Patek Philippe - Game Changers New York Tuesday, December 10, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2010
    Reference No: 5950A-001
    Movement No: 5'251'088
    Case No: 4'513'137
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. CHR 27-525 PS, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm width, 37mm length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed; movement additionally stamped with Patek Philippe seal.
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dating 23 November 2010 indicating sale at the Patek Philippe salon in Geneva, leather album, product literature, inner and outer presentation boxes, and outer packaging. Further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production in 2010 and sale on November 24th, 2010.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s split seconds chronograph production can be split (pun intended) into two divergent camps: those with a single button operating the chronograph mechanism through the crown and those with the traditional two-button layout. The first split seconds chronograph wristwatch produced by Patek Philippe came in 1923, with a Victorin Piguet-based ebauche housed in an 18K yellow gold officer-style case. Subsequent split seconds chronographs produced in series had two buttons: the reference 1436 (about 165 total examples produced between 1938 and 1971), the reference 1563, and the unique piece reference 2512. All of these references are highly coveted by collectors to this day.

    Patek Philippe wouldn’t produce another split-seconds chronograph until the reference 5959 was introduced in 2005, fitted with an all-new, in-house ultra-thin movement, the calibre CHR 27-525 PS, and housed within a 33 mm platinum case. The caliber was an extraordinary achievement in fine watchmaking history as it was the thinnest split seconds chronograph ever created at the time, as well as being the thinnest column wheel chronograph. Executed as a single-button split seconds chronograph, its design brilliantly demonstrated the prowess and know-how of Patek Philippe in the field of complications.
    This exquisitely finished caliber incorporates a number of technical features (such as optimized teeth geometry and an improved clutching/unclutching system) that enable its remarkable thinness, and at the same time increase the energy efficiency and reliability of the chronograph complication. Furthermore, this was Patek Philippe’s first fully in-house designed and manufactured chronograph movement.

    At Baselworld in 2010, Patek Philippe announced the reference 5950, a cushion-form, single button split-seconds chronograph with the same in-house movement but boasting subtle Belle Epoque styling. Patek Philippe launched the reference with a larger case made of stainless steel – an unusual and most appreciated decision since the vast majority of Patek Philippe’s complicated timepieces are housed in cases made of precious metals. An “application piece” reserved for the brand’s best clients, the steel reference 5950 further impressed collectors with its raised, applied black gold Breguet numerals, black lacquer scroll detailing at the corners and on the buckle, and its lustrous opaline dial. The direct inspiration for the reference 5950 can be found in the archives of the Patek Philippe Museum, with a similar single-button split-seconds chronograph cased in 18K yellow gold and bearing similar scroll details on the dial.

    The current 5950A has remained perfectly preserved in its factory seal since its delivery in 2010, and comes complete with all of its original accessories.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Σ7

Ref. 5950A-001
An extremely fine and rare stainless steel single button split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with original Certificate of Origin, additional solid case back, accessories, and original boxes, in its factory seal

2010
36.5mm width, 37mm length
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed; movement additionally stamped with Patek Philippe seal.

Estimate
$160,000 - 320,000 
CHF159,000-319,000
€145,000-290,000
HK$1,250,000-2,510,000

Sold for $275,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Game Changers

New York Auction 10 December 2019