Steering away from Patek Philippe’s distinct, discreet designs, the ref. 6102 Celestial is intended to turn heads with its generous proportions and its dreamy, dynamic display of a starlit night sky. The present model adheres strongly to the now-iconic ref. 5102 from 2002 and is equipped with all the coveted functions of its predecessor, such as the sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon, along with the time of Meridian passage of Sirius and of the moon. Upgraded in 2012, the ref. 6102 includes an updated case design with a date indication added to the edge of the dial that avoids obstructing the natural flow of this poetic stage set.

Replicating a three-dimensional nightscape, the dial of this Celestial reference is composed of a few layers, starting with a deep blue metallic base, then a second level that indicates the phases and orbit of the Moon. Located above that, the third layer supports the stars and Sirius, the brightest star system from earth’s point of view. To top it all off, the underside of the crystal is printed with the cardinal points, which outline the portion of the sky visible from Geneva. The protagonist of the present wristwatch is evidently its slow-moving sky chart, while the time display is merely a love interest in this life-like portrayal of a starry night. Accompanying the hours and minutes hands is a long, slender date indicator, defined by its crescent-shaped tip in bright red.

Powered by the in-house cal. 240 LU CL C, this technically sound automatic movement is as beautifully constructed as it is on the outside. Every nook and cranny of this ingenious 315-component structure is finished to the highest levels, boasting perfectly polished bevelled angles, perlage finishes on the plates, Geneva Stripes on the bridges and an elegant gold micro-rotor – a quality attested by the Patek Philippe Seal.

Exceedingly rare, the present Celestial ref. 6102P-001 is fresh-to-the-market and is the 10th example identified. Even though it is cased in solid platinum and measures a whopping 44mm, this timepiece wears comfortably on the wrist thanks to the subtle curves on the lugs. Furthermore, a smaller dial would not have allowed its wearer to fully enjoy this ethereal spectacle. Accompanied by its original accessories, the present example from 2017 is offered in excellent overall condition and will no doubt appeal to discerning collectors of stellar horological masterpieces.