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Lot Essay
The present reference 5575G is offered in virtually unused condition. Furthermore, according to research, it is only the seventh example of this model to appear at auction to date.
Reference 5575
To commemorate Patek Philippe's 175th anniversary in 2014, the firm reinterpreted the legendary World Time model, for the first time giving it a hauntingly poetic moon phase display. To help it venture into these new technical and aesthetic dimensions, the manufacture developed a new version of ultra-thin self-winding movement: the caliber 240 HU LU. The engineers dispensed with the usual aperture and its disk adorned with two moons; instead, a single, large, richly atmospheric moon turns clockwise at the center of the dial against a star-studded nocturnal sky. The effect is achieved with two very thin disks of mineral glass. The lower disk, depicting the moon, completes a rotation in a lunar month. The fixed upper disk is a heart-shaped mask; its outline reveals the changing visible portion of the moon night after night with astonishing accuracy. A complex new metalization technique has produced a moon whose face stands out against its starry background with almost photographic realism.
The elegant case of the reference 5575 differs in shape from the famous references 5110 and 5130 with its voluptuous lyre-shaped lugs and lack of crown guard, giving the model a clean sharp line contrasting perfectly with the complexity of the dial. For the first time, the city of Geneva replaces Paris as the European time zone city.
First launched in 1930s and patented in 1959, Patek Philippe’s World Time watches enjoy cult status among travellers and collectors. The two rotating disks show the time simultaneously in all 24 time zones. With the 1999 patented single pusher adjustment mechanism is possible to correct all the displays with the single push of one button, without affecting the rate of the watch movement.
The reference 5575 was made in a limited series of 1,300 pieces and exclusively in white gold. It is one of the most popular watches in today's market, highly sought-after by collectors worldwide.
Reference 5575
To commemorate Patek Philippe's 175th anniversary in 2014, the firm reinterpreted the legendary World Time model, for the first time giving it a hauntingly poetic moon phase display. To help it venture into these new technical and aesthetic dimensions, the manufacture developed a new version of ultra-thin self-winding movement: the caliber 240 HU LU. The engineers dispensed with the usual aperture and its disk adorned with two moons; instead, a single, large, richly atmospheric moon turns clockwise at the center of the dial against a star-studded nocturnal sky. The effect is achieved with two very thin disks of mineral glass. The lower disk, depicting the moon, completes a rotation in a lunar month. The fixed upper disk is a heart-shaped mask; its outline reveals the changing visible portion of the moon night after night with astonishing accuracy. A complex new metalization technique has produced a moon whose face stands out against its starry background with almost photographic realism.
The elegant case of the reference 5575 differs in shape from the famous references 5110 and 5130 with its voluptuous lyre-shaped lugs and lack of crown guard, giving the model a clean sharp line contrasting perfectly with the complexity of the dial. For the first time, the city of Geneva replaces Paris as the European time zone city.
First launched in 1930s and patented in 1959, Patek Philippe’s World Time watches enjoy cult status among travellers and collectors. The two rotating disks show the time simultaneously in all 24 time zones. With the 1999 patented single pusher adjustment mechanism is possible to correct all the displays with the single push of one button, without affecting the rate of the watch movement.
The reference 5575 was made in a limited series of 1,300 pieces and exclusively in white gold. It is one of the most popular watches in today's market, highly sought-after by collectors worldwide.