One of the great classics of the modern Patek Philippe production, reference 5004 was in catalogue between 1994 and 2010. It was the first Patek Philippe serially-produced perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with split-seconds – based on the iconic perpetual calendar chronograph models so intertwined with the history of the brand. Together with the reference 5070 and 5970, it was the last Patek Philippe model to employ the “Nouvelle Lemania”-based calibre. The aesthetics of the watch are based on reference 3970 (itself based on the iconic ref. 2499 and 1518), with subtle differences: the dial features large Arabic numerals instead of baton markers most often found on the ref. 3970; the case is thicker and 0.8 mm larger because of the split-seconds complication, granting it a more substantial wrist presence while still remaining very elegant and understated. The model was cased in a variety of metals (pink gold, yellow gold, white gold, platinum and stainless steel), with platinum examples being at the time the most luxurious of the offerings.

The present piece not only is offered in very well-preserved condition, but furthermore is retailed by hallowed Zurich-based retailer Beyer (as indicated by the Beyer inventory number “250607” subtly hand-engraved under the top-left lug) and comes with the original Beyer sale invoice dated December 15, 1998 and handwritten payment receipt dated December 12, 1998.

The inventory number sheds some light on why this watch comes with a Certificate for a completely different model (ref. 5041G). As one can see, the 5041 Certificate is marked - as most if not all Patek Certificate for watches sold by Beyer - with the Beyer inventory number “205207” and dated December 15 - the same sale date present on the invoice for the present watch. It is obvious that a mistake was at the time made at Beyer and the Certificate for the ref. 5041 (inventory no. 205207) was given to the client instead of the correct one (inventory no 205607). Luckily, the meticulous document keeping of the original owner more than compensates for this mistake thanks to the presence of the aforementioned original invoice - a document even more rarely found with a vintage timepiece than the Certificate of Origin.