Unveiled in 2012, the Patek Philippe ref. 6102 is nothing like the conventional quiet luxuries the firm is known for. Designed to impress perpetual dreamers with a love for high complications, this timepiece follows closely to the preceding ref. 5102 from 2002, featuring an additional date function surrounding a dial with a sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon, as well as the time of Meridian passage of Sirius and the moon.
Measuring 44mm in diameter, the ref. 6102 is one of the largest Patek Philippe designs, almost on par with the Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300, but is much thinner compared to a thickness of 9.8mm. Matched with a sloped bezel, this large-for-Patek astronomical watch can easily slide underneath a dress cuff or tight sleeve. The rest of the case is tastefully executed, featuring pronounced steps on the lugs and around the bezel. Unlike the ref. 5102, the casebands are no longer embellished with the Calatrava cross motif, but rather dressed down in a distinctively cleaner mirrored finish. Adhering to the precursor, the watch is wound and set via the crown at 2 o’clock, while the astronomical functions are adjusted using the crown at 4 o’clock.
The case is a sight to behold, but it certainly does not measure up to the dial. Composed of three individual metallised sapphire discs, the highly reflective blackened base is layered with a disc of the phases and orbit of the moon, further topped with a third tier that depicts the sky chart on the front side and the Milky Way on the other. Two triangular cardinal points on the sky chart indicate the time of meridian passage of the moon and of Sirius, the brightest star in the Earth’s night sky. The sapphire crystal on top of the dial is further printed with an elliptical contour that frames the portion of the sky visible from Geneva at any given time. As mentioned above, the radial date chapter is indicated by a red crescent-tipped hand which is absent in the ref. 5102. The hours and minutes are displayed by a pair of hollowed feuille hands that provides an unobstructed view of the three-dimensional starry dial.
Driven by the powerful automatic cal. 240 LU CL C, the movement is designed to rotate at different speeds, governing the multi-layered sapphire crystal discs that form the dial. Flawlessly finished to the highest standards of the Patek Philippe Seal, every component is beautifully executed by hand, boasting polished chamfers and screw heads, the Côtes de Genève stripes, perlage and engravings. Furthermore, this technically sound machine is equipped with a 22K gold micro-rotor that sits on the same plane as the bridges, providing a maximum of 48 hours of power reserve.
A sophisticated work of art, the present ref. 6102R-001 is exceedingly rare and encased in a warm inviting pink gold case, contrasted with a cool, dark celestial dial. Offered in excellent overall condition with its full set of original accessories, this example is the 3rd example to appear at auction. It is fresh-to-the-market and will undoubtedly impress collectors of important, extremely rare and highly complicated wristwatches.