PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY FINE AND IMPORTANT 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC ASTRONOMICAL WRISTWATCH WITH SKY CHART, PHASES AND ORBIT OF THE MOON, TIME OF MERIDIAN PASSAGE OF SIRIUS AND OF THE MOON
PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY FINE AND IMPORTANT 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC ASTRONOMICAL WRISTWATCH WITH SKY CHART, PHASES AND ORBIT OF THE MOON, TIME OF MERIDIAN PASSAGE OF SIRIUS AND OF THE MOON

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, MODEL "CELESTIAL", MOVEMENT NO. 3'328'279, CASE NO. 4'292'955, REF. 5102G, CIRCA 2005

Details
PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY FINE AND IMPORTANT 18K WHITE GOLD AUTOMATIC ASTRONOMICAL WRISTWATCH WITH SKY CHART, PHASES AND ORBIT OF THE MOON, TIME OF MERIDIAN PASSAGE OF SIRIUS AND OF THE MOON
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, MODEL "CELESTIAL", MOVEMENT NO. 3'328'279, CASE NO. 4'292'955, REF. 5102G, CIRCA 2005

Cal. 240 LU CL nickel-finished lever movement stamped with the Geneva Seal, 45 jewels, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, 22k gold off-centred micro-rotor, the deep blue dial composed of three metallised sapphire crystal discs depicting the nocturnal skies of the northern hemisphere sprinkled with gold star constellations, raised outer minute divisions with Roman numerals applied to the inside of the sapphire crystal, a silvered ellipse marked with cardinal points framing the portion of the sky visible from Geneva, white-lacquered gold skeletonised feuille hands, in large circular water-resistant-type case with raised polished bezel and downturned screwed lugs, case band embossed with the Calatrava cross, winding crown at 2, crown at 4 for correcting the sky chart, lunar orbit and moon phase, screw on glazed display back, together with an 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, crystal and movement signed
43 mm. diam. and 10 mm. thick

Lot Essay

US$150,000-200,000
EUR110,000-146,000

Accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box with outer packaging, Certificate and brochures in genuine leather folder.

Following the sensation of the Star Calibre 2000, one of the most complicated pocket watches ever created and the Sky Moon Tourbillon, a Grand Complication wristwatch that embodies the horological innovation of its sister timepiece, Patek Philippe presents, in 2002, the Sky Moon Celestial wristwatch.

Encompassing all the astronomical indications of its predecessors with the same configuration of the nocturnal sky with the movement of the stars, the position of the moon, and its progressing phases within a lunar cycle, the Celestial wristwatch, nevertheless, differs in that it allows the wearer to admire the progression of the stars while observing the mean solar time on his wrist.

In order to achieve such configuration, Patek Philippe devised a highly sophisticated and complex system whereby stacked discs, each turning at different speeds and creating a spellbinding sensation of depth, are employed.
These discs are protected by a sapphire crystal glass with an ellipse on the inside framing the sky visible above Geneva at any time of the day. A lunar day, lunar cycle, and sidereal day are of differing durations, and each in turn differs from mean solar time (24 hours, as displayed by the hands of a watch). The discs representing all these durations have to be driven by the base calibre - a feat of horological micro-mechanics. For this invention, which was developed for the Star Calibre 2000, Patek Philippe was awarded Swiss Patent CH 688 171 B5.

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