The story of the Patek Philippe Reference 5531R, has its genesis in the 2017 New York Patek Philippe Art of Watches Grand exhibition. The Ref. 5531R is housed in a robust and exquisite 18k rose gold case with hand finished hobnail design all throughout the sides of the case. The cloisonné enamel dial is a masterpiece alone.

The first version, released in a batch of ten, depicts one of two scenes on its cloisonne enamel center dial. Five of the original ten feature a cloisonné depiction of the Manhattan Skyline, with the World Trade Center taking center stage. The other five, such as the present watch, depict the UNESCO Heritage site, the Lavaux Vineyards on the edges of Lake Geneva.

All ten of the special edition timepieces received the new movement Caliber R 27 HU. The new caliber is the first caliber produced by Patek Philippe, which allows for the Minute Repeater to chime in the local time, to which time-zone world time is set.

Inspired by the success of their special edition, Patek Philippe would introduce the Reference 5531R into their normal production collection at Baselworld 2018 by application only. These examples would solely feature the Lavaux Vineyards in its center Cloisonne Enamel Dial such as the present lot.

The present Reference is Patek Philippe’s first normal production timepiece that offers the world time function and minute repeating function working in tandem, to always chime the current local time.

According to research, only three examples of the Ref. 5531R, including the present watch have come to market, with only two of the three featuring the Lavaux Vineyards. The present lot offers a collector a chance to purchase a timepiece featuring the apex of craftsmanship in both mechanical innovation and exquisite enameling from the Maison of Patek Philippe.