PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5160/500G-00, A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH RETROGRADE DATE INDICATION AND BREGUET NUMERALS
CASE NUMBER: 6’487’571, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 7’471’204
Important information about this lot
Price Realised USD 113,400
Estimate
USD 100,000 - USD 200,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 28 Nov 2024
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PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5160/500G-00, A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH RETROGRADE DATE INDICATION AND BREGUET NUMERALS
CASE NUMBER: 6’487’571, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 7’471’204
One of the rarest Patek Philippe modern production complicated wristwatches, the 5160G is a perpetual calendar with retrograde or ‘flyback’ date and moon phases. The dial with applied Breguet numerals is unique to the white gold version, its design allows the display of several complications in an extremely elegant and easily readable way. In the upper half of the dial is the retrograde date scale numbered 1-31, when the hand reaches the last date of the month the hand instantly ‘flies’ back to the beginning. Apertures for the days of the week at 9 o’clock and months at 3 o’clock are centred by the leap-year indication below 12 o’clock. Placed in the lower half of the dial is the aperture for the moon phases.
The story of the reference 5160 is interesting because its design was inspired by a special order piece of its ‘sister’ reference 5159 that was launched in 2007 with the new Officer-style case. For reference 5159, the ancient and revered art of engraving was used to decorate the dial. A special order watch was subsequently granted to an important client for a reference 5159 with an artisanal engraved case, that watch was sold by Christie's Shanghai on 26 September 2013, lot 16.
Patek Philippe was reportedly so delighted by the beauty and impact of this special order piece, that they decided to release an entirely new reference based upon it - reference 5160. Introduced in 2010 in white, yellow or pink gold, it is thought that no more of two or three dozen pieces will ever be made for each.
The 38 mm. diameter Officier-style case is a tribute to the master artisans of Patek Philippe’s rare handcrafts division. The centre of the dial, the white-gold case, the hinged cover, and the clasp are lavishly decorated with entirely hand-executed engravings inspired by a pocket watch in the Patek Philippe Museum collection made for the American industrialist James Ward Packard.
It is interesting to note that, in the case of white gold 5160 but not in the case of yellow gold examples, the grooves of the engraving are highlighted with blackened silver powder in order to enhance the design. This subtle effect demonstrates the amazing attention to detail in every stage of Patek Philippe’s manufacturing process.
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CASE NUMBER: 6’487’571, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 7’471’204PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5160/500G-00, A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH RETROGRADE DATE INDICATION AND BREGUET NUMERALSEstimate: USD 100,000 - 200,000
You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
OVERALL CONDITON: Excellent CASE: Very well preserved case, a couple of light surface scratches only DIAL: Nice, clean and original MOVEMENT: Ticking at the time of cataloguing. All the functions are working. However, we do not test the movement for accuracy. A service is recommended. STRAP/ BUCKLE: In excellent condition
PLEASE NOTE 1. All lots are sold "AS IS", and this condition report is provided purely as a goodwill service and may not specify all mechanical replacements or defects. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in good condition and without defects, repairs or restoration. You are accordingly encouraged to view the lots personally or through your own professional advisor. 2. For further information on these issues, please refer to the terms and conditions.
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Lot 56Sale 23036
CASE NUMBER: 6’487’571, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 7’471’204PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5160/500G-00, A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH RETROGRADE DATE INDICATION AND BREGUET NUMERALSEstimate: USD 100,000 - 200,000
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