Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2008 Reference No: 5070 Movement No: 3'147'389 Case No: 4'202'101 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70 CHR, 24 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box, Certificate of Origin, leather folder and product literature.
Catalogue Essay
Whereas perpetual calendar chronographs have continuously graced Patek Philippe catalogues since the launch of the reference 1518 in 1941, the firm stopped producing simple chronographs in the late 1960s, after the discontinuation of the reference 1463.
This is why the collecting community was extremely excited when Patek Philippe introduced a new chronograph-only reference in 1998 in yellow gold and the subsequent launch of the white gold version, like the present model, in 2001.
Directly inspired by the case and dial design of the unique Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph reference 2512 from 1950, the reference 5070 enjoys a unique spot in Patek Philippe’s history as one of the largest watches it had produced and the last chronograph to use a Lemania 2310 ebauche before Patek Philippe switched to an in-house caliber with the presentation of the reference 5071.
The 42mm stepped case is quite slim and elegant, the silver dial with applied black Arabic numerals is very legible and together give the watch a sleek and sophisticated look.
This reference 5070, which is in overall excellent condition, is offered with its Certificate of Origin and fitted box, and will certainly appeal to the collector of modern haute horlogerie.
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.