REF. 5970R-019, CIRCA 2016

Unique versions of arguably Patek Philippe’s most important and symbolic of complications, the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, are one of the ultimate ownership goals of collectors worldwide. The present watch is one such elevated timepiece, being the only publicly known reference 5970R-019 – rose gold with a black dial, fully confirmed by the original Certificate of Origin. The rose gold version of the 5970 is usually fitted with a silvered dial, so that the unexpected black dial of this watch with rose gold numerals gives it a dramatic new aesthetic. Furthermore, production of the rose (and white) gold 5970s ceased in 2007 and production of the reference ceased entirely in 2010. The present watch, sold at the Patek Philippe salon in Geneva to its current owner in 2016, almost a decade after the pink gold version was discontinued, is therefore doubly unique and is without doubt one of the most highly significant watches of the reference in private hands. Patek Philippe’s unique complicated watches were only ever created for the company’s best clients, naturally, the owner of the Champion Collection was favoured with special pieces of the highest exclusivity. The privileged ownership of this superb one-off reference 5970R can now be passed to another fortunate individual.

Reference 5970
With the introduction of reference 5970 in 2004, Patek Philippe once more created a modern masterpiece. With a 40 mm. diameter case and a dial which clearly shows its ancestry and DNA from the legendary references 1518, 2499 and 3970, it was in fact designed by Thierry Stern as a conscious link between Patek Philippe’s illustrious past and the modern era. The 5970 reintroduced the tachymeter scale, leaf hands and square chronograph buttons, all elements of the company’s heritage. It also featured new and beautifully shaped flared and faceted lugs. Reference 5970 is the last perpetual calendar chronograph of the company featuring the Geneva seal on the movement as Patek Philippe began stamping their movements with the Patek Philippe Seal from mid-2009 as a new quality benchmark for its mechanical timepieces. The 5970 was replaced by the reference 5270 in 2011.