Zodiacs sign have been an important element in the Chinese tradition and are based on a twelve-year cycle with each year represented by a different animal. These cycles have existed for more than 2000 years beginning with the Qin dynasty and identify an individual’s year of birth as well as an element to worship in the Buddhist religion.

To celebrate the Chinese zodiac, Patek Philippe created sets of four watches each representing the 12 zodiac signs, with each set manufactured during the year of the zodiac indicated on the dial. The reference 5076 was launched in 2003 and discontinued in 2006, the rectangular platinum case featured a zodiac animal in cloisonné enamel on the dial. There are many methods to execute enamel dials, however cloisonné enamel dials remain a collector’s favorite. Only the most skilled artisans were able to execute a beautiful and unique cloisonné enamel dial. It required microscopic detailing by hand, small enough to create a finished portrait on the dial. Delicate solid gold wiring is used to outline of the painting, with the artisan molding the thin and fragile solid gold wire in to the desired motif without breaking the wiring. The craftsmanship and man hours needed to create a cloisonné enamel dial to Patek Philippe standards is a painstakingly long process.

This present series Patek Philippe reference 5076, is the year of the “Monkey”. Produced in 2004, the set features four different dials, each in a different color. This beautiful set remains single factory sealed and are in new old stocks condition. It is the first time all four watches have been offered in the same sale.