39Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 7968/300R-001
Aquanaut Luce "Rainbow" Chronograph
A dazzling pink gold gem-set chronograph wristwatch with gem-set bezel, white mother-of-pearl gem-set dial, 60-minute counter, certificate of origin, and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• Invisibly-set 2.62 carats of multi-colored sapphires and 2.41 carats of diamonds on the case, white mother-of-pearl engraved dial
• Excellent condition and complete set
• Auction debut of the model and fresh-to-the-market example
Never seen before at auction, Patek Philippe introduced the Aquanaut Luce Chronograph in 2022 featuring the first in-house self-winding “ladies” chronograph movement and an impressive gem-set, rainbow-hued case. The watch world is no stranger to a brand making a foray into the realm of rainbow gem-setting, but this was a first for the storied Swiss manufacture.
The caliber CH 28-520 features a 55-hour power reserve and a flyback chronograph complication with vertical clutch. Two rows of invisibly-set gems adorn the bezel, an inner ring of baguette-set internally flawless white diamonds, and an outer ring of color-matched, rainbow-hued baguette-set sapphires. The hour indexes, additionally baguette-cut sapphires, are similarly keyed to the color of the sapphires on the bezel, amidst a backdrop of white mother-of-pearl engraved with the classic Aquanaut checkerboard pattern.
Though marketed for “ladies”, the 39.9mm case wears elegantly on most size wrists, and the 7968 has been featured on the wrist of all genders in the years since its introduction. Fresh-to-the-market, the current example is in excellent condition with all its original accessories.
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.