Launched during Basel Fair in 1993, the reference 5050 along with its officer-cased siblings ref. 5059 and 5159 are the only model that features the atypical complication of a perpetual calendar with retrograde fly-back date and center seconds mechanism.

Synonymous with beauty and class, the reference was produced in four metals: yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, with approximately 1100 examples made during its production span. The very first examples bear railway divisions and Roman numerals and were shortly retired, followed by the applied baton indexes variant. In 1995, Patek released the present Roman numerals configuration with a fresher design with exquisite simplicity. Fitted with a silvered dial, the graceful Roman numerals rest within the refined pearled minute indexes, encircling the passage of time with elegance. Amongst the series, the configuration with applied Roman numerals are considered rarer (approx. 25% within the production) and therefore more sought-after by collectors.

Discontinued in 2003, the present example in yellow gold offered in great condition complimented with its Certificate of Origin and accessories is not only a fine example of the series, but is also a highly collectable timepiece with understated perfection.