Important Watches: Part I

Important Watches: Part I

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 99. Reference 5004P-021 | A platinum perpetual calendar split-second chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24-hour and leap year indication | Circa 1998.

Property of an Important British Collector

Patek Philippe

Reference 5004P-021 | A platinum perpetual calendar split-second chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24-hour and leap year indication | Circa 1998

Live auction begins on:

November 10, 11:00 AM GMT

Estimate

160,000 - 280,000 CHF

Lot Details

Description

Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. CHR 27-70 Q manual winding, 28 jewels

Movement number: 879’782

Case: platinum, screw-down sapphire crystal display case back

Case number: 4’080’782

Closure: platinum Patek Philippe folding clasp

Size: 36.5 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: yes

Papers: yes

Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, setting pin and presentation case


Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.

The 'split seconds chronograph,' or 'rattrapante,' is one of the most fabled complications in horology. Philippe Stern, former president of Patek Philippe, recounted the arduous process of adapting the Lemania 2310 caliber for reference 5004, a movement never intended to receive the split seconds complication. This proved a difficult task and over its production period three different variations of the movement were manufactured to increase its reliability, easy to differentiate when observing the isolator wheel, shaped like an octopus. With three variations, the movement of the present watch belongs to the second iteration of the movement. With movements automatically upgraded to the third variation when taken into a service, the configuration of the present lot has become rare and highly desirable within the family of 5004 connoisseurs.


Discontinued in 2012 and subsequently replaced by a larger model with in-house caliber, reference 5004 quickly obtained its now legendary status for offering the coveted complication and movement in classic sizing. Platinum examples, such as the present watch, are exceedingly rare. Rarer still are the -021 sub-references with silvered dial, as confirmed on the certificate. The case and dial combination coupled with the cult status among collectors makes this watch a true treasure to behold.