It is no surprise that a collector who has passionately pursued complicated watches since the 1990s has fallen in love with the most intricate timepiece of its time, crafted by the most prestigious watchmaker—Patek Philippe. The Sky Moon Tourbillon ref. 5002 represents the pinnacle of complexity and elegance, satisfying the collector's quest for the finest timepiece available.

From the inception of wristwatches, Patek Philippe has aimed to showcase unparalleled craftsmanship by integrating creative yet practical complications into their movements. Widely regarded as the ultimate pinnacle in complications, the Sky Moon Tourbillon reference 5002 is an extraordinary work of art, introduced just six months after the Star Calibre 2000 pocket watch in 2001. It marked Patek Philippe’s first double-faced wristwatch, featuring an impressive twelve complications.

At the time of its launch, the Sky Moon Tourbillon was the world’s most complicated wristwatch. The primary challenge was to fit its intricate movement, consisting of 694 parts, into the compact space of a wristwatch. Patek Philippe successfully achieved this in a 43mm case, which houses a tourbillon, a minute repeater with cathedral gongs, along with a perpetual calendar and retrograde date displayed on the front dial.

True to Patek Philippe's design philosophy, the tourbillon is discreetly integrated within the movement, ensuring it does not detract from the elegance of the dial. The minute repeater employs cathedral gongs that circulate the movement twice, producing a deep, resonant chime that is sure to enchant any collector. The perpetual calendar functions with remarkable precision, akin to a micro-computer, correctly calculating dates for hundreds of years. It works in conjunction with a retrograde date display, moving one increment per day and automatically resetting at the end of each month, featuring a patented ratchet wheel mechanism for exceptional accuracy.

Flipping the watch over reveals a stunning blue northern sky chart that vividly displays the phases of the moon and the angular progression of celestial bodies, while also indicating sidereal time based on the Earth’s rotation. Under the sapphire caseback, the northern hemisphere canopy rotates counterclockwise, showcasing the movements of the cosmos. This astronomical feature adds a romantic touch and pays tribute to the essence of timekeeping. The meticulous craftsmanship required for both sides of the movement results in a watch embossed with the Geneva Seal, a hallmark of quality for Patek Philippe tourbillons from this era.

Beyond its impressive complications, the Sky Moon Tourbillon is a visual marvel. The dial features an opaline white surface embossed with a Calatrava cross guilloché pattern, enhanced by red accents on the retrograde date. The case is forged from noble platinum, adorned with intricate engravings of halved Calatrava crosses that extend to the caseband, repeater slide piece and between the lugs. The crown at 4 o’clock is used for time setting and winding, while the crown at 2 o’clock serves a special purpose for adjusting the sky chart and sidereal time.

Phillips is honored to present this magnificent reference, which has not been offered in six years in our auction room. Fresh-to-the-market and kept in brand new, unworn condition, it has remained in a safe since the first day of purchase in 2008, ready for a new adventure. The watch comes with its original Certificate of Origin, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres rating certificate, fitted box and all other accompanying accessories. With extreme rarity, only 13 platinum examples are known to the auction market, making this watch the 14th to grace an international auction room. This reference was also reserved for Patek Philippe's most important clients, making it a unique opportunity for avid collectors.

The tremendous achievements of the Sky Moon Tourbillon ref. 5002 would be inherited by the ref. 6002, launched in 2013. This remarkable piece of Patek Philippe history will be cherished for generations, with the ref. 5002 remaining a mythical timepiece in the history books of haute horology.