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Lot Essay
Among the rarest special editions ever produced by Patek Philippe, the London Exhibition timepieces occupy a unique position within the manufacture's modern history. Christie's is therefore delighted to offer the present reference 5070G-014, one of the highly coveted 'Saatchi Edition' chronographs, accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin confirming the exceptionally attractive salmon dial.
Created exclusively for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition held at London's Saatchi Gallery in 2015, these remarkable commemorative watches were not simply limited editions but entirely new interpretations of discontinued references. Produced using new-old-stock cases and movements remaining from the original production series, they featured dial colours unavailable on the standard models, instantly captivating collectors upon their unveiling. Reserved exclusively for a select group of Patek Philippe's most distinguished clients, personally chosen by Thierry Stern, these exceptionally rare watches have remained largely absent from the public market, with the vast majority still retained by their original owners.
The present timepiece is further distinguished by its use of the celebrated calibre CH 27-70, the final chronograph movement based on a Nouvelle Lemania ébauche before Patek Philippe transitioned entirely to manufacture calibres. Extensively modified, hand-finished, and regulated to the manufacture's exacting standards, this movement has long been regarded as one of the finest manually wound chronograph calibres ever produced. The combination of an out-of-series production, a highly desirable salmon dial, and one of Patek Philippe's most revered chronograph movements makes the present reference one of the most important modern 5070s available to collectors.
Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition London 2015
Held at the Saatchi Gallery from 27 May to 7 June 2015, the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition London welcomed more than 42,500 visitors over twelve days, making it the largest exhibition ever organised by the manufacture. Spread across twenty-one themed galleries, the exhibition celebrated Patek Philippe's history, métiers d'art, and technical achievements, offering visitors an immersive journey through nearly two centuries of Genevan watchmaking. To commemorate the occasion, the manufacture unveiled a series of highly exclusive limited editions available only during the exhibition, many of which have since become among the most sought-after modern Patek Philippe wristwatches.
Reference 5070
Introduced in 1998, reference 5070 marked Patek Philippe's return to the manually wound chronograph without additional complications, becoming the manufacture's first chronograph-only wristwatch in decades. Produced successively in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and finally platinum before its discontinuation in 2010, the reference is powered by the legendary calibre CH 27-70, based on the Nouvelle Lemania ébauche and extensively re-engineered and finished by Patek Philippe. Measuring just over 42 mm in diameter, it was also the largest regular-production wristwatch ever produced by the manufacture at the time, combining a commanding presence with one of the finest traditional chronograph movements of the modern era.
Created exclusively for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition held at London's Saatchi Gallery in 2015, these remarkable commemorative watches were not simply limited editions but entirely new interpretations of discontinued references. Produced using new-old-stock cases and movements remaining from the original production series, they featured dial colours unavailable on the standard models, instantly captivating collectors upon their unveiling. Reserved exclusively for a select group of Patek Philippe's most distinguished clients, personally chosen by Thierry Stern, these exceptionally rare watches have remained largely absent from the public market, with the vast majority still retained by their original owners.
The present timepiece is further distinguished by its use of the celebrated calibre CH 27-70, the final chronograph movement based on a Nouvelle Lemania ébauche before Patek Philippe transitioned entirely to manufacture calibres. Extensively modified, hand-finished, and regulated to the manufacture's exacting standards, this movement has long been regarded as one of the finest manually wound chronograph calibres ever produced. The combination of an out-of-series production, a highly desirable salmon dial, and one of Patek Philippe's most revered chronograph movements makes the present reference one of the most important modern 5070s available to collectors.
Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition London 2015
Held at the Saatchi Gallery from 27 May to 7 June 2015, the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition London welcomed more than 42,500 visitors over twelve days, making it the largest exhibition ever organised by the manufacture. Spread across twenty-one themed galleries, the exhibition celebrated Patek Philippe's history, métiers d'art, and technical achievements, offering visitors an immersive journey through nearly two centuries of Genevan watchmaking. To commemorate the occasion, the manufacture unveiled a series of highly exclusive limited editions available only during the exhibition, many of which have since become among the most sought-after modern Patek Philippe wristwatches.
Reference 5070
Introduced in 1998, reference 5070 marked Patek Philippe's return to the manually wound chronograph without additional complications, becoming the manufacture's first chronograph-only wristwatch in decades. Produced successively in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and finally platinum before its discontinuation in 2010, the reference is powered by the legendary calibre CH 27-70, based on the Nouvelle Lemania ébauche and extensively re-engineered and finished by Patek Philippe. Measuring just over 42 mm in diameter, it was also the largest regular-production wristwatch ever produced by the manufacture at the time, combining a commanding presence with one of the finest traditional chronograph movements of the modern era.