The reference 5950 was introduced in 1998 to replace the previous reference 5050, the first serially produced perpetual calendar with a retrograde date by Patek Philippe. Discontinued in 2006, it was produced in all four precious metals and is particularly noteworthy for its “officer”-style hinged caseback and elongated lugs with screwed pins. Though the case diameter measures 36 millimeters, the shape and size of the lugs, as well as the thickness of the case and its domed bezel, give the 5059 a significant presence on the wrist. Cased in white gold, it is particularly elegant and sublime, even more so given the stark white dial contrasted with the painted black Roman numerals. As it was originally sold in Italy, the day and month are featured in Italian – a rarity for the reference.

The reference 5050 and 5950 share the sophisticated, self-winding caliber 315 S-QR with its striking 21K gold rotor, based on the caliber 315 SC featuring center seconds only. A robust and state-of-the-art in-house movement, it features an intriguing retrograding date complication as part of its perpetual calendar function. At the end of each month, the date hand automatically flies back to its original starting point – a very difficult function to reliably implement in watchmaking.

Presented in remarkable overall condition with all of its original boxes, papers, and certificate of origin, this reference 5059 in 18K white gold is an elegant and versatile watch suitable for any occasion.