Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1994 Reference No: 5020 Movement No: 3'045'045 Case No: 2'956'228 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. CH27-70 Q, 24 jewels, stamped with the Geneva seal Clasp/Buckle: !8K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Width, 36mm Length Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe wooden presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1994 and its subsequent sale on December 1, 1994.
Catalogue Essay
The longest continuously running line of Patek Philippe watches, the perpetual calendar chronograph with moonphases is a cornerstone of the company’s production, with all its representatives being extremely collectible and some of them considered the ultimate tier of Patek Philippe production.
Most collectors can easily describe the general aesthetics of the line: three counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, moonphases at 6, two windows at 12, and a round case - traits which are shared among all the five references which encompass the series: 1518, 2499, 3970, 5970 and 5270.
And yet, the aforementioned reasoning is if not wrong at the very least incomplete: it fails to take into account present reference 5020, the sixth representative of the line and the one and only NOT sporting a round case, but rather a cushion one. A most unusual design choice, it is reminiscent of the 1920s production of the firm and was not very well received at the time, resulting in the most scarce output among the four modern references (3970, 5970, 5270 and indeed 5020): about 750 examples were made in all metals from 1994 to 2002, with pink gold specimens being only circa 150. The Breguet numerals amplify the vintage charm of the piece, while the case architecture grants it remarkable wrist presence and renders it surprisingly in tune with today’s taste.
While it arguably is one of the most collectible Patek Philippe references in virtue of its looks, inherent scarcity and design uniqueness, its rarity implies that it is a model very seldom seen on the market, and thus the collectors community is still relatively little aware its importance (and sometimes its existence), making it at the moment one of the most attractive proposition for the foresighted collector of rare and important ant timepieces.
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.
Ref. 5020 A fascinating, very rare and extremely collectible pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, leap year indication and 24-hour indication
1994 37mm Width, 36mm Length Case, dial and movement signed