924Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5970P-018
An extremely rare and exceptional platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with blue dial, Roman numerals at 12 o’clock, moon phases, 24-hour, leap year indication, additional solid caseback, setting pin, Extract from the Archives and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- “Fresh-to-the-market”
- Only one publicly known with blue dial and Roman numerals at 12
- Excellent overall condition with Extract, additional solid caseback and setting pin
A farewell lullaby of the Lemania era and the birth of a new icon, the Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph ref. 5970 wears many hats. The reference 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 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 chronograph, 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 ref. 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 cal. 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).
Cased in platinum, the present “fresh-to-the-market” example is of exceptional rarity. 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.
The privilege of personalization sits well with Patek Philippe connoisseurs who appreciate horological haute couture above all else. Shimmering in coolness of sunburst blue dial, this ref. 5970P-018 was likely a special order and features a Roman numeral marker at 12 and applied dot markers. A stunning combo for this uber special ref. 5970. Confirmed by its Extract from the Archives, the watch was manufactured and sold in 2011. This extremely uncommon and gorgeous configuration is the only one known to the auction market. For the privileged collector able to acquire a timepiece of such caliber, this would mark the crown jewel of any discerning collection.
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.