Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jun 25, 2011

LOT 496

Patek Philippe - Ref. 5050/022 - Platinum ? platinum bracelet Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 1957688, case No. 2998696 , Ref. 5050/022P. Sold June 6th, 1997. Very fine and extremely rare, astronomic, center seconds, self-winding, water resistant, platinum wristwatch with perpetual calendar, retrograde date, leap year indication, moon phases and a platinum Patek Philippe bracelet. Accompanied by the original fitted winding box, setting pin, booklets, Certificate of Origin and an additional solid platinum case back.

HKD 1,600,000 - 2,200,000

USD 205,000 - 280,000 / EUR 145,000 - 200,000

Sold: HKD 1,700,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished, concave bezel and lugs, screwed-down transparent case back, sapphire crystals. D. Satine silver with applied white gold baton indexes, outer minute divisions, apertures for the days of the week, the months, the moon phases and the leap year, retrograde sector for the date. White gold feuille hands. M. Cal. 315/136, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 31 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, free-sprung Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, gold rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 11 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

With a production span of slightly more than 10 years (1993-2002), it is estimated that approximately 100 pieces were made per year, in all types of metal. With a beautifully proportioned perpetual calendar featuring a retrograde date (it took some time for the market to truly appreciate this technical feat, later adopted on reference 5016 as well), it was bound to become a classic. Only 19 examples in platinum have ever appeared at auction. This is the only known example to have been ordered with a platinum bracelet, as confirmed by its special reference 5050/022 (when ordered with leather strap it is called 5050/011) stated on its certificate of origin. It is probable that fewer than 10 were ordered with this configuration. Around 2010 Patek Philippe launched a small series of the 5050?s that remained in stock, featuring Breguet numerals. All were housed in yellow gold cases ande were available with gray, black, or white dial. According to our research a total of 10 such pieces were made.