Launched in 1993 and produced until 2002, reference 5050—alongside its officer-style sibling, reference 5059—remains one of the most underappreciated models of modern Patek Philippe watchmaking. For the first time in the brand’s history, a perpetual calendar was paired with both an automatic movement and central seconds—bringing together two hallmark features of revered vintage references: 3448/3450 (automatic) and 2497/2438-1 (center seconds).

Adding further distinction, the 5050 features a retrograde date display, introducing a dial layout rarely seen on Patek Philippe timepieces, and until then, unprecedented in regular production models.
The reference 5050 was made in all precious metals with opaline dials and baton markers.

It is obvious at first glance that the present ref 5050 in yellow gold is not a ordinary example, and features three aesthetic elements making it truly unique:

- Black dial
- Breguet numelars
- Luminous hands and lume plots

All these elements are of course conformed by the Certificate of Origin. The latter also sheds more light on the piece. The date of sale is indicated as 2011, almost a decade after the reference was discontinued as such one can only assume the present unique piece was made for one of Patek Philippe’s most important clients.