51
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5078G
A delightful, whimsical and important white gold minute repeating automatic wristwatch with enamel "arabesque" dial, certificate, additional caseback and box
Full-Cataloguing
- Automatic, minute repeater, seconds at 6
- A superb melange of classical watchmaking and whimsical, enamel dial
- Fresh to the market and full set
- The 4th piece to ever appear au auction
Regarded by collectors as the true masters of minute repeating timepieces, Patek Philippe has created some of the most appreciated pieces over the decades. From pure minute repeating timepieces to complicated examples featuring perpetual calendars and tourbillons, it is perhaps the essence of the chime that the firm has perfected across each metal, case size, case shape and construction that hold such an important place in the heart of a collector.
Released in 2005, the Patek Philippe ref. 5078 featuring a 38mm diameter round-shaped case with fluted lugs and an elegant enamel dial with Roman numerals captivated purists. Powered by a self-winding movement with micro-rotor, its caliber R 27 PS is comprised of 342 parts and measures a very slim 5.05 mm in thickness. Winding is accomplished via a beautifully engraved micro-rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, and superbly integrated into the movement to permit an unobstructed view of the repeater’s hammers and gongs.
The reference was later released in platinum with a superbly attractive black lacquer dial with white Roman numerals in 2008. Discontinued in 2017, the reference was replaced by an example in white gold featuring a cream enamel dial with Breguet numerals.
The present variation, however, was released in 2019 and is distinguished by its equally flamboyant and restrained enamel dial, featuring matte arabesque decorations. The matte finish used allows them to appear and disappear into the gloss background according to the light, an exercise in restraint which grants the piece flamboyancy and elegance in equal parts. Extremely elusive, this iteration has appeared only 3 other times on the market, making this example the fourth known piece.
Offered in virtually mint condition, complete with its original set of accessories and fresh to the market, this represents an extremely uncommon occasion for the collector of top-tier chiming timepieces.
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.