Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1992
    Reference No: 5040
    Movement No: 773’481
    Case No: 2’923’326
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240 Q, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35.5mm width, 42.6mm overall length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated November 20, 1992, fitted wooden presentation box, additional hard caseback, setting pin, Patek Philippe service invoice dated August 4, 2020, and leather envelope with product literature. Further accompanied by Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with Breguet numerals in 1992 and its subsequent sale on November 20, 1992.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s reference 5040 is one of their most uniquely designed models, paying homage to their 1930s time-only tortue watches. They introduced their first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon-phase in 1941, with the reference 1526, housed within a classic round Calatrava-style case first introduced with the references 96 and 570 in 1932 and 1938, respectively. The tortue-shape was popularized in the early 20th century with many brands using the design for wristwatches. Elegant and stylish in appeal, it was based on the silhouette of a turtle, named “tortue,” the French word for turtle. It was Patek Philippe’s first perpetual calendar to use this distinctive case design.

    First released in 1992, the reference 5040 remained in production until 2007 through two series: the first, with movement numbers beginning with 77X thousand, fitted with caliber 240 114, like the present watch, and the second series, with movement numbers beginning with 3.12X million, fitted with caliber 240 116. The perpetual calendar was produced in yellow, white, and pink gold, as well as platinum, and later replaced by the round-cased references 5140J (2012) and 5140G (2014).

    The present early yellow gold example from 1992 is in lovely condition, and is offered with the original Certificate of Origin, additional solid caseback, and presentation box. This is a wonderful opportunity for connoisseurs of fine timepieces to acquire a rare and undervalued perpetual calendar wristwatch manufactured by Patek Philippe.

  • 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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Σ115

Ref. 5040
An early and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with Breguet numerals, moon phase, 24-hour indication, Certificate of Origin, additional hard caseback, and presentation box

1992
35.5mm width, 42.6mm overall length
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed

Estimate
$15,000 - 30,000 
CHF13,500-27,000
€14,000-28,100
HK$117,000-234,000
S$20,400-40,800

Sold for $38,100

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023