Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1996 Reference No: 5038G Movement No: 776'072 Case No: 4'008'275 Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed:case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated May 28, 1997 and stamped by Hong Kong retailer King Fook Gold & Jewellery (Kowloon) Co. Ltd., limited edition Certificate, numbered sale tag, setting pin, leather wallet, product literature, fitted presentation winding box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with black dial and white painted Roman numerals in 1996 and its subsequent sale on February 26, 1997.
Catalogue Essay
Since the beginning of the past century, Patek Philippe used a well-defined language for its perpetual calendar timepieces: two windows at 12, and date subdial at 6. All this however changed in the eighties, when reference 3940 was launched, featuring three subdials for the 3 indications. Immediately hallowed as an absolute epitome of elegance, this new scheme has been featured in most of the the (few) high-end perpetual calendar models made by the firm since then, such as in the present reference 5038.
Introduced to the market in 1996, reference 5038 was made in a limited edition of 500 examples in white gold only. It is defined by its beaded bezel, granting the watch a look that strikes the perfect balance between playful and elegant..
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.