52
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5261R-001
Aquanaut
A rare and attractive pink gold annual calendar automatic wristwatch with center seconds, moonphases, certificate of origin and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Automatic, center seconds, annual calendar, moonphases
- This is the first Aquanaut model to feature an annual calendar
- Produced in the launch year of the model: one of the very first made
- Full set and extremely well preserved
Presented during Watches and Wonders Geneva 2023, the 5261R is the first Aquanaut model ever to feature Patek Philippe’s patented annual calendar complication. The model is defined by its highly symmetrical light blue dial, featuring moon phases at 12 o’clock, subsidiary dials for the day and month at 4 and 8, and a discreet date window at 6. The ineffable light blue tonality of the surface wonderfully matches the pink gold case, for a somewhat playful and yet still very elegant final result.
Offered in superb condition, this example was delivered in August 2023, the same year the model was introduced. This means that the present example is one of the very first specimens to leave the Patek Philippe manufacture, providing an additional layer of intellectual intrigue to what is already a rare occasion for Patek Philippe collectors to skip the waiting list and immediately acquire one of the most delightful and sought-after modern Aquanaut models.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.