Purists have always considered Patek Philippe the pinnacle of master craftsmanship and their complicated timepieces are grail watches to own for an important collection. Since the early 1940s when the reference 1526 was released, there has been a long and prestigious line of wristwatches that elicit awe and inspiration, from the 3448 perpetual calendar wristwatch, to the iconic perpetual calendar chronographs, the 1518 and 2499, as well as early minute repeating models like the reference 2419. These timepieces are mechanical works of art, which have a functional purpose, and they it is a joy to look at the intricacies and quality of their movements.

Released in 1993, the reference 5016 was the most complicated watch produced by the firm with a minute repeating, perpetual calendar, tourbillon movement, until Patek Philippe released the Sky Moon Tourbillon (5002) in 2001. Produced in yellow, white and rose gold, as well as platinum, the watches featured silvered or black dials with the case number printed on the closed moon phase. It is believed that approximately 200 examples were manufactured until production ended in 2011.

The retrograde perpetual calendar function is rarely deployed in Patek Philippe wristwatches, having only graced a handful of references in the modern era. Delicate applied Breguet numerals grace the dial with a classical elegance, and below the moonphase disc is the only hint that a beautifully executed tourbillon adds to the accuracy and significance of this watch. The movement of the 5016 comprises 506 painstakingly hand-finished components visible through the glazed caseback and stamped with the poinçon de Genève. Housed in a relatively compact 37mm case, the expansive layout and arched lugs allows for significant presence on the wrist without any hint of ostentatiousness. The minute repeater on this example has an exceptional tone – loud, perfectly timed, and sonorous – as good as one would expect from a top quality Patek Philippe minute repeater. This platinum 5016 is accompanied by all its original accessories, including its certificate of origin, second solid caseback and setting pin – a modern masterpiece that can be considered the crown of any collection.