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Lot Essay
The reference 5160G, one of the rarest and most complicated wristwatches made by Patek Philippe to date, combines a perpetual calendar with retrograde, or 'flyback', date and moon phases. The dial, distinguished by applied Breguet numerals unique to the white gold version, presents a harmonious and highly legible display of its multiple indications. The retrograde date scale from 1 to 31 is displayed in the upper part, and at the end of each month, the hand instantly returns to its initial position. The moon-phase display is situated in the lower half of the dial, and the day and month apertures are located at 9 and 3 o'clock, respectively, along with a leap-year indicator below 12 o'clock.
The origin of reference 5160 is closely linked to its 'sister' model, reference 5159, introduced in 2007 with an Officer-style case. A special order example of the 5159, featuring an intricately hand-engraved case, was later produced for an important client and sold at Christie’s Shanghai on 26 September 2013 (lot 16). Patek Philippe reportedly created reference 5160 as a dedicated model after being impressed by the piece's aesthetic impact.
The 38 mm Officer-style case is a showcase of the manufacture’s Rare Handcrafts division. Inspired by a vintage pocket watch kept in the Patek Philippe Museum, the dial center, case, hinged back, and clasp are lavishly embellished with hand-executed engravings that were initially created for American industrialist James Ward Packard. Notably, blackened silver powder enhances the engraved motifs on white gold pieces such as the present timepiece, producing a subtle contrast that highlights the richness and complexity of the decoration. This exquisite detail demonstrates the exceptional degree of skill and care given to each step of the production process.
The origin of reference 5160 is closely linked to its 'sister' model, reference 5159, introduced in 2007 with an Officer-style case. A special order example of the 5159, featuring an intricately hand-engraved case, was later produced for an important client and sold at Christie’s Shanghai on 26 September 2013 (lot 16). Patek Philippe reportedly created reference 5160 as a dedicated model after being impressed by the piece's aesthetic impact.
The 38 mm Officer-style case is a showcase of the manufacture’s Rare Handcrafts division. Inspired by a vintage pocket watch kept in the Patek Philippe Museum, the dial center, case, hinged back, and clasp are lavishly embellished with hand-executed engravings that were initially created for American industrialist James Ward Packard. Notably, blackened silver powder enhances the engraved motifs on white gold pieces such as the present timepiece, producing a subtle contrast that highlights the richness and complexity of the decoration. This exquisite detail demonstrates the exceptional degree of skill and care given to each step of the production process.