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Lot Essay
Part of Patek Philippe's "Grand Complication" series, reference 5013 is the first minute repeating wristwatch featuring an automatic movement combined with a perpetual calendar and retrograde date. At the time of its introduction in 1992, it was the firm's most complicated wristwatch ever made and was available in yellow, white, pink gold and platinum. It is fitted with Patek Philippe's legendary caliber R 27 PS QR, self-winding with minute repeating, distinguished by a chime of exceptional quality. Extensive researches in metallurgy and acoustics where necessary to achieve a sound of such perfection and unrivalled purity. On demand, the minute repeater will strike the hours, the quarter hours, and the minutes which have elapsed since the last quarter hour. One hammer strikes the number of hours on a low pitched gong, followed by two hammers consecutively striking the number of quarter hours on the low pitched and the high pitched gong. Finally, the number of minutes elapsed since the last quarter hour are stroke by the second hammer on the high pitched gong. The largest number of strikes - 32 in total - is required to indicate the time at 12.59h: twelve low pitched strikes, three high-low double strike and 14 high strikes.
In 2011, the original retail price of a Ref. 5013R was 607,200 CHF. The reference 5013 is one of the rarest by number of all Patek Philippe Grand Complications made in the post-2000 era and the platinum and rose gold models are the rarest color variations. In fact, less than 20 pink gold examples are believed to have been produced.
As one of the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches on the market in the 1990s and early 2000s, it is interesting to note that Richard Mille watches adapted a similar shape with their introductions to the market in 2001. Not by coincidence, this tonneau and cushion shapes of this era defined the look of high end watchmaking with a distinctive design flare and homage to classic shapes from the vintage world.
Since its launch, to the best of our knowledge this will be the 7th pink gold version to be identified to market and has never before been offered in public.
In 2011, the original retail price of a Ref. 5013R was 607,200 CHF. The reference 5013 is one of the rarest by number of all Patek Philippe Grand Complications made in the post-2000 era and the platinum and rose gold models are the rarest color variations. In fact, less than 20 pink gold examples are believed to have been produced.
As one of the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches on the market in the 1990s and early 2000s, it is interesting to note that Richard Mille watches adapted a similar shape with their introductions to the market in 2001. Not by coincidence, this tonneau and cushion shapes of this era defined the look of high end watchmaking with a distinctive design flare and homage to classic shapes from the vintage world.
Since its launch, to the best of our knowledge this will be the 7th pink gold version to be identified to market and has never before been offered in public.