Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
Year: Circa 2011
Reference No: 5070J-010
Movement No: 3’715’447
Case No: 4’457’624
Material: 18K yellow gold
Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70, 24 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed
Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Genève, April 15, 2011, fitted wooden presentation box, hang tag, leather folio with photograph, and outer packaging. Further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2008 with brown dial, applied yellow gold Breguet numeral, tachymeter scale, and Superluminova, and its subsequent sale on April 18th, 2011.
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe reference 5070 was the first chronograph-only wristwatch released by the firm since the 1960s when production of the iconic water resistant reference 1463 ceased. Introduced in 1998 at Basel, it was something of a shock to collectors that Patek would choose to reintroduce their chronograph-only line in such bold fashion – particularly with an oversized 42mm case diameter and the dramatically thick, stepped bezel. The brand drew inspiration for the design of the 5070 from a unique, split-seconds chronograph wristwatch from the early 1950s – the extraordinary reference 2512 aviator’s watch, which measured an incredible 46.2mm in diameter with influences from the Art Deco period. The reference 2512 is currently housed in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. Originally released in 18K yellow gold with black dial, Patek Philippe later produced the chronograph in white and rose gold along with platinum versions.

The present lot is a most probably unique example, and the only known to feature a superb and radiant brown, luminous dial and Breguet hour markers. Another extraordinary detail on the dial is the subtle monogram, ‘MSO’, presented at 6 o’clock. For Patek Philippe to permit a monogram on the dial, one’s importance to the brand must be truly significant – a level of collector comparable to Henry Graves, Jr., James W. Packard or J.B. Champion, forming a compelling appeal for collectors searching for rare and unique Patek Philippe watches.

Discontinued since 2009, the reference houses Patek Philippe's manual-winding caliber CH 27-70, based upon a highly modified Lemania 2310 ébauche. Considered one of the finest chronograph movement designs of all-time, the movement is extremely well-finished - stamped with the Geneva Seal, while providing an impressive 60 hours of power reserve.

This reference 5070 is fresh-to-the-market, preserved in overall outstanding condition and offered with its Certificate of Origin and fitted box. The 42mm stepped case and the stunning and unique brown dial will certainly appeal to the collector of modern haute horlogerie seeking a one-of-a-kind, specially ordered Patek Philippe watch.
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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