© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
It’s the second edition of #VintageWatchFridays and so we wanted to follow up with something really special, like a Patek Philippe Ref 5029 Minute Repeater.
Patek Philippe Ref 5029 Minute Repeater
Now, depending on how stringently you interpret the definition of ‘vintage’ you could possibly make the argument that this piece falls slightly outside the scope. That being said, I am still going to ask you to make an exception on this occasion, as this is truly something special.
Avid Patek Philippe enthusiasts will no doubt recognize at first glance that this is one of only thirty Ref. 5029 Minute Repeaters ever produced to commemorate the opening of the new Patek Philippe factory in Geneva in 1997. In total 10 pieces were made in 18k yellow gold, with the remaining 20 pieces made in platinum and pink gold respectively.
© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
As you can see from the photos this particular Ref. 5029 Minute Repeater is in excellent condition and has been extremely well cared for, as you would well expect for something this valuable. The style is very traditional and despite the age-difference the watch would not look out of place next to the gorgeous Patek Philippe Ref. 1536 from 1942 we featured last week. This is not by accident of course; the gently curved 35mm case and straight screw-set lugs were intended to pay homage to the design traditions of Patek Philippe.
What I really love about this piece however is how the simple but elegant style of the Champagne dial with applied Breguet numerals belies the incredible complexity of the Cal. R 27 PS, nickel-finished lever movement beating beneath. From across the room you could never tell that this is more than an extremely nice looking watch (at least to the untrained eye, anyway) but turn it over, marvel briefly at the inscription on the hunter caseback – ‘Commemoration 1997’ – before carefully prying it open and you will be rewarded with a visual feast your eyes will surely thank you for.
© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
There’s a lot to take in here so I’ll give you a few minutes. The movement has been stamped with the Geneva Seal, so you already know it has been finished to the highest standards possible in Swiss Watchmaking. What I will point out though is the 22k gold micro-rotor, the Gryomax balance, free sprung regulator and of course the two gongs responsible for the chiming the hours and minutes activated by a slide in the band, as Christie’s Director of Private Watch Sales Reginald Brack will now demonstrate for us:
Listen to how crisp and clear that sound is, truly a thing of beauty!
As a final touch the case of this sublime limited edition timepiece was made by the renowned case maker Jean-Pierre Hagmann, whose mark, JHP, can be seen clearly stamped on the inside of the hinged case back.
© The Watch Lounge 2014 – click picture to enlarge
As you would expect from Christie’s Private Watch Sales the watch will be sold with the original undated Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin as well as all other supporting documentation.
Make It Yours
Available for sale right now from Christie’s Private Watch sales, this Patek Philippe Ref. 5029 Minute Repeater in 18k Yellow Gold can be yours for US$480,000.
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