The reference 5035 embarked a significant journey for Patek Philippe’s watchmaking history, it is the very first watch with an annual calendar complication by the maison. Debuted in 1996, the stunning timepiece immediately gained attention and was awarded “Watch of the Year” the same year. Powered by the calibre 315S QA, the reference 5035 only requires adjustment once a year, so it is no surprise that this intellectual design became a staple in Patek Philippe's collection. A wide array of dial colors was available: black, white, silver and in rare quantities, salmon or blue.

The present example is a particularly charming example as the dial has aged from salmon to a red/purple tone, which gives the timepieces lots of charm and character. After inspection, one finds a slight salmon halo visible on the rim of the dial below the bezel, showing how only the part of the dial which is exposed to air has changed in colour - a tell-tale sign of originality.