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Lot Essay
Christie’s is extremely fortunate to be able to offer this stunningly attractive ‘Grand Complication’ reference 5204-1R-001 in this auction. The perpetual calendar chronograph is arguably Patek Philippe’s most important and symbolic of complications, this split-seconds version in pink gold with matching solid pink gold full bracelet and sublime ebony-black dial was available only to Patek Philippe’s VIP clients upon application and is undoubtedly a major treat for the Patek Philippe connoisseur. To the best of our knowledge, the present watch is only the third example of this model to be offered at international auction.
Reference 5204 was first launched at the Basel Fair in 2012 in platinum to replace the legendary reference 5004. The display of the complications on the dial was changed so that the leap-year and day/night indications are shown in symmetrically positioned small circular windows instead of on subsidiary dials with hands and numerals. This masterly redesign resulted in a cleaner, easier to read dial with highly appealing visual impact. The case size of the new model was also increased to 40 mm. from the 36.7 mm. of the reference 5004, which gives the 5204 an incredible presence on the wrist. A pink gold version with slate-grey dial was introduced in 2016 and the present reference 5204⁄1R-001 with black dial and pink gold bracelet was added to the range in 2017. The refined movement is the highly complicated caliber 29-535 PS Q, featuring seven patented innovations, it was the very first in-house movement fully developed by Patek Philippe and includes the following complications: split-seconds chronograph, instantaneous 30-minute counter, perpetual calendar, day, date, month, leap-year and day/night indication and moon phases.
The perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch is more closely associated with Patek Philippe than perhaps any other model other than the Nautilus. In fact, Patek Philippe were the first company to produce perpetual calendar chronographs in series, an achievement that no other manufacturer could match for almost half a century. The perpetual calendar chronograph was in many ways the complication that re-established and confirmed Patek Philippe’s reputation as the greatest watch brand in the world. A reputation that is undimmed to the present day. This superb split-seconds ‘Grand Complication’ continues the lineage of Patek Philippe’s greatest complicated wristwatches into the present day, representing the exceptional horological innovation for which the company is famous.
Reference 5204 was first launched at the Basel Fair in 2012 in platinum to replace the legendary reference 5004. The display of the complications on the dial was changed so that the leap-year and day/night indications are shown in symmetrically positioned small circular windows instead of on subsidiary dials with hands and numerals. This masterly redesign resulted in a cleaner, easier to read dial with highly appealing visual impact. The case size of the new model was also increased to 40 mm. from the 36.7 mm. of the reference 5004, which gives the 5204 an incredible presence on the wrist. A pink gold version with slate-grey dial was introduced in 2016 and the present reference 5204⁄1R-001 with black dial and pink gold bracelet was added to the range in 2017. The refined movement is the highly complicated caliber 29-535 PS Q, featuring seven patented innovations, it was the very first in-house movement fully developed by Patek Philippe and includes the following complications: split-seconds chronograph, instantaneous 30-minute counter, perpetual calendar, day, date, month, leap-year and day/night indication and moon phases.
The perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch is more closely associated with Patek Philippe than perhaps any other model other than the Nautilus. In fact, Patek Philippe were the first company to produce perpetual calendar chronographs in series, an achievement that no other manufacturer could match for almost half a century. The perpetual calendar chronograph was in many ways the complication that re-established and confirmed Patek Philippe’s reputation as the greatest watch brand in the world. A reputation that is undimmed to the present day. This superb split-seconds ‘Grand Complication’ continues the lineage of Patek Philippe’s greatest complicated wristwatches into the present day, representing the exceptional horological innovation for which the company is famous.