Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: XI New York Saturday, December 7, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2022
    Reference No: 5531R-015
    Movement No: 5’177’739
    Case No: 6’467’249
    Model Name: World Time Minute Repeater
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. R 27 HU, 45 jewels, stamped with the Patek Philippe Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated January 29, 2022, fitted wooden presentation box, solid caseback, leather folio with photographs and product literature, and outer packaging.
    Literature: A similar example is depicted on the front cover of Patek Philippe: The Impossible Collection by Assouline.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe has long captivated collectors with its unmatched technical innovation and mechanical artistry. In 2017, the release of the reference 5531R combined two of the brand’s most extraordinary complications: the world-time and minute repeater. The Ref. 5531R, renowned for its rarity and innovation, is the first-ever minute repeater that always chimes the local time. Recently discontinued and succeeded by a white-gold version, this particular pink gold model, the ref. 5531R-015, featuring an exquisite cloisonné enamel map of Geneva, is one of only ten ever crafted. Upon closer inspection, a discreet ‘A.P.’ signature reveals itself, subtly nestled within one of the streets—an unmistakable mark of the cloisonné artistry crafted by the renowned Anita Porchet atelier, a name cherished by discerning connoisseurs worldwide. Underscoring its significance, a second example of the ref. 5531R-015 graces the front cover of Fabienne Reybaud’s acclaimed book Patek Philippe: The Impossible Collection, published by Assouline.

    The 5531R embodies the pinnacle of Patek Philippe’s centuries-old horological prowess. Its world-time mechanism traces back to the 1930s, when renowned watchmaker Louis Cottier developed it during the rise of intercontinental travel. Patek Philippe’s first world-time production model, reference 1415, introduced a 31mm case with a revolutionary rotating bezel, making time zone adjustments effortless. This was followed by the landmark reference 2523, with its larger 36mm case and two-crown system. On rare occasions, select examples of these historic models featured cloisonné enamel dials with intricate maps, inspiring the design of the modern 5531R.

    At the heart of this masterpiece is the in-house caliber R27 HU, first unveiled in 1989 for the brand’s 150th anniversary. The 5531’s movement builds on this foundation, incorporating the minute repeater into a design only 8.5mm thick, resulting in a remarkably sleek profile. Perhaps its most impressive feat is its ability to chime the local time of the city at 12 o'clock—achieved through an ingenious hour snail driven by the world-time mechanism. Moreover, pink gold is often regarded as the ideal metal for producing the warmest and most resonant chimes, and in the case of the 5531R, it beautifully enhances the depth and richness of the minute repeater's sound.

    Fresh-to-the-market and making its debut at an international auction, the present World Time Minute Repeater is offered in as new condition - a true Patek Philippe masterpiece combining ultimate rarity, sublime aesthetics, and exquisite complications.

    PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ180

Ref. 5531R-015
An extremely rare, highly important, and virtually unworn pink gold minute repeating world time wristwatch with miniature cloisonne enamel dial by the workshop of Anita Porchet, depicting Geneva city map, with additional caseback, Certificate of Origin, and presentation boxes, one of ten made

2022
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$800,000 - 1,600,000 
CHF705,000-1,410,000
€760,000-1,520,000
HK$6,230,000-12,450,000

Sold for $1,391,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman, Watches, 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: XI

New York Auction 7 - 8 December 2024