Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2008
    Reference No: 5102J-001
    Movement No: 3'580'120
    Case No: 4'448'607
    Model Name: Celestial
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240 LU CL, 45 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe winding box and outer packaging, further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2008 and its subsequent sale on May 30, 2008.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe's Celestial is a potent mix of technical prowess, artistic crafts and pure poetry.

    Launched in 2002, the Celestial was a true game changer. This astronomical wristwatch adopts the principle of the celestial canopy from the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch, ref 5002, the Sky Moon Tourbillon. The reference was first launched in platinum, before the yellow gold variant was later introduced for two years only, from 2007 to 2009.

    The dial depicts the skychart of the Northern Hemisphere elegantly rotating to depict the apparent angular motion of the stars and moon, along with the progression of the phases of the moon. Three sapphire crystal discs are seamlessly layered on top of one another to simulate the dynamic orbit of the moon and the passage of the stars, hence rendering it a remarkable sense of depth. The hours and minutes are indicated by two hollowed hands in white. A delicate elliptical contour on the inside of the glass frames the portion of the sky visible from all cities sharing the latitude of Geneva.

    To achieve the highest possible exactitude for the astronomical displays, the engineers of Patek Philippe researched 25 trillion (25,000,000,000,000) ratio combinations, showing the enormous horological challenge the model represents.

    The case flanks are beautifully engraved with a Calatrava cross.

    A delicate piece of the cosmos on the wrist the present Celestial is only the 24th example in yellow gold to appear on the auction market.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Ref. 5102J-001
An incredibly rare and important yellow gold astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon, time of Meridian passage of Sirius and of the moon and box

2008
43mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF90,000 - 100,000 
€93,400-104,000
$98,900-110,000

Sold for CHF152,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023