Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2001 Reference No: 5035 Movement No: 3'132'586 Case No: 4'101'188 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 315/198, 35 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2001 with white ceramic dial, yellow gold numerals, tritium and its subsequent sale on March 28, 2001.
Catalogue Essay
It is not hyperbolic to say that reference 5035 occupies a very special place in the history of watchmaking, as this was the first wristwatch to feature an annual calendar. Up until then, watches either featured a simple triple calendar - necessitating a correction at the end of each non-31-days-long month - or a perpetual calendar. In 1996, after years of research, Patek Philippe patented and launched with reference 5035 the hybrid annual calendar, necessitating only one correction per year, at the end of February. The complication went on to become a staple of the Patek Philippe production and is today employed in a variety of timepieces.
The case design chosen for this milestone model is a very elegant and understated Calatrava style construction, directly derived from some of the most classic Patek Philippe timepieces such as ref. 96. The dial adds a touch of flamboyance to the ensemble, thanks to its asymmetrical subdials (the one at six o’ clock being smaller than the other two to accomodate for the date window), and luminous radial applied Roman numerals with matching luminous feuille hands.
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.