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Lot Essay
Undoubtedly the dream wristwatch of many collectors, this highly important white gold reference 5178G-001 features a superb cream ‘Grand Feu’ enamel dial and minute repeating with Patek Philippe’s legendary and acoustically brilliant ‘Cathedral’ gongs.
Christie’s is greatly honoured to present this remarkable ‘Cathedral’ minute repeater to international collectors, offering the exceptional opportunity to acquire a timepiece featuring one of Patek Philippe’s most significant complications. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of reference 5178G-001 to be presented at auction. In absolutely mint condition with the full set of accessories, it is offered here with the sense of excitement that accompanies the appearance of any world-class Patek Philippe at auction.
Reference 5178G perfectly encapsulates the philosophy of Patek Philippe’s minute repeaters. With an external simplicity that belies the awe-inspiring mechanical complexity within, it exemplifies true luxury.
Made in 18k white gold, the large-size 40mm diameter case is both impressive and practical, allowing the extra space required for the two Cathedral gongs which, unlike standard gongs, are each coiled almost twice around the movement. The ‘Grand Feu’ hard enamel dial inscribed ‘EMAIL’ (French for ‘enamel’) at 6 o’clock is a masterpiece, providing a depth and richness of colour that is unique to enamel. The Breguet numerals are made individually in white gold, polished and hand-applied to the dial in a very traditional way.
The automatic calibre R 27 movement is powered by a micro-rotor. Befitting a minute repeating watch of such stature and importance by Patek Philippe, the finishing is of the very highest standard and all done by hand, including the exquisite black polished surfaces of the repeating hammers. The chief glory of reference 5178G-001 is the incredible rich, melodic and long-lasting tone of the repeating itself which is made possible by the use of ‘Cathedral’ gongs. Patek’s minute repeaters with Cathedral gongs are one of the most breathtaking achievements in watchmaking. The Cathedral gongs are nearly double the length of standard gongs and specially shaped, circling the movement almost twice yet are still secured only at one end. In order to avoid the gongs touching each other, or the case and movement, they are placed in a helical arrangement within a recess in the band of the case.
Reference 5178G
One of the most elegant and pure models of Patek Philippe’s extraordinary minute repeating wristwatches, the automatic reference 5178G is also one of the rarest. Indeed, it is so cherished by those fortunate enough to possess it that in the 6 years since launch, the present watch is the first to have ever returned to the open market.
Launched in 2017, reference 5178G is cased in 18k white gold with an cream ‘Grand Feu’ enamel dial. Its 40 mm. diameter case recalls the classic understated elegance of Patek Philippe’s heritage and is fitted with a glazed display back in order to admire the extraordinary finish and complexity of the movement. The ingenious calibre R 27 PS automatic movement impresses not only by its remarkable number of 342 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a micro-rotor and a minute repeating mechanism with cathedral gongs. Patek Philippe’s minute repeaters are known worldwide for their outstanding acoustic performance and clarity of sound. In fact, minute repeating is one of the complications that the company have focused upon to continually develop ways to improve the tonality of the gongs in order to produce the very best possible sound. Before any Patek Philippe minute repeater is allowed to be delivered to its new owner, it is personally checked by Mr. Thierry Stern to ensure it conforms to the expected standard.
The Minute Repeater
On demand, the minute repeater strikes the hours, the quarter hours and then the minutes that have elapsed since the last quarter hour. The first hammer strikes the hours on the low-pitched gong with one strike for each hour. Subsequently, each quarter hour is sounded as an alternating double strike by two hammers on both the high- and low-pitched gongs. Finally, the second hammer strikes the high-pitched gong to count the number of minutes that have passed since the last quarter hour. At 12.59, for instance, the melody consists of 12 low sounds, 3 double high/low sounds, and 14 high sounds – totalling the maximum of 32 strikes.
Christie’s is greatly honoured to present this remarkable ‘Cathedral’ minute repeater to international collectors, offering the exceptional opportunity to acquire a timepiece featuring one of Patek Philippe’s most significant complications. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of reference 5178G-001 to be presented at auction. In absolutely mint condition with the full set of accessories, it is offered here with the sense of excitement that accompanies the appearance of any world-class Patek Philippe at auction.
Reference 5178G perfectly encapsulates the philosophy of Patek Philippe’s minute repeaters. With an external simplicity that belies the awe-inspiring mechanical complexity within, it exemplifies true luxury.
Made in 18k white gold, the large-size 40mm diameter case is both impressive and practical, allowing the extra space required for the two Cathedral gongs which, unlike standard gongs, are each coiled almost twice around the movement. The ‘Grand Feu’ hard enamel dial inscribed ‘EMAIL’ (French for ‘enamel’) at 6 o’clock is a masterpiece, providing a depth and richness of colour that is unique to enamel. The Breguet numerals are made individually in white gold, polished and hand-applied to the dial in a very traditional way.
The automatic calibre R 27 movement is powered by a micro-rotor. Befitting a minute repeating watch of such stature and importance by Patek Philippe, the finishing is of the very highest standard and all done by hand, including the exquisite black polished surfaces of the repeating hammers. The chief glory of reference 5178G-001 is the incredible rich, melodic and long-lasting tone of the repeating itself which is made possible by the use of ‘Cathedral’ gongs. Patek’s minute repeaters with Cathedral gongs are one of the most breathtaking achievements in watchmaking. The Cathedral gongs are nearly double the length of standard gongs and specially shaped, circling the movement almost twice yet are still secured only at one end. In order to avoid the gongs touching each other, or the case and movement, they are placed in a helical arrangement within a recess in the band of the case.
Reference 5178G
One of the most elegant and pure models of Patek Philippe’s extraordinary minute repeating wristwatches, the automatic reference 5178G is also one of the rarest. Indeed, it is so cherished by those fortunate enough to possess it that in the 6 years since launch, the present watch is the first to have ever returned to the open market.
Launched in 2017, reference 5178G is cased in 18k white gold with an cream ‘Grand Feu’ enamel dial. Its 40 mm. diameter case recalls the classic understated elegance of Patek Philippe’s heritage and is fitted with a glazed display back in order to admire the extraordinary finish and complexity of the movement. The ingenious calibre R 27 PS automatic movement impresses not only by its remarkable number of 342 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a micro-rotor and a minute repeating mechanism with cathedral gongs. Patek Philippe’s minute repeaters are known worldwide for their outstanding acoustic performance and clarity of sound. In fact, minute repeating is one of the complications that the company have focused upon to continually develop ways to improve the tonality of the gongs in order to produce the very best possible sound. Before any Patek Philippe minute repeater is allowed to be delivered to its new owner, it is personally checked by Mr. Thierry Stern to ensure it conforms to the expected standard.
The Minute Repeater
On demand, the minute repeater strikes the hours, the quarter hours and then the minutes that have elapsed since the last quarter hour. The first hammer strikes the hours on the low-pitched gong with one strike for each hour. Subsequently, each quarter hour is sounded as an alternating double strike by two hammers on both the high- and low-pitched gongs. Finally, the second hammer strikes the high-pitched gong to count the number of minutes that have passed since the last quarter hour. At 12.59, for instance, the melody consists of 12 low sounds, 3 double high/low sounds, and 14 high sounds – totalling the maximum of 32 strikes.