The reference 5131 is Patek Philippe’s latest for its world-time wristwatches, which was first launched in 2008 encased in yellow gold. Inspired aesthetically and practically from its pocket watch ancestors, the world-time wristwatch was designed out of necessity for wearers to be able to read all time zones on a single dial. First innovated by Louis Cottier in the early 1930’s, the world-time wristwatch was designed with a rotating bezel with cities representing all time zones and the 12 O’clock position would determine the time-zone indicated. The design was simple, practical and aesthetically pleasing, hence the same concept has been repeated till date.

Starring a handcrafted cloisonné enamel dial featuring various continents of the world, each dial is unique in its own respect. Examples of reference 5131 encased in yellow gold represents the Americas, Europe and Africa, whilst examples encased in white gold represents Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It is believed that approximately 150 to 200 examples were produced in both yellow and white gold. Furthermore, only two to three enamellers are able to produce these dials and can only deliver 30 to 40 dials each year.

The Patek Philippe world-time wristwatches have always been sought after by collectors from the boutiques with a scarce amount of supply. The combination of the exquisitely crafted cloisonné enamel dial and the practicality of the world-time complication is what attracts the most esteemed collectors of Patek Philippe wristwatches. The present example in white gold is further presented with the original Certificate of Origin stamped Patek Philippe Salons de Genève and its original fitted presentation box.