The present lot is one of the rarest variations of reference 5088: with an estimated production of only 25 examples, it is a celebratory version realized in occasion of Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary. In this instance, the piece becomes the perfect canvas onto which the brand displays its mastery of decorative skills. Both case (on the band) and dial feature an extremely elaborate design composed of two distinct and highly prized techniques: chasing and enamelling. The floral/arabesque motives are indeed chased, while the space between them has been carved and the resulting groove enamelled black, a technique known as champlevé enamelling - indeed champlevé can be loosely translated as “raised field”, referring to the “islets” of metal in-between the enamelled areas.

The rarity of the piece, aesthetic values and technical skills required for the realization of such an intricate masterpiece are all factors which explain why collectors seem very reticent to part ways with this model: this fresh-to-the-market example is only the fifth one to appear on the public market.