Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1998
    Reference No: 4960A-001
    Movement No: 1’538’709
    Case No: 4’045’819
    Model Name: Aquanaut "Japan"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Quartz, cal. E19 C, 7 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 29.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe service invoice, additional midnight blue composite strap with stainless steel deployant clasp, fitted presentation box and outer packaging. Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present timepiece’s date of sale on 29th October 1998.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Unveiled in 1998, the Patek Philippe ref. 4960A-001 is a rare lady’s Aquanaut made exclusively for the Japanese market. Boasting a highly desirable deep blue dial with its signature embossment, this time-and-date wristwatch is framed in a petite stainless steel case that measures only 29.5mm. Underneath the hood, the powerful in-house quartz calibre drives the present model. E19 C. Unlike the standard Aquanauts, this ref. 4960A-001 is paired with a solid stainless steel bracelet, giving the quiet giant a greater wrist presence.

    Offered in excellent overall condition, the present example is destined the grace the arms of collectors with narrow wrists. This Japanese Edition Lady's Aquanaut is quintessentially a Patek Philippe through and through. 4960A-010 is designed with distinct design codes of the firm, fusing form and function that elevates any outfit. As the 6th example to be identified, fewer than a handful of these watches have resurfaced on the market, making this an extremely scarce specimen for Patek Philippe collectors.

  • 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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996

Ref. 4960A-001
A lady's fine stainless steel quartz wristwatch with date, blue dial, bracelet and presentation box, made for the Japanese market

1998
29.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 160,000 
€11,500-18,500
$12,800-20,500

Sold for HK$177,800

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