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Lot Essay
US$300,000-500,000
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with opaline-white dial and Breguet numerals in 1999 and its subsequent sale on 25 January 2001.
The present watch has never been offered at auction before and is believed to be one of only 11 examples of a reference 5013 in platinum to appear in public to date. This example offered here for auction at Christie's is furthermore in overall excellent condition.
Reference 5013, part of Patek Philippe's "Grand Complication" series, is the first minute repeating wristwatch featuring an automatic movement combined with a perpetual calendar and retrograde date. At the time of its introduction in 1992, it was the firm's most complicated wristwatch ever made. It is fitted with Patek Philippe's legendary calibre R 27 PS QR, self-winding with minute repeating, distinguished by a chime of exceptional quality. Extensive researches in metallurgy and acoustics where necessary to achieve a sound of such perfection and unrivalled purity. On demand, the minute repeater will strike the hours, the quarter hours, and the minutes which have elapsed since the last quarter hour. One hammer strikes the number of hours on a low pitched gong, followed by two hammers consecutively striking the number of quarter hours on the low pitched and the high pitched gong. Finally, the number of minutes elapsed since the last quarter hour are stroke by the second hammer on the high pitched gong. The largest number of strikes - 32 in total - is required to indicate the time at 12.59h: twelve low pitched strikes, three high-low double strike and 14 high strikes.
With its elegant, tonneau-shaped case and the attractive silvered dial with the much sought-after Breguet numerals, this rare model is an epitome of Patek Philippe's outstanding craftsmanship. This watch represents an opportunity for the discerning collector to acquire a masterwork of modern horology.
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with opaline-white dial and Breguet numerals in 1999 and its subsequent sale on 25 January 2001.
The present watch has never been offered at auction before and is believed to be one of only 11 examples of a reference 5013 in platinum to appear in public to date. This example offered here for auction at Christie's is furthermore in overall excellent condition.
Reference 5013, part of Patek Philippe's "Grand Complication" series, is the first minute repeating wristwatch featuring an automatic movement combined with a perpetual calendar and retrograde date. At the time of its introduction in 1992, it was the firm's most complicated wristwatch ever made. It is fitted with Patek Philippe's legendary calibre R 27 PS QR, self-winding with minute repeating, distinguished by a chime of exceptional quality. Extensive researches in metallurgy and acoustics where necessary to achieve a sound of such perfection and unrivalled purity. On demand, the minute repeater will strike the hours, the quarter hours, and the minutes which have elapsed since the last quarter hour. One hammer strikes the number of hours on a low pitched gong, followed by two hammers consecutively striking the number of quarter hours on the low pitched and the high pitched gong. Finally, the number of minutes elapsed since the last quarter hour are stroke by the second hammer on the high pitched gong. The largest number of strikes - 32 in total - is required to indicate the time at 12.59h: twelve low pitched strikes, three high-low double strike and 14 high strikes.
With its elegant, tonneau-shaped case and the attractive silvered dial with the much sought-after Breguet numerals, this rare model is an epitome of Patek Philippe's outstanding craftsmanship. This watch represents an opportunity for the discerning collector to acquire a masterwork of modern horology.