Online Christmas Auction

Hong Kong, Dec 11, 2019

LOT 228

Patek Philippe - Ref. 5050 J-026, self-winding, centre-seconds, retrograde perpetual calendar à guichets (with apertures), leap-year indication, moon phases, sunburst ardoise-grey dial with luminescent hands and dots; possibly unique piece; 18K yellow gold

HKD 630,000 - 750,000

EUR 73,000 - 88,000 / USD 80,000 - 96,000 / CHF 80,000 - 96,000

18K yellow gold, self-winding, tonneau-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, with centre-seconds and six horological complications: • Perpetual calendar à guichets (with apertures) • Retrograde (fly-back) date of the month (three-quarter circle graduation in the centre with index) • Day of the week (aperture at 9 o’clock; indications given in English) • Month of the year (aperture at 3 o’clock; indications given in English) • Phases of the moon (aperture at 6 o’clock) • Four-year cycle of leap-years (aperture at 12 o’clock) Polished two-piece case, water-resistant with sapphire-crystal screwed case-back. Sunburst ardoise-grey dial with suspended applied yellow gold Breguet numerals and skeleton luminescent hands and dots.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1 *
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva

Model “Perpetual Calendar”

Reference 5050 J 026

Year 2011

Movement No. 3 410 945

Case No. 2 980 942 (by Manufacture Favre & Perret, La Chaux-de-Fonds)

Material 18K yellow gold

Bracelet brown crocodile leather PP strap

Buckle 18K yellow gold PP buckle

Diameter 36 mm.

Caliber 315 / 236, adjusted to heat, cold isochronism and 5 positions, Geneva seal

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories original fitted box, Certificate of origin, additional 18K yellow gold case-back, 18K yellow gold and wood setting-pin, hang tag

Notes

The certificate mentioned that this watch was sold on April 15, 2011, to Mr. Michael S. Ovitz, U.S.A.
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Ovitz, Michael S.
Born on December 14, 1946, Michael Steven Ovitz is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was a talent agent who co-founded Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 1975 and served as its chairman until 1995. Ovitz later served as President of The Walt Disney Company from October 1995 to January 1997.

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Patek Philippe, Reference 5050
This reference is launched in 1993 and remained in production until circa 2002.
This tonneau-shaped watch is fitted with the Cal. 315 / 236.
This reference is the first Patek Philippe wristwatch with perpetual calendar and retrograde date produced in series.
With Ref. 5059 and Ref. 5159 (“officier”-type) to follow, it is the only reference with this combination of highly characteristic horological complications.
Since the legendary Ref. 2497 and Ref. 2438-1 (1950s-1960s), this has been the first perpetual calendar with a central second produced by the manufacture.
Originally, it was cased in yellow gold, but in 1995 Patek Philippe extended the line to models in pink and white gold as well as platinum.
Originally sold with silvered dials with applied radial Roman numerals and a moon phase aperture, Patek Philippe modified the dial with applied radial “baton” indexes and a moon phase forming a fully circular subsidiary dial highlighted with the wording “automatic”.
Around 500 to 600 examples were produced:
· Ref. 5050 J, 18K yellow gold, around 300 examples (1993-2002);
· Ref. 5050 R, 18K pink gold, around 80-100 examples (1995-2002);
· Ref. 5050 G, 18K white gold, around 80-100 examples (1995-2002);
· Ref. 5050 P, platinum, around 80-100 examples (1995-2002).
The present watch was manufactured after the reference was discontinued circa 2002. An extremely limited number of pieces were made after that date for important Patek Philippe clients.
With its sunburst ardoise-grey dial with suspended applied yellow gold Breguet numerals and skeleton luminescent hands and dots, this piece can be considered as unique.
Bibliography
· Huber, Martin, & Banbery, Alan, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, 1998, p. 296, ill. 454 a.
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The Cal. 315 / 236 with “Gyromax” balance is illustrated byHuber & Banbery, 1998, p. 296, ill. 454 b-c, and p. 297 (exploded view).