Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 2002 Reference No: 5035 Movement No: 3'133'859 Case No: 4'166'473 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 315 S QA 24H, 35 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
The reference 5035 embarked a significant journey for Patek Philippe’s watchmaking history, it is the very first watch with an annual calendar complication by the maison. Debuted in 1996, the stunning timepiece immediately gained attention and was awarded “Watch of the Year” the same year. Powered by the calibre 315S QA, the reference 5035 only requires adjustment once a year, so it is no surprise that this intellectual design became a staple in Patek Philippe's collection. A wide array of dial colors was available: black, white, silver and in rare quantities, salmon or blue.
The present example is a particularly charming example as the dial has aged from salmon to a red/purple tone, which gives the timepieces lots of charm and character. After inspection, one finds a slight salmon halo visible on the rim of the dial below the bezel, showing how only the part of the dial which is exposed to air has changed in colour - a tell-tale sign of originality.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.