With the advent of the industrial age came the means necessary to facilitate global trade and travel and, as a direct result, there was a need for timekeeping devices capable of tracking time in multiple locations. Between 1930 and 1931, Louis Cottier designed an ingenious, ultra-thin mechanism that simultaneously displayed the correct hours across the world's time zones through a rotating 24-hour ring, in addition to displaying the local. The design was simple yet elegant, and world time watches have become one of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after models.

The reference 5131 was released in 2008, first in yellow gold like the present watch, followed by a white gold model in 2009, a pink gold model in 2014, and a platinum model in in 2017. A successor to the reference 5130 introduced in 2006, the new wristwatch featured upgrades including an impressive cloisonné enamel dial, the names of 24 world cities displayed on the outer ring, and “Patek Philippe and Geneva” engraved on the bezel. The cloisonné enamel dials demonstrate the quality and craftsmanship of Patek Philippe enamel work that the brand is known for. Yellow gold examples feature dials with the Americas, Europe and Africa, while the white gold watches show Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, and the pink gold models realised with Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

The present yellow gold example stands as a beautifully preserved example offered in what many consider to be the most classic metal choice. It is offered complete with its full set of original accessories, including the Certificate of Origin, leather folio, and presentation boxes.

A similar example of the reference in white gold can be found in our sale at Lot XXX.