Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 2009
    Reference No: 5102PR-001
    Movement No: 3’580’470
    Case No: 4’488’655
    Model Name: Celestial
    Material: Platinum and 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240 LU CL, 45 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Wynn Las Vegas, photograph, instruction manual, product literature leather document holder, leather folio, additional crocodile strap, key, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launch in 2002, the Celestial ref. 5102 stands proudly alongside other important Patek Philippe supercomplications such as the Skymoon Tourbillon. One does not have to understand how a sky chart works to be able to enjoy this instantly seductive dial that invites its city-dwelling wearer to stargaze within the comforts of his own home. Measuring at 43mm in diameter, this is considered one of the largest models in the firm’s catalogue.

    A dynamic miniature galaxy on the wrist, the ref. 5102 is a remarkable rendition of a detailed map depicting the night sky, showing the visible stars as well as the moon phases. The dial is comprised of three individual layers of sapphire discs, representing the celestial chart of the Northern Hemisphere. An ellipse, printed on the underside of the sapphire glass with the cardinal points, frames the portion of the sky visible from Geneva and all other cities located at the same latitude.

    Understanding sidereal time is essential to learn how the other astronomical indications work on the ref. 5102. The disk carrying the stars rotates once every sidereal day, which is measured by the time it takes a star to return to its zenith and is slightly shorter than a 24-hour day, timed at 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.0905 seconds. The stars, of course, rise above and set below the horizon line on sidereal time. If a line is drawn from 12:00 to 6:00 on the dial, that line will represent the meridian overhead at the observer’s location.

    The sky chart rotates as does the moon indicating that not only captures the phases of the moon but also its position in the sky. As the moon phase aperture rotates, one can observe the point where it passes the meridian. The disc is further adorned with a small yellow pointer next to the large star that represents Sirius — the brightest star in the night sky — allowing the observation of the meridian passage of Sirius.

    Extremely rare, the present example is one of a handful of discontinued ref. 5102PR, produced between 2009 and 2012. The front and back bezels are presented in platinum, whereas the casebands are fashioned from pink gold, featuring beautifully engraved Calatrava crosses. With an estimated production of less than 100 pieces, the present timepiece is the 17th example publicly known in the market. Remarkably well preserved, this incredibly accurate platinum and pink gold Celestial wristwatch is further accompanied by its original accessories, and will certainly bewitch collectors of elegant, technically sound masterpieces.

  • 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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Σ856

Ref. 5102PR-001
An incredibly rare and important pink gold and platinum astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon and time of Meridian passage of Sirius and of the moon, Certificate of Origin and presentation box

Circa 2009
43mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$1,200,000 - 2,000,000 
€139,000-231,000
$154,000-256,000

Sold for HK$1,524,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023