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Lot Essay
REF. 5270G-024 UNIQUE BLUE DIAL WITH BREGUET NUMERALS
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 ‘Grande Complication’ is one such elevated timepiece, being the only publicly known reference 5270G-024 – blue dial with white gold Breguet numerals, fully confirmed by the original Certificate of Origin. Furthermore, this outstanding timepiece has remained factory double-sealed.
Patek Philippe’s unique complicated watches were only ever created for the company’s best clients, naturally, the owner of the Ultimate Collection was favoured with special pieces of the highest importance. The privileged ownership of this superb one-off reference 5270G can now be passed to another fortunate individual. Enthusiasts and international collectors will appreciate the incredible exclusivity of this double-sealed unique 5270G-024 in the certain knowledge that no other person outside Patek Philippe has ever handled or worn this watch.
The present watch is the third generation of reference 5270, more specifically reference 5270G-024. The striking blue sunburst dial is regarded as the most attractive of all the dials used for the three generations of the 5270. The present dial is unique with Breguet numerals. When Patek Philippe introduced the beautiful sunburst blue dial with the white gold case to this most important of references it was regarded as a daring decision. However, it has become a classic in its own right and one of the most popular colour combinations for the reference. In common with most of its ancestors, reference 5270 indicates the day and the month with twin apertures at the 12 o’clock position. The date and moon phase indicator is in the 6 o’clock position, while at 3 and 9 o’clock are the 30-minute chronograph counter and the small subsidiary seconds dials. The day/night and leap year indicators are the two small apertures in the 4:30 and 7:30 positions.
Reference 5270
From enthusiasts to collectors alike, all eyes were captured at Baselworld 2011 with the introduction of Patek Philippe Reference 5270. The timepiece marked the latest iteration from the legendary Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph family that began with Reference 1518 in 1941. Reference 5270 differentiates itself from its predecessor (Ref. 5970) by increasing the case diameter to 41mm while decreasing the case thickness by 1mm. Achieved through in-house caliber CH 29-535 PS Q engraved with Patek Philippe's modern hallmark of excellence, the PP Seal, an additional feature of a day/night indicator further pushes the movement as an impressive feat of engineering. The subsidiary registers are also playfully lowered just below the central axis.
The 5270 has several dial variants. The first has a railroad outer seconds track, larger Patek Philippe signature, and black oxidized gold baton numerals. The second variation introduced in late 2013 was available with both a silver as well as blue dial and introduced the tachymeter scale to the model. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of these dials is the dip in the outer seconds track at 6 o'clock. Often referred to as a 'chin dial,' this feature is characteristic of only second generation 5270s. In addition, the dial features legible circular apertures for day/night as wall as leap year indication, two windows for day and month, all housed within the large and attractive case.
PATEK PHILIPPE’S PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPHS
The perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch is more closely associated with Patek Philippe than perhaps any other model other than the Nautilus. In fact, Patek Philippe were the first company to produce perpetual calendar chronographs in series, an achievement that no other manufacturer could match for almost half a century. The perpetual calendar chronograph was in many ways the complication that re-established and confirmed for the second half of the 20th century Patek Philippe’s reputation as the greatest watch brand in the world. A reputation that is undimmed to the present day.
The ancestor of all Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs is the quite remarkable reference 1518. Launched in 1942 at the height of World War II, it provided the blueprint for all subsequent models, the dial design is iconic in translating the complex functions of the mechanism into not only a highly readable displays but also making them visually beautiful, proportionate and harmonious. This layout established in 1942 with the day and month in two windows below 12 o’clock, concentric outer minutes and 1/5th second chronograph track, tachymeter scale, minute counter and continuous seconds at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively has continued to be the basis for the dial design up to the present day.
Following reference 1518, although available at the same time for a couple of years, came the incomparable reference 2499. Slightly larger than the 1518 with a diameter of 37.5 mm., it is considered by many to be the most perfectly designed and proportioned wristwatch of all time. The reference 2499 reigned supreme as Patek’s most revered and coveted complicated watch for 35 years.
In 1985, the first ‘modern’ classic perpetual calendar chronograph was introduced, the reference 3970. This time in a 36 mm. diameter case and featuring additional dial indications for leap-years and 24-hours, the movement caliber CH 27-70 Q is in fact the Lemania caliber 2310 (the same as the legendary Omega Speedmaster caliber 321). The 3970 spanned four series before being discontinued in 2004. Almost 20 years later, collectors appreciate the 3970 as an important groundbreaking model in its own right, considering it to be the last of the ‘old school’ Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs.
In a departure from the traditional round case shape, the cushion-shaped reference 5020 was available only for 6 years between 1993 and 1999, it featured Breguet numerals and hands. Perhaps considered too daring as a design change at the time, only around 300 examples were made making it quite a rarity today and highly desirable now because of its unconventional aesthetic. During the same period, Patek Philippe launched an exceptional and ingenious new model that upped the stakes among complicated wristwatches, the reference 5004. Launched in 1994, this perpetual calendar chronograph is a split-seconds or ‘rattrapante’ chronograph. One of the most difficult of complications to construct, Patek Philippe created a new second mechanism called an ‘octopus isolater’, an instant reset system which successfully eliminated the problem known as ‘rattrapante drag’. Discontinued in 2012, the reference 5004 demonstrated yet again Patek Philippe’s complete mastery of even the most complex horological challenges.
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 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 Patek Philippe’s heritage. It also featured new and beautifully shaped flared and faceted lugs.
The 5970 was replaced by the recent reference 5270 in 2011. In yet another milestone moment, it became the first Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph to be fitted with an entirely in-house made movement – the caliber CH 29. With 41 mm. diameter case, the dial features the leap-year and day/night indications in two small circular windows.
The story of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch walks hand in hand with the history of Patek Philippe itself. These technically remarkable timepieces so closely linked to the fortunes of the company over the last 80 years, are justifiably the ultimate ownership goal of collectors worldwide.
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 ‘Grande Complication’ is one such elevated timepiece, being the only publicly known reference 5270G-024 – blue dial with white gold Breguet numerals, fully confirmed by the original Certificate of Origin. Furthermore, this outstanding timepiece has remained factory double-sealed.
Patek Philippe’s unique complicated watches were only ever created for the company’s best clients, naturally, the owner of the Ultimate Collection was favoured with special pieces of the highest importance. The privileged ownership of this superb one-off reference 5270G can now be passed to another fortunate individual. Enthusiasts and international collectors will appreciate the incredible exclusivity of this double-sealed unique 5270G-024 in the certain knowledge that no other person outside Patek Philippe has ever handled or worn this watch.
The present watch is the third generation of reference 5270, more specifically reference 5270G-024. The striking blue sunburst dial is regarded as the most attractive of all the dials used for the three generations of the 5270. The present dial is unique with Breguet numerals. When Patek Philippe introduced the beautiful sunburst blue dial with the white gold case to this most important of references it was regarded as a daring decision. However, it has become a classic in its own right and one of the most popular colour combinations for the reference. In common with most of its ancestors, reference 5270 indicates the day and the month with twin apertures at the 12 o’clock position. The date and moon phase indicator is in the 6 o’clock position, while at 3 and 9 o’clock are the 30-minute chronograph counter and the small subsidiary seconds dials. The day/night and leap year indicators are the two small apertures in the 4:30 and 7:30 positions.
Reference 5270
From enthusiasts to collectors alike, all eyes were captured at Baselworld 2011 with the introduction of Patek Philippe Reference 5270. The timepiece marked the latest iteration from the legendary Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph family that began with Reference 1518 in 1941. Reference 5270 differentiates itself from its predecessor (Ref. 5970) by increasing the case diameter to 41mm while decreasing the case thickness by 1mm. Achieved through in-house caliber CH 29-535 PS Q engraved with Patek Philippe's modern hallmark of excellence, the PP Seal, an additional feature of a day/night indicator further pushes the movement as an impressive feat of engineering. The subsidiary registers are also playfully lowered just below the central axis.
The 5270 has several dial variants. The first has a railroad outer seconds track, larger Patek Philippe signature, and black oxidized gold baton numerals. The second variation introduced in late 2013 was available with both a silver as well as blue dial and introduced the tachymeter scale to the model. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of these dials is the dip in the outer seconds track at 6 o'clock. Often referred to as a 'chin dial,' this feature is characteristic of only second generation 5270s. In addition, the dial features legible circular apertures for day/night as wall as leap year indication, two windows for day and month, all housed within the large and attractive case.
PATEK PHILIPPE’S PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPHS
The perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch is more closely associated with Patek Philippe than perhaps any other model other than the Nautilus. In fact, Patek Philippe were the first company to produce perpetual calendar chronographs in series, an achievement that no other manufacturer could match for almost half a century. The perpetual calendar chronograph was in many ways the complication that re-established and confirmed for the second half of the 20th century Patek Philippe’s reputation as the greatest watch brand in the world. A reputation that is undimmed to the present day.
The ancestor of all Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs is the quite remarkable reference 1518. Launched in 1942 at the height of World War II, it provided the blueprint for all subsequent models, the dial design is iconic in translating the complex functions of the mechanism into not only a highly readable displays but also making them visually beautiful, proportionate and harmonious. This layout established in 1942 with the day and month in two windows below 12 o’clock, concentric outer minutes and 1/5th second chronograph track, tachymeter scale, minute counter and continuous seconds at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively has continued to be the basis for the dial design up to the present day.
Following reference 1518, although available at the same time for a couple of years, came the incomparable reference 2499. Slightly larger than the 1518 with a diameter of 37.5 mm., it is considered by many to be the most perfectly designed and proportioned wristwatch of all time. The reference 2499 reigned supreme as Patek’s most revered and coveted complicated watch for 35 years.
In 1985, the first ‘modern’ classic perpetual calendar chronograph was introduced, the reference 3970. This time in a 36 mm. diameter case and featuring additional dial indications for leap-years and 24-hours, the movement caliber CH 27-70 Q is in fact the Lemania caliber 2310 (the same as the legendary Omega Speedmaster caliber 321). The 3970 spanned four series before being discontinued in 2004. Almost 20 years later, collectors appreciate the 3970 as an important groundbreaking model in its own right, considering it to be the last of the ‘old school’ Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs.
In a departure from the traditional round case shape, the cushion-shaped reference 5020 was available only for 6 years between 1993 and 1999, it featured Breguet numerals and hands. Perhaps considered too daring as a design change at the time, only around 300 examples were made making it quite a rarity today and highly desirable now because of its unconventional aesthetic. During the same period, Patek Philippe launched an exceptional and ingenious new model that upped the stakes among complicated wristwatches, the reference 5004. Launched in 1994, this perpetual calendar chronograph is a split-seconds or ‘rattrapante’ chronograph. One of the most difficult of complications to construct, Patek Philippe created a new second mechanism called an ‘octopus isolater’, an instant reset system which successfully eliminated the problem known as ‘rattrapante drag’. Discontinued in 2012, the reference 5004 demonstrated yet again Patek Philippe’s complete mastery of even the most complex horological challenges.
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 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 Patek Philippe’s heritage. It also featured new and beautifully shaped flared and faceted lugs.
The 5970 was replaced by the recent reference 5270 in 2011. In yet another milestone moment, it became the first Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph to be fitted with an entirely in-house made movement – the caliber CH 29. With 41 mm. diameter case, the dial features the leap-year and day/night indications in two small circular windows.
The story of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch walks hand in hand with the history of Patek Philippe itself. These technically remarkable timepieces so closely linked to the fortunes of the company over the last 80 years, are justifiably the ultimate ownership goal of collectors worldwide.