Patek Philippe - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1998
    Reference No: 5040G
    Movement No: 3’124’121
    Case No: 4’032’527
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 35.5mm width, 42.6mm overall length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with black dial in 1998, and its subsequent sale on November 20th, 1998.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe has long been associated with complicated timepieces, from their early minute repeating and tourbillon pocket watches, to their ground-breaking, 20th century perpetual calendar and perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches. The reference 5040 is one of their most uniquely designed models, paying homage to their 1930s time-only tortue watches. Patek Philippe introduced their first serially-produced perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphase in 1941 with the reference 1526, housed within a classic round Calatrava-style case first introduced with the references 96 and 570 in 1932 and 1938 respectively. The tortue-shape was popularized in the early 20th century with many brands using the design for wristwatches. Elegant and stylish in appeal, it was based on the silhouette of a turtle, named “tortue,” the French word for turtle. It was Patek Philippe’s first perpetual calendar to use this distinctive case design.

    First released in 1992, the reference 5040 remained in production until 2007 through two series: the first, with movement numbers beginning with 77X thousand fitted with caliber 240 114, and the second series with movement numbers beginning with 3.12 million fitted with caliber 240 116. The model was produced in yellow, white and pink gold, as well as platinum, and later replaced by the round cased references 5140J (2012) and 5140G (2014). The present white gold example from 1998 bears a 3.12 million movement number indicating the present timepiece as an example from the 2nd series. Offered with the original Certificate of Origin, second caseback, and presentation box, it is an opportunity for connoisseurs of uncommon and exceptional 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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Σ130

Ref. 5040G
A fine and attractive tonneau-shaped white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with black dial, moonphase, 24-hour indication, Certificate of Authenticity, additional hard case back, and presentation box

1998
35.5mm width, 42.6mm overall length
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed

Estimate
$20,000 - 40,000 
CHF17,800-35,600
€16,500-33,000
HK$155,000-310,000

Sold for $40,320

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020