Tiffany & Co. is Patek Philippe's longest serving retailer and partner, having begun their relationship in 1847 and soon formalizing it in 1851 when the company was known as Tiffany, Young & Ellis. At the time, Antoine Norbert de Patek had set upon an extended business trip to the United States to more firmly establish the brand’s presence in the U.S. market, as the European economy was weakened following the political and economic upheaval of 1848, sometimes known as the People’s Spring. To ensure the success of his young company, Patek needed to attract the wealthy clientele of the United States – and one of the best ways to do that was to align Patek Philippe with a brand already known for exclusivity and excellence. Tiffany & Co. would represent Patek Philippe in the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, underscoring the trust between the two firms. The earliest piece known from Patek Philippe to be sold through Tiffany & Co. was delivered on December 31st, 1852, a hunter case pendant watch with blue enamel guilloché and diamond stars on the front and back covers. Since the 1990s, Tiffany & Co. remains the only retailer that is still allowed to stamp their logo on the dial of Patek Philippe watches. Throughout the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, much has changed, but the relationship between Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe has only strengthened.

The present watch, the annual calendar reference 5396G, was created to celebrate the five year anniversary of Patek Philippe's boutique located inside the Tiffany & Co. store on 5th Avenue in New York City. Incidentally, the Tiffany & Co. Patek Philippe boutique was also the brand’s first boutique in the United States. Tiffany had asked Patek Philippe for a complicated timepiece to mark this occasion, and on the basis of their outstanding relationship, Patek Philippe granted this most unusual request. Manufactured in 2012 and released in 2013 in a limited edition of 100 pieces, it features three elements which set it apart from regular production ref. 5396 models – a black dial, white gold applied Breguet numerals, and of course, the Tiffany and Co. stamp on the moon phase indicator. Offered as a complete set in exceptionally well-preserved condition, it’s a rare and stunning limited edition model certain to delight any Patek Philippe collector.