A farewell lullaby of the Lemania era and the birth of a new icon, the Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph ref. 5970 wears many hats. More than just four numbers, the reference 5970 represents an important generation shift in the maison’s history. From father to son, it was a testament by Thierry Stern to bridge legacy and tradition into modern watchmaking. A highly important launch to be the successor of an all-star lineup (1518, 2499, 3970), one could imagine the weight on the shoulders of young Thierry Stern with perhaps one of the most simple yet challenging brief, “Make your own choices”.

Like a great chef taking ingredients from the past with his own twist, the perfect recipe was born in 2004. Deemed as the best possible combination of the maison’s perpetual calendar, and an instant success, Thierry Stern has outdone himself for his debut. First step into the modern era was an upsized 40mm case, perfect legibility was achieved for a grand complication. Taking the feuille hands and rectangular pushers from its ancestors, concave bezel, rounded case and the “American Typewriter” typeface of his father’s 3970 and finally, the strong yet refined unique new lugs that completes the model.

Produced until 2010 in the quartet of precious metals: yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, a total estimate of 2,800 pieces were made. Fitted with the Lemania base calibre 2310, white and pink gold were available within the first four years of production, followed by yellow gold all with opaline dial (2008) and platinum with black dial (2009-2010).

A subtle but aesthetically sound detail for the platinum version lies at 6 o’clock. First all platinum case is bestowed with a diamond on the caseband between the lugs, second, the “SWISS” inscription on its tachymeter scale is replaced by the 120Km indication to achieved better legibility for the chronograph function. Cleverly rearranged the SWISS is subtly integrated into the seconds track below. This brings us to the present example.

Cased in platinum, the present fresh-to-the-auction-market, factory double-sealed example is of exceptional rarity. Peeking through the window of this pristine brown slipcase is a possibly unique special order platinum ref. 5970. To mention some of the most alluring ref. 5970 special orders excluding the double signed Tiffany & Co., as well as the 2015 London Grand Exhibition examples, one would draw memories back to the 2011 special set of four. The set features Roman numeral marker at 12 and applied dot markers as follows: 5970G with salmon dial, 5970P with salmon dial, 5970J with doré dial and 5970R with black dial. And last but not least the well-known Mr. Eric Clapton’s set in white and yellow gold examples fitted with Breguet numeral dials and matching bracelet.

Shimmering in coolness of slate grey, this special order 5970 features 4 stunning red hands. Its calendar is in English as it is echoed in its Certificate of Origin. A killer combo for this uber cool 5970, we learned from the photograph framed in its leather folio that an even more captivating detail is presented on this sealed watch. A Mon Fils, (To My Son in English) printed on top of its sapphire caseback, this very example holds extreme sentimental value. It almost draws an added layer of meaning when you think of its origin of the 5970 within the Stern Legacy. A reference that the son shines brighter than ever, a gift to a dearest one, this platinum example from 2011 holds tremendous sentimental value, and surely a crown jewel for the season’s collector.