First released in 2006, the Patek Philippe ref. 5960 was the firm’s first self-winding annual calendar chronograph wristwatch utilizing an in-house movement. While being the first among all is an important milestone, the design and aesthetics of the reference were totally fresh. Initially launched in platinum with an ashen grey dial, the reference was released in various precious metals over the years, including pink and white gold. In 2014, Patek Philippe released a stainless steel example featuring the firm’s signature rice bead bracelet fitted with a white dial with strong black accents giving the reference a refreshed contemporary appeal.

In 2017, Patek Philippe released a modest stainless steel variant with a bracelet featuring a black dial and was discontinued shortly after in 2018, with production spanning just shy of a year. In recent times, the Patek Philippe ref. 5690/1A with a black dial is among the most sought-after references due to its short-lived production and contemporary sporty look. With a successful design boasting a clean appeal, the dial is uncluttered as it optimizes a “bull’s eye” register that combines the traditional three counters in one. With three apertures on top of the dial indicating the day, date and month, the legibility and practicality of the ref. 5960 is simply excellent.

Taking a step back to 2016, this marked the year Patek Philippe released what is to be the rarest of the ref. 5960 in stainless steel. Made as an unnumbered special edition, exclusively for the Leicester City Football Club, it was commissioned by the late owner, Mr. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, as gifts to the players and coaches for their wonderous effort in winning the English Premier League for the first time ever in the history of the club.

Before their first victory, Leicester City was a mid-tier football club at best. For decades, they have lived through both good owners and mediocre ones. They have had owners who could not muster the £50,000 they desperately needed to buy a former midfield favourite who wanted to return to the club. At times, they have even had owners whose grip on the purse string was so careless, it drowned the club into administration. But in the summer of 2010, Leicester City was finally on the up with the arrival of their new owner, Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Neither a native of the UK nor frequently interviewed, the Thai king of duty-frees, not to mention uber-successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and avid watch enthusiast, was adored by the loyal Foxes fans for his genuine love of the sport and his game-changing contributions to the club.

Pledged to take the team to the next level, he and his son Khun Aiyawatt became personally invested, both intrinsically and extrinsically, to reform the club and carve their way to success. The dynamic dual started by rescuing the debt-ridden club and then reconquered their home stadium, which was previously owned by a third-party who charged them for every game played there. They invested in the infrastructure of Leicester City Football Club and established a state-of-the-art £100m training ground on the outskirts of the county. Not at all obliged to do any one of these things, the Chairmen were well respected by everyone involved or supporting the team as they went out of their way to make the club great again. On occasion, the Srivaddhanaprabha family would offer complimentary beers and snacks for all their fans in the house, as a token of appreciation for their endorsement.

The 24th season of the Barclays Premier League was pivotal for the Foxes. Equipped with better resources and a better owner, they were finally able to enter the 2015 to 2016 season with Claudio Ranieri, the famed Italian football manager who commanded top-tier teams like Chelsea and Napoli. Led by the genius, the team spearheaded into a triumphant year, destroying the tough opposition who stood in their way of winning their inaugural title. To commemorate this momentous and surprising victory, the present ref. 5960/1A-011 proudly flaunts the colours of the football club on the dial, featuring a blue chronographic hand and a yellow hand for the registers. Flipping the watch to its case back, the transparent sapphire back is inscribed with the team’s logo of the “Foxes” head.

The present example Patek Philippe ref. 5960/1A-011 Leicester City FC special edition is offered in excellent overall condition with very minimal signs of use and wear. Regarded by collectors as one of the most desirable stainless steel Patek Philippe sports watches, this example is also fresh-to-the-market and is the very first one to be ever offered at a PHILLIPS auction.

No doubt, the timepiece at hand is highly collectable, thanks to its rarity and condition. With that said, the present ref. 5960 also holds an important piece of the magnificent legacy the late Mr Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha had built. Through resilience, along with the love for his team and players, he will always be honoured as the man who achieved unprecedented success when everyone else, including the sceptical City fans, never thought possible.