US$260,000-400,000
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 27 July 1999 stating that the watch is originally fitted with a opaline-white dial, setting pin, slip case, fitted presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1999 and its subsequent sale on 27 July 1999 and a letter from Patek Philippe stating that the watch has been upgraded to the current unique black dial upon request by its present owner in 2009
Never seen or offered at public auction before, this legendary watch displays a charismatic black dial on a yellow gold reference 5013 and is for the first time offered here at Christie's. The dial design is certainly one of the most attractive and convincing combinations seen on this rare reference by Patek Philippe. The "powerful" looking black dial with the much sought after and attractive gold Breguet numerals will not go unnoticed amongst any collector.
This charismatic dial was mounted on special request by the current owner and approved by Philippe Stern, President of Patek Philippe at the time. Although the Certificate of Origin states that the dial originally fitted on this reference was the standard version of silver colour, the letter delivered from Patek Philippe dated 30 September 2010 states that the watch was upgraded to the current unique black dial upon the request of the present owner. In this instance, the letter provided by Patek Philippe confirming the mounting of this black dial is as valuable as the Certificate of Origin, as it confirms the originality, the "upgrade" and the provenance of this sought-after dial.
This watch is one of the most attractive reference 5013 models to be offered at auction in recent years. Its desirability resides in the exclusive black dial confirmed by the letter from Patek Philippe, further enhanced by the extremely well-preserved condition of the watch. According to our research, this is the only known example of a reference 5013 in yellow gold with a black dial to have come up at auction thus far.