Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 2010 Reference No: 5070P-001 Movement No: 3’715’675 Case No: 4’475’863 Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. CH 27-70, 24 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped The Hour Glass (HK) Limited dated 4th February 2010, instruction manual, product literature, leather folio, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Marking an important milestone for the firm, Patek Philippe released the ref. 5070 in 1998 being the first ever pure chronograph reference launched by the firm since the late 1960’s with the last reference being the coveted 1463. With a distinct appeal, the ref. 5070 features a large 42mm diameter stepped case. First released in yellow gold only, a white gold variant was released in 2001, a pink gold version released in 2003 and in 2008 Patek Philippe released the platinum edition featuring a sunburst blue dial.
Taking its inspiration from the rare and desirable unique ref. 2512 featuring a 48mm diameter stepped case with applied Arabic numerals, the ref. 5070 is a modern-day homage to the elusive reference. At the time, the reference was one of the largest ever wristwatch produced by the firm. Extremely pure and exuding a classic chronograph dial configuration with two registers that are perfectly centered and aligned with the crown, the perfect proportion of the ref. 5070 is simply jaw dropping. Powered by the Lemania-based cal. CH 27-70, it was the last reference to utilize an outsourced movement making the reference a rare occasion that the world would probably never witness again. Throughout its course of production, it is estimated that 1,000 examples of the reference were encased each in yellow gold, white gold and pink gold, with only 500 examples encased in platinum. The reference was discontinued entirely in 2010 and was succeeded by the ref. 5170, the first pure chronograph reference to feature Patek Philippe’s very first in-house chronograph caliber.
The present example Patek Philippe ref. 5070P-001 is offered in excellent overall condition and complete with its full set of accessories and is fresh to the market consigned by the original owner who purchased the timepiece in Hong Kong just before the reference was discontinued in 2010.
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.
