Patek Philippe

• cal. R27 PS QA, 44 jewels, 22k mini-rotor • silvered dial with engine-turned center, applied triangular baton indexes, inner minute track, subsidiary seconds dial, and apertures for the days of the week, date, and month, dauphine hands • case with stepped bezel, concave and curved lugs, snap on sapphire display back • case, dial and movement signed • platinum Patek Philippe buckle

Unworn example in excellent condition. Mint and complete. Repeating tone somber and elegant as expected from platinum case. It appears the movement has not been cleaned in its lifetime and a full service is recommended to increase resonance of sound and ensure accurate performance. Highly recommend this rare and beautiful timepiece. The strap of this watch contains endangered species; please see 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 Certificate of Origin dated October 6th, 2008 and a solid case back, setting tool, leather presentation folder with reference literature, wooden presentation box with its key and outer box.

The reference 5033P was originally produced in 2002 as a special order for a Middle Eastern royal family with 10 examples in platinum and one in titanium, all with painted Roman numeral dials. Officially launched to the public in 2006 at the Basel Fair, the watch featured an updated dial, as with the presently offered lot, with applied elongated triangular baton indexes. Coveted by collectors and recognized as the rarest of all Patek Philippe modern minute repeaters, this reference rarely comes to the market. This reference has only been offered at auction once before, in 2007, with a Roman numeral dial and this represents the first time a Ref. 5033P with applied triangular baton indexes is being offered at auction.

The massive tonneau case of the Ref. 5033 contains the innovative caliber R 27 PS QA, a technical masterpiece consisting of 483 individual parts. With a 48 hour power reserve, the movement represents the first time Patek Philippe combined a minute repeating mechanism with its annual calendar mechanism, patented in 1996. The Annual Calendar adjusts automatically for months with 30 or 31 days, and the date only needs to be corrected once a year on March 1st.

The sound of the repeater is amplified within the large case of the Ref. 5033 as a result of the 'Cathedral Gong' system, exclusively developed by Patek Philippe. Within this system, a steel alloy specially produced by the firm is used to create two double-length coils that tightly wrap around the movement, allowing for the ideal acoustic resonance, and the perfect balance between tone and enriched volume.

The crystal clear tone of this horological masterpiece is best heard at 12:59, where a total of 32 strikes highlight the sound of the repeater:
• 12 low chimes for the hours
• 3 double chimes for the quarters (6)
• and 14 high chimes for the minutes.