The perpetual calendar has proved the anchor of Patek Philippe’s line of grand complications since the first half of the twentieth century. The earliest serially produced references - the 1526 and 2497 – are among the most respected and lauded perpetual calendars to be manufactured by any watchmaking brand. After the advent of the reference 3448 in 1961, the first self-winding perpetual calendar from Patek Philippe, the manufacture consistently released automatic perpetual calendars in a variety of case shapes. In 1999, Patek Philippe launched its first perpetual calendar housed within an “Officer’s” case with a hinged caseback.

Replacing the reference 5059, the 5159 was released in 2007, with a 2mm increase in diameter and a dial featuring a hand-guillochéd center disc. The pink gold version was in production from 2010 to 2019. The Roman numerals were updated as well, becoming more elongated, similar to the engraved reference 5160. The most striking element is of course the retrograde date. At the end of each month, the date hand automatically flies back to its original starting point – a very difficult function to reliably implement in watchmaking.

The present timepiece is offered in completely unworn condition and accompanied with its accessories, this is a chance to own a modern classic with all the refinements of early-twentieth-century design encasing the finest mechanics of the modern era.