Patek Philippe

The late 1990s and early 2000s can be seen as a time of change for Patek Philippe, due to the two dominant trends at the time: increasing case diameters and a push for in-house caliber movements, the Geneva manufacture oversaw a large-scale overhaul to their catalog, especially in their grand complications. The more classically proportioned 36-37mm cases, which were widely employed on ultra-complicated references such as the 5004 and 3974, were slowly phased out for larger sizes. As a result, pieces belonging to that time not only represent the last of an illustrious and bygone era, but also an increasingly compelling purchase as the market returns to smaller case sizes.

Produced between the years 1994 and 2010, reference 5016 stands shoulder to shoulder with the aforementioned references as a true classic of “neo-vintage” Patek Philippe. Not only does it still retain the compact dimensions of yesteryear, made even more remarkable by the high-complication packed within, it was indeed the most complicated wristwatch ever produced by Patek Philippe until the year 2001. It is estimated that only 200 total pieces were made across its run due to the combination of retrograde perpetual calendar, tourbillon and minute repeater.

The present watch is spectacular for several reasons. Not only was it one of the first of reference 5016 ever produced, as proven by the movement number, the case was also made by the famed Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Only early examples of “neo-vintage” Patek Philippe repeaters were cased by Hagmann, who was renowned for making the best sounding minute repeaters of Patek Philippe, who themselves are renowned for making the best repeaters on the market.

Presented in excellent condition, the present lot offers collectors the opportunity to own one of the first of an historic reference, cased by the master of Patek Philippe minute repeaters.