Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2014 Reference No: 5004A Movement No: 3'275'495 Case No: 4'530'356 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. CHR27-70Q, 28 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box, Certificate of Origin dated September 1, 2014, second solid caseback, setting pin, hang tag, leather folder with instruction manual, product literature, photograph and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 5004 in stainless steel is part of the elusive Patek Philippe models that were never featured in the brand’s catalogue but open upon application to the brand’s best clients. Although not presented as a limited edition per se, production numbers were very low. The present example is only the 6th to be sold at auction.
One of the great classics of the modern Patek Philippe catalogue, the reference 5004 was produced between 1994 and 2010. It is the first Patek Philippe serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph model with moonphases - a set of complications rooted in the history of the brand, the first model made in series being reference 1518 launched in 1941 - with the additional split second complication. Together with the reference 5070 and 5970, it is the last Patek Philippe model to employ the “Nouvelle Lemania” based calibre.
To be granted the privilege of purchasing any reference 5004 was arduously challenging. The intricacy of the split second module added to the already complex perpetual calendar chronograph and the enormously high finishing standard of the company commanded an incredibly slow production rate.
In 2011, Patek Philippe announced the discontinuation of the reference 5004 with a final run of pieces in stainless steel, a metal the brand had not used before for its highly complicated pieces. The dial was furthermore different to the regular production pieces as it featured black oxidized indexes instead of the habitual applied Arabic numerals.
The present fresh to the market example sets the collectability bar well-further up than an already highly prized stainless steel 5004, as not only is it accompanied by its full set of accessories, such as box, Certificate of Origin, second caseback and setting pin but, the watch is still in its original factory sealed condition and as such, preserved in excellent unworn condition.
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.
