Since the turn of the Millennium, the "50" series of Patek Philippe watches including the reference 5070, 5016 and 5074 have gained notoriety both due to their complication, but also due to the supremely elegant and stately style. The reference 5074 most notably is an evolution of the iconic 1989 reference 3974, a watch launched in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the brand - now a collecting icon. They both share the same complication: a self-winding movement with perpetual calendar, moon phases and crucially a minute repeater (albeit cathedral in the 5074). However the 5074 represents one of the first truly modern evolutions of Patek Philippe design in highly complicated watches. Abandoning the restrained 36mm case of the 3974, it features an impressive 42mm case with a large stepped bezel which further emphasizes its size. It is important to note that such a diameter is not a technical demand: while the cathedral gongs indeed require more space than standard ones, it would have fitted in a smaller case. It is instead a purely aesthetic decision and a somewhat historic one: it marks the beginning of Patek Philippe moving carefully away from the canons of mid-century aesthetics and into those of the new millennium.

Patek Philippe released the reference 5074 in yellow gold in 2001 to the delight of collectors and lovers of high horology, replacing it with the pink gold model in 2005, and the coveted platinum edition was later introduced in 2009. Without question a 21st century take on the grand complication watches of the mid-20th century's golden age of horology, it introduced to a new generation mechanical complexity in a fresher design package while still maintaining a link to the Patek Philippe heritage thanks to a number of elements such as the downturned fluted lugs reminiscent of those found on the iconic 2499. The result is a perfect amalgama of vintage and modern.

The present watch is offered in outstanding condition, complete with a full suite of accessories including of course the additional solid caseback and Certificate of Origin.