Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2007 Reference No: 5070R Movement No: 3'363'542 Case No: 4'410'445 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70, 24 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe alligator strap Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, buckle and strap signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by California retailer Traditional Jewelers and dated June 20, 2007, numbered factory sleeve, numbered sale tag, leather wallet, product literature, numbered envelope, fitted presentation box and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe reference 5070 was the first modern-era chronograph-only wristwatch released by the manufacture since the discontinuation of reference 1463 in the 1960s. Introduced in 1998 at Baselworld, it was something of a shock to collectors that Patek would choose to reintroduce a chronograph model in such bold fashion – particularly the 42mm case dimension and the dramatically thick, stepped bezel. A worthy and highly anticipated successor to the classic reference 1463 chronograph, the 5070 also features a water-resistant case with a screw-down case back.
Though the case architecture assures a commanding presence, the warmth of the gold case renders this pink gold model somewhat of a hybrid between a full-fledged dress watch - as suggested by the case material and elegantly balanced dial - and a sports chronograph - thanks to the large diameter, boldly stepped bezel and the presence of a tachymeter scale.
The oversized Arabic numerals - reminiscent of aviators’ watches and one of the design elements carried over from the historical reference 2512, on which the 5070 is based - are rendered in rose gold, recalling the case material and bringing the warmth of pink gold to the dial as well.
A highly sought-after model in general, the desirability of the present example is boosted by its outstanding state of preservation and completeness, its owner being a very savvy collector who wore it a handful of times at most.
Since 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.