Archives confirming production with opaline-white dial and white gold Breguet hour markers in 2004 and sale on October 29th of the same year. 

The present lot is a particularly desirable example of the Ref. 5016P as it is further accompanied by three additional dials, including a black dial with applied pink gold Breguet numerals, a black dial with baguette diamond-set numerals and perhaps the rarest and most coveted, a gray dial with applied pink gold Breguet numerals.  Though these dials are not bespoke for this particular example bearing distinct movement numbers, they enable the watch connoisseur to personally customize this technological masterpiece.  

Consisting of more than 500 minuscule parts, Patek Philippe's Ref. 5016 is a marvelous work of art in modern Haute Horlogerie.  By combining the most highly prized functions including tourbillon, minute repeater, perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand and moon-phases display in a Calatrava case, the model held the title of the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch ever produced.  It was only surpassed by the Ref. 5002 Sky Moon Tourbillon in 2001 followed by Ref. 5207 in 2008.  

Within the heart of this masterpiece is calibre R TO 27 PS QR, a hand-wound movement with tourbillon regulator which rotates on the same axis as the balance and fourth wheel.  This complicated configuration is situated at the back in order to minimize the exposure from daylight and therefore extends the longevity of the movement as well as maximizing the timekeeping precision. 

In addition to the complicated movement, Ref 5016 houses a striking mechanism that consists of superb craftsmanship to produce the "music" of the hours, quarters and minutes with incomparable sound quality.

According to our research, there have been approximately 200 pieces of Ref. 5016 produced to date since its introduction in 1993.  Furthermore, the present example has never been offered in any auction.