Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 2016
    Reference No: 5207/700P-001
    Movement No: 5’175’211
    Case No: 6’081’377
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. RTO 27 PS QI, 35 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 41mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Boodles London dated 1st February 2016, instruction manual, product literature, photograph, Rate Accuracy Certificate for Patek Philippe Tourbillon Watches, additional solid caseback, setting pin, key, factory slipcase, hang tag, leather holder, leather folio, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
    Literature: The present reference is published in the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition, From May 27 to June 7 2015, Saatchi Gallery London.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the realm of fine watchmaking, there has been many great innovations, craftsmanship and heritage. In one specific spectrum of them all, many have tried to master though only a few can truly master, the minute repeater. Patek Philippe is no stranger when it comes to the illustrious chiming watch and is rightfully regarded by most as the don of repeating timepieces.

    The history of the minute repeating watch harkens back to the 17th century when Daniel Quare was claimed as the inventor of the first repeater mechanism in 1686 by the King of England. At the end of the 18th century, master watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet invented the ring gongs and hammers that replaced the iron bell, a mechanism that would change the scope of repeating timepieces for centuries to come. Although some would argue that the true inventor of the minute repeater belongs to Thomas Mudge in 1750, some earlier examples were found in Germany. Today, the minute repeating wristwatch is considered one of the most complicated to craft and are prized possessions of esteemed collectors.

    In 1850s, Patek Philippe created their very first minute repeating pocket watches. For years to come, the firm has already secured the position of being the best in class for these chiming timepieces. It was until 1960 during the post-war era, that minute repeating timepieces were no longer in demand. With a pause in production for these enigmatic timepieces, it was only in 1989 when the firm celebrated its 150th anniversary that minute repeaters came back into play allowing collectors to admire and appreciate the eloquent chimes mastered by the firm over centuries.

    Today the new breed of Patek Philippe minute repeating timepieces is on a whole new level garnering once again a loyal following with the quest to acquire the best with a fruitful selection developed over the years with a diverse range of complications offered.

    Released in 2008, the Patek Philippe ref. 5207 was at the time of its launch the top three most complicated wristwatches ever produced by the firm. Featuring a minute repeater and a tourbillon with an instantaneous perpetual calendar with leap year, day/night indication and moon phases all in a 41mm diameter case, the reference is simply stunning. With three apertures on the top of the dial indicating day, date and month, the legibility is further enhanced through a perfectly symmetrical dial layout. With moon phases at 6 o’clock and an additional two apertures one on each side indicating day/night and leap years, it is a rather user-friendly design. Powered by the firm’s in-house cal. R TO 27 PS QI, the impressive movement is composed of 549 individual parts with an accuracy of -1/+2 seconds per day. It is believed that only 10 examples of the reference are produced annually making them extremely rare timepieces.

    First released in 2008 in platinum with a yellow gold dial, it was in 2012 when the firm released an example in pink gold featuring a black dial. In the following year, the firm released their gem-set variant via the ref. 5307 in platinum with baguette-cut diamond-set bezel. In 2015, the firm released arguably their most interesting iteration via the ref. 5207/700P-001 (the present example) featuring a brown hand-guilloche dial with mahogany obsidian inlays. The reference was discontinued in 2018 which made way for the newest iteration in white gold with a blue dial.

    Possibly the most handsome example from its class, the ref. 5207/700P-001 features meticulous mahogany obsidian inlays seen on the minute repeating slider and on the casebands. Differing from other examples featuring hand-engraved casebands. Furthermore, while its other counterparts feature a regular sun blast dial, the present example features hand-guilloche on the center with a degrade finish giving the dial a lively vibrancy.

    Offered in “like new” overall condition with extremely minimal signs of use and wear, complete with its full set of accessories including its additional solid caseback, it has also been in the safekeeping of the original owner since the purchase of the present timepiece in 2016. Also, it is the first example of the reference to ever be offered at any auction, it is truly a momentous event that PHILLIPS is humbled and delighted to be entrusted by the owner of the present timepiece to offer this spectacular chiming work of art at our Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV.

    A true gem in modern horology launched in 2015, this reference was also featured in the publication made for one of the most captivating exhibition held by the maison, the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition that took place at Saatchi Gallery, London in the same year. The ref. 5207/700P-001 was believed to be offered exclusively for VIP clients from the London boutiques during that time. Accompanied with the Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped in London and acquired by the original owner, this is a grail that would be a highlight in any collection of the finest timepieces.

  • 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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PLEASE NOTE, THIS LOT IS A PREMIUM LOT. TO BID ON THE LOT YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SATISFY OUR PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION PROCEDURE NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE AUCTION SESSION IN WHICH IT IS OFFERED. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ALL BIDDERS MUST PLACE BIDS IN PERSON, VIA ABSENTEE BID, OR BY TELEPHONE. PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS. Property from the Original Owner

938

Ref. 5207/700P-001
An extremely fine, impressive and rare platinum perpetual calendar minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with small seconds, moon phases, leap year, day and night indication, guilloche dial, mahogany obsidian inlays, additional solid caseback, Certificate of Origin and presentation box

Circa 2016
41mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$5,500,000 - 8,500,000 
€654,000-1,010,000
$705,000-1,090,000

Sold for HK$6,905,000

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)